Aircraft of the Mexican Air Force: Current Inventory Overview

Transport and VIP Aircraft

• Boeing 737-800 – VIP transport for senior government officials.
• Gulfstream G550 – Long-range VIP/executive transport.
• Learjet 45XR – Medium-range VIP/liaison.
• C-295M (CASA) – Tactical transport (recent acquisitions).
• C-27J Spartan – Tactical airlift (ordered/delivered).
• C-130K Hercules – Strategic airlift (upgraded ex-USAF).

Light Combat and Trainer Aircraft

• Beechcraft T-6C Texan II – Primary trainer (replacing PC-7).
• Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano (A-29) – Light attack/COIN; armed with .50 cal, rockets, precision-guided munitions.
• F-5E/F Tiger II – Aging supersonic fighters (1980s vintage); limited numbers operational.
• PC-7 Turbo Trainer – Being phased out.

Helicopters

• Bell UH-1H Huey II – Upgraded utility/transport.
• Eurocopter EC725 Caracal (H225M) – Medium-lift tactical transport/CSAR; recent acquisition.
• Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk – Medium-lift utility/assault; growing fleet.
• MD 530F Cayuse Warrior – Light attack/scout.
• Bell 407 / 412EP – Utility/VIP.
• Mi-17/Mi-8 – Legacy Russian medium transports (being retired).

Unmanned Systems

• Hydra Technologies S4 Ehécatl – Indigenous tactical UAV.
• IAI Heron / Searcher – Israeli MALE UAVs (reported).

Modernization Context

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) is transitioning from Cold War-era platforms (F-5, Huey, Mi-17) toward a modern, multi-role force focused on internal security, disaster relief, and maritime patrol. The Super Tucano and Black Hawk acquisitions signal this shift. Budget constraints and procurement transparency remain ongoing challenges.