Kyrgyz Air Force

The Kyrgyz Air Force (Кыргыз Республикасы Аскер-аба күчтөрү) is the official air force of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic. Its current commander is Kylychbek Aidaraliev.[3] The official holiday of the air forces is Aviation Day on August 18.[4]

Kyrgyz Air Force
Кыргыз Республикасы Аскер-аба күчтөрү
Kyrgyz Air Force Roundel[1]
ActiveMay 29, 1992[2]
Country Kyrgyzstan
TypeAir Force
RoleAerial warfare
Garrison/HQBishkek
AnniversariesAviation Day (18 August)
Commanders
Commander in ChiefSooronbai Jeenbekov
Head of the Air ForceKylychbek Aidaraliev
Insignia
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMil Mi-8, Mil Mi-24
TrainerAero L-39

History

Kyrgyzstan's air arm was inherited from the central Soviet Air Force training school (now the Military Institute of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic). This presented the nation a fleet with several L-39s, some dismantled MiG-21’s Mi-8’s and Mi-24’s. However, only a few L-39s and some helicopters are capable of flight. All aircraft are reportedly based at Kant, alongside the Russian 999th Air Base.[5]

Because of expense and military doctrine, Kyrgyzstan has not developed its air capability; a large number of the MiG-21 interceptors that it borrowed from Russia were returned in 1993, although a number of former Soviet air bases remain available. In 1996, about 100 decommissioned MiG-21s remained in Kyrgyzstan, along with ninety-six L-39 trainers and sixty-five helicopters. The air defence forces have received aid from Russia, which has sent military advisory units to establish a defence system. The Russians also help patrol Kyrgyz airspace as part of the Joint CIS Air Defence System Presently Kyrgyzstan has twenty-six SA-2 and SA-3 surface-to-air missiles in its air defence arsenal.

In 2002, the Kyrgyz government allowed the United States to use Manas air base for support operations in the War on terror. This agreement lasted till June of 2014.[6][7]

In August 2019, the 60th anniversary of military aviation in the nation was celebrated by the air force, holding an air parade in the Chuy Oblast.[8]

Structure
  • Air Force HQ (Bishkek)
  • 5th Guards Independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade (Bishkek)
  • 11th Air Defense Brigade (Osh)
  • 44th Independent Radio Engineering Battalion (Grigor'yevka)
  • Frunze-1 Air Base (Bishkek)
  • Central Command Post of the Northern Group of Forces (Bishkek)

Aircraft

Current inventory
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Russia utility 3[9]
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack 2[9]

Retired

Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the MiG-21, MiG-23, and the Tupolev Tu-134.

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References
  1. https://sites.google.com/site/planetwaves133/photos/kyrgyz-air-force
  2. "As it turns out, May 29th marks the anniversary of the creation of the Kyrgyz Military". Archived from the original on 2017-08-06.
  3. MOKRENKO, by Anastasia (2017-01-25). "Kylychbek Aidaraliev appointed Commander of Air Defense Forces of Kyrgyzstan". 24.kg (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  4. КАБАР, КНИА. "Bishkek celebrates the Aviation Day of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic". Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  5. "World Air Forces 2000 pg. 73". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  6. "World Air Forces 2004 pg. 70". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  7. Joshua Kucera. "U.S. Formally Closes Its Kyrgyzstan Air Base". Eurasianet. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  8. https://mir24.tv/news/16374057/kyrgyzstan-otmetil-60-letie-voennoi-aviacii-vozdushnym-paradom
  9. "World Air Forces 2020". Flightglobal Insight. 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
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