[5] Because of expense and military doctrine, Kyrgyzstan has not developed its air capability; a large number of the MiG-21 interceptors that it borrowed from Russia were returned in 1993, although a number of former Soviet air bases remain available.

The Russians also help patrol Kyrgyz airspace as part of the Joint CIS Air Defence System Presently Kyrgyzstan has twenty-six SA-2 and SA-3 surface-to-air missiles in its air defence arsenal.

In 2002, the Kyrgyz government allowed the United States to use Manas air base for support operations in the War on terror.

[6][7] The Air Defense Forces were created by the decree of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on July 27, 2006.

[10] Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the L-39 Albatros, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29, An-12, An-2 and the Tupolev Tu-134[15]