Angola


Pilot

A brief history of the nation's air forces
You are encouraged to add to or correct historical information


Early Days

The Angolan People's Air Force was formed in 1975 following independence from Portugal. Strong support from Cuba included Mig 21 fighters and Mi 8 helicopters. The country was wracked by civil war between different guerrilla groups, the srongest of which was UNITA, Union for Total Independance of Angola, until a peace agreement was reached in 1995.A Brief Pause

The armed forces were reduced in strength following the peace deal, although the APAF received Mig 23's, Mi 17 and Mi 24 helicopters shortly before hostilities recommenced in 1998.

Recent Developments

Belarus has supplied Mig 23 and Su 22's, ex-RAF Hercules C130K were bought from Lockheed. It is supposed that Mi 17 Mig 29 and Su 27 aircraft were supplied from Eastern Europe. Russia provided Mi 35's in 2001. Numerous other aircraft including Tucano trainers from Peru have been added to the fleet as well as Boeing 707's and numerous smaller aircraft. However, the current diminished threat from UNITA brings into question the nature and size of the force and its future procurements.


Abstracted from and copyright of Jane's Air Forces of the World