Kuwait Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Kuwait Air Force is the air arm of the State of Kuwait
. The Air Force headquarters is located at Al Mubarak Air Base, with the remaining forces stationed at Air Defence Brigade, Ali Al Salem Air Base
and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
. The Kuwait Air Force numbers approximately 2,500 officer and enlisted personnel.
T.51s. This support from the UK would remain in place for a long time and 1964 was known for the arrival of the first Hawker Hunter
s. These would later be amended by more examples in 1969. The first DeHavilland Canada type to enter KAF service was the DHC-4 Caribou from which two arrived in 1963. The transport capacity would later be improved by the acquisition of an ex-RAF Argosy
in 1969 and later, in 1971, by two Lockheed L-100-20 Hercules. In the meantime the fighter force was given a boost by the procurement of twelve Lightning F53s and two T55 trainer versions that were delivered in the late 60s. The Strikemaster Mk.83s from which twelve were ordered were delivered in 1969. Between 1968 and 1977 two Bell 206
's operated in KAF service and from November 1969, eight Augusta Bell 205s were delivered, replacing the aging Whirlwinds. Only five years after the delivery of the Lightnings, the KAF decided it needed a better serviceable aircraft. It had been using the Hunters and the Strikemasters in the interceptor and ground strike role, rather than the Lightnings. Finally in 1974 the Mirage F1 was selected as the new air defence fighter and a total of 27 Mirage F1CKs and seven Mirage F1BKs were ordered and delivered in two separate batches until 1983. The ground strike role would be filled in by the total of 36 Douglas (T)A-4KU Skyhawks
that were ordered in 1974 and delivered during 1977. 24 SNIAS SA-342K Gazelles
were delivered during the mid-70s and four were subsequently passed on to the Police Air Wing. Four L-100-30 Hercules transport aircraft were delivered in 1983, replacing the shorter L-100-20 version from which only one survived (the other crashed in France). Also in 1983, twelve Hawk
T64 were ordered to fill the gap that the KAF had on training capacity. In 1988 the Air Force was baptised al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya (Kuwait Air Force). The lead-in-fighter-trainer that was selected, the Shorts Tucano T.52, would only be delivered in 1995. They were earmarked for delivery in 1990 but due to the outbreak of the Gulf War, deliveries were postponed.
s and the Dassault Mirage F1
s were soon phased out in favour of the McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet. 32 F/A-18Cs and eight F/A-18D Hornets are flying with 9th Squadron and 25th Squadron from Ahmed al Jaber. The Mirage is withdrawn from use and in storage. Most of the remaining Skyhawks continued their operational life with the Brazilian Navy
. The first six of sixteen ordered AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters were handed over to the Kuwait Air Force on 3 February 2006. The remaining ten aircraft were delivered thereafter. All the helicopters are pre-configured to carry the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar kits.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fixed Wing
|-----
| McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet || || Multirole Fighter || C\D || 28 ||
|-----
| BAE Hawk || || Advanced Trainer || Mk.64 || 10 ||
|-----
| Shorts Tucano || || Basic Trainer || Mk.52 || 16 ||
|-----
| Lockheed L-100 Hercules || || Transport || L100-30 || 3 ||
|-----
| Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules || || Multirole Tanker || KC-130J || || Entering service in 2013
|-----
| Boeing C-17 Globemaster III || || Transport || C-17A || || Requested in sep. 2010
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Rotary Wing
|-----
| Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow || || Attack Helicopter || - || 26 ||
|-----
| Aerospatiale SA-342 Gazelle
|| || Trainer & Support Helicopter || SA-342K || 13 ||
|-----
| Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma
|| || Search & Rescue || AS-332M || 4 ||
|-----
| Aerospatale SA-330 Puma
|| || Utility Helicopter || SA-330H || 5 ||
|-----
| Sikorsky S-92 || || VIP Transport || S92A || 2 ||
|-----
| Eurocopter EC-135
|| || Utility Helicopter|| T1 || 2 || Police Rotary Wing
|-----
| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin || || Utility Helicopter|| N3 || 2 || Police Rotary Wing
|-----
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
|-----
|| MIM-104 Patriot PAC 3
|| || SAM || 2
|-----
|| MIM-104 Patriot PAC 2
|| || SAM || 3
|-----
|| MIM-23 Hawk
|| || SAM || 6
|-----
|| GDF-005 Amoun
|| || Anti Aircraft Gun & SAM || 12
|-----
|| Starburst
|| || SAM || 48
|-----
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
|-----
| Boeing 747-400
|| || 1
|-----
| Airbus A340-500 || || 2
|-----
| Airbus A319 || || 1
|-----
| Airbus A320-200 || || 1
|-----
| Airbus A310
|| || 1
|-----
| Airbus A300
|| || 1
|-----
| Gulfstream V
|| || 3
|-----
| Gulfstream G550 || || 1
|-----
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. The Air Force headquarters is located at Al Mubarak Air Base, with the remaining forces stationed at Air Defence Brigade, Ali Al Salem Air Base
Ali Al Salem Air Base
Ali Al Salem Air Base is a military airbase situated in Kuwait, approximately 23 miles from the Iraqi border. The airfield is owned by the Government of Kuwait, and during Operation Southern Watch and Operation Telic / Operation Iraqi Freedom hosted Royal Air Force , United States Air Force and...
and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base is a Kuwait Air Force installation with part designated for operations by the U.S. Air Force and its allies.Sitting 75 miles south of the Iraqi border, the base has supported active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along...
. The Kuwait Air Force numbers approximately 2,500 officer and enlisted personnel.
History
The current air force started as the Security Department of Kuwait which operated a number of Austers in different configurations and two DeHavilland DH104 Dove's. The Kuwait Air Force and Air Defence was formed in the course of 1961 following an intervention by the British that avoided Iraq to claim Kuwait as one of its provinces. The first aircraft to enter KAF service were four Whirlwind helicopters and six BAC/Hunting Jet ProvostBAC Jet Provost
The BAC Jet Provost was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also successfully exported, serving in many air forces worldwide....
T.51s. This support from the UK would remain in place for a long time and 1964 was known for the arrival of the first Hawker Hunter
Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
s. These would later be amended by more examples in 1969. The first DeHavilland Canada type to enter KAF service was the DHC-4 Caribou from which two arrived in 1963. The transport capacity would later be improved by the acquisition of an ex-RAF Argosy
Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy
The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British post-war military transport/cargo aircraft and was the last aircraft produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft...
in 1969 and later, in 1971, by two Lockheed L-100-20 Hercules. In the meantime the fighter force was given a boost by the procurement of twelve Lightning F53s and two T55 trainer versions that were delivered in the late 60s. The Strikemaster Mk.83s from which twelve were ordered were delivered in 1969. Between 1968 and 1977 two Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
's operated in KAF service and from November 1969, eight Augusta Bell 205s were delivered, replacing the aging Whirlwinds. Only five years after the delivery of the Lightnings, the KAF decided it needed a better serviceable aircraft. It had been using the Hunters and the Strikemasters in the interceptor and ground strike role, rather than the Lightnings. Finally in 1974 the Mirage F1 was selected as the new air defence fighter and a total of 27 Mirage F1CKs and seven Mirage F1BKs were ordered and delivered in two separate batches until 1983. The ground strike role would be filled in by the total of 36 Douglas (T)A-4KU Skyhawks
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
that were ordered in 1974 and delivered during 1977. 24 SNIAS SA-342K Gazelles
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
were delivered during the mid-70s and four were subsequently passed on to the Police Air Wing. Four L-100-30 Hercules transport aircraft were delivered in 1983, replacing the shorter L-100-20 version from which only one survived (the other crashed in France). Also in 1983, twelve Hawk
BAE Hawk
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft...
T64 were ordered to fill the gap that the KAF had on training capacity. In 1988 the Air Force was baptised al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya (Kuwait Air Force). The lead-in-fighter-trainer that was selected, the Shorts Tucano T.52, would only be delivered in 1995. They were earmarked for delivery in 1990 but due to the outbreak of the Gulf War, deliveries were postponed.
Post Gulf War
After the Gulf War, the KAF underwent a reorganisation and both the Douglas A-4 SkyhawkA-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
s and the Dassault Mirage F1
Dassault Mirage F1
The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation as a successor of the Mirage III family. The Mirage F1 entered service in the French Air Force in the early seventies...
s were soon phased out in favour of the McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet. 32 F/A-18Cs and eight F/A-18D Hornets are flying with 9th Squadron and 25th Squadron from Ahmed al Jaber. The Mirage is withdrawn from use and in storage. Most of the remaining Skyhawks continued their operational life with the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
. The first six of sixteen ordered AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters were handed over to the Kuwait Air Force on 3 February 2006. The remaining ten aircraft were delivered thereafter. All the helicopters are pre-configured to carry the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar kits.
Current
Lockheed Martin has received a $245 million contract from the U.S. Government for the Foreign Military Sale of 8 KC-130J tanker aircraft to Kuwait. The program will be managed by the U.S. Navy.The Kuwait Air Force's new KC-130Js will provide aerial refueling for its F/A-18 fleet and augment its current airlift fleet of three Lockheed Martin L-100s. Kuwait's KC-130Js also will perform air mobility, disaster relief and humanitarian missions throughout the world. Kuwait's first KC-130J delivery is scheduled for late 2013, with deliveries completed in early 2014. Using only wing and external tanks. In September 2010, Kuwait requested to purchase one Boeing C-17.Structure
- Abdulla AlMubarak Air Base HQ
- 41st Transport Sqd L-100-30 Hercules
- Ali Al Salem Air BaseAli Al Salem Air BaseAli Al Salem Air Base is a military airbase situated in Kuwait, approximately 23 miles from the Iraqi border. The airfield is owned by the Government of Kuwait, and during Operation Southern Watch and Operation Telic / Operation Iraqi Freedom hosted Royal Air Force , United States Air Force and...
- Flying School
- 12th Training Sqd BAE Hawk MK.64
- 19th Training Sqd Shorts Tucano MK.52
- 88th Training Sqd SA-342K GazelleAérospatiale GazelleThe Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
- Search and Rescue Wing
- 62nd Helicopter Sqd SA-330H PumaAérospatiale PumaThe Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
- 32nd Helicopter Sqd AS-332M Super PumaEurocopter Super PumaThe Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter marketed for both civil and military use. Originally designed and built by Aérospatiale, it is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma...
- 62nd Helicopter Sqd SA-330H Puma
- 33rd Helicopter Sqd SA-342K GazelleAérospatiale GazelleThe Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
- 17th Attack Sqd AH-64D Longbow ApacheAH-64 ApacheThe Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the...
- 20th "The Dark Knights" Attack Sqd AH-64D Longbow ApacheAH-64 ApacheThe Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the...
- Flying School
- Ahmed Al Jaber Air BaseAhmed Al Jaber Air BaseAhmed Al Jaber Air Base is a Kuwait Air Force installation with part designated for operations by the U.S. Air Force and its allies.Sitting 75 miles south of the Iraqi border, the base has supported active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along...
- 9th Fighter Sqd F/A-18 Hornet C/D
- 25th Fighter Sqd F/A-18 Hornet C/D
- Air Defence Brigade
Inventory
Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fixed Wing
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
|-----
| McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet || || Multirole Fighter || C\D || 28 ||
|-----
| BAE Hawk || || Advanced Trainer || Mk.64 || 10 ||
|-----
| Shorts Tucano || || Basic Trainer || Mk.52 || 16 ||
|-----
| Lockheed L-100 Hercules || || Transport || L100-30 || 3 ||
|-----
| Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules || || Multirole Tanker || KC-130J || || Entering service in 2013
|-----
| Boeing C-17 Globemaster III || || Transport || C-17A || || Requested in sep. 2010
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Rotary Wing
Rotorcraft
A rotorcraft or rotary wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air flying machine that uses lift generated by wings, called rotor blades, that revolve around a mast. Several rotor blades mounted to a single mast are referred to as a rotor. The International Civil Aviation Organization defines a rotorcraft...
|-----
| Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow || || Attack Helicopter || - || 26 ||
|-----
| Aerospatiale SA-342 Gazelle
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
|| || Trainer & Support Helicopter || SA-342K || 13 ||
|-----
| Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma
Eurocopter Super Puma
The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter marketed for both civil and military use. Originally designed and built by Aérospatiale, it is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma...
|| || Search & Rescue || AS-332M || 4 ||
|-----
| Aerospatale SA-330 Puma
Aérospatiale Puma
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
|| || Utility Helicopter || SA-330H || 5 ||
|-----
| Sikorsky S-92 || || VIP Transport || S92A || 2 ||
|-----
| Eurocopter EC-135
Eurocopter EC135
The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:...
|| || Utility Helicopter|| T1 || 2 || Police Rotary Wing
|-----
| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin || || Utility Helicopter|| N3 || 2 || Police Rotary Wing
|-----
Air Defence Systems
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Name! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
|-----
|| MIM-104 Patriot PAC 3
MIM-104 Patriot
The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system, the primary of its kind used by the United States Army and several allied nations. It is manufactured by the Raytheon Company of the United States. The Patriot System replaced the Nike Hercules system as the U.S. Army's primary High to Medium...
|| || SAM || 2
|-----
|| MIM-104 Patriot PAC 2
MIM-104 Patriot
The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system, the primary of its kind used by the United States Army and several allied nations. It is manufactured by the Raytheon Company of the United States. The Patriot System replaced the Nike Hercules system as the U.S. Army's primary High to Medium...
|| || SAM || 3
|-----
|| MIM-23 Hawk
MIM-23 Hawk
The Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk is a U.S. medium range surface-to-air missile. The Hawk was initially designed to destroy aircraft and was later adapted to destroy other missiles in flight. The missile entered service in 1960, and a program of extensive upgrades has kept it from becoming obsolete. It was...
|| || SAM || 6
|-----
|| GDF-005 Amoun
Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon
The Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves . The system was originally designated as 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001...
|| || Anti Aircraft Gun & SAM || 12
|-----
|| Starburst
Starburst surface-to-air missile
Starburst is a British man-portable surface-to-air missile produced by Shorts Missile Systems of Belfast . It is used by the British Army, Malaysian Army, and in the Canadian Army as the Javelin...
|| || SAM || 48
|-----
Government Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
|-----
| Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 is a major development and the best-selling model of the Boeing 747 family of jet airliners. While retaining the four-engine wide-body layout of its predecessors, the 747-400 embodies numerous technological and structural changes to produce a more efficient airframe...
|| || 1
|-----
| Airbus A340-500 || || 2
|-----
| Airbus A319 || || 1
|-----
| Airbus A320-200 || || 1
|-----
| Airbus A310
Airbus A310
The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range twin-engine widebody jet airliner. Launched in July 1978, it was the second aircraft created by Airbus Industrie,a consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. the consortium of...
|| || 1
|-----
| Airbus A300
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
|| || 1
|-----
| Gulfstream V
Gulfstream V
The Gulfstream V is a business jet aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. It is also used by the US military under the designation C-37A. The G500 and G550 are improved versions which are currently in production...
|| || 3
|-----
| Gulfstream G550 || || 1
|-----