Kuwait

Current Order of Battle
Kuwait Air Force

Last updated:
Squadron Type Base
9 Squadron F/A-18C/D Hornet Ahmad Al Jaber AB
12 Squadron Hawk Mk.64 Ali Salim Sabah AB
19 Squadron Tucano T.52 Ali Salim Sabah AB
25 Squadron F/A-18C/D Hornet Ahmad Al Jaber AB
32 Squadron SA 330H Puma Ali Salim Sabah AB
33 Squadron SA 342K Gazelle Ali Salim Sabah AB
41 Squadron L-100-30 Hercules Ali Salim Sabah AB
61 Squadron F/A-18C/D Hornet Ali Salim Sabah AB
62 Squadron AS 532SC Cougar Ali Salim Sabah AB
88 Squadron AH-64D Apache Longbow Ali Salim Sabah AB
91 Squadron S-92A Kuwait IAP

Current Aircraft Inventory
Kuwait Air Force

Last updated:
Aircraft Type Total Del’d Total Active Still on Order Role
Aerospatiale AS 532SC Cougar 6 4 0 Maritime Patrol/ASW
Aerospatiale SA 330H Puma 12 6 0 Transport
Aerospatiale SA 342K Gazelle 24 14 0 Anti-Armour
Airbus Helicopters H225M 0 0 24 Assault
Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow 16 16 0 Anti-Armour/Attack
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III 2 2 0 Transport
Boeing F/A-18C Hornet 32 27 0 Fighter-Bomber/Recce.
Boeing F/A-18D Hornet 8 7 0 Trainer
British Aerospace Hawk T.64 12 10 0 Trainer/Light Attack
Eurofighter Typhoon 0 0 28 Fighter-Bomber
Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules 4 3 0 Transport
Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules 3 3 5 Tanker/Transport
Shorts Tucano T.52 16 12 0 Trainer
Sikorsky S-92 2 2 0 Utility

All-Time Aircraft Used List
Kuwait Air Force

Last updated:

 

Aircraft Type Quantity Service Entry Out of Service Origin
Aerospatiale SA 342K Gazelle 24 1974 current France
Aerospatiale SA 330H Puma 12 1975 current France
Aerospatiale AS 532SC Cougar 6 1984 current France
Agusta AB205A Iroquois 8 1968 1977 Italy
Agusta AB206A JetRanger 3 1968 1978 Italy
Airbus Helicopters H225M 24 – – France
Auster J1 Autocrat 3 1958 1959+ UK
Auster J5 Aiglet Trainer 6 1954 1960+ UK
Auster J5P Autocar 3 1953 19?? UK
BAC Strikemaster T.83 12 1970 1986 UK
BAC Jet Provost T.51 6 1962 1977 UK
Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow 16 2005 current USA
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 2 2014 current USA
Boeing F/A-18C Hornet 32 1992 current USA
Boeing F/A-18D Hornet 8 1992 current USA
British Aerospace Hawk T.64 12 1985 current UK
Dassault Mirage F.1BK 6 1977 2002 France
Dassault Mirage F.1CK 27 1976 2002 France
de Havilland DH.104 Dove 2 1955 1968 UK
de Havilland DH.114 Heron 1 1962 1972 UK
De Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou 2 1962 1979 Canada
English Electric Lightning F.53 12 1968 1977 UK
English Electric Lightning T.55 2 1968 1977 UK
Eurofighter Typhoon 28 – – UK
Hawker Hunter FGA.9 2 1967 1971 UK
Hawker Hunter FGA.57 4 1965 1976 UK
Hawker Hunter T.67 5 1965 1980 UK
Lockheed L-100-20 Hercules 2 1971 1983 USA
Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules 4 1983 current USA
Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules 3 2012 current USA
McDonnell Douglas A-4KU Skyhawk 30 1977 1993 USA
McDonnell Douglas TA-4KU Skyhawk 6 1978 1993 USA
McDonnell Douglas C-9K/DC-9 3 1976 1997 USA
Shorts Tucano T.52 16 1995 current UK
Sikorsky S-92A 2 2007 current USA
Westland Whirlwind 2 3 1960 1963 UK

 

Additional information is welcome

National Markings
Kuwait Air Force

Last updated:

This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Kuwait Air Force since its formation:

Main MarkingFin Flash

1953-1961
The markings carried by Security Department of Kuwait aircraft are not known.


  
Main MarkingFin Flash

1961-1991
The main marking is displayed in 6 positions (i.e. above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) on aircraft – but on the fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash is displayed on the tailfin. Transport aircraft carried the service titles KUWAIT AIR FORCE in English and Arabic. During the period of Kuwaiti occupation 1990-1991, exiled KAF aircraft replaced the roundel with the words ‘FREE KUWAIT’.


Main MarkingFin Flash

1991-present
Since the 1991 Gulf War, KAF aircraft normally fly without roundels and only dispay the fin flash. Transport aircraft carry the service titles KUWAIT AIR FORCE in English and Arabic.


  
Main MarkingFin Flash

1991-present
Some sources indicate that a version of the roundel with the words Kuwait in Arabic script on the green outer ring has been occasionally used. There is little photographic evidence of this.

Aircraft Not Used
Kuwait Air Force

Last updated:

This page gives details of some of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Kuwait Air Force but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.

Agusta AB204B Iroquois
Six examples reported in service 1968-1978. Probably confusion with the AB205s actually used.

Boeing AH-64A Apache
16 ordered in 1994, but cancelled in 1996.

Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules
Four C-130J reportedly ordered in 2000.

Sikorsky UH-60L Blackhawk
16 ordered in 1996, but cancelled in 1997.

Kuwait Air Force

Last updated:
Operator Profile

History

Narrative Summary

Military aviation started in Kuwait when the Security Department of Kuwait began to operate a number of Auster aircraft supplied by the Kuwait Aero Club. These were soon supplemented by a pair of Doves. In 1961 a growing threat by Iraq to invade Kuwait was averted by rapidly-deployed British military reinforcements, but this lead to the Air Wing being reorganised as the Kuwait Air Force. The Air Force took delivery of its first jet aircraft in 1962 and expanded rapidly with additional helicopters and other aircraft. Hawker Hunters and then Lightnings formed the nucleus of a fighter force that now operates F/A-18 Hornets. During the Iraqi invasion on 2nd August 1990, KAF aircraft were forced to flee to Bahrain to escape capture. The KAF then regrouped in Saudi Arabia, and was able to conduct offensive operations alongside coalition forces during the United Nations campaign to liberate Kuwait from occupation.

Key Dates

1953    Security Department of Kuwait Air Wing established
1961    Kuwait Air Force established
1960    First helicopters received – Westland Whirlwind
1962    First jet aircraft delivered – Jet Provost
1988    Kuwait Air Force assumes its present name
2 August 1990    Iraq invades and occupies Kuwait
February 1991    Gulf War – United Nations liberates Kuwait

Current Status

To be added.

Future Plans

To be added.

Markings

National Insignia

Current — Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbers

The Kuwait military serial numbering system consists of a three digit mumber, e.g. 414 for F/A-18C and 145 for Hawk Mk.64. The numbers are reused once a type has been retired.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used.

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used.

Current Aircraft Inventory

Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List

All-Time Table of Aircraft Used

Aircraft NOT Used

False reports of aircraft on order or in service

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Kuwait City.

Organisational Structure

The KAF is organised into nine Squadrons at three main bases.

Current Order of Battle

Table of Current Order of Battle

Historical Orders of Battle

List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.

All-Time Flying Units List

To be added.

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

The main air bases currently used are Ahmed al Jaber, Ali al Salim and Kuwait International Airport.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

In addition to the above, during the 1991 Gulf War KAF aircraft were based at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.

More Information

Books

Kuwait Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.

Magazines

To be added.

Websites

wikipedia: Kuwait Air Force

Scramble: Kuwait Air Force

PlanePictures.net

Airliners.net

Air-Britain Photos: Kuwait Air Force

Kuwait Police Helicopter Wing

Last updated:
Operator Profile

History

Narrative Summary

The Kuwait Police operates a small Air Wing comprising a handful of helicopters. The Police report to the Ministry of Interior. No historical details are known.

Key Dates
?    Police aviation unit established.

Current Status

The Police Helicopter Wing is primarily involved in traffic patrol, VIP transport, SAR and EMS duties.

Future Plans

None known.

Markings

National Insignia

          Main markingFin Flash

The national flag was carried as a fin flash. POLICE service titles were also displayed.

Aircraft Serial Numbers

Kuwait Ministry of Interior helicopters originally retained their former Air Force serial numbers. Helicopters purchased new since 2000 have a serialling system comprising a two-figure number for each airframe, prefixed by the letters KMOI, e.g. KMOI-04.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory
Aircraft Type Total Del’d Total Active Still on Order Role
Aerospatiale SA330H Puma 1 1 0 Policing
Aerospatiale SA342K Gazelle 4 3 0 Policing
Aerospatiale AS365N3 Dauphin 2 2 0 Policing
Eurocopter EC 135T1 2 2 0 Policing

All-Time Aircraft Used List
Aircraft Type Quantity Service Entry Out of Service Origin
Aerospatiale SA330H Puma 1 19?? current Air Force
Aerospatiale SA342K Gazelle 4 19?? current Air Force
Aerospatiale AS365N3 Dauphin 2 2005 current France
Eurocopter EC 135T1 2 2001 current Germany

Aircraft NOT Used

No false reports known.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Not known.

Organisational Structure

All aircraft are based at an unknown base.

Current Order of Battle
Squadron Type Base
KPHW SA330, SA342, AS365, EC135 ?

Historical Orders of Battle

Not applicable.

All-Time Flying Units List

Not applicable.

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

All helicopters are operated from an unknown base.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

Not applicable.

More Information

Books

To be added

Magazines

None known.

Websites

Ministry of Interior

Kuwait Government Aviation Unit

Last updated:
Operator Profile

History

Narrative Summary

A Government Aviation Unit was established circa 1973 for VIP transport.

Key Dates
1973?    Kuwait Government Aviation Unit first established.

Current Status

Kuwait Government aircraft are operated by Kuwait Airways under contract to the government.

Future Plans

No information.

Markings

National Insignia

Kuwait Government aircraft fly in a white and blue colour scheme, with the national flag and the insignia of Kuwait Airways on the fin. The country title STATE OF KUWAIT appears on the fuselage in English and Arabic script.

Aircraft Serial Numbers

All government aircraft carry civilian registrations in the 9K-Axx series.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory
Aircraft Type Total Del’d Total Active Still on Order Role
Airbus A300C4-620 1 1 0 VIP Transport
Airbus A310-608 1 1 0 VIP Transport
Airbus A320-212 1 1 0 VIP Transport
Boeing 747-400 1 1 0 VIP Transport
Gulfstream V 3 3 0 VIP Transport
Sikorsky S-92A 3 3 0 VIP Transport

All-Time Aircraft Used List
Aircraft Type Quantity Service Entry Out of Service Origin
Airbus A300C4-620 1 19?? current France
Airbus A310-608 1 1993 current France
Airbus A320-212 1 2004 current France
Boeing 727-269 1 1989 1999 USA
Boeing 737-200 1 1978 1982 USA
Boeing 747-400 1 19?? current USA
Gulfstream II 2 1980 1985 USA
Gulfstream III 2 1984 1993 USA
Gulfstream IV 3 1991? 2000 USA
Gulfstream V 3 2000 current USA
Hawker Siddeley HS.125-700B 2 1982 1990 UK
Lockheed Jetstar 8A 1 1973 1981 USA
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 1 19?? 2000 USA
Sikorsky S-92A 3 2007 current USA

Aircraft NOT Used

No false reports known.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Kuwait City.

Organisational Structure

All aircraft were based at Kuwait International Airport.

Current Order of Battle

Not applicable.

Historical Orders of Battle

Not applicable.

All-Time Flying Units List

Not applicable.

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

All aircraft are now based at Kuwait International Airport.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

To be added.

More Information

Books

To be added

Magazines

To be added

Websites

airliners.net

planepictures.net

planespotters.net

Kuwait Key Dates

Last updated:
1710    Kuwait becomes an independent kingdom.
18??    Kuwait becomes a British protectorate.
1961    Kuwait is granted full independence by Britain.
1961    Iraq makes a claim for Kuwaiti territory.
1976    The Amir suspends the National Assembly.
2 August 1990    Iraq invades Kuwait.
1991    Kuwait liberated by United Nations Coalition during the Gulf War.
1992    National Assembly elections.
2003    Women allowed to vote in elections.

[To be rewritten]