History and Future of the Somali Air Force

Abstract

This study examines the history, development, and future prospects of the Somali Air Force, with particular focus on its enduring reliance on external support. The story begins in 1949, when Somalia was placed under Italian UN trusteeship in preparation for independent governance. Italian administrative records show that the trusteeship authorities made genuine efforts to leave behind a functional air force. The initial period of development was followed by the unexpected reversals of the Ogaden War, which led to Somalia’s military defeat and, in the wake of Siad Barre’s fall, to the complete collapse of its air power. The subsequent civil war reduced the air force to an institutional ruin, and it was not until 2010 that a new chapter began. Today, Somali air defence remains dependent on international cooperation – primarily through the African Union, the EU Training Mission, and Turkey – yet the future offers credible alternatives in air power employment that serve both Somalia’s national interests and regional stability. This study aims to present this turbulent and largely overlooked segment of Somali history in a comprehensive yet accessible manner.