In a stunning shift in global military power, India has leapfrogged China to claim the title of the third most powerful air force in the world. While the United States continues to dominate, followed by Russia, India’s rise signals a dramatic recalibration in Asia’s strategic balance.
China, long considered a major air power, now ranks fourth. The latest World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) rankings cover 103 countries and 129 air services—including army, navy, and marine aviation branches—and track a total of 48,082 aircraft worldwide.
Air power remains a decisive factor in global military strategy. The United States continues to lead, with its air capabilities surpassing the combined fleets of Russia, China, India, South Korea, and Japan. This dominance is supported by nearly 40 percent of global military expenditure concentrated in the United States.
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