The Royal Afghan Air Force

A Royal Afghan Air Force was established in 1937, receiving 8 Hawker Hart bombers, 16 Meridionali Ro 37 reconnaissance aircraft and 8 Breda Ba 25 trainers in 1938. British and Italian instructors established a flying school and Afghan pilots were trained by the Royal Air Force in India. 20 Hawker Hinds supplemented the initial batch of aircraft in 1939, some remaining in service until 1957. 12 ex RAF Avro Ansons were received in 48 and 5 were still in service in 1968.

An agreement with the Soviet nion in 1955 saw Soviet equipment brought back into Afghanistan. In 1957, Mig 17 fighters, Ilyushin Il 28 bombers and Il 14 transports, Antonov An2 transports and SM1 (Mi1) were delivered with Mig 15UTI and Yakovlev Yak 18 trainers. Russian instructors arrived and both the USSR and USa built airfields. The Afghan personnel were trained in the USSR and in India.

The 1970's

In the early 1970's Mig 21 interceptors replacd the aging Mig 17s and Mi 4 helicopters and Il 18 transports were also received.

In 1973 the King was deposed and a republic declared. In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded the country. During this invasion and in the fighting afterwards, the air force suffered badly.

The 1980's

The ongoing action of rebel forces caused the withdrawal of the Soviet Forces in the late 1980's, leaving Mig 23, Sukhoi Su 7, Su17 and Su 22 aircraft, with Mi, 8, Mi 17 and Mi 25 helicopters, . Aero L-39 Albatross trainers and ground atack aircraft were also received.