As tensions escalate in the Pacific, particularly around Taiwan, and ongoing Chinese excursions into Taiwan’s airspace, the island nation is seeking cooperation with the U.S. to develop its next domestically manufactured fighter jet. In an era marked by rapid advancements in military technology, fighter jets have become vital components of a nation’s military arsental, providing air superiority, support for ground troops and a range of other capabilities.
To identify the 20 countries with the most extensive fighter jet fleets, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed the 2023 report, World Air Forces, from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. The ranking was based on the number of fighter jets in each country’s active military fleet. Additional information about the overall fleet size and the most common fighter jet also came from FlightGlobal. Military expenditure data for 2022 came from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Military Expenditure Database.
Leading the rankins are the United States and China, both vying for air dominance in the Pacific. These two countries have some of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced air forces. Given the ongoing substantial investments in their defense budgets by both China and the U.S., it is likely that the competition for air superiority will continue for years to come.
Russia is another prominent global contender, recognized for its fighter jet fleet, which includes over 1,500 aircraft. While smaller in total quantity compared to the U.S., Russia has earned praise for specific fighter jets. The Russian Su-57, in addition to the well-established and dependable MiG-29 and Su-30, represent the foundation of the Russian fighter fleet.
Countries like the United States, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan feature prominently on the list. Notably, nations with the largest aircraft fleets typically own more fighter jets and allocate larger amounts to their military budgets.
As these nations strive to maintain or expand their strategic influence, the importance of fighter aircraft in modern warfare will continue to be significant. Here’s an overview of the 20 countries with the largest fighter jet fleets.
Here are the countries with the largest fighter jet fleets:
21. Singapore
- Fighter jets in military: 100 (22.1% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 453 (40# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16C/D (60 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: N/A
20. United Kingdom
- Fighter jets in military: 145 (21.9% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 663 (16# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: Eurofighter Typhoon (119 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $68.5 billion (#6 most of 172)
19. Spain
- Fighter jets in military: 152 (29.4% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 517 (23# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: EF-18M/F/A-18A (72 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $20.3 billion (#16 most of 172)
18. Greece
- Fighter jets in military: 193 (30.4% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 635 (17# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16C (114 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $8.1 billion (#31 most of 172)
17. Germany
- Fighter jets in military: 209 (34.8% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 601 (18# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: Eurofighter (134 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $55.8 billion (#7 most of 172)
16. Iran
- Fighter jets in military: 219 (40.5% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 541 (22# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-4D/E/RF-4E (63 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $6.8 billion (#34 most of 172)
15. Turkey
- Fighter jets in military: 225 (21.1% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 1065 (9# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16C (157 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $10.6 billion (#23 most of 172)
13. France
- Fighter jets in military: 226 (22.5% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 1004 (10# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: Rafale B/C (94 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $53.6 billion (#8 most of 172)
13. Syria
- Fighter jets in military: 226 (49.9% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 453 (29# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: MiG-23 (87 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: N/A
12. Japan
- Fighter jets in military: 244 (16.8% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 1451 (6# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-15J (155 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $46.0 billion (#10 most of 172)
11. Israel
- Fighter jets in military: 273 (45.4% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 601 (19# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16C/I (175 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $23.4 billion (#15 most of 172)
10. Taiwan
- Fighter jets in military: 285 (38.7% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 737 (14# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16A/V (110 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $12.5 billion (#21 most of 172)
9. Egypt
- Fighter jets in military: 333 (31.2% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 1069 (8# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16A/C (168 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $4.6 billion (#46 most of 172)
8. Saudi Arabia
- Fighter jets in military: 364 (40.6% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 897 (12# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-15C/S/SA (211 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $75.0 billion (#5 most of 172)
7. Pakistan
- Fighter jets in military: 453 (32.1% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 1413 (7# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-7 (135 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $10.3 billion (#24 most of 172)
6. South Korea
- Fighter jets in military: 500 (31.2% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 1602 (5# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-5E (156 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $46.4 billion (#9 most of 172)
5. North Korea
- Fighter jets in military: 572 (60.4% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 947 (11# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-7 (120 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: N/A
4. India
- Fighter jets in military: 707 (32.0% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 2210 (4# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: Su-30 (248 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $81.4 billion (#4 most of 172)
3. Russia
- Fighter jets in military: 1517 (36.3% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 4182 (2# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: Su-27/30/35 (353 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $86.4 billion (#3 most of 172)
2. China
- Fighter jets in military: 1570 (49.6% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 3166 (3# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: J-7 (387 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $292.0 billion (#2 most of 172)
1. United States
- Fighter jets in military: 2757 (20.7% of total fleet)
- Total military aircraft fleet: 13300 (1# most of 145)
- Most common fighter jet: F-16C (775 aircraft)
- Defense expenditure, 2022: $876.9 billion (#1 most of 172)
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