Libyan National Army Air Force added a second 'Fitter' in its fleet

Following the seize of al-Watiya airbase in summer 2014 by the Libyan National Army (or LNA), LNA Air Force technicians and engineers started working on the refurbishing of former former Su-22s. Ten to twelve of these Su-22Ms were stored in shelters before the uprising and escaped the destruction by NATO because they were decommissioned.

LNA AF Su-22UM-3K in flight over al-Watiya AB

New Libyan National Army Air Force MiG-23ML soon operational

During the Libyan uprising in 2011, most of the Libyan Air Force aircrafts were destroyed by NATO airstrikes. After the first civil war, the Free Libyan Air Force was reduced to a few former G-2 Galebs, J-21 Jastrebs, L-39s, Mig-21bis, Mig-21UMs, Mig-23MLs and 23UBs, with the adding of the two Mirage F1EDs that defected to Malta and some transport aircrafts like An-32 and C-130H in poor flying conditions. The Libyan Army Aviation consisted in Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters.

On May 16th 2014, General Haftar forces launched “Operation Dignity” against Benghazi Islamist militia groups’ bases using helicopters, fighter jets and ground forces in the assault. On July 13th, “Operation Libya Dawn” was launched by Misrata militias and Islamists on Tripoli International Airport. On October 15th, airstrikes were performed against “Ansar al-Sharia” and “February 17 Martyrs Brigade”. Haftar’s forces claimed these attacks, but conflicting reports might involve Egyptian in this operation. However, in October, Libyan Air Force received three Mig-21MFs and three Mi-8s that can be armed with UB-16 rocket pods.

Ex-Egyptian MiG-21MF

Libyan Air Force Su-22UM-3K made its first flight

In December 1st, 2015, Libyan Air Force added one Su-22UM-3K to its fleet (see New Mirage F1 and Su-22 in Libyan Air Force's fleet ). This aircraft started to be refurbished one year ago by cannibalizing other aircrafts stored in shelters. On February 9th, this two-seater Su-22, made its first flight at al-Watiya AB. After the loss of the last MiG-23ML in service the day before, this new fighter jet is welcome ! The video below show the take-off, the embedded flight and the landing.

New Mirage F1 and Su-22 in Libyan Air Force's fleet

By the end of 2014, in al-Watiya AB, Libyan Air Force (i.e. General Haftar's Air Force) started to work to make operational former Su-22s. Ten to twelve of these Su-22Ms were stored in shelters before the uprising and escaped the destruction by NATO because they were decommissioned. In March,on the same air base, photos appeared of a Libyan Air Force Mirage F1AD started to be repaired by cannibalizing other aircrafts. Since December 1st, Libyan Air Force added two new aircrafts in its fleet, a Mirage F1AD (serial 402) and a Su-22(UM-3K) at al-Watiya.

De Manta à Epervier : opérations aériennes au-dessus du Tchad

Je tiens tout d'abord à remercier vivement André Carbon et Pierre-Alain Antoine, tous deux anciens de la "11", pour leur contribution à la réalisation de cet article dont la version initiale comportait des informations erronées. Je remercie également les colonels Jean-Pierre Petit (chef de corps du 403° RA) et André Dufour (responsable de la défense aérienne française au Tchad de mai à septembre 1987) pour leurs précisions sur la défense aérienne Epervier et les évènements du 7 septembre 1987.


Rappel historique

Depuis son indépendance en 1960, le Tchad a été le théâtre d’affrontements réguliers entre plusieurs clans. En 1966 est fondé le FROLINAT (Front de Libération National Tchadien) qui, à partir de 1969, est soutenu par la Libye. En avril 1969, est déclenchée l’Opération Limousin qui prendra fin en octobre 1972.

Le Golfe de Syrte : accrochages et combats aériens

Le Golfe de Syrte est bien connu pour les combats aériens Américano-Libyens qui ont eu lieu en 1981 et 1989 et qui ont vu deux Su-22 "Fitter" et deux Mig-23 "Flogger" abattu par les F-14A "Tomcat". A ces "dogfight", il faut ajouter les incidents de 1986 au cours desquels plusieurs patrouilleurs Libyens ont été coulés par les A-6E "Intruder" et A-7E "Corsair II". Mais ces incidents ne sont pas isolés. D'autres accrochages ont eu lieu pendant cette vingtaine d'années de tension.