Peruvian Air Force
Peruvian Air Force Fuerza Aérea del Perú |
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![]() Coat of arms of the Peruvian Air Force
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Active | 1929 (as Peruvian Aviation Corps) |
Country | ![]() |
Part of | Peruvian Ministry of Defense |
Nickname(s) | "FAP" |
Engagements | Colombia–Peru War 1932 – 1933 Ecuadorian-Peruvian war (1941) Paquisha War 1981 Falklands War 1982 Cenepa War 1995 Internal conflict in Peru 1980– 2015 |
Commanders | |
Commander-In-Chief | Dante Antonio Arévalo Abate |
Chief of Staff | Julio Valdez Pomareda |
Inspector General | Javier Ramírez Guillen |
Insignia | |
Roundel | ![]() |
Flag | ![]() |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | Su-25, A-37B |
Fighter | MiG-29, Mirage 2000 |
Attack helicopter | Mi-25D, Mi-35P |
Patrol | C-26B |
Reconnaissance | Learjet 36 |
Trainer | MB-339, EMB-312, Zlin 242L |
Transport | An-32B, C-130 Hercules, Y-12, Boeing 737, DHC-6, PC-6 |
The Peruvian Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aérea del Perú, 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.
Contents
History[edit]
On May 20, 1929, the aviation divisions of the Peruvian Army and Navy were merged into the Cuerpo de Aviación del Perú (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 Cuerpo Aeronáutico del Perú (Peruvian Aeronautical Corps, also abbreviated CAP) on March 12, 1936.
1941 Ecuadorian invasion of Peru[edit]
In 1941, the CAP participated in the Peruvian-Ecuadorian War. At that time, the CAP were equipped with Caproni Ca.114 and North American NA.50 Torito fighters, Douglas DB-8A-3P attack aircraft, and Caproni Ca.135 Tipo Peru and Caproni Ca.310 Libeccio bombers,[1] 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 July 27, 1941, marking the first time in the Americas that airborne troops were use in combat.[2]
Lieutenant José A. Quiñones was a Peruvian pilot during the war. On July 23, 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.[citation needed]
Cold War[edit]
Since its creation FAP was a close ally of the USAF. Thus the Foreign Military Sales programme of the US Government was lenient to FAP's desires and granted FAP main access to American / NATO military aviation technology and military hardware.
During the 1950s the presidency of pro-US General Manuel A. Odría had the Peruvian Air Force reorganized again and on July 18, 1950 had its name changed thus the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (Air Force of Peru, abbreviated FAP) was born.
At the end of General Odria's presidency the FAP was introduced into the jet age with the arrival of several English Electric Canberra bombers and Hawker Hunters, Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and North American F-86 Sabre fighters.
However, on October 3, 1968 a military junta led by pro-Soviet Peruvian Army General Juan Velasco Alvarado organized a swift and bloodless coup d'état against then Peruvian president Fernando Belaunde.
Thus changing until today the doctrine, the strategic planning and the status-quo of the Peruvian military.
General Velasco was a socialist dictator, eagerly desirous of achieving or obtaining a swift Peruvian military success against Pinochet's Chile ending in the recovery of the lost Peruvian territories of Arica and Iquique lost to the Chileans in the late 19th century.
General Velasco's close ties with the Soviet Union and the socialist world had the side effect of a 1969 US arms embargo against the Peruvian Armed Forces.
Therefore, FAP and the Peruvian Armed Forces, due to the American military embargo could not get the spare parts it needed for its American/NATO aircraft, radars, submarines, tanks, APCs. navy ships, etc. acquired previously.
General Velasco's junta decided that it was in Peru's best interest to leave the western military doctrine and start a new military strategy with Soviet help.
From 1970 until 1990, the Soviets helped the Peruvians kickstart a massive Peruvian re-armament, via expensive purchases of Soviet/Eastern block military hardware.
Peru also adopted the Soviet Military Doctrine and severed all ties with the US/NATO armed forces even expelled US military attaches in Peru, while at the same time allowed the stationing of Soviet advisers in Peru. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s FAP's acquisitions saw the introduction of an important number of 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 the Mi-26 helicopters.
The French-made Mirage 5P and 5DP, and after 1984 the acquisition of the Mirage 2000 and the restart of purchase of U.S. made military aircraft such as the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly attack aircraft, the Lockheed C-130 and L-100-20 Hercules transport aircraft.
Stagnation[edit]
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 suggests 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. 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. Especially since those regiments until today are equipped with modern aircraft and tasked with homeland defence.
Cenepa War[edit]
In 1995 the Peruvian Air Force fought the Cenepa War against Ecuador's FAE in the Amazonian skies ill equipped, having five fighter planes and three attack helicopters shot down by the Ecuadorians.
Revival[edit]
In 1997 and 1998 however things started to change for better in FAP's outlook. In order to achieve Fujimori's colossal military bold plans meant FAP getting a much needed general overhaul and new purchases.[3]
1997 and 1998 purchases[edit]
Therefore, it is correct to state that the FAP was revived after 1995.
In 1997 the FAP acquired from Belarus 21 MiG-29 fighters and 18 Su-25 attack fighters.
In 1998 an additional 3 MiG-29 fighters were bought from Russia which along with the 12 Mirage 2000 fighters purchased from France's Dassault Aviation in 1984, makes a total of 54 fighters in Peru's inventory.
Peru's Mirage 2000C/B and MiG-29S fighters form the backbone of its current multi-role fighter fleet, alongside old SU-22 strike fighters and specialized SU-25 close air support jets.
The Mirages were bought from France in 1984, while the MiG-29s arrived via a disastrous 1995 deal with Belarus. Fortunately, Peru patched things up with Russia, and RAC MiG agreed to provide service and support.
These purchases have been expensive, and a number of observers have questioned their usefulness against more pressing security concerns, like Peru's fanatical Marxist Sendero Luminoso ("Shining Path") guerrillas. On the other hand, the FAP still remembers the 1995 Canepa War with Ecuador, and its Russian fighters are stationed very close to that border at Chiclayo AFB and Talara AFB.
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 theme in Peru.
In 2008, RAC MiG began the upgrade of FAP's MiG fleet to the MiG-29SMT external link standard.
In 2009, Dassault began working with Peru on a comprehensive inspection of the Mirage fleet, coupled with some electronics modernization.
Future purchases[edit]
Finally, since 2013 Peru is in talks with European suppliers as part of a log-term plan of replacing FAP's aging air force aircraft with second-hand Su-35, Rafale or Eurofighters.
Hitherto, FAP is currently exploring the possibility of buying as many as 60 Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000 from Spain[4] and 60 Sukhoi 35 from Russia.[5]
Cost is a major issue for Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, who is looking at competitively priced fighter jets that will fit the national budget.
Organization[edit]
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161110223301im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/S4_25_con_nuevo_esquema_de_color_foto_por_Renato_Y_sized.jpg/220px-S4_25_con_nuevo_esquema_de_color_foto_por_Renato_Y_sized.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161110223301im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Peruvian_mb339_airplane.jpg/220px-Peruvian_mb339_airplane.jpg)
The current Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force of Peru is General Jaime Marin Figueroa Olivos. Aerial forces are subordinated to the Ministry of Defense and ultimately to the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Peruvian Armed Forces. Operational units are organized as follows:
Ala Aérea Nº 1[edit]
1st Air Wing, headquartered at Piura
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 6 (6th Air Group) based at Chiclayo
- Escuadrón Aéreo 612 (Fighter Squadron 612 "Fighters Cocks") – operating MiG-29S/SE/SMP/UBP
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 7 (7th Air Group) based at Piura
- Escuadrón Aéreo 711 (Fighter Squadron 711 "Scorpions") – operating A-37B
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 11 (11th Air Group) based at Talara
Ala Aérea Nº 2[edit]
2nd Air Wing, headquartered at Callao
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 3 (3rd Air Group) based at Callao
- Escuadrón Aéreo 315 (Light Helicopter Squadron 315) – operating BO-105
- Escuadrón Aéreo 331 (Helicopter Training Squadron 331) – operating Schweizer 300 (based at Las Palmas)
- Escuadrón Aéreo 332 (Medium-Airlift Helicopter Squadron 332) – operating Bell 212 and Bell 412
- Escuadrón Aéreo 334 (Surveillance Squadron 334) – operating C-26B
- Escuadrón Aéreo 342 (Heavy-Airlift Helicopter Squadron 342) – operating Mi-17
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 8 (8th Air Group) based at Callao
- Escuadrón Aéreo 841 (Transport Squadron 841) – operating B-737
- Escuadrón Aéreo 842 (Transport Squadron 842) – operating L-100-20 Hercules
- Escuadrón Aéreo 843 (Transport Squadron 843) – operating An-32
- Escuadrón Aéreo 844 (Transport Squadron 844) – operating C-27J
Ala Aérea Nº 3[edit]
3rd Air Wing, headquartered at Arequipa
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 2 (2nd Air Group) based at Vítor
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 4 (4th Air Group) based at La Joya
- Escuadrón Aéreo 412 (Fighter Squadron 412 "Hawks") – operating Mirage 2000P/DP
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 51 (51st Air Group) based at Pisco
Ala Aérea Nº 4[edit]
4th Air Wing, headquartered at Iquitos
- Grupo Aéreo Nº 42 (42nd Air Group) based at Iquitos
Personnel[edit]
Personnel (as of 2001)[6] | |
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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) |
Aircraft[edit]
Current inventory[edit]
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161110223301im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Peruvian_Air_Force_MiG-29_SDLP.jpg/220px-Peruvian_Air_Force_MiG-29_SDLP.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161110223301im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Peruvian_Air_Force_Boeing_737-200_Lofting.jpg/220px-Peruvian_Air_Force_Boeing_737-200_Lofting.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161110223301im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/MI-35P_FAP_%28crop%29.jpg/220px-MI-35P_FAP_%28crop%29.jpg)
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Acig.org: The Most Powerful Air Force in Latin America
- ^ The paratroopers were dropped from Italian Caproni Ca.111 bomber-transports. Skydiving in Peru by General Alberto Thorndike Elmore
- ^ Diario La Republica http://www.ecuadorinmediato.com/Noticias/news_user_view/investigacion_peruana_corrupcion_impidio_bombardear_ecuador_2da_parte--11212
- ^ Flight Global http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/spain-offers-eurofighters-to-peru-381843/
- ^ United Press International http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/03/26/Peru-mulls-replacing-aged-air-force-jets/16101364290342/
- ^ http://www.resdal.org/art-rial.htm, based on Supreme Decree DS No. 69 DE/SG of 2001.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "World Air Forces 2016 pg. 26". Flightglobal Insight. 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Administrator. "Demora en la entrega de dos aviones C-26 modificados para la Fuerza Aérea del Perú". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "Peru buys Dutch SAR Bell 412 fleet". helihub.com. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
Sources[edit]
- Efraín Cobas|Cobas, Efraín]], Las Fuerzas Armadas Peruanas en el Siglo XXI. CESLA, 2003.
- Alejo Marchessini|Marchessini, Alejo, "La Fuerza Aérea del Perú"; Defensa 295: 30–42 (November 2002).
- Alejo Marchessini|Marchessini, Alejo, "La aviación de combate de origen ruso de la FAP"; Defensa 342: 34–36 (October 2006).
- Alejo Marchessini|Marchessini, Alejo, "El Servicio de Material de Guerra de la FAP"; Defensa 355: 48–50 (November 2007).
External links[edit]
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