Global Air Forces Ranked by Annual Defense Budgets in 2025

A recent study released in April 2025 by an international group of researchers and reported to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reveals that the world’s top five military spenders account for a staggering 60% of global defense expenditures. These nations, ranked by their military budgets, are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India.

According to data compiled by the World Population Review, the United States maintains its position as the leader in air power, with a military aircraft fleet that is consistently evolving. The inventory sizes of these air forces, however, do not align with their budget rankings. Notably, Russia surpasses China in terms of total aircraft, while Germany has the smallest fleet among the top five, trailing behind India.

Defense Budgets Highlight Global Military Spending

The study indicates that the U.S. Armed Forces command a remarkable 37% of the total worldwide defense budget. In 2025, the U.S. Air Force secured the largest share of the defense budget, even exceeding the Army, as reported by Air & Space Forces. Here are the top five air forces ranked by their defense budgets for 2024:

– **1. United States**: 14,486 aircraft, $997 billion
– **2. China**: 4,392 aircraft, $314 billion
– **3. Russia**: 4,211 aircraft, $149 billion
– **4. Germany**: 745 aircraft, $88.5 billion
– **5. India**: 2,296 aircraft, $86.1 billion

China’s increasing defense budget reflects a strategic modernization effort focusing on stealth and unmanned aerial systems. Russia’s spending has surged to support its ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Germany has also significantly increased its military budget by 28% to bolster its defense capabilities in response to regional threats. Meanwhile, India is enhancing its defense capabilities, particularly in aerospace, although it still relies on imports for some of its military needs.

Comparative Analysis of Fighter Jets and Bombers

The U.S. boasts a dominant position in advanced fighter aircraft, with a fleet that includes a substantial number of fifth-generation jets. The F-35 Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a significant contributor to this advantage, being the first stealth fighter produced in substantial quantities.

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is believed to have more stealth aircraft than its Russian counterpart, with the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon surpassing the 200 mark in production. Russian capabilities, however, are hampered by the limited number of Sukhoi Su-57 Felons operational due to sanctions affecting critical components.

Here’s a look at the fighter jet count among the top air forces:

– **1. United States**: 2,358 fighters
– **2. China**: 1,975 fighters
– **3. Russia**: 1,008 fighters
– **4. India**: 542 fighters
– **5. Germany**: 211 fighters

Germany’s fleet includes over 100 Eurofighter Typhoons, alongside an order for 35 F-35s from the U.S. to enhance its stealth capabilities. India is exploring the possibility of producing the F-16V under license, while Russia’s export capabilities for the Su-57 remain uncertain due to delivery delays.

The realm of long-range strategic bombers is limited to just three nations: the U.S., China, and Russia. While the U.S. does not lead in quantity, it is the only nation with both stealth bombers and super-heavy bombers in its inventory. The iconic Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, operational for nearly a century, remains unmatched in capability.

Current bomber counts are as follows:

– **1. China**: 209 bombers
– **2. United States**: 140 bombers
– **3. Russia**: 120 bombers

China and Russia’s strategic bomber fleets rely on platforms like the Antonov An-124 Ruslan and Tupolev Tu-95 Bear, while Germany and India do not operate any bombers.

Helicopter and Airlift Capabilities

The helicopter forces showcase a clear disparity, with the United States leading significantly in both the quantity and technological advancement of its rotary-wing fleet. The U.S. Army fields over 4,000 of the total 5,509 helicopters, featuring the renowned AH-64 Apache, acclaimed as one of the best attack helicopters globally.

The ranking of helicopter fleets is as follows:

– **1. United States**: 5,509 helicopters
– **2. Russia**: 1,551 helicopters
– **3. China**: 1,250 helicopters
– **4. India**: 540 helicopters
– **5. Germany**: 246 helicopters

The U.S. Air Force also dominates the airlift sector, with over 700 fixed-wing cargo planes, including the massive Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. In contrast, Russia’s airlift capabilities have diminished, while China is working to enhance its capabilities with the X’ian Y-20.

The transport fleet ranking is as follows:

– **1. United States**: 1,020 transport aircraft
– **2. Russia**: 462 transport aircraft
– **3. India**: 282 transport aircraft
– **4. China**: 270 transport aircraft
– **5. Germany**: 52 transport aircraft

The U.S. and India utilize the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III extensively, while Germany relies on the Airbus A400M and other aircraft for its airlift missions.

This comprehensive analysis underscores the significant disparities in military spending and capabilities among the world’s leading air forces, highlighting not only financial commitments but also the strategic implications of their respective fleets.