Hello everyone! Today we will be counting down for the most powerful air forces in the world. The list is based on the number of in-service combat aircraft and quality of their aircraft. It is not based on how much capable their pilots are. So without any delay, let's just start with the Top Ten Most Powerful Air Forces In The World.
We start our list with the German Air Force. It was founded on 9 January 1956; 64 years ago. The German Air Force is the third largest within the European Union. Currently, it has around 27,535 active personnel and has 266 total combat aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon (Multirole Jet) and Panavia Tornado (Fighter-Bomber) are the main combat jets of the German Air Force. German Air Force has 141 Eurofighter Typhoons and 85 Panavia Tornado in its inventory.
Number ninth most powerful airforce is South Korea Air Force. It was founded on October 1, 1949; 70 years ago. The South Korean Air Force currently has around 65,000 active personnel and has over 450 combat aircraft. The main combat jets of South Korean Air Force currently includes 16 stealth F-35 Lightning II, 59 Boeing F-15E, 167 F-16 Fighting Falcon, 60 KAI T-50, 20 KAI KT-1, 100 and 20+ plus outdated yet capable Northrop F-5 and F-4 Phantom II.
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Number 8 from our list is Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It was founded on 1 July 1954; 65 years ago. the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has around 50,324 active personnel and approximately 300 total combat aircraft. The main fighter jets of Japanese air force includes 12+ Stealth F-35 Lightning II, a total of 155 F-15 Eagle, 62 Mitsubishi F-2 which is based on F-16 Fighting Falcon and 73 nearly expired F-4 Phantom II. There are also 135 F-35 Lightning II on order.
Moving onto number 7, we have the French Air Force. The French Air Force was founded on 2 July 1934 (official). The French Air Force currently has around 41,160 active personnel and has over 226 combat aircraft. Its main fighter jets include 110 Rafale B/C which is a multirole aircraft and 40 Mirage 2000C/5F (Fighter-Bomber) and 70 Mirage 2000D (Attack).
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At number 6th position, we have Royal Air Force which is own by the United Kingdom. It was founded on 1 April 1918; 101 years ago. The Royal Air Force has around 33,840 active personnel and has 160 plus our multi-role fighter jet. The main fighter jet of Royal Air Force UK includes Stealth F-35 Lightning II currently 18+ active service and total of 138 to be procured in coming years. Another combat jet is Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 which is a primary multi-role air defence and ground attack fighter aircraft.
Number five from our list is Israeli Air Force. Israeli Air Force is small in size yet fatal. It was founded on 28 May 1948. It has approximately 34,000 active personnel currently and has 304 plus multi-role fighters. Its main fighter jets currently includes 22 stealth F-35 Lightning II (Multirole), 25 F-15E Strike Eagle (Striker Fighter), 224 F-16 Fighting Falcon (Multirole) and 58 F-15 Eagle (Multirole).
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Number four from our list of Top 10 Most Powerful Air Forces In the World is Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force was founded on 8 October 1932; 87 years ago. It currently has around 140,000 active Air Force personnel and has around 500 multi-role fighter jets. Its main multi-role fighter jets include 260 Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafal total of 36, 41 Dassault Mirage 2000, 66 Mikoyan MiG-29, 18 HAL Tejas and 110+ Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 which are old and outdated.
Number 3 from our list is People's Liberation Army Air Force. It was founded on November 11, 1949; 70 years ago. The People's Liberation Army Air Force is one of the largest militaries in the world and has around 398,000 active Air Force personnel and has approximately 1600 fighter jets. Its main fighter jets are 120 Xian H-6, 216 Xian JH-7, 388 Chengdu J-7, 76 Sukhoi Su-30, 24 Sukhoi Su-35, 96 Shenyang J-8, 500+ Chengdu J-10, 346 Shenyang J-11, 128+ Shenyang J-16, 20+ Chengdu J-20.
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Next at number two is the Russian Air Force. The Russian Air Force was founded on 7 May 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Currently, the Russian Air Force has around 148,000 active air force personnel and has around 3,300 aircraft and around 650 are multi-role fighter jets. Its most advanced multi-role fighters include stealth multi-role fighter total of 76 on order Sukhoi Su-57, 88 in active service Sukhoi Su-35 which is one of the best fighter jets, around 112 Sukhoi Su-30, 2 MiG-35, a total of 192 in active service Su-27, 120 Mig-29, 135 MiG-31.
Number one airforce from our list is the United States Air Force. The United States Air Force was founded on 18 September 1947. It currently has over 320,000 active Air Force personnel. The United States Air Force has a budget of around 165 billion US dollars which is nearly equal to the whole defence budget of the Chinese military. The United States Air Force has 1,800+ multi-role fighter jets. The US Air Force has 195 Stealth F-22 Raptor which is considered to be the best multi-role fighter in the world, 200+ Stealth F-35 Lightning II and more to be procured in coming years. In addition to this, the US Air Force has 900+ F-16 Fighters, 230 F-15 Eagles and 218 F-15 Strike Eagle in its inventory which all are good and capable multi-role fighter jets.
I hope you find it informative. If you find anything wrong in this list, you're welcome to let us know in the comment section.
Context
- Most Powerful Air Forces In The World
- The United States Air Force
- Russian Air Force
- People's Liberation Army Air Force
- Indian Air Force
- Israeli Air Force
- Royal Air Force
- French Air Force
- Japan Air Self-Defense Force
- South Korea Air Force
- German Air Force
- Conclusion
Most Powerful Air Forces In The World
10. German Air Force
We start our list with the German Air Force. It was founded on 9 January 1956; 64 years ago. The German Air Force is the third largest within the European Union. Currently, it has around 27,535 active personnel and has 266 total combat aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon (Multirole Jet) and Panavia Tornado (Fighter-Bomber) are the main combat jets of the German Air Force. German Air Force has 141 Eurofighter Typhoons and 85 Panavia Tornado in its inventory.
- Established Date: 9 January 1956
- Personnel: 27,535
- Total Combat Jets: 266
- Combat Jets:
- Eurofighter Typhoons: 141
- Panavia Tornado: 85
9. South Korea Air Force
Number ninth most powerful airforce is South Korea Air Force. It was founded on October 1, 1949; 70 years ago. The South Korean Air Force currently has around 65,000 active personnel and has over 450 combat aircraft. The main combat jets of South Korean Air Force currently includes 16 stealth F-35 Lightning II, 59 Boeing F-15E, 167 F-16 Fighting Falcon, 60 KAI T-50, 20 KAI KT-1, 100 and 20+ plus outdated yet capable Northrop F-5 and F-4 Phantom II.
- Established Date: October 1, 1949
- Personnel: 65,000
- Total Combat Jets: 450
- Combat Jets:
- F-35 Lightning II: 16
- Boeing F-15E: 59
- F-16 Fighting Falcon: 167
- KAI T-50: 60
- KAI KT-1: 20
- Northrop F-5: 100
- F-4 Phantom II: 20+
8. Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Number 8 from our list is Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It was founded on 1 July 1954; 65 years ago. the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has around 50,324 active personnel and approximately 300 total combat aircraft. The main fighter jets of Japanese air force includes 12+ Stealth F-35 Lightning II, a total of 155 F-15 Eagle, 62 Mitsubishi F-2 which is based on F-16 Fighting Falcon and 73 nearly expired F-4 Phantom II. There are also 135 F-35 Lightning II on order.
- Established Date: 1 July 1954
- Personnel: 50,324
- Total Combat Jets: 300
- Combat Jets:
- Stealth F-35 Lightning II: 12+
- F-15 Eagle: 155
- Mitsubishi F-2: 62
- F-4 Phantom II: 73
7. French Air Force
Moving onto number 7, we have the French Air Force. The French Air Force was founded on 2 July 1934 (official). The French Air Force currently has around 41,160 active personnel and has over 226 combat aircraft. Its main fighter jets include 110 Rafale B/C which is a multirole aircraft and 40 Mirage 2000C/5F (Fighter-Bomber) and 70 Mirage 2000D (Attack).
- Established Date: 2 July 1934 (official)/li>
- Personnel: 41,160
- Total Combat Jets: 226
- Combat Jets:
- Rafale B/C: 110
- Mirage 2000C/5F: 40
- Mirage 2000D: 70
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6. Royal Air Force
At number 6th position, we have Royal Air Force which is own by the United Kingdom. It was founded on 1 April 1918; 101 years ago. The Royal Air Force has around 33,840 active personnel and has 160 plus our multi-role fighter jet. The main fighter jet of Royal Air Force UK includes Stealth F-35 Lightning II currently 18+ active service and total of 138 to be procured in coming years. Another combat jet is Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 which is a primary multi-role air defence and ground attack fighter aircraft.
- Established Date: 1 April 1918
- Personnel: 33,840
- Total Combat Jets: 160
- Combat Jets:
- Stealth F-35 Lightning II: 18+
- Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4: 142
5. Israeli Air Force
Number five from our list is Israeli Air Force. Israeli Air Force is small in size yet fatal. It was founded on 28 May 1948. It has approximately 34,000 active personnel currently and has 304 plus multi-role fighters. Its main fighter jets currently includes 22 stealth F-35 Lightning II (Multirole), 25 F-15E Strike Eagle (Striker Fighter), 224 F-16 Fighting Falcon (Multirole) and 58 F-15 Eagle (Multirole).
- Established Date: 28 May 1948
- Personnel: 34,000
- Total Combat Jets: 304
- Combat Jets:
- F-35 Lightning II: 22
- F-15E Strike Eagle: 25
- F-16 Fighting Falcon: 224
- F-15 Eagle: 58
4. Indian Air Force
Number four from our list of Top 10 Most Powerful Air Forces In the World is Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force was founded on 8 October 1932; 87 years ago. It currently has around 140,000 active Air Force personnel and has around 500 multi-role fighter jets. Its main multi-role fighter jets include 260 Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafal total of 36, 41 Dassault Mirage 2000, 66 Mikoyan MiG-29, 18 HAL Tejas and 110+ Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 which are old and outdated.
- Established Date: 8 October 1932
- Personnel: 140,000
- Total Combat Jets: 500
- Combat Jets:
- Sukhoi Su-30MKI: 260
- Dassault Rafal: 36
- Dassault Mirage 2000: 41
- Mikoyan MiG-29: 66
- HAL Tejas: 18
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21: 110+
3. People's Liberation Army Air Force
Number 3 from our list is People's Liberation Army Air Force. It was founded on November 11, 1949; 70 years ago. The People's Liberation Army Air Force is one of the largest militaries in the world and has around 398,000 active Air Force personnel and has approximately 1600 fighter jets. Its main fighter jets are 120 Xian H-6, 216 Xian JH-7, 388 Chengdu J-7, 76 Sukhoi Su-30, 24 Sukhoi Su-35, 96 Shenyang J-8, 500+ Chengdu J-10, 346 Shenyang J-11, 128+ Shenyang J-16, 20+ Chengdu J-20.
- Established Date: November 11, 1949
- Personnel: 398,000
- Total Combat Jets: 1600
- Combat Jets:
- Xian H-6: 120
- Xian JH-7: 216
- Chengdu J-7: 388
- Sukhoi Su-30: 76
- Sukhoi Su-35: 24
- Shenyang J-8: 96
- Chengdu J-10: 500+
- Shenyang J-11: 346
- Shenyang J-16: 128+
- Chengdu J-20: 20+
2. Russian Air Force
Next at number two is the Russian Air Force. The Russian Air Force was founded on 7 May 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Currently, the Russian Air Force has around 148,000 active air force personnel and has around 3,300 aircraft and around 650 are multi-role fighter jets. Its most advanced multi-role fighters include stealth multi-role fighter total of 76 on order Sukhoi Su-57, 88 in active service Sukhoi Su-35 which is one of the best fighter jets, around 112 Sukhoi Su-30, 2 MiG-35, a total of 192 in active service Su-27, 120 Mig-29, 135 MiG-31.
- Established Date: 7 May 1992
- Personnel: 148,000
- Total Combat Jets: 650
- Combat Jets:
- Sukhoi Su-57: 76
- Sukhoi Su-35: 88
- Sukhoi Su-30: 112
- MiG-35: 2
- Su-27: 192
- Mig-29: 120
- MiG-31: 135
1. The United States Air Force
Number one airforce from our list is the United States Air Force. The United States Air Force was founded on 18 September 1947. It currently has over 320,000 active Air Force personnel. The United States Air Force has a budget of around 165 billion US dollars which is nearly equal to the whole defence budget of the Chinese military. The United States Air Force has 1,800+ multi-role fighter jets. The US Air Force has 195 Stealth F-22 Raptor which is considered to be the best multi-role fighter in the world, 200+ Stealth F-35 Lightning II and more to be procured in coming years. In addition to this, the US Air Force has 900+ F-16 Fighters, 230 F-15 Eagles and 218 F-15 Strike Eagle in its inventory which all are good and capable multi-role fighter jets.
- Established Date: 18 September 1947
- Personnel: 320,000
- Total Combat Jets: 1,800+
- Combat Jets:
- Stealth F-22 Raptor: 195
- Stealth F-35 Lightning II: 200+
- F-16 Fighters: 900+
- F-15E: 230
- F-15 Strike Eagle: 218
Conclusion
The list is not official. These all are our personal picks for Top 10 Most Powerful Air Forces In The World. The data provided above is collected from Wikipedia and it may not be 100% accurate. The airforces we mentioned above are:- The United States Air Force
- Russian Air Force
- People's Liberation Army Air Force
- Indian Air Force
- Israeli Air Force
- Royal Air Force
- French Air Force
- Japan Air Self-Defense Force
- South Korea Air Force
- German Air Force
I hope you find it informative. If you find anything wrong in this list, you're welcome to let us know in the comment section.