United Arab Emirates Air Force

United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence
  • القوات الجوية والدفاع الجوي الاماراتي
  • Al-Quwwāt al-Jawiyah wa al-Defa' al-Jawiy al-ʾImārāty
Badge of the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence
Founded1968; 56 years ago (1968)
Country United Arab Emirates
TypeAir force
Role
Size560 aircraft[1]
Part ofUAE Armed Forces
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander
Vice Marshal Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
FighterF-16 Fighting Falcon, Mirage 2000
HelicopterCH-47, Bell 214, Bell 412, AS 350, AS 550, AS 565, Puma, Super Puma, AS 365, UH-60M
Attack helicopterAH-64D
ReconnaissanceDash 8MMA, CN-235MPA
TrainerHawk, MB-339, PC-7, PC-21, G 115, Aermacchi MB-339
TransportC-130 Hercules, CN-235, Cessna 208, C-17 Globemaster III, Airbus A330 MRTT

The United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) (Arabic: القوات الجوية والدفاع الجوي الاماراتي, romanizedal-Quwwāt al-Jawiyah wa al-Defa' al-Jawiy al-ʾImārāty) is the air force of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), part of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Its predecessor was established in 1968, when the Emirates were still under British rule. Since then, it has undergone a continual reorganisation and expansion in terms of both capability and numbers of aircraft. Currently, the UAEAF has around 4,000 personnel and operates approximately 560 fixed wing and rotorcraft.

  1. ^ Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 8 October 2024.