Top 10 African countries with the largest fleet of special mission aircraft in 2025

In today’s volatile geopolitical landscape, the capacity to successfully address a wide variety of security, environmental, and humanitarian issues is critical.

Special mission aircraft are designed to perform specific activities such as surveillance, information collection, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring.

Their role in protecting a country’s interests cannot be overstated, as they provide a strategic advantage many countries don’t enjoy.

Nations with specialized fleets can successfully monitor their skies and coasts, giving important information on possible dangers such as terrorism, piracy, and illegal fishing.

For example, aerial surveillance systems may monitor remote areas and detect odd activity or invasions, allowing ground or naval troops to respond quickly.

Aircraft outfitted for electronic warfare or signals intelligence can intercept enemy communications, giving useful intelligence during times of conflict or heightened tensions.

Furthermore, Africa has some of the world’s most varied ecosystems, from the Sahara Desert to the Congo Basin, yet these natural riches are increasingly threatened by climate change, deforestation, and other environmental stresses.

Special mission aircraft are critical instruments for environmental monitoring, enabling African countries to assess changes in their ecosystems such as deforestation, desertification, and animal poaching.

Aircraft outfitted with remote sensing technology, such as satellite imaging or thermal infrared scanners, may offer precise information about land use changes, illicit logging, and poaching in protected areas.

With that said, here are the African countries with the most special mission aircraft fleet in 2025, as per data from Global Firepower.