World’s Major Air Forces Ranked

Every year, the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) publishes its ranking of the world’s most powerful air forces. Central to this ranking is the “TruVal Rating” (TVR), a formula that evaluates overall strength by considering attack and defense capabilities, logistical support, and modernization efforts.

The TVR accounts for both the quality and quantity of an air power’s aircraft inventory, offering a comprehensive measure of its combat readiness. Here is a list of the world’s major air forces, ranked.

10. Italian Air Force

With a TVR rating of 51.9, the Italian Air Force is mostly supplied by US, French, German, and Italian manufacturers. Fighters make up approximately 34% of the Air Force’s strength, mainly with their 79 79 F-2000A.

The Italian Air Force is also developing additional aircraft, with a focus on fighter jets such as the F-35A and F-35B strike fighters.

9. South Korea

Coming in at number 9 with a rating of 51.9, South Korea’s Air Force currently has 822 units in its aircraft inventory. The country is notable for its focus on developing jet fighters, which make up 50% of its total strength.

The aircraft are sourced both domestically and from the United States. The most common fighter in their fleet is the KF-5E Tiger, part of Northrop’s supersonic light fighter series, with a total of 138 units in service. Although limited in helicopter capabilities, they have a lot of multi-mission, utility, and lift helicopters.

8. UK Royal Air Force

Known to be the oldest air force, the Royal Air Force has a TVR rating of 55.3. It is sourced domestically from local aircraft production and externally from the United States, Brazil, and European partners.

The UK only has a small number of fighters and relies heavily on 107 multirole Eurofighter Typhoons. Britain is addressing its fighter shortage by acquiring additional F-35Bs to expand its existing fleet of 33 aircraft. A total of 104 of these fifth-generation jets are currently on order.

7. French Air Force

The French Air Force is ranked the same as the RAF. They have the same number of aircraft units and have the same supply partners except Canada.

France relies entirely on homegrown aircraft for its fighters and helicopters. Its fighter fleet totals 192 aircraft, made up of 100 Dassault Rafales and 92 Dassault Mirages, both capable of multirole and strike missions.

6. Israeli Air Force

Known to be one of the most active air forces in the world over the years, the Israeli Air Force comes in at number six with a 563 TVR rating.

The Israeli Air Force takes pride in its all-American fighter fleet, which accounts for 45% of its total strength. This force centers on multirole aircraft, including 185 F-16s in two variants and 25 F-15Is. Like many U.S. allies, it has fifth-generation capabilities provided by F-35s. Helicopters are also a notable strength, with a particularly large number of attack helicopters.

5. Japan Air Self-Defense Force

With a 58.11 TVR rating, Japan takes the fifth spot with 756 active units. Its air force is mostly made up of trainers, and has a decent showing for fighters at 33% of its total strength.

Japan uses American-made jet fighters, often seen with U.S. allies, including the F-15J for air combat and the F-35A/B for strike missions. They also fly the Mitsubishi F-2, a local version of the Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon.

4. China People’s Liberation Army Force

Coming in with a 63.8 TVR rating, China’s air force is mostly made up of fighters, which make up 53% of their total strength. However, most of their fleet is outdated, which includes 205 Soviet-era Shenyang J-11s.

Recently, however, their Air Force is trying to catch up with their 210 Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragons, fifth-generation fighters that are set up to go head to head against the F-22 Raptor and the Su-57.

3. Indian Air Force

While India’s Air Force only has 1,716 units in total, it has a TVR rating of 69.4. They have suppliers worldwide, including the US, China, and Russia.

Their air force is made up of 31.6% fighters, 29% helicopters, and 21.8% trainers.

2. Russian Air Force

Ever since Russia did a full-scale invasion in Ukraine, its air force has remained highly active, with a TVR rating of 114.2 with 3,677 units.  Despite that, however, they still failed to gain air superiority over Ukraine.

The strength of Russia’s air force is mostly concentrated on its helicopters with 1,551 active units. Meanwhile, its workhorses are veterans from the Cold War, such as the Mil Mi-8/-17 (788 units) and the Mil Mi-24, which combines both transport and gunship capabilities.

1. United States Military

The USAF holds the top spot in the WDMMA rankings, scoring 242.9 TVR, over twice that of its nearest rival, Russia, and fielding 5,004 aircraft. Its strength lies mainly in fixed-wing aircraft, with only 218 helicopters, as it depends on other branches, such as the Army, with its 4,071 helicopters, for rotary-wing support.

The USAF, Navy, and Marine Corps fighter fleets are transforming their 5th-generation fighters through the continued development of F-35 A, B, and C variants. The US has also started expanding to other forms of electronic warfare. A great example of this is the carrier-capable Boeing EA-17 Growler, which is poised to fight electronic warfare in water.