Quality Over Quantity: How India’s Air Force Overtook China In Global Rankings

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 16:23 IST

Despite a smaller fleet, India now ranks third globally in air power, ahead of China. The shift signals a major recalibration in Asia’s military balance

India has officially leapfrogged China to become the third most powerful air force in the world. (Image: File Pic)

India has officially leapfrogged China to become the third most powerful air force in the world, marking a significant shift in Asia’s military balance. According to the latest rankings by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), the Indian Air Force has outpaced China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force in overall strength not by fleet size, but by what really matters in modern warfare: operational capability, readiness, training, and technological balance.

This new status comes at a time when global tensions are rising, especially in Asia, and follows India’s display of air dominance during its recent Operation Sindoor. With air superiority playing an increasingly central role in determining the outcome of modern wars, India’s rise in the rankings is more than symbolic; it’s strategic.

Where India Stands In The Latest Global Rankings

According to the WDMMA, the US remains the most powerful air force in the world, with a TruVal Rating of 242.9. Russia ranks second with a score of 114.2. India now holds the third spot, with a rating of 69.4, ahead of China, which is placed fourth with a score of 63.8.

The next countries in the rankings are Japan (58.1), Israel (56.3) and France (55.3).

Unlike some other indices, the WDMMA compares national air forces rather than individual military branches, offering a more holistic view of a country’s air dominance.

What Is The WDMMA, And How Does It Rank Air Forces?

The WDMMA is an internationally recognised directory that evaluates military air power across 103 countries and 129 air services, including those run by navies, armies and marine corps. It tracks a total of over 48,000 aircraft globally. The rankings are based on a proprietary index called the TruVal Rating, which goes far beyond simply counting aircraft. It factors in combat readiness, attack and defence capabilities, logistical support, modernisation levels, pilot training, and overall mission performance.

How Did India Overtake China In Air Power Rankings?

On paper, China has more aircraft. The Chinese air force reportedly has a fleet of 3,733 aircraft compared to India’s 1,716. However, the TruVal Rating is designed to assess qualitative aspects of military capability, and that’s where India has pulled ahead.

India’s higher ranking has been attributed to its focus on training, close-air support, and specialised bomber units, factors that contribute directly to combat performance. While China continues to invest heavily in developing advanced platforms such as the fifth-generation J-20 and J-35 fighters and has unveiled a prototype sixth-generation jet, India has prioritised pilot readiness, flexible deployment, and rapid mission execution.

India’s air fleet is also more evenly distributed. According to the WDMMA, 31.6 per cent of the Indian Air Force’s aircraft are fighters, 29 per cent are helicopters, and 21.8 per cent are trainers. This spread enables operational flexibility across combat, logistics, and humanitarian scenarios. In contrast, 52.9 per cent of China’s air fleet consists of fighters and 28.4 per cent are trainers, reflecting a more fighter-heavy approach.

How Operation Sindoor Proved India’s Air Superiority

India’s growing advantage was not merely theoretical; it was tested and proven on the battlefield during Operation Sindoor in May this year. Launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, the operation saw precision strikes on multiple targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

According to Indian Army Director General of Military Operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Pakistan “lost over 100 military personnel, as well as a minimum of 12 aircraft during the four-day conflict." The operation showcased India’s ability to execute coordinated missions quickly and effectively, even in hostile airspace.

Pakistan had deployed Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets equipped with PL-15E air-to-air missiles and HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile systems. However, these systems were unable to prevent the Indian strikes. Indian missiles penetrated air defences reliant on Chinese technology. Bilal Khan, founder of the Toronto-based Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group, told AFP that “the Chinese air-defence systems do not appear to have been as effective as the Pakistan Air Force would have hoped."

How Is India Modernising Its Air Force?

India’s current air dominance is the result of years of deliberate modernisation and strategic investment. The Indian Air Force today operates a mix of French Rafale jets, Russian-origin Su-30MKIs and MiG-29s, and India’s own Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The Soviet-era MiG-21s, once the backbone of the force, were recently retired after more than six decades in service.

Looking ahead, India plans to induct over 600 aircraft in the next two decades. These include 180 LCA Mk1A fighters, more than 120 LCA Mk2s, 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, and at least 120 fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India is also exploring limited imports of fifth-generation fighters, likely choosing between the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35, as an interim measure until the AMCA is ready.

India is also ramping up investments in modern helicopters, UAVs and airborne surveillance systems, as part of a broader shift towards network-centric and multi-domain warfare. This push is complemented by increasing interoperability with partners like France and the United States.

How Does India’s Rise Compare Globally?

Air power has become one of the most decisive factors in modern warfare, with recent conflicts showing that numerical strength alone does not guarantee dominance in the skies. While the United States remains unmatched, backed by nearly 40 per cent of global military spending, other countries have faced limitations despite large fleets.

Russia, for instance, has struggled to establish air superiority in Ukraine, even after more than three years of war, underscoring the importance of training, strategy and integrated capability.

In contrast, smaller but highly organised air forces have delivered rapid and decisive results. During Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, Israel reportedly achieved air superiority over Iran in under four days, even though Tehran is nearly 1,000 miles from Israel’s closest airbase. The mission highlighted how coordination, precision and technological edge can compensate for distance and risk.

India’s Operation Sindoor has drawn similar attention. Conducted in response to a major terror attack, the four-day mission showcased India’s ability to strike across borders with speed, precision, and minimal losses. It underlined not only the IAF’s technological capabilities, but also its preparedness, intelligence coordination and rapid mobilisation. The operation is increasingly being cited as an example of how emerging air powers can deliver strategic outcomes without relying on sheer volume of aircraft.

Why These Rankings Matter More Than Ever

While broader indices like the Global Firepower Index assess overall military capability, the WDMMA focuses solely on air strength. India’s rise to the third position signals a deeper realignment in military power across Asia. It also affirms India’s growing influence in shaping strategic frameworks from South Asia to the Indo-Pacific.

With its expanding fleet, doctrine-driven training, and a maturing domestic aerospace sector, the Indian Air Force is no longer just a regional air wing. It is emerging as a core component of India’s global strategic profile.

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...

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