Indian Air Force overtakes Chinese Air Force in WDMMA Global Air Powers Ranking 2022

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. 

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