Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force

Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force Azərbaycan Hərbi Hava Qüvvələri
Azerbaijani Air Forces emblem
Active	February 14, 1919– present
Country	Azerbaijan
Size	12,000 personnel, ~220 aircraft (IISS 2014)
Headquarters	Nasosnaya air base (in proximity of Sumqayit)
Engagements	Nagorno-Karabakh War
Commanders
Current commander	Major General Ramiz Tahirov
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack	Su-24, Su-25, Mi-24, Mi-35M
Bomber	Su-24
Fighter	MiG-21. MiG-29
Interceptor	MiG-25
Reconnaissance	Orbiter UAV, Aerostar, Elbit Hermes 450, IAI Searcher, IAI Heron
Trainer	L-39
Transport	Il-76, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-171

The Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force often referred to as the Azerbaijani Air Force (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan hərbi hava qüvvələri) is the air force and air defence force of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

The roots of the current organisation go back to June 26, 1918, when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic bought its first military aircraft. After independence in 1991, the presence of former Soviet air bases in Azerbaijan helped the Air and Air Defence Force develop.

On February 11, 2009, the commanding officer of the Air Force, General Lieutenant Rail Rzayev was assassinated outside his home. Rzayev had been reportedly negotiating closer ties with the United States regarding air force modernisation before his death, possibly including the acquisition of US fighter aircraft. The post was vacant until another officer, Mehtiev, was appointed in December 2009.

Brinkster.net reported in October 2004 that the Azeri Air and Air Defence Force comprised a fighter squadron at Nasosnaya Air Base with МiG-25PDs and training variants, a bomber aviation regiment at Kyurdamir with Su-17/24/25, MiG-21s, and L-29/39s, a transport aviation squadron at Ganja Airport with Il-76s(?), Аn-12/24, and Тu-134s, a helicopter squadron at Baku Kala Air Base with Мi-2/8/24s, two aircraft repair factories, and two air defence missile units. Other air bases include Dollyar Air Base (which Jane's Sentinel says is reported to be non-operational)Nakhichevan Airport in the Nakhichevan exclave, Sanqacal Air Base, and Sitalcay Air Base.