SEYCHELLES AIR FORCE (SAF)
The Air Force was formed in 1978 as a department within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries known as Air Wing. Under the guidance of Capt. David Plows, the Air Wing was initially tasked to patrol the EEZ of the Seychelles. Additionally, the Air Wing was also the focal point for the training of pilots. The fleet was later expanded to include a BN2A-21 aircraft, two Rallye 235E aircrafts and two Chetak helicopters.
In 1985, the Air Wing ceased to function under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and became a component of the then SPDF as the Seychelles People’s Air Force (SPAF). A Merlin III B and a Citation V were purchased in 1985 and 1989 to add to the fleet.
In 1992 the SPAF was disbanded to form the SPDF Air Wing , which was part of the Seychelles Coast Guard and Finally in 2011 the SPDF Air Wing was once more dissolved and rechristened as the Seychelles Air Force (SAF)
- Previous Aircrafts
- Since it’s creation almost 40 years ago, Seychelles Air Force has played a vital role in Seychelles aviation by recruiting and facilitating training for almost three quarter of our local airline pilots.
Currently, the Air Wing has a DHC 6-320 Twin Otter and two Dornier 228 aircraft, all fitted with surveillance equipment and used extensively for Anti-Piracy Operations, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical/Casualty evacuation, Aerial photography and Filming, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Patrols (IUU), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Air Drop/Para drop operations, Environmental Patrols, VIP, Troops & Cargo Transportation.
The SAF offers great opportunities for young and budding pilots in combat flying, UAV operators, surveillance and radar operators, engineers and technicians. Aviation being a highly professional field, training is given to the most stringent and highest international standards. The SAF is also on an aggressive recruitment drive to meet the emerging challenges with regards to piracy.
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Dornier 228-202K ( SY-011 )
