Mexican Naval Aviation

Mexican Naval Aviation• Aviación Naval (Armada de México)

MEXICAN NAVAL AVIATION • Aviación Naval (Armada de México)

Mexican Naval Aviation 1,250 Personnel (Personnel included in 50,500 Navy total).

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type
(incl Surface Fleet and Rotary-wing components)

• AIRCRAFT 3 combat capable. Total 68 Fixed-wing.

Maritime Patrol / ISR 5 squadrons (combined roles) with:

• 6 Airbus CN235-300 MPA Persuader;
• 7 CASA C212 (MPA);
• 5 Beechcraft King Air 350 (MPA);
• 4 Beechcraft King Air 350ER (configured for ISR);
• 2 Moravan Z-143Lsi (ISR role).

Transport (Light / Utility / VIP) 1 squadron and 1 flight with:

• 4 Airbus C295M;
• 2 Airbus C295W;
• 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8;
• 3 Beechcraft King Air 350i;
• 2 Learjet 31A;
• 1 Learjet 60;
• 1 Bombardier CL-605 Challenger (PAX/VIP);
• 1 Gulfstream 550 (PAX/VIP).

• HELICOPTER No combat capable. Total 59 Helicopter.

Search & Rescue (Rotary-wing) 4 flights with:

• 4 Eurocopter AS565MB Panther;
• 10 Eurocopter AS565MBe Panther.

Transport / Multi-role Helicopter 7 squadrons and 3 flights with:

• 15 Mil Mi-17-1V Hip;
• 4 Mil Mi-17V-5 Hip;
• 3 Airbus H225M Caracal (Heavy);
• 8 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk (Medium);
• 1 AgustaWestland AW109SP (Light);
• 8 S-333 (Light).

Training 1 squadron and 4 flights with:

• 26 Moravan Z-242L;
• 13 Beechcraft T-6C+ Texan II;
• 7 Maule MX-7-180 Star Rocket;
• 4 Schweizer 300C (Helicopter).

• Principal Surface Units (Aviation Capable)

• Frigates (FFGHM): 1 Benito Juárez (Damen SIGMA 10514) (capacity 1 med hel).
• Offshore Patrol (PSOH): 8 Oaxaca class (capacity 1 Panther hel).
• Offshore Patrol (PCOH): 16 total (Durango, Holzinger, Sierra, and Uribe classes; capacity for 1 hel each).
• Amphibious (LST): 4 total (Monte Azules and Papaloapan classes; capacity for 1 hel each).

Capabilities & Role

The Mexican Naval Aviation is a highly specialized arm focused on maritime domain awareness, counter-narcotics, and search and rescue (SAR). It operates a robust fleet of CN235 and C212 platforms for persistent maritime patrol and utilizes its indigenous Oaxaca-class offshore patrol vessels as mobile bases for its Panther helicopter fleet.

As of 2026, the force continues to modernize its tactical mobility by integrating UH-60M Black Hawks and H225M Caracals to support high-intensity operations against illicit maritime trafficking. The force maintains strong technical cooperation with Airbus Helicopters, which maintains a manufacturing facility in Querétaro for regional support. Training standards are maintained through a diverse fleet of Zlin and Texan II aircraft, ensuring proficiency for both shore-based and ship-borne aviation operations.