Chad’s air force (Armée de l’Air Tchadienne, AAT) has about 40 crewed military aircraft, according to Global Firepower’s 2026 estimate: seven attack aircraft, seven fixed-wing transports, eight trainers, two special-mission aircraft and 16 helicopters, three of them attack helicopters. Global Firepower counts no fighters. Chad’s jet strike force is built on second-hand Su-25s from Ukraine, with one or more MiG-29s of uncertain status. Since 2023 it has added Turkish HÜRKUŞ-C aircraft and ANKA-S and AKSUNGUR drones, and Chinese CH-4 drones were seen at a Chadian base in August 2026.
Quick answer
Total crewed military aircraft: about 40 (Global Firepower 2026, estimate; fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, drones not among the types GFP lists). Fighter jets: none counted by GFP; SIPRI records one MiG-29S delivered in 2014, other sources say up to three. Attack aircraft: 7-9 Su-25 listed (10 delivered 2008-2013); GFP counts 7 attack aircraft. Attack helicopters: about 3 Mi-24/Mi-35. Turkish types: 3 HÜRKUŞ-C, 2 ANKA-S and at least 1 AKSUNGUR. Chinese drones: at least 4 CH-4 observed (not officially announced).
Data verified on 7 November 2026. Delivery data from SIPRI (to end-2025); fleet totals are estimates, not official Chadian figures.
How many fighter jets does Chad have?
Possibly one to three MiG-29s, none of them confirmed as active. SIPRI records a single second-hand MiG-29S, probably modernised, delivered from Ukraine in 2014; open references say it was the first of three. A storm damaged a MiG-29 and two Su-25s, according to open-source compilations, which date it variously to July 2017 or 2015, and Global Firepower’s 2026 data count no fighters at all. We therefore list the MiG-29 as of unknown operational status.
Chad’s real fixed-wing combat force is the Su-25 ground-attack jet. SIPRI records six Su-25s (including two Su-25UB two-seaters) delivered from Ukraine in 2008-2010 and four more in 2013. Open references list about seven single-seat Su-25s and two Su-25UBs, and Global Firepower counts seven attack aircraft without itemising them. Chadian Su-25s flew against Boko Haram in Cameroon and Nigeria in 2015. A Military Africa report that Chad has “revamped its Su-24” aircraft is not supported by SIPRI, which records no Su-24 transfer to Chad, so we have not included that type.
Chad Air Force aircraft and drone inventory
| Platform | Variant | Quantity | Status | Source / period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sukhoi Su-25 | Su-25, Su-25UB | 10 delivered; about 7 + 2 listed | Listed | SIPRI (2008-2013); open references |
| Mikoyan MiG-29 | MiG-29S | 1 recorded by SIPRI (up to 3 reported) | Unknown; one reported damaged in a storm | SIPRI (2014) |
| TUSAŞ HÜRKUŞ | HÜRKUŞ-C | 3 | Delivered 2023; unveiled July 2023 (light attack) | SIPRI; Janes |
| Pilatus PC-7 / PC-9 | PC-7; PC-9 (armed in Chad, per SIPRI) | 1 / 1 delivered 2006 | Status not confirmed | SIPRI |
| Leonardo C-27J Spartan | C-27J | 2 delivered; 1 listed | Listed | SIPRI (2014); open references |
| Antonov An-26 / C-130H | An-26; C-130H | About 3 / 1 listed | Listed | Open references (FlightGlobal-based) |
| Cessna 208 Caravan | 208 (for surveillance) | 2 | Delivered 2017 (US aid) | SIPRI |
| Mil Mi-24 / Mi-35 | Mi-24D, Mi-24V/Mi-35 | 8 delivered 1998-2008; about 3 listed; GFP counts 3 | Listed; overhaul in Georgia reported (single source) | SIPRI; open references; Military Africa |
| Mil Mi-17 / Mi-171 | Mi-17, armed Mi-171 | About 6 listed | Listed | SIPRI; open references |
| Airbus AS550 Fennec / Alouette III | AS550 (ex-Singapore); SA316 | 6 delivered 2009-2010 / 2 delivered 1995 | Listed | SIPRI; open references |
| TUSAŞ ANKA (UAV) | ANKA-S | 2 | Delivered 2023; unveiled July 2023 | SIPRI; Janes |
| TUSAŞ AKSUNGUR (UAV) | AKSUNGUR | At least 1 (some sources say 2) | Shown armed in April 2024 video | Janes, Apr 2024; SIPRI |
| CASC CH-4 (UAV) | CH-4 | At least 4 observed | Seen August 2026; not officially announced | defenceWeb, Aug 2026 |
SIPRI quantities are deliveries, not current serviceable aircraft. “Open references” means compiled online inventories based on FlightGlobal and similar directories; they are not official. Drones are listed separately and are not counted as crewed aircraft.
Turkish aircraft and drones
Chad has bought both aircraft and drones from Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ). Three HÜRKUŞ-C armed turboprops and two ANKA-S drones were unveiled in the presence of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in July 2023, Janes reported. On 21 April 2024 the air force released a video of an AKSUNGUR with Chadian markings taking off armed with eight Roketsan MAM-L munitions, making Chad the first African country to receive the type, according to SIPRI’s register. SIPRI records no Bayraktar TB2 or AKINCI deliveries to Chad. Our explainer Why Chad bought ANKA and AKSUNGUR drones covers the procurement in detail.
Chinese CH-4 drones
In August 2026, footage from a Chadian military base showed at least four Chinese CH-4 combat drones, defenceWeb reported. The Chadian government had not announced the purchase. Because the quantity comes from imagery rather than a contract or official statement, we list it as a minimum observed figure. For other African operators, see which African countries operate the CH-4.
How Chad compares in the Sahel
With about 40 crewed aircraft, Chad’s air force is similar in size to Mali’s (about 44, GFP 2026) and larger than Niger’s and Burkina Faso’s (about 26 each). Our Mali Air Force inventory gives the closest regional comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chad have fighter jets?
Global Firepower counts none. SIPRI records one MiG-29S delivered in 2014; its current status, and that of any further MiG-29s, is not confirmed.
What attack aircraft does Chad use?
Mainly the Su-25, bought second-hand from Ukraine, plus three Turkish HÜRKUŞ-C light attack aircraft.
Which drones does Chad operate?
Turkish ANKA-S and AKSUNGUR drones, and, according to August 2026 imagery, Chinese CH-4s.
Does Chad have attack helicopters?
Yes, Global Firepower counts three attack helicopters, and about three Mi-24/Mi-35 gunships are listed from eight delivered between 1998 and 2008; their serviceability is not published.
Related reading
- Why Chad bought ANKA and AKSUNGUR drones
- Which African countries operate ANKA and AKSUNGUR?
- Which African countries operate the CH-4?
- Chad’s state arms manufacturer
- Military drones in the Sahel
Sources
- SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, trade register for Chad, 1960-2025 (data published March 2026; accessed November 2026).
- Global Firepower, Chad military strength 2026 (accessed November 2026).
- Janes, “Chadian Air Force unveils Aksungur UAV”, April 2024.
- defenceWeb, “Chinese UCAVs at Chadian military base apparently being prepared for service”, August 2026.
- Military Africa, “Chad’s growing military power: a slow but steady modernization drive”, December 2024.
- Wikipedia, “Chadian Air Force” (inventory compiled from FlightGlobal and other directories; accessed November 2026).
Last updated: 7 November 2026.