Somalia to Build Small but Powerful Airforce in East Africa

Somalia's SNAF is already working towards acquiring its first aircraft in 2018, second-hand either fixed-wing or rotary. Suitable aircraft already identified include:

Britten-Norman BN-Islander light utility aircraft; DE Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter STOL utility aircraft; British Aerospace BAE 146 short-haul airliners; CASA/IPTN CN-35 medium transport aircraft; CASA C-212 Aviocar STOL medium transport aircraft; and the Shorts SC-7 Skyvan medium transport aircraft.

Also in the short term, there is a suggestion of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) detachment to assist the Somali Stabilisation Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu, but this will require ground support, technicians and facilities.

In the medium term, the SNAF wants to acquire helicopters for tactical lift, casualty evacuation and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – it is in talks with Russia about a Mi-17 capability.

Long term it aims for a light close air support aircraft like the Super Tucano A29 or Archangel to give direct combat support to the Somali National Army (SNA).

But the first phase will be for the SNAF to regenerate the capability to resupply and provide logistical support to the SNA.