NATIONAL AIR FORCES THAT DO NOT POSSESS A FULL STRIKE/FIGHTER JET CAPABILITY
Guides were produced with AI support. I supplied the title and key points and configured a specialist GPT to structure the draft. I then revised it through further instructions. The ideas are mine; AI was used as an assistant, not an author.
Config used can be found here: https://www.jb-gpt-prompts.com/jb-config-military-history
Use the core points as your prompt. Paste them into your chosen AI, ask it to expand into as many structured key points as needed, and use follow-up questions to deepen or refine analysis. The framework keeps the response focused and within defined scope while allowing expansion from brief notes to a 5000 word paper.. Recommended further reading is drawn from a selected bibliography (https://www.ai-tutor-military-history.com/bibliography-jbgpt-ai). The result is a post that may be useful for self-directed study and allows the framing of further questions on the topic.
Definition used for the extra column (integral weaponised helicopters)
For this list, a helicopter counts as integrally armed only if the weapon system is built-in to the platform’s design and operation (e.g., missiles/rockets/torpedoes with integrated carriage, wiring, and employment). A crew-served door gun (or a weapon merely carried without an integrated employment system) does not count.
NATO air-policed states (no national fighter/fast-jet force)
Estonia — Fighter jets: No (NATO Baltic Air Policing). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear from NATO Air Policing sources (not addressed there).
References:
https://ac.nato.int/missions/air-policing/baltics (NATO Allied Command)
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/nato-air-policing (NATO)Latvia — Fighter jets: No (NATO Baltic Air Policing). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear.
References:
https://ac.nato.int/missions/air-policing/baltics (NATO Allied Command)
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/nato-air-policing (NATO)Lithuania — Fighter jets: No (NATO Baltic Air Policing). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear.
References:
https://ac.nato.int/missions/air-policing/baltics (NATO Allied Command)
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/nato-air-policing (NATO)Albania — Fighter jets: No (covered by NATO arrangements). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear from NATO sources; CIA notes the air arm is helicopters.
References:
https://ac.nato.int/missions/air-policing/western-balkans (NATO Allied Command)
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/nato-air-policing (NATO)
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/field/military-note (CIA)Slovenia — Fighter jets: No (covered by NATO arrangements). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear.
References:
https://ac.nato.int/missions/air-policing/western-balkans (NATO Allied Command)
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/nato-air-policing (NATO)North Macedonia — Fighter jets: No (covered by NATO arrangements). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear.
References:
https://ac.nato.int/missions/air-policing/western-balkans (NATO Allied Command)
https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/deterrence-and-defence/nato-air-policing (NATO)
States with military aviation (air force/air corps/air wing/component), but no fighter jets
Ireland — Fighter jets: No (Air Corps fleet is utility/patrol/training). Integral armed helicopters: No clear indication in the official fleet listing.
References:
https://www.military.ie/en/who-we-are/air-corps/the-fleet/New Zealand — Fighter jets: No. Integral armed helicopters: Yes (integrated missile/torpedo/weapons suite in current/planned maritime helicopter capability).
References:
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/our-equipment/aircraft/
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/navy/navy-news/behind-the-penguin-missile-launch/ (NZDF)
https://www.defence.govt.nz/our-work/equip/capability-projects/maritime-helicopter-replacement/ (Ministry of Defence)Papua New Guinea — Fighter jets: No (Air Transport Wing). Integral armed helicopters: No evidence in the cited coverage (aviation described as transport support).
References:
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/png-military-promote/13775836 (ABC)Timor-Leste — Fighter jets: No (light aircraft “air component”). Integral armed helicopters: No (public sources describe Cessna-based surveillance/utility development and training).
References:
https://tl.usembassy.gov/u-s-government-hands-over-a-cessna-206-aircraft-to-timor-leste/ (U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste)
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/448659/36th-tactical-advisory-squadron-conduct-training-with-timor-leste-air-component (DVIDS)Cyprus — Fighter jets: No. Integral armed helicopters: Yes (“a few combat helicopters” noted in official Factbook entry).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/cyprus/ (CIA)Cambodia — Fighter jets: No (explicitly described as lacking fighter aircraft). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear in the cited comparison (mentions helicopters/transport, not integrated weapons).
References:
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-do-cambodia-thailands-militaries-compare-2025-12-08/ (Reuters)Nepal — Fighter jets: No (Army includes an Air Wing with “multi-role and transport helicopters”). Integral armed helicopters: No/unclear on available official text (described as multi-role/transport, not as attack or weapon-integrated).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/nepal/ (CIA)Liberia — Fighter jets: No. Integral armed helicopters: No (Air Wing was disbanded and described as under redevelopment).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/liberia/ (CIA)Jamaica — Fighter jets: No (Air Wing within the JDF’s Maritime-Air-Cyber Command). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear from the official structures summary; aircraft shown are utility helicopters (no integrated weapons stated).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/jamaica/ (CIA)
https://www.jdfweb.com/air/ (JDF Web)Trinidad and Tobago — Fighter jets: No (Air Guard, disaster relief focus in Factbook). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear from the Factbook country entry (Air Guard exists; weapons integration not specified).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/trinidad-and-tobago/ (CIA)Eswatini — Fighter jets: No (Army includes a small air wing). Integral armed helicopters: Unclear (the cited official summary does not specify weapons integration).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/eswatini/ (CIA)Rwanda — Fighter jets: No. Integral armed helicopters: Yes (Factbook notes “combat helicopters”).
References:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/rwanda/ (CIA)