Syrian Air Force

Syrian Air Force
Unit name	Syrian Air Force
Native name	القوات الجوية العربية السورية
Caption	Flag of the Syrian Air Force
Start date	1948
Country	Syria
Branch	Syrian Armed Forces
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare
Size	~40,000 active personnel (2021 est.)
Command structure	Ministry of Defense
Garrison	Damascus
Garrison label	Headquarters
Equipment	~500 aircraft (2024 est.)
Battles	* 1948 Arab–Israeli War * Six-Day War * Yom Kippur War * Lebanese Civil War * 1982 Lebanon War * Syrian civil war * Intervention against ISIL
Anniversaries	16 October
Commander1	Bashar al-Assad
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	Ali Mahmoud Abbas
Commander2 label	Minister of Defense
Commander3	Major General Ghassan Nassif
Commander3 label	Commander of the Air Force
Identification symbol	80px
Identification symbol label	Roundel
Identification symbol 2	80px
Identification symbol 2 label	Fin flash

Syrian Air Force. The Syrian Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Syrian Armed Forces, tracing its origins to the late 1940s. It has played a significant role in the Arab–Israeli conflict and more recently in the Syrian civil war. The force operates a diverse fleet of Soviet and Russian-origin combat aircraft, alongside transport and training planes, from numerous bases across the country.

History

The service was formally established after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, initially equipped with surplus aircraft from World War II. Its capabilities grew significantly following the union with Egypt as the United Arab Republic, receiving modern MiG-17 and MiG-21 jets from the Soviet Union. The force suffered catastrophic losses during the Six-Day War when the Israeli Air Force destroyed much of its fleet on the ground. It later participated in the Yom Kippur War, providing support to Egyptian Army and Syrian Army offensives. During the Lebanese Civil War, it conducted operations in support of various Lebanese factions. The 1982 Lebanon War saw another major confrontation with the Israeli Air Force during the Operation Mole Cricket 19. Since 2011, its primary focus has been the Syrian civil war, conducting extensive ground-attack missions against Syrian opposition and ISIL forces, often in support of Hezbollah and Wagner Group ground units.

Organization

The Air Force is commanded by Major General Ghassan Nassif and falls under the authority of the Ministry of Defense. It is divided into several regional commands, with major headquarters at bases like Tiyas Airbase and Shayrat Airbase. Key operational units include fighter squadrons, helicopter regiments, and air defense brigades, the latter often working in concert with the separate Syrian Air Defense Force. The force maintains close technical and advisory ties with the Russian Aerospace Forces, which operates from facilities such as Khmeimim Air Base.

Aircraft

The current inventory consists predominantly of Russian and former Soviet designs. The primary fighter and multirole aircraft include the MiG-29, Su-22, and the more modern Su-24 and Su-34. The fleet also features older models like the MiG-23 and MiG-21. Transport capabilities are provided by Il-76 and An-26 aircraft. The helicopter force, crucial for the civil war, operates the Mi-8, Mi-17, and the heavily used Mi-24 gunship. Training is conducted on the L-39 Albatros and Yak-130.

Bases

Major operational bases are strategically located across Syria. Key installations include Damascus International Airport, which also serves a military function, and the large Tiyas Airbase near Palmyra. Other significant facilities are Shayrat Airbase in Homs Governorate, Bassel Al-Assad International Airport in Latakia, and Aleppo International Airport. The Russian Aerospace Forces utilize Khmeimim Air Base for their operations in support of the Syrian government.

Operations

Beyond the major Arab-Israeli wars, the Air Force was active during the 1973 Lebanese clashes and the 1982 Lebanon War. Its most intensive and sustained operations began with the Syrian civil war, where it became instrumental in siege warfare and bombing campaigns against opposition-held areas like Eastern Ghouta and Aleppo. It has participated in the Russian military intervention in Syria, providing close air support for offensives such as the Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016) and the Eastern Syria campaign (2017–present). The force also conducted strikes as part of the International military intervention against ISIL.

Incidents and losses

The Air Force has sustained heavy losses throughout its history. Dozens of aircraft were destroyed in the Six-Day War and the 1982 Lebanon War. During the civil war, numerous aircraft have been lost to MANPADS, like the 9K38 Igla, and in combat with opposition forces. Notable incidents include the 2014 Syrian Air Force An-26 crash and the 2018 shootdown of a Russian Il-20, which was misidentified by Syrian Air Defense Force units. The United States Armed Forces targeted Shayrat Airbase with Tomahawk missiles following the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack. Pilots have been captured by groups including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Category:Military of Syria Category:Air forces by country