The Air Force is currently the most armed and most crucial military part. This military unit was first introduced in France in 1910. At present, the United States and Russian Air Forces are still the strongest Air Force in the world.
The Air Force is considered a new branch of the armed forces in the military, at the same time the most armed at the moment. The Air Force was introduced in 1910 by the French Air Force. The first bombing was carried out against Turkey by Italy in 1911-1912 during the Italian-Turkish war.
The main objectives of the Air Force are to conduct air wars, gain air control, carry out strategic bombing missions, support army, and naval units, and transport troops and artillery during the war.
The Air Force usually consists of a set of fighter and attack aircraft, helicopters, transport aircraft, and bombers. The more sophisticated the weapons are, the more capable the Air Force is. At present, most militaries allocate the lion’s share of their military budget to the Air Force to gain air superiority. The air superiority race will determine who is the strongest and most capable in the world. Here is a list of the countries with the strongest air military in the world from 2018 to 2019.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- Total airpower: 13,762
- Total helicopter strength: 6.065
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 5,081
- Attack helicopter: 947
- Transport aircraft: 5.739
- Troops: 318,415
United States Air Force (USAF) was originally called the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). In 1947, during Harry S. Truman’s presidency, the Air Force was declared an independent department in the US military. USAR has more planes than the combined Chinese, Russian, Indian, British, German, and French Air Forces. At present, America has the most sophisticated and powerful Air Force in the world. Its larger fighter fleet is located on F-16: 947 fourth-generation fighter aircraft. However, in the case of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, no one approaches US power. In all, the United States has more than 266 fifth-generation multirole warplanes, far more than China and Russia.
The United States has 800 military bases abroad, more than any other country.
RUSSIA
- Total airpower: 3,794
- Total helicopter strength: 1,389
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 2,244
- Attack helicopter: 490
- Transport aircraft: 1.124
- Troops: 148,000
The Russian Air Force (RAF) was formed in 1992 after renaming the Soviet Air Force. However, the existence of the RAF can be traced since 1912 when it was named Imperial Russian Air Service. The recent merger of the RAF with the Russian Aerospace Defense Force is said to be the optimal option against Russian rivals in NATO. The RAF has a large number of multirole warplanes, transport aircraft, attack helicopters, and bombers – all built within the Russian border. Some modern weapons of the Russian Air Force: fifth-generation fighter aircraft, RAF Sukhoi stealth multirole fighter aircraft RAF owned by RAF is in the final stages planned to be introduced in 2019. The aircraft is also working on upgrading the Su-57 to the sixth generation.
The Russian Air Force is the oldest in Asia.
CHINA
- Total airpower: 2,955
- Total helicopter strength: 912
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 2,656
- Attack helicopter: 206
- Transport aircraft: 782
- Troops: 398,000
The Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAAF) was formed in 1947, a few years before the formation of the People’s Republic of China. The PLAAF is an Air Force branch of the People’s Liberation Army. After a revolutionary victory against the Republic of China (now Taiwan), the PLAAF has gone through extraordinary changes and proved to be one of the most powerful Air Forces in the world. At present, China is the second country after the United States to have a fifth-generation fighter.
At present, PLAAF has the latest aircraft and helicopters, all made in China, such as J-10, J-11, J-16, and J-20. In the attack helicopter fleet, China has modern Z-10 and Z-18. Also, China has several Russian aircraft as well, such as the Su-30 and Su-35.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force is the largest in Asia.
INDIA
- Total airpower: 2,102
- Total helicopter strength: 666
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 1,485
- Attack helicopter: 16
- Transport aircraft: 875
- Troops: 140,139
The Royal Indian Air Force was founded in 1932 during British rule in India, then changed to Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has been involved in 5 wars with neighboring countries, namely Pakistan (4 times) and China (1 time). IAF’s air assets mostly come from other countries such as Russia, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
India’s bilateral relations with Russia, since the days of the Soviet Union, have made the Indian military strong and up to date. Most of the Indian Air Force’s fleet consists of Russian-made aircraft such as the Su-30 and MiG-29. In 2004, 70 percent of India’s military hardware came from Russia. However, the United States recognizes India as its main defense partner so that in the near future, the IAF will have American multirole warplanes in its fleet.
The IAF has built its fourth-generation aircraft, HAL Tejas. India is building the fifth-generation Sukhoi PAK FA fighter in cooperation with Russia.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Total airpower: 856
- Total helicopter strength: 347
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 256
- Attack helicopters: 39
- Transport aircraft: 337
- Troops: 33,240
The British formed the Air Force, the Royal Air Force (RAF). Right after the end of World War I. At that time, the RAF was the largest Air Force in the world. The extraordinary role of the RAF in World War II helped Britain overcome Nazi Germany. At present, RAF has an operational fleet of various types of aircraft, helicopters, and transport aircraft, which makes the RAF one of the strongest Air Forces in the world.
The RAF is the oldest independent Air Force in the world.
ISRAEL
- Total airpower: 654
- Total helicopter strength: 143
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 486
- Attack helicopters: 48
- Transport aircraft: 101
- Troops: unknown
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is part of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) formed in 1948, right after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Since its formation, the Israeli Air Force has been involved in 8 recognized wars with Arab countries. They have also carried out a series of operations against Arab and Palestinian militants. Most of the IAF aircraft originated from America, among which are the F-4 Phantom II, F-15, F-16, and F-35 Lightning II. Nearly 90 percent of its fleet consists of air machines made in the United States.
IAF pilot Giora Epstein holds the world record for bringing down most enemy aircraft, with 17 total wins.
FRENCH
- Total airpower: 1,305
- Total helicopter strength: 610
- Attack and fighter aircraft: 580
- Attack helicopter: 49
- Transport aircraft: 662
- Troops: 41,160
The French Air Force (Armée de l’air / FAF) was formed in 1909. In 1934, the FAF became an independent military arm. After World War II, France started the domestic aircraft industry: Dassault Aviation. Over the years, Dassault is now the leading jet fighter manufacturer in Europe. The fourth-generation Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft is equipped with the latest technology. However, Dassault Rafale also experienced an increase in demand in the international market. To meet Rafale’s request from India, France is now considering setting up a factory in India. The sale of his jets to other countries shows the superiority of the French Air Force
The French Air Force is the oldest in the world.
