The world's most powerful air forces in 2023, ranked

Sinéad BakerJul 15, 2023, 16:35 IST

US Air Force Thunderbirds sit on the tarmac while a helicopter picks up a downed pilot amid pyrotechnics simulation during a Vietnam War reenactment at the Sioux Falls Airshow in South Dakota.Courtesy Duane Duimstra/U.S. Air National Guard/Handout via REUTERS

Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on the size of their air force fleets.
Some countries overperformed, or underperformed, compared to their overall military strength.

Global Firepower's ranking of the world's militaries in 2023 also ranked 145 countries by the strength of their air forces.

The ranking looks at how many helicopters, fighter jets, interceptors, bombers, transport jets, and other types of aircraft each country's air force has in its arsenal.

Some countries found themselves in vastly different positions on the list compared to their place on Global Firepower's overall military strength ranking for the year.

Here's how the top 25 countries rank:

25: Mexico

A Mexican Air Force F-5 jet escorts the country's presidential plane.REUTERS/Alfredo Guerrero/Mexico Presidency/Handout

24: Thailand

Thai parachutists during the "Cope Tiger 2010" joint air force exercise over Lop Buri province, north of Bangkok.REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

23: Spain

Members of the Spanish Air Force aerobatic group 'Patrulla Aguila' fly over San Lorenzo beach in Gijon, northern Spain, during an aerial exhibition.REUTERS/Eloy Alonso

22: Iran

Iran's Army chief and the Armed Forces Chief of Staff visit the first underground air force base, called "Eagle 44" at an undisclosed location in Iran.Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

21: Algeria

Air Force formations mark the 60th anniversary of Algerian Independence in Algiers in July 2022.hoto by APP/NurPhoto via Getty Images

20: United Arab Emirates

A KC-10 Extender based out of Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, receives fuel from another KC-10.Chris Thornbury/U.S. Air Force/Handout via REUTER

19: Israel

An Israeli Air Force Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots.REUTERS/Amir Cohen

18: Germany

A German Tornado fighter jet arrives from a reconnaissance flight.REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

17: Greece

A joint drill conducted by Israeli and Greek air forces in Israeli airspace.Israeli Army / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

16: UK

British Forces from 16 Air Assault Brigade arrive in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021.Leading Hand Ben Shread/RAF/UK Ministry of Defence 2021/Handout via REUTERS

15: Brazil

Officers parade during their graduation ceremony at the Brazilian Air Force Academy (AFA) in Pirassununga, Brazil.REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker

14: Taiwan

A Taiwan air force pilot climbs into a French-made Mirage fighter at an airbase in Hsinchu during a routine military drill.REUTERS/Simon Kwong SK/FA

13: Italy

The aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force on Republic Day, in Rome, Italy.REUTERS/Remo Casilli TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

12: Saudi Arabia

A Saudi air force jet flies in formation during a graduation ceremony for air force officers at King Faisal military college in Riyadh.REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed

11: North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the Korean People's Army (KPA) Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 447.REUTERS/KCNA

10: France

A French pilot flies a Rafale jet fighter over the French Air Force base in Mont-de-Marsan, southwestern France.REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

9: Turkey

The aerobatic team from the Turkish Air Force during a parade marking the 86th anniversary of Republic Day, in Ankara.REUTERS/Umit Bektas

8: Egypt

Air Force Academy graduates attend a graduation ceremony in Cairo, Egypt.The Egyptian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS

7: Pakistan

Pakistan Air Force jets perform during an air show in Karachi, Pakistan.REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

6: Japan

The 2nd Air Wing of Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-15s fighters hold a joint military drill with US F-16s fighters over the Sea of Japan.Joint Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan/HANDOUT via REUTERS

5: South Korea

South Korean soldiers participate in a ceremony to mark the 71st anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the Air Force Base in Daegu, South Korea.Jeon Heon-kyun/Pool via REUTERS

4: India

Indian Air Force "Sarang" helicopters during a full-dress rehearsal for Indian Air Force Day at the Hindon air force station on the outskirts of New Delhi in October 2015.REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee

3: China

Parachutists from China's People's Liberation Army air force perform at Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in November 2010.REUTERS/Stringer

2: Russia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits air force base number 393 in Korenovsk in southern Russia, in June 2012.REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Pool

1: US

US Air Force Thunderbirds on the tarmac during a Vietnam War reenactment at the Sioux Falls Airshow in South Dakota.Courtesy Duane Duimstra/U.S. Air National Guard/Handout via REUTERS

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