The Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom is considered one of the strongest air forces in the NATO alliance as it hosts a diverse and fairly advanced fleet of combat aircraft. From multirole fighters to interceptors to attack helicopters, these aircraft can execute a number of operations with ease, making the RAF one of the most respected air forces in Europe. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is exploring the most widely flown RAF aircraft.

To identify the most widely flown combat aircraft in the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft by how many are currently in active service. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft and top speed. We excluded trainer aircraft.

Here is a look at the most widely flown combat aircraft of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force:

Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the aircraft in the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force is important as they play a significant role in the nation’s defense and its ability to project power globally. The UK is one of the major powers within NATO, so knowing the specific aircraft this country operates gives context to its military strategies and capabilities, as well as why it is a leading military power in Europe.

10. AW109

• Type: Multirole military helicopter
• Year introduced: 1976
• Active aircraft: 1
• Top speed: 177 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm heavy machine guns, TOW anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, machine gun pods

Currently, the Royal Air Force only operates a single active AW109. This helicopter is a multirole helicopter that has been in military service since 1976. It comes armed with a variety of weapons including 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank missiles, and rocket pods, making it capable of performing a wide range of military tasks from light transport to direct combat.

9. AS365 Dauphin

• Type: Medium-lift utility helicopter
• Year introduced: 1978
• Active aircraft: 5
• Top speed: 190 mph
• Armament: N/A

The AS365 Dauphin is primarily used for transport, search and rescue operations, and other utility roles. It is a medium-lift utility helicopter that saw its introduction to military service in 1978. It is widely known for its speed and reliability, with a top speed of 190 mph, making it one of the faster helicopters in service of the UK, despite having no armaments. The Dauphin is distinguishable by its fenestron tail rotor, which provides improved safety and noise reduction compared to traditional tail rotors.

8. SA330 Puma

• Type: Medium transport / assault helicopter
• Year introduced: 1969
• Active aircraft: 14
• Top speed: 170 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns, cannon pods

Introduced in 1969, the SA330 Puma is one of the oldest aircraft in service of the Royal Air Force. It is a medium transport and assault helicopter and there are currently 14 active units in service. The Puma can hit top speeds around 170 mph and it can be outfitted with various armaments including 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns, along with cannon pods.

7. AW159 (Lynx / Super Lynx)

• Type: Multirole helicopter
• Year introduced: 1978
• Active aircraft: 27
• Top speed: 158 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 20mm automatic cannon pods, TOW anti-tank missiles, rocket pods, Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, AS.12 missiles, Torpedoes, depth charges

The AW159, typically known as the Lynx or Super Lynx, is a multirole helicopter. There are 27 active units in the Royal Air Force. The AW159 boasts a top speed of 158 mph and can be outfitted with a range of armaments including 7.62mm machine guns, 20mm automatic cannon pods, TOW anti-tank missiles, and Sea Skua anti-ship missiles. It can be equipped with torpedoes and depth charges for naval warfare as well. There was a highly modified version of the AW159 Lynx that set the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s (World Air Sports Federation) official airspeed record for helicopters (this excludes compound helicopters) at 249.09 mph.

6. F-35B Lightning II (VTOL)

• Type: Multirole 5th generation aircraft (Vertical Takeoff and Landing)
• Year introduced: 2016
• Active aircraft: 29
• Top speed: 1,199 mph
• Armament: 25mm GAU-12/U cannon in external pod, Sidewinder missiles, Paveway guided bombs, Rockeye II bombs, Brimstone missiles, Storm Shadow missiles, drop bombs

The F-35 Lightning II is one of the newest additions to the Royal Air Force. As a fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft, the Lightning II can play a number of roles incorporating the newest stealth technology.

Introduced in 2016, the F-35B Lightning II boasts a top speed of 1,199 mph and can equip a wide variety of weapons. It is one of the newest fifth-generation aircraft to enter service. Currently, there are 29 in active service for the Royal Air Force but many more are on order from Lockheed Martin.

The United Kingdom specifically procured the B-variant of the F-35 for its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities–similar to the capabilities of the Harrier jets that the UK used to fly.

5. AW159 Wildcat

• Type: Anti-submarine warfare / search and rescue / utility helicopter
• Year introduced: 2014
• Active aircraft: 33
• Top speed: 184 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns, rocket pods, machine gun pods, anti-ship missiles, Hellfire missiles, torpedoes, depth charges

The AW159 Wildcat is the successor to the Super Lynx, featuring advanced avionics and systems. It was introduced to military service in 2014. There are currently 33 active units in the Royal Air Force. These helicopters can reach top speeds around 184 mph and come equipped with 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns, rocket and machine gun pods, anti-ship missiles, Hellfire missiles, torpedoes, and depth charges.

4. AW101 Merlin

• Type: Medium-lift multirole helicopter
• Year introduced: 1999
• Active aircraft: 41
• Top speed: 192 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, rocket pods, depth charges

The AW101 Merlin is a medium-lift multirole helicopter that was first introduced to military service in 1999. There are currently 41 active units in the Royal Air Force. With a top speed of 192 mph, it is equipped for a variety of roles, from troop transport to anti-submarine warfare, thanks to its armament which includes 7.62mm machine guns, torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, rocket pods, and depth charges.

3. AH-64 Apache

• Type: Dedicated two-seat attack helicopter
• Year introduced: 1986
• Active aircraft: 52
• Top speed: 183 mph
• Armament: 30mm automatic cannon, Hellfire missiles, Hydra rocket pods, Stinger missiles, Sidewinder missiles, Sidearm missiles

The AH-64 Apache is one of the most notorious attack helicopters in the world, and it has been an integral part of the UK’s Royal Air Force. These helicopters are American in origin and were originally introduced in 1986, and can hit a top speed of 183 mph. The Apache has a wide array of armaments, including a 30mm automatic cannon, Hellfire missiles, Hydra rocket pods, and an assortment of air-to-air missiles such as Stinger, Sidewinder, and Sidearm missiles, making it highly versatile on the battlefield.

2. CH-47 Chinook

• Type: Medium-lift, tandem rotor transport helicopter
• Year introduced: 1962
• Active aircraft: 57
• Top speed: 180 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns

The CH-47 Chinook is a medium-lift, tandem rotor transport helicopter that was first introduced in 1962. There are 57 active units in the Royal Air Force. The Chinook is capable of reaching speeds up to 180 mph, and for its armament it primarily carries 7.62mm machine guns for defense. This helicopter is integral in troop movement, artillery emplacement, and battlefield resupply.

1. Eurofighter Typhoon

• Type: 4th generation multirole aircraft
• Year introduced: 2003
• Active aircraft: 120
• Top speed: 1,550 mph
• Armament: 27mm Mauser BK-27 internal cannon, Sidewinder missiles, IRIS-T missiles, Meteor missiles, Storm Shadow missiles, MATRA missiles, Taurus stand-off missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles, laser-guided bombs, conventional drop bombs

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a 4th generation multirole combat aircraft, which entered service in 2003. The Royal Air Force has 120 of these active aircraft currently in its fleet. Capable of achieving speeds up to 1,550 mph, the Typhoon can equip a number of weapons including a 27mm Mauser BK-27 internal cannon standard, as well as various missiles like Sidewinder, IRIS-T, and Meteor, as well as Storm Shadow and Taurus stand-off missiles. It can also deploy both laser-guided and conventional bombs.

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