S
Right: The MiG-29SEh is an export
derivative of the 9.13 ‘Fulcrum-C’,
with N019ME radar, RVV-AE air-
to-air missiles and some Western
navigation and communication
systems. Serial 623, seen over
Khartoum, is one of around 11 MiG-
29SEh variants that were delivered
from 2003 and based at Wadi
Sayyidna.udan is Africa’s third
largest country and
the 16th biggest in
the world. The White Nile
and Blue Nile converge in the
capital Khartoum and it is a
place blessed with stunning
desert landscapes, hospitable
people and many historical
sites. However, Sudan is also
known for its enduring conflicts
between government forces and
armed opposition groups. In the
past, war ravaged its southern
half, and more recently unresthas focused on Darfur, Southern
Kordofan and Blue Nile state.
The country is bordered by seven
nations (clockwise from north:
Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South
Sudan, Central African Republic,
Chad and Libya). Relations with
most of these are largely good,
but tensions with South Sudan
(until 2011 part of Sudan) are an
ongoing concern. They mainly
relate to disputes over shared oil
revenues and border demarcations.
Sudan’s security apparatus and
the secrecy surrounding its armedforces mean only limited information
is generally available on the
al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya as-Sudaniya,
or Sudanese Air Force (SAF).Fifty years at war
Ever since the Republic of Sudan
gained independence from the
UK on January 1, 1956, a series
of civil wars has ripped through
the country. Since its inception
in 1957, the SAF has been in
almost-constant action on behalf
of the Khartoum government.
In summary, the SAF has played
a key role in two civil wars with the
south (1955-72 and 1983-2005),
the conflict in Darfur (2003-) and
campaigns in South Kordofan
and Blue Nile (2011-). Since 2011
there’s been a (mainly political)
standoff with South Sudan.
Sudan has been under military
leadership for most of its
independence. The current
President, Field Marshal Omar
al-Bashir, has been in power since- The duration of military rule
has strongly shaped the structure
of Sudan’s military and security
forces. Besides traditional armed
East and West meet
on the edge of Sub-
Saharan Africa,
where the Sudanese
Air Force has
amassed 50 years of
combat experience.
Mohamed Adam
Nour reports on a
secretive air arm.S
EastandWestmeet udan is Africa’s third has focused on Darfur, Southern forces mean only limited information
Modern defenders
74 // AUGUST 2018 #365 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comSudanese Air Force
Force
Report
Prior to the arrival of the ‘Frogfoot’ from 2008, the A-5s provided the backbone of the SAF’s ground-attack fl eet.
Armed with Chinese-made unguided rockets, this ‘Fantan’ pair is seen ready for a mission at Nyala.