10 Strongest Air Forces of the World

[gortje]

10 Strongest Air Forces of the World

The top strongest air force in the world are chosen based on their history, and the size and might of the forces, as listed by Topyaps. Here is the list of top 10 strongest air forces in the world.

Nearly every country in the world has its own air force power to protect the interests of the country against external and internal enemies. The top strongest air force in the world are chosen based on their history, and the size and might of the forces, as listed by Topyaps. Here is the list of top 10 strongest air forces in the world.

United States Air Force (USA) ::
The United States Air Force is the strongest Air Force in the world. Initially, a part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 11, 1947 with the motto “No One Comes Close.” The USAF is among the most technologically advanced air forces in the world.

As of 2010, the UASF operates 5,573 manned aircraft in service, approximately 180 unmanned combat air vehicles, 2,130 air-launched cruise missiles and 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles, thus being the owner of the largest number of warplanes in the world. The United States has been involved in many wars, conflicts using military air operations. The members of USAF are very health conscious. They adopt a more stringent physical fitness assessment.

Russian Air Force (Russia) ::
The Russian Air Force is the second strongest Air Force of the world. It was formed from parts of the former Soviet Air Force after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991-1992. Some practical combat experience had been gained in participating in the Spanish Civil War, and against Japan in the far-east.

However these experiences proved of little use in the Winter War against Finland, where soviet bombers and pilots were shot down by a relatively small number of Finnish Air Force pilots. During the Cold War, the Soviet Air Force were rearmed, strengthened and modern air doctrines were introduced. At its peak in the 1980s, it had deployed approximately 10,000 aircraft and at the beginning of 1990s, the Soviet Union had an air force that in terms of quantity and quality fulfilled superpower standards.

The Russian Air Force operates more than 3,000 strategic bombers, 4,500 fighter planes like the MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-25 Foxbat. The Russian Air Force has about 3,400 attack aircraft like Su-24 Fencer, Su-25 Frogfoot and Su-17 Fitter, thus making them as the second strongest air force of the world.

Israeli Air Force (Israel) ::
The third strongest air force of the world is the Israeli Air Force. It was founded on May 28, 1948 shortly after Israel declared its Independence. Looking at the history, one will realize that this air force had repeatedly exhibited its power to knock down its opponents. The strength of character of IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199s which were purchased from Czechoslovakia and 62 Supermarine Spitfire.

Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air. The IAF is considered to be one of the most effective air forces in the world. Personnel trainings are of a very high standard, and it has a very large fleet of modern aircrafts- many of which are specially designed to meet the requirements of IAF. Since the country has always remained on the brink of terrorism and constant hostilities from other countries in the region, the IAF had always remained alert and have been ready for any possible attacks.

Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) ::
The fourth in the list is the Royal Air Force of United Kingdom. It was formed on April 1, 1918 and it is the oldest independent air force in the world. The RAF has taken a significant role in the British Military History, playing a large part in the Second World War.

The RAF is one of the most technologically sophisticated and capable air forces in the world. As of January 2012, it operated 826 aircraft, making it the largest air force in the European Union, and the second largest in terms of aircraft in NATO, only after United States Air Force. Elementary flying training is conducted on Tutor 1, a kind of aircraft where the basic training is provided to the pilots. More sophisticated aircrafts are used for training these pilots once they complete various stages in training.

As of June 2011, the RAF has been planning the introduction of various new aircrafts like the Airbus A400M, the ageing aerial refueling fleet of VC 10s and Tri Stars will be replaced with the Airbus A330 MMRT.

People's Liberation Army Air Force (China) ::
The PLAAF is the aviation branch of the People’s Liberation Army, the military of the People’s Republic of China. In 2010, the PLAAF had approximately 330,000 personnel and more than 2,500 aircraft, of which 1,617 were combat aircraft.

The PLAFF is the largest air force in Asia, and is better known for comprising some of the deadliest self-reliance combat aircrafts. The PLAAF was founded with Soviet assistance on November 1, 1949, shortly after the formation of People’s Republic of China. Referring to the history, the PLAAF had fought the Korean War in Soviet built MiG-15, known as the J-2 in Chinese service, with training from Soviet instructors.

With the withdrawal of Soviet aid due to the Sino-Soviet split, the air force had made serious efforts to raise the educational level and improve the training of their pilots. After the fall of USSR, Russia became China’s principal arm suppliers. Today, the Chinese air force consists of lethal approach in the modern arena of air striking.

Armee de I’ Air (France) ::
The French Air Force is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the service arm of the French Army, and was then made an independent military arm in 1933. Dating back to history, the French had taken active interest in developing the air force from 1909. In the post-World War 2 era, the French made a successful effort to develop a domestic aircraft industry.

The French air force had also created Mirage series of jet fighters. The Mirage demonstrated its abilities in the Gulf War, becoming one of the most popular jet fighters of its day, with a high quality of performance in the battle fields. Currently the French Air Force is expanding their numbers in aircrafts. The French are awaiting the A400M military transport aircraft which is said to be in the developmental stages.

The French Air Force has 234 combat aircraft with the majority being 158 Dassault Mirage 2000 and 59 Dassault Rafale. The French Air Force has about 300 combat aircraft in service.

Indian Air Force (India) ::
The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world with approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,500 aircrafts. It was officially established on October 8, 1932 as a supporting air force of the British Raj. Since Independence, the Indian Air Force had been involved in several wars, one with neighboring Pakistan and one with the People’s Republic of China.

Other major operations undertaken by IAF are Operation Vijay- the invasion of Goa, Operation Meghdoot and Operation Cactus. The IAF had also been an active participant in United Nations peace keeping mission. During the Kargil War of 1999, the Indian Air Force had provided close air support to the Indian Army with the use of helicopters. The Indian Arm Forces have set up numerous military academies across India for training its personnel.

Military Schools and Sainik Schools were founded to broaden the recruitment base of the Defence Forces. It is considered as one of the best equipped air forces across the world.

Luftwaffe (Germany) ::
Luftwaffe is the aerial warfare branch of the German Armed Forces. It was founded in 1956 and remains as the German Air Force to the present day. Going back to the history, Germany was forbidden to have air force since the Treaty of Versailles and the German pilots trained secretly in violation of the treaty. In the modern era, the United States Government still lends nuclear weapons to Luftwaffe under the NATO nuclear sharing agreement.

In 2005 and 2008, Luftwaffe F-4 Phantom fighter planes took part in the Baltic Air Policing operation of NATO. To support military operations in Afghanistan, the Luftwaffe had sent over several war planes in 2006. On May 1, 1996, the Luftwaffe established the German Air Force Tactical Training Center in with United States Air Force at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, which provides aircrew training in the F-4 Phantom fighter planes.

It has also established tactical training centers at Canadian Air Forces Command Base at Goose Bay.

Royal Australian Air Force (Australia) ::
It was formed in March 1921. The RAAF has taken part in many of the conflicts of the 20th century including World War 2, The Korean War and the Vietnam War. The motto of RAAF is “Through Struggle to the Stars.”

Japan Air Self Defense Force (Japan) ::
It is the aviation branch of the Japan Air Self Defense Force responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF had an estimate of 45,000 personnel in 2005.

As of 2010, the JASDF operates 805 aircraft, 424 of being fighter aircrafts. The JASDF maintains an integrated network of radar installations and air defense direction centers throughout the country known as the Basic Air Defense Ground Environment.

Before forming the Japanese Self Defense Forces after World War 2, Japan did not have a separate air force. Following World War 2, the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy were dissolved and replaced by the JSDF with the passing of the 1954 Self Defense Forces Law with the JASDF as the aviation branch.

Source: http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news- ... ew&id=2237