Paraguay is bordered by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. The country has a troubled history and after its independence in 1811, it suffered invasions from its neighbours over many years.
Most considerable was the War of Triple Alliance in 1860, in which the country's size diminished by about two-thirds after which nearly 80% of the male inhabitants were wiped out by Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. In 1930, the Chaco War saw heavy battle again, this time with Bolivia.
Bolivia was desperate in finding a river port along with an outlet to the sea but Paraguay successfully defended the Chaco although their machinery and manpower were less. Paraguay was not having a single operational aircraft at the starting of the year 1922. From May of 1922, the officers of the army rebelled in opposition of the President Ayala's government. Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 was the foremost aircraft, the government armed forces got. It was then followed by 2 S.A.M.L.A.3s, 1 SPAD S.XX, and 1 SVA-10. On 29th June 1922, the first effective mission of the Air Force to blow rebel positions came to be accomplished. Four Ansaldo aircrafts was bought by th rebel forces in Argentina, during August of 1922.
The Air Force was called as Arma Aerea Paraguay from 1935. During the Second World War, Paraguay did not announce war on the Axis powers. In 1949, a paratroop unit was added in the air arms. Paraguay acquired surplus aircraft from Brazil and Argentina during the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1979, the Air Force bought some EMB-326 Xavante and entered into jet age. During next years, less quantity of liaison, combat and transport were acquired. On 26th July 1989, the Air Force was renamed as Fuerza Aerea Paraguay (FAP).
The units compromising the air arms of Paraguay are the Air Transport Group (GTA), the Air Group Instruction (AFI), the Aerotactico group (TAG), group aviation maintenance section (SEMAER), and photogrammetric called air group (GAF). Air arms are respectively equipped with T-33, MB-326, and EMB-312, Brazilian HB-350B, Taiwanese UH-1H, T-35 and T-25 aircrafts.
