Which country controls the skies?
Military airpower has been used in warfare since the early 20th century, serving as a critical tool for armed forces.
For instance, the Allies relied heavily on strategic bombing and fighter support during World War II to weaken Axis defenses, and the United States employed precision airstrikes and aerial surveillance in the Iraq War to disrupt enemy operations.
This visualization shows the total aircraft fleet by country in 2024 based on data from Global Firepower. Each number actually includes all fixed-wing planes and helicopters from the air forces, armies, navies, and special forces of the countries shown.
U.S. air strength is larger than the combined forces of Russia, China, India, South Korea, and Japan. It includes 5,737 helicopters, 1,854 fighters, and 3,722 support aircraft. In fact, the United States accounts for almost 40% of global military expenditures, spending over $800 billion annually.
In a distant second, Russia has one-third of U.S. air capacity, with 1,554 helicopters, 809 fighters, and 610 support aircraft. Russia has an aging fleet, and has also lost over 220 aircraft since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.
| Rank | Country | Aircraft Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |   U.S. |
13,209 |
| 2 |   Russia |
4,255 |
| 3 |   China |
3,304 |
| 4 |   India |
2,296 |
| 5 |   South Korea |
1,576 |
| 6 |   Japan |
1,459 |
| 7 |   Pakistan |
1,434 |
| 8 |   Egypt |
1,080 |
| 9 |   Turkey |
1,069 |
| 10 |   France |
972 |
For a more detailed breakdown of fighters, helicopters, and support craft, make sure to see the full slideshow on Voronoi.
China comes in at number three in the ranking, but the country is investing heavily and advancing technology at a rapid pace. Just weeks ago, the country announced its new sixth-generation fighter jet, which combines stealth capabilities, large payload capacity, supersonic speeds, and extended range with the versatility to conduct air-to-air or air-to-ground missions.
