Islamabad (TDI): The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has solidified its position among the world’s most powerful air forces, securing the 7th spot in a recent ranking published by Global firepower.
The report has ranked the world’s most formidable air forces based on their aircraft inventory, including fighter jets, helicopters, and support planes.
The US was identified as the strongest air force internationally, followed by Russia and China in second and third places, respectively.
India ranked fourth, South Korea fifth, and Japan sixth position.
The report noted that the US Air Force is unrivalled, operating 5,737 helicopters, 1,854 fighter jets, and 3,722 support aircraft, with an annual budget of 800 billion dollars, accounting for nearly 40 percent of global military spending.
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Russia, with one-third of US air power, operates 1,554 helicopters, 809 fighter jets, and 610 support planes.
However, it has suffered losses, with 220 jets destroyed since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022.
China, ranked third, has been investing heavily in modernising its air force and recently added its 6th-generation fighter jet to its fleet.
China is also working on supersonic aircraft.
India, South Korea, and Japan follow with 2,296, 1,576, and 1,459 aircraft, respectively.
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Pakistan, ranked 7th, operates 1,434 fighter jets, helicopters, and support aircraft.
Egypt, Turkiye, and France round out the top 10, with respective inventories of 1,080, 1,069, and 972 aircraft.
The report highlights the evolving landscape of air power, with nations like China rapidly advancing their technological capabilities, while others, such as Russia, face challenges in maintaining their fleets due to current conflicts.