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Peruvian Air Force

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox military unit

The Peruvian Air Force (Template:Langx, FAP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations and participating in international peacekeeping operations.

HistoryEdit

20th centuryEdit

File:Peru tomando posecion de mar ecuatoriano.jpg
Peruvian Aeronautical Corps aircraft flying over a Peruvian ship during the 1941 war

On 20 May 1929, the aviation divisions of the Peruvian Army and Navy were merged into the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Peruvian Aviation Corps, abbreviated CAP). During the Colombia-Peru War of 1933, its Vought O2U Corsair and Curtiss F11C Hawk planes fought in the Amazon region. The CAP lost three aircraft to the Colombian Air Force. The corps was renamed {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Peruvian Aeronautical Corps, also abbreviated CAP) on 12 March 1936.

Ecuadorian–Peruvian WarEdit

In 1941, the CAP participated in the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War. At that time, the CAP were equipped with Caproni Ca.114 and North American NA.50 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} fighters, Douglas DB-8A-3P attack aircraft, and Caproni Ca.135 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and Caproni Ca.310 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} bombers,<ref>Acig.org: Template:Usurped</ref> among others.

The Peruvian Air Force had also established a paratroop unit during the war and used it to great effect by seizing the strategic Ecuadorian port city of Puerto Bolívar, on 27 July 1941, marking the first time in the Americas that airborne troops were used in combat.<ref>The paratroopers were dropped from Italian Caproni Ca.111 bomber-transports. Skydiving in Peru by General Alberto Thorndike Elmore</ref>

Lieutenant José Quiñones Gonzales was a Peruvian pilot during the war. On 23 July 1941, his plane, a North American NA-50 fighter, was hit while performing a low-level attack on an Ecuadorian border post on the banks of the Zarumilla river. According to traditional Peruvian accounts, Quiñones, upon being hit by ground fire, crashed his damaged aircraft deliberately into the Ecuadorian anti-aircraft position, destroying it. He was promoted posthumously to captain, and is today considered a National Hero of Peru.Template:Citation needed

In 1942, an aerial photography service was annexed to the air force.<ref name=ElPeruano>Template:Cite news</ref>

Cold WarEdit

During the 1950s presidency of General Manuel A. Odría, the Peruvian Air Force was reorganized and on 18 July 1950, had its name changed to the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Air Force of Peru, or FAP). Peru was an ally of the United States during this period, and was predominantly equipped with aircraft built in the US and Great Britain. By the end of General Odria's presidency, the FAP ushered in the Jet Age with the introduction of English Electric Canberra bombers and Hawker Hunter, Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and North American F-86 Sabre fighters.

However, on 3 October 1968, a military junta led by pro-Soviet Peruvian Army General Juan Velasco Alvarado organized a swift and bloodless coup d'état against president Fernando Belaúnde Terry. Velasco aligned Peru more closely with the Soviet Bloc and relations with the United States deteriorated. The US declared an arms embargo in 1969, making it difficult to obtain spare parts for Peru's American weaponry. In the 1970s and 1980s, Peru turned to the Soviet Union for its military hardware. During this time, the FAP acquired several Soviet-made aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-22 fighters, Antonov An-26 and An-32 transport aircraft, as well as Mil Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-25 and Mi-26 helicopters. Soviet advisors were also dispatched to Peru.

Velasco was overthrown by other military officers in 1975 and Belaúnde returned to power as a civilian president in 1980. The FAP purchased the French-made Mirage 5P and 5DP and the Mirage 2000 in 1984. Relations improved with the United States and the FAP obtained American aircraft like the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly attack aircraft, as well as Lockheed C-130 and L-100-20 Hercules transport aircraft.

StagnationEdit

File:FAP Su-22.jpg
Peruvian Su-22 in 1983

The stagnation of the Peruvian economy during the late 1980s and early 1990s forced cost reductions and the downsizing of the fleet size. Budget cuts in training meant Peruvian pilots had a low number of annual flying hours (AFH) per pilot if compared to the 1970s. The number of annual flying hours is of course very important in estimating the individual skill and experience of the pilots of an air force: more annual flying hours suggest better trained pilots and general readiness. There are also a number of possible explanations for FAP's low AFH: concern over the aging of equipment, scarcity of spare parts – especially for the older aircraft – difficulties with worn airframes and the scarcity of fuel are all contributing factors.Template:Citation needed It is very likely however that some 'elite' pilots and regiments such as those based in Talara AFB and La Joya AFB received considerably more flying hours.Template:Citation needed Especially since those regiments until today are equipped with modern aircraft and tasked with homeland defence.

Cenepa WarEdit

The Peruvian Air Force participated in the 1995 Cenepa War against Ecuador's Air Force in the Amazon Basin. It provided aerial support to the Peruvian army, carrying out bombings with Mi-25 helicopters, Canberra bombers, A-37 and Su-22 aircraft. Due to a lack of reliable roads, troops were transported by Mi-17 helicopters, as well as L-100 Hercules, An-28 and An-32 aircraft. During the course of the war, at least two helicopters were shot down.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Fujimori governmentEdit

In 1997 and 1998, the FAP's outlook started to change for the better. In order to achieve president Alberto Fujimori's militarily bold plans, FAP required a much-needed general overhaul and new purchases.<ref>Diario La Republica http://www.ecuadorinmediato.com/Noticias/news_user_view/investigacion_peruana_corrupcion_impidio_bombardear_ecuador_2da_parte--11212</ref>

In 1997, the FAP acquired 21 MiG-29 fighters and 18 Su-25 attack fighters from Belarus. In 1998, an additional three MiG-29 fighters were bought from Russia,<ref>https://www.flightglobal.com/peruvian-mig-29-purchase-seals-service-deal/23330.article</ref> which, along with the 12 Mirage 2000 fighters purchased from France's Dassault Aviation in 1984, made a total of 54 fighters in Peru's inventory.

These purchases were expensive and a number of observers questioned their usefulness against more pressing security concerns at the time such as the Marxist guerillas, the Sendero Luminoso group (translated as Shining Path). On the other hand, the FAP still remembered the 1995 Cenepa War with Ecuador, and stationed its MiG-29s close to the border at Chiclayo AFB and Talara AFB.

21st centuryEdit

File:Peruvian Air Force personnel 2018.jpg
Various armed personnel of the Peruvian Air Force

Peru's Mirage 2000C/B and MiG-29S fighters form the backbone of its current multirole fighter fleet, alongside specialized Su-25 close air support jets. Its Mirage 2000Ps sit at La Joya AFB near the border with Bolivia and Chile; the 3 Andean countries have a minor 3-way maritime borders dispute, and residual tensions with historical foe Chile have been a long-running issue in Peru.

RAC MiG began the upgrade of FAP's MiG fleet to the MiG-29SMT external link standard in 2008. In 2009, Dassault began working with Peru on a comprehensive inspection of the Mirage fleet, coupled with some electronics modernization.

Since 2013, Peru is in talks with European suppliers as part of a long-term plan of replacing FAP's aging air force aircraft with second-hand Su-35s, Rafales or Eurofighters. Hitherto, FAP was exploring the possibility of buying as many as sixty Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000 from Spain<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and sixty Sukhoi Su-35 from Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Cost was a major issue for Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, who was looking at competitively priced fighter jets that would fit the national budget. In 2014, Peru began to update the operations and mechanical equipment of its Cessna A-37 aircraft, replacing analog controls with new digital hardware.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Peru has been evaluating multiple helicopters to modernize or replace previous utility helicopters and search and rescue operations with the Italian-made AW139. The purchase would consist of 12 helicopters for a total of $193 million.Template:Citation needed

Following the unveiling of the KAI KF-21 Boramae in April 2021, The National Interest reported that Peru may be a potential customer for the 4.5 generation fighter.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

OrganizationEdit

File:Peruvian Cessna A-37 Dragonfly.jpg
Peruvian Cessna A-37 Dragonfly in 2015

Air Wing Nº 1Edit

  • Air Group Nº 6 – headquarters: Chiclayo
    • Air Squadron 612 ("Fighting Roosters" combat squadron operating MiG-29S | MiG-29SE | MiG-29SMP | MiG-29UBP)
  • Air Group Nº 7 – headquarters: Piura
  • Air Group Nº 11 – headquarters: Talara
    • Air Squadron 112 ("Tigers" combat squadron operating Su-25UB)

Air Wing Nº 2Edit

Air Wing Nº 3Edit

  • Grupo Aéreo Nº 2 – headquarters: Vítor (Arequipa)
    • Air Squadron 211 (Attack Helicopter Squadron "Dragons of the Air" operating Mi-25 D/DU and Mi-35 P)
  • Grupo Aéreo Nº 4 – headquarters: La Joya (Arequipa)
  • Command School FAP – headquarters: La Joya (Arequipa)
  • Puerto Maldonado Air Base
  • Tacna Air Detachment

Air Wing Nº 5Edit

  • Air Group Nº 42 – headquarters: Iquitos
    • Air Squadron 421 (operating DHC-6 and Y-12)
    • Air Squadron 422 (operating PC-6)
  • Santa Clara Air Base – headquarters: Iquitos

PersonnelEdit

File:MINISTRO NIETO VIAJÓ A PIURA PARA SUPERVISAR LA RESPUESTA DEL SECTOR DEFENSA Y LAS FFAA ANTE LA EMERGENCIA (33781080466).jpg
Peruvian Air Force fleet in Piura in 2017
Personnel (as of 2001)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}, based on Supreme Decree DS No. 69 DE/SG of 2001.</ref>

Commissioned Officers 1,909
Non-commissioned officers 7,559
Cadets 325
NCO in training 296
Enlisted 7,880
Civilians 8,708
Total 17,969
(excl. civilians)

RanksEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Commissioned officers
Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Peru
NCOs and enlisted
Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/BlankTemplate:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Peru

EquipmentEdit

AircraftEdit

File:Peruvian Air Force MiG-29 SDLP.jpg
An Air Force MiG-29 at Halcon-Condor 2010 festival
File:FAP078.jpg
A Sukhoi Su-25 in 2024
File:MI-35P FAP (crop).jpg
A Mi-35 in flight
File:Boeing 737 Peru (22862503407).jpg
A Boeing 737 of the Peruvian Air Force in 2014
File:KT-1P(I).jpg
An KT-1 Woongbi in flight
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
Dassault Mirage 2000 France multirole 2000P citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Two 2000DPs provide conversion training.

One Mirage 2000P lost in April 2024 in a training accident<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

MiG-29 Russia multirole 6 2 provide conversion training
Sukhoi Su-25 Russia attack 5
Cessna A-37 United States attack 20<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Tanker
KC-130 Hercules United States aerial refueling / transport KC-130H 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Reconnaissance
C-26 Metroliner United States surveillance / COMINT 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Learjet 35 United States photomapping U-36 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Transport
Boeing 737 United States VIP 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Piper PA-34 United States utility 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
C-27J Spartan Italy transport 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> 8 on order
Antonov An-32 Ukraine transport citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Beechcraft Baron United States utility 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
DHC-6 Twin Otter Canada utility transport 15<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> STOL capable aircraft
Lockheed L-100 United States transport 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Pilatus PC-6 Switzerland utility / transport 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> STOL capable aircraft
Helicopters
Bell 412 United States utility 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility Mi-17/171 9<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> 8 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack Mi-35 16<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
MBB Bo 105 Germany utility 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
SH-3 Sea King United States Airborne early warning SH-3H citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Trainer aircraft
Zlín Z 42 Czech Republic trainer Z 242 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
CH2000 United States trainer 9<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> 8 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Piper PA-44 United States multi-engine trainer 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Sikorsky S-300 United States rotorcraft trainer 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
Enstrom 280 United States rotorcraft trainer 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> 4 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
KT-1 Woongbi Republic of Korea primary trainer KT-1P 19<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Aermacchi MB-339 Italy jet trainer 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/>
UAV
UAV FAP Peru Reconnaissance 5

Infantry weaponsEdit

File:PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.png
The M4 carbine
Name Origin Type Variant Notes
Small arms
Vektor SP1<ref name=":02">Template:Cite journal</ref> South Africa semi-auto pistol
AKM<ref name=":02" /> Soviet Union assault rifle
M4 carbine<ref name=":02" /> United States assault rifle M4A1
IMI Galil<ref name=":02" /> Israel assault rifle
Milkor BXP<ref name=":02" /> South Africa submachine gun
Uzi<ref name=":02" /> Israel submachine gun
Air defense
9K38 Igla<ref name=":02" /> Russia MANPADS
Javelin<ref name="IISS212">Template:Cite journal</ref> United Kingdom MANPADS
Armor
BTR-60<ref name=":02" /> Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier amphibious capable vehicle
BRDM-2<ref name=":02" /> Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier Malyutka amphibious capable vehicle

See alsoEdit

NotesEdit

Template:Reflist

SourcesEdit

  • Cobas, Efraín, Las Fuerzas Armadas Peruanas en el Siglo XXI. CESLA, 2003.
  • Marchessini, Alejo, "La Fuerza Aérea del Perú"; Defensa 295: 30–42 (November 2002).
  • Marchessini, Alejo, "La aviación de combate de origen ruso de la FAP"; Defensa 342: 34–36 (October 2006).
  • Marchessini, Alejo, "El Servicio de Material de Guerra de la FAP"; Defensa 355: 48–50 (November 2007).

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project

Template:Peruvian Armed Forces Template:Air forces in Latin America Template:Air forces Template:Authority control

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