10 Highly Powerful Air Forces in the World (2018)
This latest ranking of Top 10 Powerful Air Force comes up with “Infographic” for giving you complete insight of this list in very short time.
Air Force – also called air army or aerospace force – is a new armed force branch in military. And most powerful and capable warfare branch as well. Air force was introduced in 1910 by French Air Force. The very first bombing, carried out against Turkey by Italy on 1911-1912 during Italy-Turkish war.
Air Force core objects are to conducting aerial warfare, gaining air control, conducting strategic bombing missions, supporting land and naval units, and transporting troops and artillery during wartime. Air Force is the set of attack and fighter aircrafts, helicopters, transport aircrafts, and bombers. The more sophisticated the more capable. At present, most militaries allocate lion share of their military budget to air force in order to gain air superiority. This air superiority race ends up by deciding who’s powerful and most capable in the world.
So, here is 10 most powerful air force in the world. Let’s check them out.
10: Germany
Total Aircraft Strength: 698
Total Helicopter Strength: 375
Germany is well known for its role in both World Wars. After defeating from allied powers in World Wars, Germany went (being a country) bankrupt and faced economic apocalypse. After many years, today, Germany emerged as 3rd leading power in Europe; in the terms of military. German Air Force – Luftwaffe – was formed in 1956 during the era of Cold War and after reunification of West and East Germany. Currently, Luftwaffe has relatively few aircrafts than Egypt. Luftwaffe operates only two types of fighter jets (both domestically made): 125 Eurofighter Typhoon, and 65 Panavia Tornado.
9: Egypt
Total Aircraft Strength: 1,132
Total Helicopter Strength: 257
Egyptian Air Force (EAF) was formed in 1932, after 5 years it was declared as independent air force. Its core objectives are, to protect aerial territory, to carry strikes, and to support army operations. At present, EAF has large air arsenal, consisting of French, American, and Chinese aircrafts. Egypt was the first international customer to buy 24 French Dassault Rafale. Additionally, EAF operates 220 F-16s as well.
8: Turkey
Total Aircraft Strength: 1,018
Total Helicopter Strength: 455
Turkish Air Force was formed in 1911 by Ottaman Empire. However, today’s known Turkish Air Force come into existence after the creation of Republic of Turkey. Turkey is now heading towards the manufacturing of fifth-generation-fighter – TAI TFX – by 2023. Additionally, allocated $160 billion for its air force modernization program. Currently, in its air fleet Turkey has considerable number of F-16. After collapse of Ottaman Empire, Turkey emerged as one of the world’s leading power in the sector of economy, military, and democracy.
7: France
Total Aircraft Strength: 1,305
Total Helicopter Strength: 610
French Air Force – Armée de l’air – was formed in 1909. In 1934, it was made an independent military arm. After WW2, France started domestic aircraft industry: Dassault Aviation. After many year, Dassault is now a leading manufacturer of fighter jets in Europe. Its fourth-generation-fighter Dassault Rafale is equipped with leading edge technology. However, Dassault Rafale is also increasing in demand in international markers. Additionally, to meet the demand of Rafale from India, France is now considering to set a manufacturing plant in India. This show the supremacy of air force – to sell its jet to other nations, which France is doing really well.
6: Israel
Total Aircraft Strength: 654
Total Helicopter Strength: 143
Israeli Air Force is the part of Israel Defense Forces formed in 1948, right after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Since its formation, it has been engaged in 8 recognized wars with Arab nations. It has also done bundle of operations against Arab guerillas and Palestine. Most of IAF aircrafts are from american soil, among them are F-4 Phantom II, F-15, F-16, and F-35 lightning II. Almost 90% of its fleet consists of U.S. made air machines.
5: United Kingdom
Total Aircraft Strength: 856
Total Helicopter Strength: 347
United Kingdom formed its air force – Royal Air Force (RAF) – right after the end of World War 1. At that time, RAF was largest air army in the world. RAF’s remarkable role in WW2 helps UK to overcome Nazi Germany. At present, RAF has operational fleet of various types of aircrafts, helicopter, and transport aircrafts, which leads RAF as one of the powerful air force in the world.
4: India
Total Aircraft Strength: 2,102
Total Helicopter Strength: 666
Royal Indian Air Force was established in 1932 during British ruling in India, later changed in Indian Air Force (IAF). IAF has been engaged with 5 wars with neighboring countries, Pakistan (4 times) and China (1 time). IAF’s most air assets came from foreign soils like, Russia, France, USA, and UK. India’s bilateral relations with Russia, since the time of USSR, make its military strong and up-to-date. Most of Indian Air Force fleet consists made-in-russia aircraft like, Su-30 and MiG-29. In 2004, 70% Indian Military’s hardware came from Russia. However, U.S. recognize India as a major-defense-partner, by this, in near future, IAF will has US made multirole-fighter in its fleet as well.
3: China
Total Aircraft Strength: 2,955
Total Helicopter Strength: 912
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) – was formed in 1947, few years before the formation of People’s Republic China. However, PLAAF is aerial warfare brach of People’s Liberation Army.After revolutionary win against Republic of China (now Taiwan), PLAAF has gone through remarkable changes and proved to be one of the most powerful air force on the earth. At present, China is second nation – after U.S. – to possess fifth-generation-fighter in its air fleet. Currently, PLAAF has cutting-edge aircrafts and helicopter – all made in China – like J-10, J-11, J-16, and J-20. In attack helicopter fleet it has modernistic Z-10 and Z-18. Additionally, China possess some Russian aircrafts as well, like Su-30 and Su-35.
2: Russia
Total Aircraft Strength: 3,794
Total Helicopter Strength: 1,389
Russian Air Force (RAF) was formed in 1992, or I say changed name from Soviet Air Force. However, RAF can find its traces back to 1912 when it was called Imperial Russian Air Service. Recent merger of RAF with Russian Aerospace Defense Force is said to be an optimal option to counter Russia’s rival NATO. While taking about its capability, RAF has sizeable numbers of multirole-fighter, transport aircraft, attack helicopter, and bombers – all build within the Russian borders. Speaking about some modern machines in air: fifth-generation-fighter, RAF’s Sukhoi Su-57 stealth multi-role fighter is at its finishing stage, planned to introduce in 2019. It also seeking to upgrade Su-57 to sixth generation.
1) United States
Total Aircraft Strength: 13,762
Total Helicopter Strength: 6,065
United States Air Force (USAR) once called United States Army Air Force (USAAR). Moreover in 1947, during the presidency of Harry S Truman, it was declared as an independent department of US. USAR has more aircrafts than China, Russia, India, UK, Germany, and France combined. At present, US has world’s most sophisticated and powerful air force. Its larger fleet of fighter aircrafts lies on F-16: fourth-generation-fighter, which are 947 in number. However, when it comes to fifth-generation-fighter no one on the earth comes closer to US. In total US has more than 266 multirole-fifth-generation-fighter – far more than its counterpart China and Russia.
So this is what world consider as “Top 10 Most Powerful Air Force in the World”.
Written By – Ali Attar.
