Although smaller than the RAF by number of personnel (31,378 compared to 37,200), the German Air Force takes 10th place in terms the number of combat aircraft it can operate. Combat aircraft operated by Germany include the extremely modern Eurofighter Typhoon and the popular Panavia Tornado. The force was created in 1956, as the World War II version of the Luftwaffe had been disbanded in 1946 and Germany had been banned from having an air force until they joined NATO in 1955.
Founded in 1949, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has changed through the decades, constantly maintaining combat capabilities in case of an attack from its belligerent neighbor. ROKAF utilizes a number of combat aircraft, including famous aircraft such as the American F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Northrop F-5. ROKAF also has a number of fighter-bombers in its ranks, such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. ROKAF has been serving in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.
8. Turkish Air Force: 465 combat aircraft
Turkey is a real military powerhouse, especially in its region. Not only does it have this expansive aerial combat ability, the country also has a huge army with over 400,000 personnel. Although the total fleet size of the Turkish Air Force is smaller than others not in this Top 10, the number of combat aircraft propels Turkey to the No. 8 spot. Like ROKAF, the Turkish Air Force also operates a large number of F16
7. Pakistan Air Force: 502 combat aircraft
Considering the size of the air forces in countries surrounding or near to Pakistan, this Asian country has found itself with the need to operate a large combat air force itself. Dating back to 1947, the Pakistan Air Force has been involved in many conflicts since its foundation, including various confrontations with powerful neighbor India. The Chinese Chengdu J-7 is the fighter aircraft of choice for Pakistan, with the ever popular F-16 Fighting Falcon also being part of the makeup. The Pakistan Air Force also has French fighter aircraft, with the Dassault Mirage 5 and Mirage III.Fighter Jets.
6. Korean People’s Air Force (North Korea): 661 combat aircraft
Although North Korea is such an impoverished country (170th in the world for GDP per capita according to the IMF) somehow the secretive state can afford to maintain a massive combat aircraft force. Unsurprisingly, North Korea’s aircraft come from China, with some Soviet Union relics still in operation (like the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21). The KPAF has a large amount of Chinese Shenyang J-5 fighters, although many of them are believed to be not airworthy.
Although North Korea is such an impoverished country (170th in the world for GDP per capita according to the IMF) somehow the secretive state can afford to maintain a massive combat aircraft force. Unsurprisingly, North Korea’s aircraft come from China, with some Soviet Union relics still in operation (like the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21). The KPAF has a large amount of Chinese Shenyang J-5 fighters, although many of them are believed to be not airworthy.
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