Summary
- Lebanon has a small but versatile Air Force, with 68 active aircraft.
- Cyprus relies on helicopters and missile systems for air defense.
- Brunei’s Air Force, with 22 manned aircraft, plans to acquire fighter jets.
A country’s air force is generally established to protect its airspace, borders, and provides support to land and maritime forces. Large countries like the United States, Russia, and China have some of the largest Air Forces in the world. Smaller countries, on the other hand, may or may not have a formal air force. This article explores the smallest countries with a fight-capable air force.
5
Lebanon – Lebanese Air Force
Country size: 4,036 square miles (10,452 square kilometers)
- 2,500 active personnel
- 68 active aircraft
- 18 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Attack aircraft: Embraer EMB 314, Cessna AC 208
- Attack helicopters: MD500 Defender, Aérospatiale Gazelle
Number five on our list of smallest countries with an active fight-capable air force is Lebanon, having an area of 4,036 square miles. The Lebanese Air Force (LAF), romanized as Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Lubnaniyya, is an aerial warfare arm of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), responsible for defending the country’s borders. Established in June 1949, the LAF has over 2,500 active personnel in the command.
The LAF has 68 active aircraft inventory, six of which are Embraer EMB 314 attack aircraft. The LAF does not currently possess an advanced fighter aircraft; as such, it relies on a squadron of EMB314 Super Tucanos, three Cessna AC 208s, and a helicopter force. The Cessna aircraft perform reconnaissance and ground attack missions for the LAF.
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4
Cyprus – Cyprus Air Command
Country size: 3,572 square miles (9,251 square kilometers)
- 1,200 active personnel
- 26 active aircraft
- Attack aircraft: Pilatus PC-9 trainer/attack aircraft
- Attack helicopters: Aérospatiale Gazelle
- On order: Four helicopters, Four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Number four on our list is Cyprus, having an area of 3,572 square miles. The Cyprus Air Command, also known as the Cypriot Air Force (CAF), is an aerial-armed wing of the Cypriot National Guard. The force primarily relies on helicopters (attack and anti-tank types), surface-to-air missiles, and integrated radar systems.
Established in April 1964, the CAF has approximately 1,200 active personnel under its wing. Two major squadrons make up the CAF: the 450th Attack Helicopter Squadron (450 M.E/P) and the 460th Search And Rescue Squadron (460 MED). The CAF uses a single Pilatus PC-9 Trainer/Attack aircraft for its multirole missions.
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3
Brunei – Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF)
Country size: 2,226 square miles (5,765 square kilometers)
- 22 active manned aircraft
- Five Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Meggitt Banshee
- RQ-21 Blackjack
- Plans to acquire fighter aircraft
Number three on our list is Brunei, having an area of 2,226 square miles. The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) is the aerial force of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. The RBAirF is headquartered and based in Rimba, across from Brunei International Airport (BIA). The RBAirF is responsible for defending the country’s air space and provide air support and surveillance to its marine and land borders.
Established in March 1965 as Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, the RBAirF maintains 22 manned aircraft and five UAVs, relying on its multirole helicopters and UAVs for targeted missions. Officially launched by the Sultan of Brunei, the UAVs primarily play the maritime security surveillance role. The RBAirF uses a variety of aircraft armaments, including M134 Miniguns, FZ rockets, and air-to-surface missiles. The agency plans to purchase several BAE Hawk aircraft to enable full fighter capability.
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2
Bahrain – Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF)
Country size: 304 square miles (787 square kilometers)
- 1,500 active personnel
- 118 active manned aircraft
- 17 General Dynamics F-16C
- 17 Bell AH-1E/F helicopter
- 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopter
The runner-up on our list of smallest countries with fight-capable air force is Bahrain, with an area of 304 square miles. The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), formerly known as Bahrain Amiri Air Force, is an aerial warfare arm of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF). The independent service aerial branch was involved in various combat operations during the Gulf War and Saudi Arabia’s intervention in the Yemen civil war.
Established in May 1976 as Bahrain Defense Force Air Wing, the BDF employs over 1,500 active personnel in various roles. The RBAF has 118 active aircraft, including several F-16Cs. The agency also relies on attack helicopters, including Bell AH-1E/F and Bell AH-1Z Viper.
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1
Singapore – Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
Country size: 275 square miles (712 square kilometers)
- 6,000 active personnel
- 7,500 reserve personnel
- 247 active manned aircraft
- 60 General Dynamics F-16C/D
- 40 McDonnell Douglas F-15SG
Topping our list is Singapore, with an area of 275 square miles. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is an aerial arm of the Singapore Air Forces (SAF), responsible for providing air support to the country’s Army and Navy, and protecting the country’s airspace. Established in September 1968, the RSAF employs over 6,000 active personnel in various roles, and 7,500 reserve personnel within its command.
Photo: Bluebearwing | Shutterstock
According to WDMMA.org, the RSAF has 247 active aircraft inventory, a large portion of which comprises fighter jets. The RSAF currently operates 60 US-made General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, and 40 F-15SG, specifically designed for the RSAF. Impressively, despite the country being the smallest with a fight-capable air force, it ranks 35th among 103 Global Air Powers in the world.
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