1. United States: $997 billion (14,486 aircraft)
2. China: $314 billion (4,392 aircraft)
3. Russia: $149 billion (4,211 aircraft)
4. Germany: $88.5 billion (745 aircraft)
5. India: $86.1 billion (2,296 aircraft)
China’s increased spending is driven by modernization efforts focusing on stealth and unmanned platforms. Russia has raised its military budget to support ongoing operations in Ukraine. Germany has also boosted its defense funding by 28% in 2024 as it remains a significant donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US and seeks to strengthen its industry in response to Russian aggression. India continues developing domestic defense capabilities but still relies heavily on aerospace imports.
In terms of fighter jets, the United States maintains a substantial lead with 2,358 fighters—more than any other country—and possesses more fifth-generation aircraft than its peers. The F-35 Lightning II is widely deployed among US allies and offers advanced stealth capabilities.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force operates over 200 Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighters and other models based on Russian designs such as the J-11 and J-16. Russia’s fleet includes fewer Su-57 Felon fighters due to production challenges caused by international sanctions limiting access to critical components.
Germany operates over 100 Eurofighter Typhoons and has ordered additional F-35s from the US while participating in a joint sixth-generation fighter project with Spain and France called Future Combat Air System (FCAS). However, economic disagreements have slowed progress on this initiative.
India is considering both Russian Su-57s and American F-35s for its next-generation fighter program but has not yet finalized acquisitions or local production agreements.
Only three countries—the United States, China, and Russia—maintain operational strategic bomber fleets capable of long-range missions. While China has more bombers numerically (209), only the US fields both stealth bombers like the B-2 Spirit and heavy bombers such as the B-52 Stratofortress.
Russia’s bomber fleet relies on platforms like the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack; China uses primarily X’ian H-6 bombers with no confirmed operational stealth variants at present.
Neither Germany nor India operates strategic bombers but both use maritime patrol aircraft for surveillance roles.
The United States also leads in helicopter numbers with a fleet of 5,509 rotary-wing aircraft spread across different branches of its armed forces. The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is used widely by international partners as well as domestically within various branches of US service.
Russia’s main helicopter models include older designs such as Mil Mi-24 Hind and Kamov Ka-52 Hokum; China continues developing new helicopters but currently fields smaller numbers compared to other leading powers.
Germany's helicopter inventory consists mainly of Sikorsky CH-53 Stallions for heavy lift duties along with Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters and NH90 utility helicopters operated mostly by its army branch.
For airlift capacity, more than 700 fixed-wing cargo planes serve in the US Air Force alone—including over 50 Lockheed C-5 Galaxy transports capable of carrying large vehicles or equipment globally. Russia retains significant airlift resources using Antonov An-124 Ruslan transports despite reliability concerns following recent losses during conflict operations.
China is expanding its transport fleet through new models like X’ian Y-20 but remains behind Western counterparts in overall capability. Germany uses Airbus A400M transports alongside newly acquired Lockheed C-130J Hercules planes; India employs a mix of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130 Hercules for diverse mission requirements.
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