The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) has published the Global Air Powers Ranking of 2022, a report that has placed the Indian Air Force (IAF) above the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, also known as the Chinese Air Force.
The report has evaluated the total fighting strength of the various air services of different world nations and has ranked them accordingly. Not just China, but IAF has been placed above Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), Israeli Air Force, and French Air and Space Force.
What is WDMMA and How does it prepare the report?
The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) evaluates by taking into various factors and presents a comprehensive report that describes in detail the current strengths and inherent weaknesses of modern military air services across the globe. Currently, the WDMMA is tracking 98 countries, covering 124 air services and following a total of 47,840 aircraft.
While preparing its annual ranking on the modern military air services across the globe, the WDMMA uses a formula which takes into account values related to the total fighting strength of the various air services of the nations. The formula produces the ‘TrueValueRating’ (TvR), which helps WDMMA to separate each power based on not just the overall strength, but also on factors like modernisation, logistical support, attack and defence capabilities. Thus, the military air power of a country is not analysed only based on its total quantity of aircraft but rather on its quality and general mix of inventory.
The Global Air Powers Ranking (2022) report has given the highest TvR score to the United States Air Force (USAF)- 242.9. The USAF comprises a broad mix of aircraft types and several products are locally sourced from the massive industrial base of the US.
Indian Air Force Inventory 2022
According to the report, the Indian Air Force (IAF) currently counts 1,645 total units in its active aircraft inventory.
Fighters (632 units)
- Su-30MKI (Multirole)-242
- MiG-21bis (Interceptor)-132
- Jaguar M/S (Attack)-130
- MiG-29UPG (Multirole)-66
- M2000H/I (Multirole)-45
- Tejas Mk.1 (Multirole)-16
- Rafale (Multirole)-1
Helicopters (438 units)
- Mi-17/171 (Medium-Lift)-223
- HAL Dhruv (Multirole)-91
- SA 316/SA319 (Utility)-77
- SA 315 (Light Utility)-17
- Mi-25/25/35 (Gunship/Transport)-15
- AH-64E (Attack)-8
- CH-47F (Medium Lift)-6
- Mi-26 (Heavy Lift)-1
Transports (250 units)
- An-32 (Tactical)-104
- HS 748 (Utility)-57
- Dornier 228 (Utility)-50
- IL-76MD/MKI (Strategic)-17
- C-17 (Strategic/Tactical)-11
- C-130J (Tactical)-11
Trainers (304 units)
- Hawk 132 (Advanced Jet Trainer)-104
- HJT-16 (Light Jet Trainer)-79
- PC-7 Mk II (Basic Trainer)-75
- Jaguar T (Strike Trainer)-30
- M 2000TH/TO (Fighter Trainer)-16
Aerial Tankers/Refuelers (7 units)
Ilyushin Il-78 (Aerial Refueling)-7
Special-Mission (14 units)
- Gulfstream III (Electronic Warfare)-3
- A-50E (Airborne Early Warning)-3
- Gulfstream G100 (Reconnaissance)-2
- Global 5000-2
- Boeing 737 (Reconnaissance)-2
- Embraer ERJ (Airborne Early Warning)-1
- Boeing 737 (Reconnaissance)-1
Top 10 Global Air Powers Ranking 2022
| Serial No. | Country | TvR |
| 1 | United States Air Force (5,091) | 242.9 |
| 2 | United States Navy (2,626) | 142.4 |
| 3 | Russian Air Force (3,829) | 114.2 |
| 4 | United States Army Aviation (4,328) | 112.6 |
| 5 | United States Marine Corps (1,211) | 85.3 |
| 6 | Indian Air Force (1,645) | 69.4 |
| 7 | People’s Liberation Army Air Force (2,040) | 63.8 |
| 8 | Japan Air Self-Defense Force (779) | 58.1 |
| 9 | Israeli Air Force (581) | 58.0 |
| 10 | French Air and Space Force (658) | 56.3 |
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Also Read:
- All You Need To Know About Indian Air Force Fighter Aircraft
- All Fighter Aircraft Of India – How To Identify Them
- List Of Helicopters Used By Indian Air Force
- All Aircrafts Of Indian Air Force [UPDATED LIST]
