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Put simply, there are no allies of the United States building air forces that will rival that of the United States Air Force. The gulf in capability is enormous, and there are none that have the plans or the capacity to come close to matching it. The only country in the world building an air force designed to match the USAF, at least at some time in the future, is the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). However, the PLAAF is not an ally of the United States and so doesn’t feature on this list. India is also excluded as it is a partner of the US, but not an ally.
The Russian Air Force is also large on paper, but about half of its tactical combat aircraft (e.g., Su-25s, Su-24s, Su-27s, MiG-29s) are also aging and largely obsolete on the modern battlefield. As an indication of how no allied air forces can match the USAF (or China), the US and China both deliver around 200 fighter jets a year, with some of the US jets being exported. This is followed by Russia, whose industry produces 20-40+ fighters annually, and France, at around 25 and growing. Here is what to know about the most capable allied air forces.
5
Royal Air Force
Approx. 147 frontline fighter jets
While much is said about the Royal Air Force (and Royal Navy) not being what it once was, it remains one of the most powerful and active US allied air forces. The RAF edges out the French Air Force on this list because it is purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter and because it has historically been a close ally of the United States. It is also included because it is the lead partner in the GCAP/Tempest program. Another reason is that it has a part in the production of most of the non-Russian and non-Chinese fighter jets through BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Martin-Baker, and other contractors.
The Royal Air Force currently has around 110 of its former fleet of 137 Eurofighter Typhoons in service. All but four of its less capable Tranche 1 Typhoons have been retired. Those four remaining Tranche 1 jets are stationed at RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands to defend the territory from Argentine attack. The RAF has also received the last of its standing order of 48 F-35Bs. It has 47 in service after one fell off an aircraft carrier.
The UK is about to place the next order for another batch of F-35Bs, including one to replace the lost aircraft. These F-35Bs are shared with the Royal Navy, although the RAF will also purchase 12 F-35As for its own use. Although it has a program of record of 138 F-35s, it is unclear if all will be procured. The UK is leading the GCAP/Tempest sixth-generation fighter jet project and plans to bring it into service by 2035. Tempest is expected to eventually replace the Typhoons.
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4
German Air Force
Approx. 225 fighter jets (including Tornados)
The German Air Force is notable for being one of the air forces currently undergoing one of the biggest changes as Germany rearms amid the deterioration of security in Europe. The German Air Force currently has 84 aging Panavia Tornado strike/SEAD aircraft in service and a fleet of 141 more capable Eurofighter Typhoons.
Notably, it has another 58 Tranche 4 and Tranche 5 Eurofighters on order, along with 35 F-35As, with reports that Germany may increase its F-35 order. The F-35 is to replace some of its legacy Tornado jets. Germany has also gone from being a voice against the use of combat drones in the 2010s to one of the countries with one of the most urgent requirements. Germany has a requirement for 400 advanced combat drones to enter service by 2029.
Germany is one of the principal countries in the FCAS sixth-generation fighter jet program with France and Spain. However, bitter disagreements between Germany’s Airbus and France’s Dassault are threatening to end the program. A decision on the future of the program is expected in 2026. If the program fails, it is unclear what Germany will do. Two of the most likely operations are to build a next-generation fighter with Sweden or join the rival GCAP/Tempest program in some capacity. Germany needs a next-generation fighter to replace its Eurofighters in the 2040s.
3
Republic of Korea Air Force (South Korea)
Approx. 272 frontline fighter jets (exc. F-5s, KA-50s)
The South Korean Air Force (officially the Republic of Korea Air Force or ROKAF) is one of the most capable US-allied air forces. In 2024, Korea retired the last of its aging McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jets. Although it still has 61 legacy Northrop F-5 Tiger II light fighters in service. Korea’s frontline fighter jets are somewhat similar to Israel’s. It has 59 Boeing F-15K Slam Eagles, 118 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons, and 40 F-35As in service. Korea also has 60 examples of its light multirole KA-50 Eagles in inventory.
Korea has a program of record of 60 F-35As. 20 more F-35As remain on order. Notably, South Korea (like Turkey) is developing its own low-observable fighter jet, the KF-21 Boramae. The KF-21 has recently entered serial production, and Korea has big plans to export the aircraft. Korea plans to incrementally develop the KF-21 with future block upgrades to the point where it eventually becomes what can be considered a fifth-generation fighter jet.
As stated, the French Air Force is another contender that could have featured on this list. It operates a fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000s and Rafales, with the Rafales replacing the Mirages. Italy also has a notable air force that could be on this list in place of the United Kingdom. Perhaps the US-allied air forces undergoing the biggest transition relevant to their starting position are those of Poland, Romania, and potentially even Ukraine. However, their air forces are not big enough to be considered on this list. Another notable NATO member air force is that of Turkey, which is developing its domestic Kaan fighter, purchasing more F-16s and British Eurofighters, but was kicked out of the F-35 program by the US.
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2
Israeli Air Force
Approx. 287 frontline fighter jets
The Israeli Air Force has a reputation for being one of the most capable air forces in the world, even though Israel has a population of around ten million. That said, Israel benefits from extensive US funding, including helping it purchase the F-15EXs on order. The Israeli Air Force is not only technologically advanced, but it is also experienced with real conflict. Uniquely, the US has also allowed Israel to make certain changes to the F-35 to allow Israel to integrate some of its own munitions. This is something the US is extremely protective of.
The Israeli Air Force has recently received the final examples of its standing order for 48 F-35As (F-35I sub-variant). It has placed an additional order for another 27 F-35As, which will eventually bring its fleet to 75 aircraft. As F-35.com writes, “Israel became the first country to select the F-35 through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process when a Letter of Agreement was signed in October 2010.”
Israel also has a fleet of around 173 F-16 Fighting Falcons in service and a fleet of 66 F-15 Eagles. Broadly speaking, the F-35 allows Israel to penetrate and destroy enemy air defenses and provide a “god’s eye view” of the battlespace. The F-16 provides affordable mass to Israel’s fleet, while the F-15 is a formidable air superiority fighter that can also function as a heavy “missile truck” in tandem with the F-35. Israel has another 25 of the latest F-15EX fighter jets on order and these will be delivered in the 2030s.
1
Japanese Air Self-Defense Force
Approx. 330 frontline fighter jets
The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is arguably the most formidable of the allied air forces. The JASDF currently possesses around 199 F-15J/JD fighter jets license-produced by Mitsubishi in Japan. These are also being upgraded to ensure they remain at the cutting edge as China modernizes its air force. The primary role of the Japanese air force is area denial; it is to protect Japan’s home islands and outlying Ryukyu Islands from attack. The F-15J is at the heart of that strategy.
But the most capable fighter jet is the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, which Japan is assembling locally. The Japanese Navy’s F-35Bs are assembled in Fort Worth, Texas. Japan has a program of record for 127 F-35As, with the navy purchasing between 22 and 42 F-35Bs for its flattops. F-35.com notes, “Japan is acquiring the most of any international customer.”
The other frontline fighter jet in Japanese service is the Mitsubishi F-2, which is the license-built local variant of the F-16. It has around 85 of these aircraft in service. These are to be replaced with the sixth-generation GCAP/Tempest fighter jet Japan is developing with the United Kingdom and Italy. GCAP is being specifically designed to counter emerging Chinese fighter jets and other Chinese capabilities. The program is something of a priority for Japan, which wants it to be in service by 2035. GCAP is arguably the most advanced and best-funded next-generation Western fighter jet outside of the United States.
