credit to mevotex@miricommunity.net


10. Japan Air Self Defense Force (Japan)
Size: 45,000 personnel, 791 aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Mitsubishi F-2
Electronic warfare: Boeing E-767, Kawasaki EC-1, E-2C Hawkeye
Fighter: F-4 Phantom II, Mitsubishi F-15J, Mitsubishi F-2
Helicopter: UH-60J Black Hawk, Boeing CH-47J Chinook, KV-107 Sea Knight
Interceptor: Mitsubishi F-15J
Trainer: Mitsubishi F-15DJ, Fuji T-7, Hawker T-400, Kawasaki T-4
Transport Kawasaki C-1, Boeing KC-767J, Hercules C-130H

After World War II, JASDF was planted in 1954, as an unified form of Imperial Japanese Army Air Service and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. Now the aviation branch of Japan Self-Defense Force, JASDF is one of the sharpest tool, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. With an impeccable array of ultramodern radar systems (Basic Air Defense Ground Environment) and combat air patrols, JASDF is widely known for its assaulter squadrons in the list of strongest air forces of the world.


9. Royal Australian Airforce (Australia)
Size: 17,375 personnel, 275 aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Electronic warfare: Boeing 737 AEW&C
Fighter: F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet
Patrol: AP-3C Orion
Reconnaissance: Heron UAV
Trainer: Pilatus PC-9, BAE Hawk 127, Beechcraft B300
Transport: C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 737, Beechcraft B300, Bombardier Challenger 600, Airbus A330 MRTT

Comparatively small but tremendously deadly, RAAF was established on March 31, 1921, and till the date it has majorly participated in some of the deadliest conflicts of 20th century including World War 2, The Korean War and the Vietnam War. Comprising of a powerful fighter fleet along with sophisticated technology, RAAF is credited for its abilities to immediately implement the kinetic and non-kinetic air effects.


8. Luftwaffe (Germany)
Size: Size 32,111 personnel, 428 aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Panavia Tornado IDS
Electronic warfare: Panavia Tornado ECR
Fighter: McDonnel-Douglas, F-4 Phantom II, Eurofighter Typhoon
Trainer: Northrop T-38 Talon, Grob G-120, T-6 Texan
Transport: Bombardier Global Express 5000, Airbus A310, Airbus A319, Airbus A340, Eurocopter Cougar, Transall C-160

One of the most striking air force with the trail of top-notch pilots, Luftwaffe was established in 1935, after violating the Treaty of Versailles. During the World War II, this air force overshadowed the skies of continental Europe and defeated its foreign counterparts with its technological edge. After the war, the Luftwaffe was re-established in 1956 and remains as the German Air Force to the present day. In 2005 and 2008, Luftwaffe fighter planes took part in the Baltic Air Policing operation of NATO. To support military operations in Afghanistan, the Luftwaffe had also sent over several war planes in 2006.


7. Indian Airforce (India)
Size: 127,000 personnel, 1,370 aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Jaguar SEPECAT, MiG-27, IAI Harpy
Fighter: MiG-21, Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas
Helicopter: Dhruv, Chetak, Cheetah, Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-17, Mil Mi-26, Mil Mi-25/35, AgustaWestland AW101
Reconnaissance: IAI Searcher II, IAI Heron
Trainer: HPT-32 Deepak, HJT-16 Kiran, Hawk Mk 132, Pilatus C-7 Mk II
Transport: C-17 Globemaster III, Il-76, An-32, HS 748, Do 228, Boeing 737, Embraer ERJ 135, Il-78 MKI, C-130J

Considered one of the best equipped air force across the world along with professional standards, the Indian Airforce was founded on October 8, 1932, and since then it has been in the limelight of mainstream media for its logical expansion and modernization. In term of size, it is the fourth largest airforce in the world with approximately 127,000 personnel and 1,370 aircraft, though it still lag behind major rivals in technological upper-hand and quality of pilots.

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.


6. Armee de I'Air (France)
Size: 49,827 regular personnel, 634 aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Dassault Rafale C, Dassault Rafale B,
Combat: Dassault Mirage 2000 5F/C/D/B/N, Mirage F1 CR & CT
Reconnaissance: Boeing E-3 Sentry, Transall C-160
Transport: Transall C-160, Airbus A330 MRTT, CASA/IPTN CN-235, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Transall C-160, Transall C-160, Airbus A400M Atlas, Airbus A340, Airbus A310
Helicopter: Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, Eurocopter AS532 Cougar, Eurocopter AS555 Fennec, Aérospatiale SA330 Puma
Utility: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Trainer: Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, Embraer EMB 121 Xingu, Jodel D.140, Socata TB 30 Epsilon, Walter Extra 300
UAV: EADS Harfang

Founded in 1909 as the air force of the French Armed Forces, Armee de l'Air is considered as the world's first professional air force. 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, creating the Mirage series of jet fighters, one of the most admired aircraft in the history of military aviation.

Buff of technological developments, methodical defensive strategies and straightforward doctrine of ruling skies, this air force is better known for comprising new generation multirole combat airplanes. Currently the French Air Force is expanding their numbers in aircrafts, it has 234 combat aircraft with the majority being 158 Dassault Mirage 2000 and 59 Dassault Rafale. There are a total of nearly 700 aircraft in service.


5. People Liberation Army Airforce (China)
Size: 330,000 active personnel, 2,500+ aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Nanchang Q-5, Xian JH-7
Bomber: Xian JH-7, Xian H-6
Electronic warfare: KJ-200, KJ-2000.
Fighter: Shenyan J-11, Chendu J-10, Shenyan J-8II, Chendu J-7, Su-27, Su-30
Interceptor: Shenyan J-8II
Trainer: Hongdu L-15, Hongdu JL-8, JL-9
Transport: Shanxi Y-9, Shanxi Y-8, Antonov Y-7, Il-76

With a long list of more than 330,000 personnel and 2,500+ aircrafts, PLAAF is the largest and most powerful airforce 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 airforce 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 airforce has built up its own qualitative edge in modern air striking capabilities.


4. Royal Airforce (United Kingdom)
Size: 827 aircraft, 38,520 regular and RAuxAF, 33,380 regular reserve
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Panavia Tornado GR4, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, General Atomics Reaper MQ-9
Electronic warfare: Boeing E-3 Sentry
Fighter: Eurofighter Typhoon F2
Helicopter: Boeing Chinook, AugustaWestland Merlin, Aerospatiale Puma, Westland Sea King, Griffin HAR2
Interceptor: Eurofighter Typhoon
Reconnaissance: Britten Norman Islander, Beechcraft Shadow R1, Raytheon Sentinel R1, General Atomics Reaper, Panavia Tornado GR4A
Trainer: BAE Hawk, Beechcraft King Air, Eurocopter Squirrel, Short Tucano, Grob Tutor, Grob Vigilant, Grob Viking
Transport: Boeing C-17, Lockheed Hercules C3, Lockheed Hercules C4 & C5, Lockheed Tristar, Vickers VC10, Airbus Voyager

The kingpin of British military history and the decision maker of some of the world's greatest conflicts, the RAF is the oldest independent airforce in the world which is renowned for its strategic bombing. It was founded during World war I, on April 1, 1918, by the unification of the Royal Naval Air Services and Royal Flying Corps. The RAF is one of the most technologically sophisticated and capable air forces in the world, the largest air force in the European Union, and the second largest in NATO, only after United States Air Force.


3. Israel Airforce (Israel)
Size: 34,000 active personnel, 55,000 reserve personnel, 736 aircraft
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Boeing F-15I Ra'am
Fighter: McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Patrol: IAI Seascan, Eurocopter Panther
Reconnaissance: IAI Eitam, Beechcraft RC-12D,
Trainer: Grob G-120, Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, Beechcraft C-12 Huron, Bell 206
Transport: Boeing 707-320, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion, Sikorsky S-70
Tanker: Lockheed KC-130 Hercules, Boeing KC-707

Israel is a nation whose survival depends on its aerial dominance over the skies of Middle East. Fortunately for the Israelites, they indeed do have one of the world's strongest airforce. Founded on May 28, 1948 shortly after Israel declared its Independence, this air force had repeatedly exhibited its power to knock down its opponents. 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 airforces in the world. IAF pilots went through some of the most toughest training in the world, and are considered to be of a very high standard, with very large fleet of modern aircrafts specially designed to meet Israel's strategic maneuvers. It is one of the most technologically advanced airforces equipped with Boeing F-15 E Strike Eagle and a bevy of fighter, patrol, trainer and transport aircrafts.


2. Russian Airforce (Russia)
Size 180,000 personnel, 4,500 aircrafts
Type of Aircraft
Attack: Sukhoi Su-24/25/34
Fighter: Sukhoi Su-27/30/35, Mikoyan MiG-29
Interceptor: Mikoyan MiG-31
Bomber: Tupolev Tu-22M/95/106
Transport: Antonov An-22/12/72/24/26, Ilyushin Il-76
Special Aircraft: Ilyushin Il-20/62/72/78/80, Tupolev Tu-154, Antonov An-148/140, Tupolev Tu-154, Beriev A-50, Be-200, Mikoyan MiG-25, Yakovlev Yak-40, Let L-410 Turbolet
Trainer: Yakovlev Yak-130, Aero L-39 Albatros, Tupolev Tu-134
Helicopter: Kamov Ka-50/28/29/226/52, Mil Mi-24/35/25/28/8/17/26/2, Kazan Ansat, PZL Mi-2
UAV: Yakovlev Pchela, REIS-D, IAI Searcher

The characteristics of Russian air power is still undetermined due to its secretive nature. However, with amazingly effective doctrine and mechanized defense, the Russian Airforce possesses the ability to maneuver in any kind of terrain. Notable for implementing beyond-the-limit strategy with the weirdest technologies, this air force founded after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991-92 has rebuilt itself to be the second most powerful in the world.


1. United States Airforce (United States)
Size: 332,854 active personnel, 185,522 civilian personnel, 71,400 reserve personnel, 106,700 air guard personnel, 5,484 aircraft, 450 ICBMs, 63 satellites
Type of Aircraft
Attack: A-10 Thunderbolt II, Lockheed AC-130
Bomber: Stratofortress B-52H, B-1B Lancer, Northrup Grumman B-2
Electronic warfare: E-3 Sentry, E-8 Joint-STARS, EC-130
Fighter: McDonnell-Douglas F-15C, F-15E Strike Eagle , General Dynamics F-16, Lockheed F-22
Helicopter: UH-1N Twin Huey, HH-60 Pave Hawk
Reconnaissance: Lockheed U-2, Boeing RC-135, MC-12 Liberty, RQ/MQ-1 Predator, Global Hawk RQ-4, Lockheed Martin RQ-170
Trainer: T-6 Texan II, T-38 Taylon, T-1 Jayhawk, LET TG-10
Transport: C-130 Hercules, C-135, C-5 Galaxy, McDonnel Douglas C-9, C-17 Globemaster III, VC-25, Boeing C-32, C-37 Gulfstream, C-21 Learjet, C-12 Huron, C-40 Clipper, CV-22 Osprey
Tanker: KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker

Ruler of global skies, the USAF was founded on September 11, 1947, with the motto No One Comes Close. Indeed, even the second runner-up Russian airforce still has quite some distance to catch up with its American counterpart today. 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, giving it 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, adopting a stringent physical fitness assessment. Together with its navies, also the most powerful in the world, the U.S. airforce is capable to project its air power deep into any country, anywhere on earth.


Source:

http://www.siliconindia.com/news/general/1...6685-cid-1.html

http://topyaps.com/top-10-strongest-air-forces-of-the-world/

Saddam once had the most powerful armies in the Arab world, 5th largest globally to be precise, with modern weapons armed and supplied by both the US and USSR. But then Iran-Iraq war came and exposed that his soldiers mostly dunno how to operate the technologies.

Nowadays most Middle East countries keep buying weapons from US & EU, but inside they are just paper tigers. We all know that People who aren't sure how to build robust economies if fight a protract war will ended up like the USSR (i.e. financial ruin)

Singapore allocates and spend so much more in military than Malaysia. Yet economic-wise they are still better?

Malaysian budget deficit is already among the worst in Southeast Asia. Do the same with Singapore?

LOL.

Indonesia: Yea.... Haze attack!

America: Don't be silly boy, you know I'm capable to engineer natural earthquakes

Very good servants, I wonder if they will serve their country's new economic master, China, as good as that

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2731347/all

Pakistan has long been dominated by military government known for instilling strict discipline, so it's expected they will produce some talented personnel. However, without a strong economy you simply cannot do much. Pakistan's military suffers deterioration since its economy declined in late 1960s. The 1947 and 1965 wars with India were fought to a stalemate. After that, the 1971 and 1999 wars with India were defeats.

Now it is a nation that 'beg for cash from Saudi', 'beg for investment from China', and 'beg for aid from the US'. It is so dangerous to let one of Asia's most underdeveloped country control an arsenal of nukes. That is the case for Pakistan and in fact most other Middle East, they cannot balance military and economy, and hence cannot survive in a fight for long. They cannot be like Taiwan or South Korea who can build up strong defense against external threats and at the same time develop vibrant economies.

This post has been edited by rivost: Jun 24 2013, 05:23 PM

'Best' also no use, there is no pride at all when your country is subjected to regular foreign drone attacks. Zimbabwe's education system was once among the best in Africa, the country's professionals are highly regarded throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. But they are now left to rot with the country's failed economy.

Students from those schools will either 1.) allow themselves to degrade over time in the country's military or 2.) go to serve other nations as instructors, trainers or etc. Like many Pakistanis said, there is little hope for the nation and the people are bound to be servants for 10 generations.

Try to identify the nations who are safe from US air power

that is not true, most military analysts agreed that the US will maintain its air dominance for at least another 30 yrs minimum.

If an alliance group is considered then China & Russia may be overwhelmed, because allies of the US include NATO, Japan and Australia - 5 of them in the list.