After achieving independence from France in 1960, the Congolese air force (Force Aerienne Congolaise) was started with equipment such as the Douglas C-47s, Broussards and Bell 47Gs, these were followed by Nord Noratlas tactical transports and Sud Alouette helicopter. In the 1970s the air force switched to Soviet equipment. This included five Ilyushin Il-14 and six turboprop Antonov An-24 transports and an An-26 in return for providing bases for CubanMiG-17 operations over Angola. These fighters and a few MiG-15UTI combat trainers were transferred to the FAC. In 1990 these fighter were replaced by 16 USSR supplied MiG-21MF/bis Fishbeds plus a couple of MiG-21US trainers. Together with a Soviet training mission which stayed until late 1991, during that time there were numerous accidents that involved both Soviet and Congolese personnel. After the Soviets left there was only limited funding for MiG operations and they were withdrawn. Six Mi-8 helicopters were delivered from Ukraine in mid-1997 before the Cobra rebel takeover.
Former personnel and budgetedit
A small, but adequate budget and personnel. Financial aid also came from the former USSR and some personnel were either Soviets or Cubans.
Political and combat roleedit
Its role was as a Communist bastion in central Africa and to counter the politically unstable,[1] pro-Western regime in Zaire[1] (the then former name of the DRC). Its role is now one of countering cross-border smuggling operations, intermittent counterinsurgency actions in the northern provinces and successfully containing the crisis in the DRC along its border. Its first batch of aircraft, the MiG-15s and some of the MiG-17s, arrived in the early 1960s just after the Congo's independence from France and Zaire's independence from Belgium.
It was organised into fighter, counterinsurgency, transport and support wings.
Arms suppliers and personnel trainingedit
France, China and the Soviet Union supplied arms and aircraft. The Soviets and Cubans trained the air force as a whole, but France also trained some of its officers.[citation needed]
France, China and Ukraine supplied the arms and aircraft. France and China also trained the air force as a whole, but France has also trained most of its air force officers.[citation needed]
^ ab"Heart of Darkness: the Tragedy of the Congo, 1960-67". Worldatwar.net. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
^ abcde"World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
^"World Air Forces 1994 pg. 38". Flightglobal Insight. 1994. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
^"World Air Forces 2004 pg. 38". Flightglobal Insight. 1994. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
Sourcesedit
Dorling Kinnersley World reference atlas for 1994
Tri-service pocketbook- Soviet and East European Major Combat Aircraft for 1990,
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2024 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2003 edition.)
Tri-service pocketbook- NATO Major Combat Aircraft for 1990,
A news clipping on the helicopter and transport plane of about the same date.
Prentice Hall/Salamander Books book- An Illustrated Guide to Aircraft Markings (1989).
Aircraft information files Bright star publishing File 358 sheet 2
Further readingedit
Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter (2010). African MiGs: Volume I: Angola to Ivory Coast. Harpia Publishing LLC. ISBN978-0-9825539-5-4.
May 04, 2024
congolese, force, confused, with, force, democratic, republic, congo, french, force, aérienne, congolaise, branch, armed, forces, republic, congo, republic, congo, congo, brazzaville, force, aérienne, congolaise, roundelfounded29, july, 1959, years, 1959, coun. Not to be confused with Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Congolese Air Force French Force Aerienne Congolaise is the air branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo in the Republic of the Congo Congo Brazzaville Congolese Air ForceForce Aerienne CongolaiseCongolese Air Force roundelFounded29 July 1959 64 years ago 1959 07 29 Country Republic of the CongoTypeAir forceRoleAerial warfarePart ofCongolese Armed ForcesAircraft flownFighterMirage F1HelicopterMil Mi 35 Mil Mi 17TransportAn 32 CN235 Contents 1 Former Cold War air force 1 1 Former personnel and budget 1 2 Political and combat role 1 3 Arms suppliers and personnel training 2 Aircraft 2 1 Current inventory 2 2 Retired aircraft 2 3 Arms suppliers and personnel training 3 See also 4 References 5 Sources 6 Further readingFormer Cold War air force editAfter achieving independence from France in 1960 the Congolese air force Force Aerienne Congolaise was started with equipment such as the Douglas C 47s Broussards and Bell 47Gs these were followed by Nord Noratlas tactical transports and Sud Alouette helicopter In the 1970s the air force switched to Soviet equipment This included five Ilyushin Il 14 and six turboprop Antonov An 24 transports and an An 26 in return for providing bases for Cuban MiG 17 operations over Angola These fighters and a few MiG 15UTI combat trainers were transferred to the FAC In 1990 these fighter were replaced by 16 USSR supplied MiG 21MF bis Fishbeds plus a couple of MiG 21US trainers Together with a Soviet training mission which stayed until late 1991 during that time there were numerous accidents that involved both Soviet and Congolese personnel After the Soviets left there was only limited funding for MiG operations and they were withdrawn Six Mi 8 helicopters were delivered from Ukraine in mid 1997 before the Cobra rebel takeover Former personnel and budget edit A small but adequate budget and personnel Financial aid also came from the former USSR and some personnel were either Soviets or Cubans Political and combat role edit Its role was as a Communist bastion in central Africa and to counter the politically unstable 1 pro Western regime in Zaire 1 the then former name of the DRC Its role is now one of countering cross border smuggling operations intermittent counterinsurgency actions in the northern provinces and successfully containing the crisis in the DRC along its border Its first batch of aircraft the MiG 15s and some of the MiG 17s arrived in the early 1960s just after the Congo s independence from France and Zaire s independence from Belgium It was organised into fighter counterinsurgency transport and support wings Arms suppliers and personnel training edit France China and the Soviet Union supplied arms and aircraft The Soviets and Cubans trained the air force as a whole but France also trained some of its officers citation needed Aircraft editCurrent inventory edit nbsp A Congolese Mi 24 in Brazzaville 2005 Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes Combat Aircraft Mirage F1 France fighter 2 2 Transport CASA CN 235 Spain utility transport 1 2 Antonov An 32 Ukraine transport 2 2 Helicopters Mil Mi 8 Russia utility transport Mi 8 17 6 2 Mil Mi 24 Russia attack Mi 35 1 2 Retired aircraft edit Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the MiG 21 MiG 17F C 47 Dakota SN 601 Corvette N 2501F Noratlas Ilyushin Il 14 Antonov An 24 Antonov An 26 Alouette II Alouette III AS365 Dauphin and the MiG 15UTI 3 4 Arms suppliers and personnel training edit France China and Ukraine supplied the arms and aircraft France and China also trained the air force as a whole but France has also trained most of its air force officers citation needed See also editArmed Forces of the Republic of the CongoReferences edit a b Heart of Darkness the Tragedy of the Congo 1960 67 Worldatwar net Retrieved 2015 08 17 a b c d e World Air Forces 2023 Flightglobal Insight 2023 Retrieved 3 December 2022 World Air Forces 1994 pg 38 Flightglobal Insight 1994 Retrieved 21 March 2015 World Air Forces 2004 pg 38 Flightglobal Insight 1994 Retrieved 21 March 2015 Sources editDorling Kinnersley World reference atlas for 1994 Tri service pocketbook Soviet and East European Major Combat Aircraft for 1990 nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook 2024 ed CIA Archived 2003 edition Tri service pocketbook NATO Major Combat Aircraft for 1990 A news clipping on the helicopter and transport plane of about the same date Prentice Hall Salamander Books book An Illustrated Guide to Aircraft Markings 1989 Aircraft information files Bright star publishing File 358 sheet 2Further reading editCooper Tom Weinert Peter 2010 African MiGs Volume I Angola to Ivory Coast Harpia Publishing LLC ISBN 978 0 9825539 5 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Congolese Air Force amp oldid 1211484948, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
