In African countries with significant security concerns, an air force with insufficient aircraft and supplies can have detrimental consequences.
An air force with few aircraft fleets may struggle with controlling its airspace, making it exposed to external threats. Aircraft are critical for surveillance, early warning, and timely response to impending intrusions.
A lack of airpower enables adversaries, whether state entities or rebel groups, to exploit security weaknesses, threatening territorial sovereignty.
For example, without enough fighter jets or drones, a government cannot effectively monitor its borders or combat terrorist activity. This reduces its potential to prevent aggression, emboldening foes and resulting in long-term instability.
Furthermore, modern military operations need coordination among air, ground, and naval forces. An under-resourced air force lowers the efficacy of combined operations by reducing assistance for ground troops and marine forces.
Additionally, natural disasters, health crises, and armed wars are frequent occurrences in some African countries.
Air forces with small fleets cannot offer immediate humanitarian relief, evacuate populations, or perform medical evacuations.
In areas prone to such challenges, the inability to send cargo aircraft or helicopters for relief missions worsens human suffering.
With that said, here are the African countries with the smallest number of Air Force logistics, as per data from Global Firepower.
Top 10 African countries with the least battle-ready air force
| Rank | Country | Military Aircraft fleet | Fighter fleet | Helicopter fleet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Somalia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2. |
Liberia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
3. |
Benin |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|
4. |
Sierra Leone |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
5. |
Madagascar |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
6. |
Central Africa Republic |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
7. |
Ivory Coast |
9 |
0 |
1 |
|
8. |
Republic of Congo |
11 |
2 |
8 |
|
9. |
South Sudan |
16 |
0 |
15 |
|
10. |
Ghana |
20 |
0 |
11 |
