PAF ranked 7th among world’s most powerful air forces

The Pakistan Air Force has achieved a global ranking of seventh, as reported by the Global Firepower assessment.

The ranking is determined by the total aircraft inventory, which encompasses fighter jets, helicopters, and support aircraft.

With a fleet of 1,434 aircraft, the PAF is recognized as one of the largest air forces worldwide.

The IHS Jane’s report indicates that the United States holds the top position, boasting an unmatched air capability with 5,737 helicopters and 1,854 fighter jets. Following the U.S. are Russia, China, India, South Korea, and Japan, each with significant air power.

The report emphasizes the overwhelming dominance of the U.S. Air Force, whose aircraft inventory surpasses the combined total of Russia, China, India, South Korea, and Japan. Specifically, the United States maintains 5,737 helicopters, 1,854 fighter jets, and 3,722 support aircraft, supported by an annual budget of $800 billion, which accounts for nearly 40% of global defense expenditures.

Russia ranks second, possessing approximately one-third of the air power of the United States, with 1,554 helicopters, 809 fighter jets, and 610 support aircraft.

China occupies the third position, having made substantial investments in modernizing its air force, including the recent introduction of a sixth-generation fighter jet and initiatives to develop supersonic aircraft.

India, South Korea, and Japan follow, with air fleets comprising 2,296, 1,576, and 1,459 aircraft, respectively. Pakistan, with its 1,434 aircraft, secures the seventh position, which includes a mix of fighter jets, helicopters, and support planes.

The remaining spots in the top ten are filled by Egypt, Turkey, and France, with inventories of 1,080, 1,069, and 972 aircraft, respectively.