Camouflage Patterns On Angolan Aircraft: A Unique Design Strategy

Aircraft camouflage is used by armed forces to protect their aircraft from observation by enemy forces. The Republic of Angola's aircraft have a history of diverse camouflage patterns, influenced by their Portuguese roots and varying alliances. The Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) have employed a range of camouflage designs, including those inherited from the Portuguese and adopted from other nations. The specific patterns used on Angolan aircraft have evolved over time, reflecting the country's changing military equipment and strategic alliances.

Angolan aircraft have used the grey lizard camouflage pattern

The grey lizard pattern was likely chosen due to its effectiveness in the region's varied landscapes, which include forests, deserts, and urban areas. The lizard pattern is known for its disruptive effect, making it suitable for breaking up the outline of an aircraft when viewed from above or below.

Over time, the grey lizard camouflage uniforms for FAPLA were fabricated in South Korea, featuring darker colours. The pattern seems to have fallen into disuse with the Angolan Air Force in the 1990s, as new camouflage patterns were introduced.

It is worth noting that the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) maintain strong connections to their Portuguese roots, employing many original or slightly modified military accoutrements from the old regime, including some camouflage designs. This includes the m63 "vertical lizard" pattern, which was worn by Portuguese units during the Angolan War for Independence and later acquired by FAPLA, UNITA, and the FNLA.

This pattern was originally designed by Cuba

The Angolan Air Force, or FANA (Força Aérea Nacional de Angola), has a fleet of over 300 aircraft, making it one of the largest and strongest air forces in Africa.

The foundations for the establishment of the air force were laid before Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975. The Portuguese were ousted from the country, and many of their leftover aircraft were adopted by the new Angolan Air Force. The country's communist leaders also received military assistance from the Soviet Union, East Germany, and Cuba, with Cuban forces arriving in the 1970s.

Cuban forces were outfitted with a unique "grey lizard" camouflage design, which was originally produced in Cuba. This pattern was later produced specifically for the Forças Armadas Populares de Libertação de Angola (FAPLA), the armed wing of the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola). Later models with darker colours were fabricated for export to Angola in South Korea. The pattern seems to have fallen into disuse with the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) in the 1990s. Interestingly, other Eastern Bloc countries that sent advisors to Angola, particularly Russian personnel, were also issued this Cuban-designed camouflage.

The "grey lizard" pattern is a form of countershading, where aircraft are painted in a disruptive pattern of ground colours such as green and brown above, and sky colours below. This type of camouflage is used to make aircraft more difficult to spot, both on the ground and in the air. The specific colours and patterns used in aircraft camouflage depend on the possible backgrounds and lighting conditions in which the aircraft will be operating.

The grey lizard pattern was also worn by Russian advisors to Angola

The Republic of Angola's armed forces, the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), consist of three divisions: the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. The FAA maintains strong connections to its Portuguese roots, employing many original or slightly modified military accoutrements of the old regime, including some camouflage designs.

During the Angolan War for Independence, the MPLA (FAPLA) units were initially outfitted with uniforms from Eastern European sources, including East Germany. However, when Cuban forces began to arrive in the 1970s, they wore a unique "grey lizard" camouflage design. These uniforms were originally made in Cuba but were later produced specifically for FAPLA. The "grey lizard" pattern was also worn by other Eastern Bloc countries that sent advisors to Angola, particularly Russian personnel.

The "grey lizard" pattern was designed to disrupt the vertical form of the soldier's body. It consists of two overlapping prints, generally green and brown, printed with gaps so that a third dyed colour, such as a lighter green or khaki, makes up a large part of the pattern. The Cuban "grey lizard" pattern was derived from Soviet camo designs and was also used by the Cuban forces themselves.

The "grey lizard" camouflage design seems to have fallen into disuse with the FAA in the 1990s. However, it is interesting to note that, despite its association with France, the lizard pattern is widespread in Africa because armed factions and militaries tend to obtain them from whichever source is available.

The Angolan Air Force maintains strong connections to its Portuguese roots

The foundations for the establishment of the air force were laid before Angola's independence from Portugal when members of the then Flying Club of Angola (Aeroclube de Angola) were assembled in Luanda in October 1975. These people and aircraft left behind by the Portuguese Air Force formed the basis for the air transport branch of the force. The force was formally established on 21 January 1976 as the People's Air Force of Angola / Air and Antiaircraft Defense or FAPA/DAA (Força Aérea Popular de Angola / Defesa Aérea e Antiaérea). Its first batch of Soviet MiG fighter aircraft was delivered in mid-December 1975.

The Angolan Air Force follows a Russian/ex-Soviet organizational model, with its air units being aviation regiments (regimentos de aviação), each including several squadrons (esquadrões). To each of the six aviation regiments corresponds an air base. Besides the aviation regiments, there is also a Pilot Training School. The Angolan Air Force has bases at Luanda, Catumbela, Belas, Luena, Kuito, Lubango, and Moçâmedes.

The Angolan Armed Forces were created following the abortive Bicesse Accord with the Armed Forces of the Liberation of Angola (FALA), the armed wing of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). As part of the peace agreement, troops from both armies were to be demilitarized and then integrated. However, integration was never completed as UNITA and FALA resumed the war in 1992.

The Angolan special forces follow the general model of the analogous Portuguese special forces, receiving similar training. The Angolan Military Aviation School was established with the help of Romania, which sent 150 flight instructors and other aviation personnel to contribute to its establishment.

The Angolan woodland pattern is the current standard combat design

The woodland pattern has been worn by the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) since the 1990s and is produced by Asian companies for export. The FAA maintains strong connections to its Portuguese roots and employs many original or slightly modified military accoutrements of the old regime, including some camouflage designs.

During the Angolan War for Independence, the MPLA (FAPLA) units were initially outfitted with uniforms from Eastern European sources, including the Flächentarn and Strichtarn (rain) patterns produced in East Germany. These suits gradually fell into disuse and were replaced by Cuban models. The FNLA was supplied with the Portuguese m63 lizard design, featuring vertical stripes of brown and dark green on a yellowish-khaki background.

In the 1970s, when Cuban forces began to arrive, they were outfitted with a unique "grey lizard" camouflage design, which was later produced specifically for the FAPLA. The pattern seems to have fallen into disuse with the FAA in the 1990s. Various other camouflage patterns have been utilised by the FAA, including a Chinese-made pattern with swirling black, brown, and green shapes on a pale green background, as well as the French lizard pattern.

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