The Air force is the military branch of the country that conducts aerial warfare. Air Force plays an important role in maintaining the security of the country. The Air Forces consist of a combination of bombers, helicopters, fighter planes, transport planes, and other aircraft.
Here is the list of the top 10 Air forces in the world. The list is based on Air Forces history, and the size and might of the forces.
1. United States Air Force
Currently equipped with the most sophisticated and robust air force, United States tops this list! The USAF was founded on September 11, 1947, with the motto No One Comes Close. The undisputed magnet of air, space, and cyberspace in the current scenario, this air force owns the largest number of warplanes in the world which almost equals to the rest of the world put together. As of 2010, the UASF operates 5,573 manned aircraft in service, approximately 180 unmanned combat air vehicles, 2,130 air-launched cruise missiles, and 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles, thus being the owner of the largest number of warplanes in the world.
2. Russian Air Force
The Russian Air Force powered its way up to the second rank. Russian Air Force was founded after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991-92 and soon became one of the strongest air forces in the world. The Russian Air Force operates more than 3,000 strategic bombers, 4,500 fighter planes like the MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-25 Foxbat. The Russian Air Force has about 3,400 attack aircraft like Su-24 Fencer, Su-25 Frogfoot, and Su-17 Fitter, thus making them the second strongest air force in the world.
3. People’s Liberation Army Air Force
With a long list of more than 330,000 personnel and 2,500+ aircraft, PLAAF is the largest air force in Asia and is better known for comprising some of the deadliest self-reliance combat aircraft. Officially founded on November 11, 1949, the Chinese air force consists of qualitative edge with the lethal approach in the modern arena of air striking.
4. Israeli Air Force
Equipped with US-made air machines, Israel has a power-packed Air Force. Equipped with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, Boeing F-15 E Strike Eagle, and a bevy of fighter, patrol, trainer, and transport aircraft, Israel is one nation no one will like to mess with.
5. Royal Air Force
RAF is the oldest air force in the world which is renowned for its strategic bombing. RAF was founded during World war I, on April 1, 1918, by the unification of the Royal Naval Air Services and Royal Flying Corps. As of January 2012, it operated 826 aircraft, making it the largest air force in the European Union, and the second largest in terms of aircraft in NATO, only after the United States Air Force.
6. Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace
Founded in 1909 as the air force of the French Armed Forces, Armée de l’Air is considered as the world’s first professional air force. The French Air Force has 234 combat aircraft with the majority being 158 Dassault Mirage 2000 and 59 Dassault Rafale. The French Air Force has about 300 combat aircraft in service.
7. Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force was founded on October 8, 1932, and since then it has been in the limelight of mainstream media for its logical expansion and modernization. Most of the equipment of the Indian Air Force is imported, and its strong bilateral ties with Russia ensure its military equipment is always up-to-date.
8. Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was established in 1935, after violating the Treaty of Versailles. The Luftwaffe is the most battle-experienced air force which played an immense role in World War II. During World War II, this air force overshadowed the skies of Europe and defeated its foreign counterparts with much more advancements.
9. Pakistan Air Force
Since its establishment in 1947, the Pakistan Air Force has been involved in various combat operations. As of 2020, as per the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PAF has 70,000 active-duty personnel and operates 582 aircraft.
10. Royal Australian Air Force
Comparatively small but tremendously deadly, RAAF was established on March 31, 1921, and to date, it has majorly participated in some of the deadliest conflicts of the 20th century. Comprising a powerful fighter fleet along with sophisticated technology, RAAF is credited for immediately implementing the kinetic and non-kinetic air effects.
