Africa’s air power has quietly become one of the continent’s most decisive military assets. From counter-insurgency operations to regional peacekeeping, military aviation offers speed, reach, and deterrence that ground forces alone cannot provide.
According to Global Firepower, the top African countries with the largest military aircraft fleets at the start of 2026 are as follows:
1. Egypt – 1,088 aircraft
Egypt tops the list, ranking 9th globally. Its fleet includes F-16s, Rafales, MiG-29s, attack helicopters, and transport aircraft. Strategic location across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Red Sea makes Egypt’s air force the backbone of its military power.
2. Algeria – 620 aircraft
Algeria ranks 16th globally. Its fleet, heavily influenced by Russian hardware like Sukhoi fighters and MiG jets, is central to counterterrorism and surveillance operations across its vast territory.
3. Angola – 278 aircraft
Angola ranks 35th globally. Its Cold War-era fleet includes fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters, reflecting decades of military investment following civil conflict.
4. Morocco – 271 aircraft
Morocco ranks 37th globally. Its modernised fleet includes F-16s, transport aircraft, and surveillance platforms, crucial for regional security and tensions over Western Sahara.
5. Sudan – 183 aircraft
Sudan ranks 47th globally. Its fleet includes fighter jets, attack helicopters, and transport aircraft sourced mainly from Russia and China, despite political instability and operational challenges.
6. South Africa – 181 aircraft
South Africa ranks 48th globally. Its fleet features Gripen fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters, supporting peacekeeping missions, disaster response, and regional security under the AU and UN.
7. Nigeria – 159 aircraft
Nigeria ranks 54th globally. Its air force includes fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones, and transport aircraft to support operations against Boko Haram and other threats across the country.
8. Tunisia – 155 aircraft
Tunisia ranks 56th globally. Focused on border security and counterterrorism, its fleet consists mainly of light aircraft and helicopters, relying on partnerships with the U.S. and NATO allies.
9. Kenya – 154 aircraft
Kenya ranks 57th globally. Its air force supports regional security, including operations against militants in Somalia, with fighter jets, helicopters, and surveillance aircraft.
10. Ethiopia – 104 aircraft
Ethiopia ranks 70th globally. Its fleet, including fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters, supports internal security and border defence in the Horn of Africa.
Military aviation is now central to Africa’s national security planning, offering rapid troop deployment, intelligence gathering, and deterrence in regions prone to conflicts and stretched borders.
