AFGHAN AIR FORCE

Current Strength (09 Apr 12): 5,671 men and women (counted with ANA total), including 2,113 officers, 1,769 NCOs and 76 pilots, while 105 pilot students are in training.

 

95 aircraft,  including 47 Mi-17, 11 Mi-35, 6x Cessna 182T, 8 C-208B, 6 MD-530F and 15 C-27 (140 planned aircraft by 2016)

 

In December 2011, the first indigenous undergraduate pilot training (UPT) program began at Shindand Air Base. Students will graduate after 13 months of academics, simulators, and flights in the C-182T followed by either the C-208B or MD-530. Currently there are 79 student pilots at the United Arab Emerites (UAE) in various stages of pilot training. First class (rotary and fixed wing) is scheduled to graduate in September 2012.

 

A key Afghan Air Force training and language immersion program designed to develop the professionalism of the next generation of Afghan Air Force Officers. Building the AAF along four lines of operations: Aircraft build, Airmen build, infrastructure build, and operational capability.