Quantcast

U.S. maintains lead in global air power with largest military aircraft fleet

Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Alaska Airlines' “Aviation Day” inspires future aviators
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
U.S. maintains lead in global air power with largest military aircraft fleet
Policy
Webp ah 64
AH-64 Apache | Wikipedia

The number of military aircraft in air forces worldwide is constantly changing. While some nations, like China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), have been expanding, others such as the United States and Russia are seeing reductions. Despite these shifts, the United States remains the leader in air power according to data from World Population Review.

"America has more military aircraft between the US Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Army than the next nine members of the top ten combined," highlighting its overwhelming advantage over other nations. The US Armed Forces' closest competitor is Russia, but the qualitative and quantitative gap remains significant.

The United States Air Force alone operates 5,004 military aircraft of all types. The US Army Aviation follows with 4,333 helicopters, making it the second-largest air force globally. The US Navy ranks fourth with a total of 2,504 aircraft, while the US Marines rank seventh internationally with 1,211 tactical helicopters and jets.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Globally ranked by fleet count:

1. USA - 14,486

2. Russia - 4,211

3. China - 3,304

4. India - 2,296

5. Japan - 1,459

In terms of fighter jets specifically:

"The United States has far more airworthy fighters than any other force on the planet." This includes a substantial number of fifth-generation aircraft compared to other countries.

For strategic strike capabilities involving bombers:

China leads with a bomber count of 209 while "the tiny fleet of 19 Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is one of the most precious and important strategic assets in the entire US military."

Regarding helicopter fleets:

"When it comes to helo-power," the US Army dominates with over 4,000 helicopters including Boeing AH-64 Apaches.

For cargo planes:

"This is another area where the USAF is a juggernaut," owning almost 700 fixed-wing cargo planes including Lockheed C-5 Galaxies capable of transporting heavy tanks globally.

Overall rankings highlight that despite various advancements by other countries in specific areas or technologies such as stealth or tiltrotor aircrafts—the United States maintains superiority across multiple dimensions within its air force capabilities.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025