Between 2008 and 2010 Belarus
supplied 15 refurbished Su-25s
(12 Su-25s and three Su-25UBs).
Later on, at least one, possibly
two, Su-25s were added as
replacements for crashed aircraft.
In mid-2013, Belarus delivered
an initial batch of four refurbished
Su-24M Fencer-Es, withdrawn
from Belarusian use a year before.
Additional Su-24s were reportedly
delivered in 2014 or 2015. In
October 2016, Sudan ordered six
FTC-2000 supersonic trainers,
and all were in service by the time
the Sudanese Ministry of Defence
announced their arrival on May
16 this year (see Sudanese FTC-
2000s delivered, July, p24).SAFAT and sanctions
As MiG-29 deliveries commenced,
construction started on the SAFATAviation Complex on the western
side of Wadi Sayyidna air base.
With support from ex-Soviet states
and China, a facility was established
with 14 hangars, over 50 workshops
and more than 700 employees.
Experts from China, Ethiopia and
former Soviet states work together
with Sudanese employees to
maintain and overhaul all Chinese-
and Soviet-built civilian and military
aircraft in service in Sudan.
SAFAT is certified to maintain
the K-8, A-5II, Su-25, Su-24 and
MiG-29 as well as a wide range of
Antonov and Ilyushin transports
(from An-2 to An-74, Il-18 and
Il-76). Variants of the Mi-8, Mi-17
and Mi-24 helicopters are also
maintained at its facilities.
International sanctions and the
secession of the oil-rich South
Sudan have plunged Sudan into
an economic crisis. For four years,
Sudan has made efforts to revive
scrapped aircraft, including Bo
105s and MiG-23s. Photographs
posted on social media show
these aircraft in a new two-tone
desert camouflage. SAFAT, as
part of Sudan’s Military Industry
Corporation, plays a key role
in maintaining the serviceability
of the SAF. The complex also
attempts to provide its services
to foreign operators. To date,
however, it apparently serves
only the domestic market.Southern SudanEritreaSudanEthiopiaChadLibyaEgyptCentral
African
RepublicKhartoumKhor Agol/KenanaGeneinaNyalaEl Fasher
El ObeidKhartoum Int.Wadi SayyidnaJebel AuliaPort Sudan
Merowe Port Sudan Int.Red
SeaLeft: The ‘Hind’ fleet has been
among the most active in the SAF’s
campaigns and has suffered heavy
losses as a consequence. Pictured
over the Sudanese capital, serial
948 is a Mi-24V, one of around 50 of
all the versions received by Sudan.
Below: K-8s perform a flypast over
Khartoum. The Hongdu-produced
jet trainer serves primarily with 2
Advanced Flying School Squadron
at Port Sudan International. Around
six aircraft wear these white, red,
green and black colours, at least
two are camouflaged, and one has
been seen in a naval scheme.
http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #365 AUGUST 2018 // 77
Airforces
Intelligence‘In association with ....’Sudanese Air Force ORBAT
Squadron Type
Wadi Sayyidna
2 Fighter Squadron MiG-29SE/UB/SMT/UBT
4 Bomber Squadron Su-24M
16 Fighter Squadron MiG-23MS/UB*
22 Fighter Squadron MiG-21bis/F-7*
24 Fighter/Bomber Squadron A-5/JJ-6/F-6/FT-6, Su-25/UB
UAV Squadron Ababil III
Port Sudan
1 Flying School Squadron CJ-6/PT-6*, Yak-52, SAFAT-03
1 Navy Squadron Mi-2, Mi-171
Port Sudan International
2 Advanced Flying School Squadron K-8S
Khartoum
1 Transport Squadron An-12/24*/26/30/32, C-130H, Il-76TD
Rapid Support Forces An-12, An-74 (2), Il-76TD
Sudanese Police Wing An-32, An-72, Mi-8, Rallye, J300
Government VIP flight Il-62, An-72/74, Mi-8, Falcon 50/900
Khor Agol/Kenana
Helicopter Flying School Mi-2
Transport Training Squadron An-2
Special Operations Support Squadron An-2
Jebel Aulia
3 Helicopter Squadron Mi-2, Mi-24V/P/35, Mi-8/17/171E/Sh
Note: * non-operational/withdrawn from use. Locations including El Obeid
and Merowe are main operating bases without a permanent aircraft presence.
Merowe is often used for exercises.