Since World War II, when aircraft technology advanced dramatically beyond what was possible in World War I, air forces have grown to be an essential component of national militaries, which now comprise forces all around the world. It should come as no surprise that the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) selected the United States Air Force (USAF) as the most formidable air force.
The WDMMA explained in its explanation of its ranking that it employs a “TrueValueRating” formula that takes into account various capabilities such as assault, defence, modernization, and modernization in addition to fleet size. As a result, the ranking evaluates the general mix and quality of the branches’ inventory.
5.United States Marine Corps (USMC)
Aircraft inventory: 1,211
- Fighters: 24.5% of fleet
- Helicopters: 58.9% of fleet
- Tankers: 5.3% of fleet
First up is the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which has a fleet of approximately 1,200 aircraft, of which 58.9% are helicopters. The website of the branch states that the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier, Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, Lockheed Martin KC-130 Hercules, and AAI RQ-2 Pioneer are the only fixed-wing aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, operated by the USMC.
Interestingly, though, WDMMA noted that the USMC only possesses two F-35s in its fleet; the other 528 fighters are either Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets or McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets, two recognisable fighter aircraft that have been part of both the USMC and the US Navy (USN).
4. United States Army (USA)
Aircraft inventory: 4,397
- Aircraft inventory: 4,397
- Fighters: 0% of fleet
- Helicopters: 88.1% of fleet
- Transports: 3.5% of fleet
The United States Army (USA), another US service unit, comes next. The USA’s fleet is primarily made up of helicopters; in contrast to the other units on the list, it does not currently include any fighter jets. The branch also possesses a small number of transport, trainer, and special mission aircraft. Among these is the MC-12W, a turboprop intended to support ground forces with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, which went into service in 1979, make up the bulk of its fleet. The parent corporation of Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, claims that the Black Hawk is a rugged and dependable aircraft that is used by the US military and armed forces, as well as units of 34 other nations worldwide.
3. Russian Air Force (Военно-воздушные силы России, VVS)
Aircraft inventory: 1,211
- Aircraft inventory: 3,649
- Fighters: 25% of fleet
- Bombers: 3.3% of fleet
- Tankers: 0.5% of fleet
The Russian Air Force (Военно-воздушные cилы России, VVS) is the only non-US unit on the list. The branch has a fleet of 3,649 aircraft, comprising fighter jets, bombers, tankers, and other types of aircraft.
That being said, the VVS has lost a great deal of aircraft, including valuable assets like the Beriev A-50, as a result of Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Two of these airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems have actually been lost by the branch; the most recent one was shot down in February 2024.
Oryx discovered 600 Russian aircraft total that were shot down or damaged during the conflict, including three strategic bombers that were destroyed and 88 combat aircraft. However, while it continues its campaign founded on erroneous presumptions, Russia has persisted in utilising its air supremacy to strike civilian targets within Ukraine, increasing the number of innocent civilian deaths.
2. United States Navy (USN)
Aircraft inventory: 2,626
- Fighters: 20.2% of fleet
- Helicopters: 21.2% of fleet
- Transports: 3% of fleet
Returning to the United States, the USN possesses a fleet of more than 2,600 aircraft, including 530 fighters. The United States Navy, like the United States Marine Corps, possesses three types of fighter aircraft: Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, among many other fighters. This contains many trainers, like the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk, as well as the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Northrop F-5.
Yet, the branch continues to operate the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, which was forced to temporarily land after a deadly mishap off the coast of Japan in November 2023. On March 8, 2024, the aircraft was put back into service following the announcement by the US Department of Defence (DoD) that the V-22 Osprey had been given the go-ahead to resume operations by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). According to a Navy source cited by the DoD,
1. United States Air Force (USAF)
Aircraft inventory: 5,189
- Fighters: 29.1% of fleet
- Bombers: 2.5% of fleet
- Tankers: 10.7% of fleet
The United States Air Force (USAF), with 5,189 aircraft in its inventory, has surpassed WDMMA with little fanfare or surprise. It may come as a surprise to learn that trainer aircraft make up the majority of the fleet (29.7%), with fighter jets coming in close behind with 29.1%.
Since its founding in 1947, the military branch has flown several legendary aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, and others, growing to become one of the most powerful air forces in the world.
