Modern warfare is now largely waged in the skies, and air superiority is an important factor in ensuring success. Interestingly, in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fighting has been dominated by artillery exchanges, despite Russia’s large air force. As neither side has been able to establish air superiority, to help tip the scales in favor of Ukraine, the Biden administration is backing a plan to supply the country with advanced fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots to fly them.
Different types of military aircraft are employed to assert power, defend territories, and execute strategic operations by military forces around the world. Some aircraft have become popular across militaries due to their utility, whether in a combat, special mission, or transport role.
To identify the military aircraft that are used by the most military forces, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the report 2023 World Air Forces from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. Aircraft were ranked by the number of military forces using them. Only aircraft used by 25 forces or more are listed, with such forces as the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marines considered separate forces. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft, how many are on order or in active service, and notable countries that use these aircraft also came from FlightGlobal. Data on the different variants of aircraft was sourced from various historical and military sources.
Transport aircraft ensure the global reach of a military force, moving personnel, equipment, and supplies across vast distances, and perhaps one of the most recognized transport aircraft is the C-130 Hercules. This aircraft tops this list, with over 80 military forces using it as a transport, tanker, and even a gunship.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the more popular combat aircraft globally, finding a place in more than 50 military forces. Known for its speed, maneuverability, and offensive power, these fighter jets are the primary instruments of aerial warfare. The U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II or the Russian Mig-29 are examples of other fighters that have found favor with global militaries. (This is every plane in Russia’s air force.)
Noticeably on this list, the two main producers of aircraft are the United States and Russia, with other countries owning aircraft from one or the other depending on their alliances. Also, many of the aircraft at the top of the list, used by the most militaries, are helicopters. Overall, these aircraft are used by multiple military forces worldwide, with each playing an important role. (Find out if these planes are among the 25 most widely used military aircraft on Earth.)
Here is a look at the military aircraft used in most military forces across the world.
23. Antonov An-26 Curl
> Number of militaries using: 25 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 160
> Aircraft on order: 0
> Type: Special mission, transport
> Notable variants: An-26A (assault transport), An-26B (civilian cargo hauler)
> Notable countries: Russia, Sudan, Nicaragua
[in-text-ad]
22. Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot
> Number of militaries using: 25 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 489
> Aircraft on order: 0
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable variants: Su-25UB (two seat trainer), Su-25UBM (two seat attack trainer)
> Notable countries: Belarus, Russia, North Korea
24/7 Wall St.
21. CASA C-212 Aviocar
> Number of militaries using: 26 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 91
> Aircraft on order: 0
> Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
> Notable variants: C-212A (military transport), C-212C (civilian market model)
> Notable countries: Indonesia, Mexico, United States
20. Leonardo AW139
> Number of militaries using: 26 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 153
> Aircraft on order: 84
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable variants: HH-139A (search & rescue variant), VH-139A (VIP variant)
> Notable countries: Italy, Qatar, Algeria
[in-text-ad-2]
19. Mil Mi-17 Hip
> Number of militaries using: 28
> Active aircraft: 765
> Aircraft on order: 65
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable variants: M-17-1, Mi-17V-3
> Notable countries: China, India, Colombia
18. CASA CN-235
> Number of militaries using: 29
> Active aircraft: 157
> Aircraft on order: 5
> Type: Special mission, transport
> Notable variants: CN-235-330 (Phoenix), HC-144 (Ocean Sentry)
> Notable countries: France, South Korea, Turkey
[in-text-ad]
17. F-35 Lightning II
> Number of militaries using: 31
> Active aircraft: 716
> Aircraft on order: 2,758
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable variants: F-35A (conventional), F-35B (STOVL), F-35C (carrier-based)
> Notable countries: United States, Japan, Israel, United Kingdom
16. Bell 212 Twin Huey
> Number of militaries using: 33 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 382
> Aircraft on order: 0
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable variants: 212 Twin Huey
> Notable countries: Austria, Italy, Thailand
15. Aero L-39 Albatros
> Number of militaries using: 33 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 575
> Aircraft on order: 36
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable variants: L-39C (unarmed trainer), L-39Z0 (armed weapons trainer)
> Notable countries: Cuba, Russia, Syria
[in-text-ad-2]
14. F-5 Tiger II
> Number of militaries using: 33 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 611
> Aircraft on order: 0
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable variants: F-5F (Tiger II, two seat variant), F-5E (Tiger II, single seat variant)
> Notable countries: Brazil, Iran, South Korea
13. Beechcraft Super King Air 350
> Number of militaries using: 34 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 135
> Aircraft on order: 11
> Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
> Notable variants: King Air 350C, King Air 350ER
> Notable countries: Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States
[in-text-ad]
12. Bell 412
> Number of militaries using: 34 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 295
> Aircraft on order: 164
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable variants: 412HP (high-performance model), 412EPX (civilian market UH-X variant)
> Notable countries: Canada, Indonesia, Japan
24/7 Wall St.
11. Beechcraft Super King Air 200
> Number of militaries using: 37
> Active aircraft: 327
> Aircraft on order: 2
> Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
> Notable variants: King Air 200CT, King Air B200T
> Notable countries: Israel, United States, Morocco
10. EADS Casa C-295
> Number of militaries using: 39
> Active aircraft: 252
> Aircraft on order: 24
> Type: Special mission, transport
> Notable variants: C-295M (base military transport model), C-295MPA (Persuader)
> Notable countries: India, Spain, Egypt
[in-text-ad-2]
9. Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum
> Number of militaries using: 42
> Active aircraft: 899
> Aircraft on order: 79
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable variants: MiG-29UB (two seat trainer), MiG-29AS (NATO standard)
> Notable countries: Belarus, Russia, India, Egypt
8. Cessna 208 Caravan
> Number of militaries using: 43 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 171
> Aircraft on order: 4
> Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
> Notable variants: 208A (Cargomaster), 208B (Grand Caravan EX)
> Notable countries: Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Brazil
[in-text-ad]
7. Bell UH-1 Iroquois
> Number of militaries using: 43 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 1,105
> Aircraft on order: 33
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable variants: UH-1D (troop transport), UH-1P (USAF special operations and attack model)
> Notable countries: Argentina, Japan, Greece, United States
6. Mil Mi-24 Hind
> Number of militaries using: 51
> Active aircraft: 828
> Aircraft on order: 33
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable variants: Mi-24A (base model), Mi-24DU (training variant)
> Notable countries: Poland, Russia, Sudan
5. Bell 206 JetRanger
> Number of militaries using: 52 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 478
> Aircraft on order: 0
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable variants: 206A (JetRanger), 206L (LongRanger)
> Notable countries: Colombia, Italy, United States
[in-text-ad-2]
4. S-70 Black Hawk
> Number of militaries using: 52 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 3,909
> Aircraft on order: 806
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable variants: UH-60A (base US Army model), UH-60C (command and control model)
> Notable countries: United States, Japan, Colombia
3. F-16 Fighting Falcon
> Number of militaries using: 54
> Active aircraft: 2,763
> Aircraft on order: 156
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable variants: F-16B (two-seat model), F-16E (single-seat)
> Notable countries: United States, Israel, Taiwan
[in-text-ad]
![Mil Mi-8 Hip [unmarked] by Alan Wilson](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/imageForEntry23-sHJ.jpg "Mil Mi-8 Hip [unmarked] by Alan Wilson")
2. Mil Mi-8 Hip
> Number of militaries using: 60
> Active aircraft: 2,039
> Aircraft on order: 17
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable variants: Mi-8AMT (unarmed transport), Mi-MTO (night attack model)
> Notable countries: Algeria, Russia, Azerbaijan
24/7 Wall St.
1. C-130 Hercules
> Number of militaries using: 83
> Active aircraft: 1,133
> Aircraft on order: 119
> Type: Combat aircraft, special mission, tanker, transport
> Notable variants: C-130H, C-130J Super Hercules
> Notable countries: United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia,
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
