Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces

cuban mig-21mf 1970s



cia map showing estimated range of cuban mig-29 fulcrum jets.

the cuban revolutionary air , air defense force (spanish: defensa anti-aérea y fuerza aérea revolucionaria) commonly abbreviated daafar in both spanish , english, air force of cuba.

former aircraft include: mig-15, mig-17, mig-19, north american b-25 mitchell, north american p-51 mustang, , hawker sea fury

in 1980s, cuba of soviet union able project power abroad, using air force, in africa. during time cuba sent jet fighters , transports deployment in conflict zones such angola , ethiopia.

in 1990, cuba s air force best equipped in latin america. in all, modern cuban air force imported approximately 230 fixed-wing aircraft. although there no exact figure available, western analysts estimate @ least 130 (with 25 operational) of these planes still in service spread out among thirteen military airbases on island.

in 1996, fighters daafar shot down 2 cessna aircraft based in florida incorrectly suspected of dropping leaflets cuban airspace. air force criticised not giving pilots of aircraft options other being shot down. 1 aircraft escaped.

in 1998, according same dia report mentioned above, air force had fewer 24 operational mig fighters; pilot training barely adequate maintain proficiency; declining number of fighter sorties, surface-to-air missiles , air-defense artillery respond attacking air forces.

by 2007 international institute strategic studies assessed force 8,000 strong 41 combat capable aircraft , further 188 stored. daafar known have integrated mig-29 , few mig-23s makes 58 combat aircraft in active service listed 6 mig-29s, 40 mig-23s, , 12 mig-21s. there assessed 12 operational transport aircraft plus trainers include 8 l-39c , helicopters mil mi-8, mil mi-17 , mil mi-24 hind. raúl castro ordered in 2010 mig-29 pilots had have full training, have 200–250 hours of flight annually real dogfight training , exercises. 20 mig-23 units have kind of training other 16 mig-23 units spend more time in simulators real flight. mig-21 units have limited time in exercises , spend more time in simulators , maintain skills flying commercial brand of air force aerogaviota.

at san antonio de los baños military air field, south west of havana, several aircraft visible using google earth.