Top ten world air forces?

Warhappy: It was made in the 1950's actually. And I assume when bthomd said that it was light years ahead of everyone else, that he ment at that time, not compaired to today's aircraft. And I believe he's right. The Arrow had many new things that were not used in other aircraft years later and for some even decades later. Check out this list here: www.avroarrow.org...

But to stay on topic. I think perhaps Canada should be in the top 10, though I guess it depends on how you're rating the air forces. In numbers or in quality of training etc. Canada used to have the largest airforce in the world I think, but obviously not any more

Originally posted by longbow

4. Israel
pros: good training, US equipment, masters of upgrade (i.e. F4-Phantom), good domestic electronics and avionics(+Python)
cons: RELATIVELY low numbers, econmy can't afford everything

youre wrong, isreals is the 2nd largest to america, i'd argue they are the 2nd best.
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5. France
pros: some really good national aircrafts (Mirage 2000, Rafale) in quite big numbers (when comparing to other EU countries), also some good naval aircrafts
cons: hmm I don't know, maybe not the most advanced in the future

err.. i dont think they are deserving of number 5..
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6. Uk
pros: quite good training, combat experience, before Eurofighter will deployed almost unable to fight air-to-air. (comparing to the first five countries, Tronado and Harrier are good for grounf attack, but not the best for the AA)
cons: EF is a little overpriced (for a 4th gen. aircraft) for example a Rafaele is almost in the same class - not many numbers of them (this is why I put French over UK)

the RAF has never been defeated in a war and is trained very well compared to most of europe...i'd argue they are 4th
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7. India
pros: some advanced russian tech (Su-30), growing economy, future naval air force,
cons: unable to produce anything on their own

cant say
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8. Germany
pros: Eurofighter (about 200?), training?, some Migs, western technology
cons: before Eurofighter lacking good AA capability, no combat experience (maybe only Jugoslavia)

umm belgium is even better and is much smaller.
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9. Japan -
pros :up to 200 f-15, own good technology (although not used frequently in military)
cons : no combat xperience, without f-15 few good aircrafts

japan if given the need i dont doubt they could take on anyone and win and could develop aircraft as good as america and russia.
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10. I dont know if Egypt (170 F-16) or North Korea (some russian aircrafts)

what about norway, sweden or finland the nordic nations have pretty good airforces if not the best in europe.
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sweeden i would say is one of the best
with the gryf in its air force its pretty good

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Nuff said

Originally posted by longbow
7. India
pros: some advanced russian tech (Su-30), growing economy, future naval air force,
cons: unable to produce anything on their own

[Edited on 24-5-2004 by longbow]

India have produced the new LCA

CHECK OUT www.geocities.com...

This is actually an old site.

The LCA is now named Nishant and is in production

Israel purchased not long ago some F-16I's, It was specially build for Israel and has an F-16 frame with TOTALLY new systems, many of them are made in Israel (actually Israel wanted to add even more made in Israel systems, but for some reason the US governemt didn't agree to install some of the systems Israel wanted to install)

The F-16I is a heavily modified two seat version of the U.S. Air Force�s F-16D Block 50/52-series fighter. In addition to the new and more powerful Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, the F-16I boasts numerous internal and external advancements and modifications. For example, the Sufa has been customized with new avionic technologies, internally mounted FLIR (forward looking infrared) viewers, and cutting edge weapon system hardware provided by the Israeli defense company Lahav - a division of Israel Aircraft Industries.

The Lahav technology will allow for simultaneous, multi-target air-to-air engagement and increased standoff and survivability capabilities. The F-16I has been earmarked to receive the new Python 5 imaging infrared-guided high agility air-to-air missile produced by Rafael, the former Israeli Armaments Development Authority. The predecessor to the Python 5, the Python 4, was regarded to be the most advanced heat-seeking missile in the world. The Python 5 boasts a new seeker less prone to countermeasures, lock-after-launch capabilities, and an extended operational engagement time once fired. In addition, the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-68(V)9 multimode radar increases the distance of airborne engagement by 30 percent over the older APG-69 system and affords the "Sufa" with a high-resolution synthetic-aperture ground mapping capability.

Complementing the upgraded weapon systems is a dorsal compartment containing enhanced mission avionics and chaff and flare dispensers, enabling it to conduct either pilot training or combat missions. In addition, removable conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) have been added along the fuselage and above the wing roots, freeing-up underwing hard points for additional armaments. The F-16I has an unrefueled combat strike radius well in excess of 500 miles. The extended flight range allows Israeli forces to attack targets well within Iran and Libya without having to refuel. In addition, the cockpit of the F-16I has been expanded to provide for the addition of an onboard weapons officer situated behind the pilot.

Israel had originally ordered 50 F-16Is in 2001 but increased the purchase to 102 after deciding against the procurement of additional F-15Is. The acquisition of the Sufa compliments Israel�s deterrent strategy by further strengthening the threat to carry out retaliatory strikes throughout the Middle East while at the same time allowing the IAF to retire aging A-4 Skyhawks and F-4E Phantom IIs in service with the IAF since the late 1960s.

Three squadrons of the new aircraft are expected to be operational from the Ramon airbase deep inside the Negev by 2008 with the first strike aircraft arriving next month. While top Israeli pilots and ground crews have been attending conversion courses and flight simulator training in the United States, Israeli pilots remain anxious to fly the real thing, "after we flew the simulator we got real itchy to get in the cockpit and fly it already," stated Lt. Col. A., the new commander of the F-16I wing.

With the additional 102 new F-16Is, Israel will operate a total of 362 F-16s - the largest fleet of F-16s in the world outside of the United States Air Force.

[Edited on 30-5-2004 by Transc3ndent]

The InAF certainly deserves better than 7.
Inida has scores of Mirages, Jaguars, Mig-23,27,25,29, Sukhois, Sea Harriers.They also got some 400 odd upgraded mig-21's

They also got large numbers of indegeniously built Kiran, Maruth, Ajeeth and now The new NISHANTH

The Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force is perhaps the best airplane in service today. It is essentially a Su-37 renamed.Its got 3D TVC and is the first and only service aircraft to do so.It is as menuverable as the Su-37.Currently all Su-30's of the InAF are being upgraded to MKI status.
vayu-sena.tripod.com...

India is also a major partner of the PAK-FA programme in competition to the JSF.

Also, India has more airplanes than France. Not just planes but pilots are really well trained too. I remember reading that there are atleast 70 IAF pilots who can do the cobra.That speaks for itself.

InAF's prowess is infact far superior to the Chinese,French,British air forces.
This was clearly borne out in the Indo-French, Anglo-Inidan joint air exercises

Considering India's tensions with Pakistan Indian pilots are most combat ready than any of the other AF's in the list

I'd put India at no3 anyday


[Edited on 30-5-2004 by Stealth Spy]

Originally posted by Stealth Spy


India have produced the new LCA

CHECK OUT www.geocities.com...

This is actually an old site.

The LCA is now named Nishant and is in production

Looks like a Mirage 2000.
But I found this thing interesting :

"During the decade 1990-2000 the IAF lost 172 MiG series aircraft in crashes (!!!), much more than its losses in wartime operations.During the two wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 as well as the Kargil border conflict of 1999, the Indian Air Force lost a total of 115 aircraft. From 1995-2000 alone, the losses due to aircraft involved in accidents amounted to Rs 2.74 billion. During the same period, 52 pilots lost their lives in accidents."
Wow.

True those figures are mind blowing.
The primary reason was perhaps the lack of an Advanced Jet Trainer.
With the HAWK deal in place those must come down

I found more interesting stuff


Su-30MK Beats F-15C 'Every Time'
vayu-sena.tripod.com...

[Edited on 30-5-2004 by Stealth Spy]

RAF 6th, below the French!!

Not a chance, Rafale is not as effective as Typhoon and they may have a big carrier but it don't work.
I know we don't have an airsuperiority fighter (yet) but we have the best low-level strike aircraft in the world (Tornado GR4), new adavnced ordinace (Storm Shadow, Brimstone, EP2&3) and the best training in Europe (don't believe me go to the Lake Distric or Wales and watch 'em fly BELOW you at at stupid speed).
We also have the most advanced version of the Harrier (GR7 / GR9), the useful little Jaguar GR3 plus some specialist capabilty that not many others have (Tornado GR4A, Canbera PR9, Nimrod R1 / MR2).
As for the Isralis, they may have F16s and F15s but they use them to bomb civilians don't they?

Originally posted by JimboUK

As for the Isralis, they may have F16s and F15s but they use them to bomb civilians don't they?

No, actually we almost never use our AF planes in combat, only during strikes on Hisballah's facilities when they start firing missiles on Israel, but that's happens rarely.

Also we sometimes use them to destroy terrorist HQs in Gaza strip, but this also happens very rarely.

And we used our AF planes very succesfully during our wars, but that was long time ago.

How can you put America no 1 with there record of freedly fire incidants,not just on civilians or other armies they have attacked there own forces.
Any serving soilder will tell you that when America are training with N.A.T.O the ameriacans are briefied intensly about this.

Originally posted by weirdo
How can you put America no 1 with there record of freedly fire incidants,not just on civilians or other armies they have attacked there own forces.
Any serving soilder will tell you that when America are training with N.A.T.O the ameriacans are briefied intensly about this.

Maybe they have some friendly fire incidents because they are fighting. You know you really cannot have FF incident when you are sitting at home.

No, actually we almost never use our AF planes in combat, only during strikes on Hisballah's facilities when they start firing missiles on Israel, but that's happens rarely.

I don't recal RAF Jaguars, Buccaneers or Tornados bombing targets in Northern Ireland.

Originally posted by JimboUK
I don't recal RAF Jaguars, Buccaneers or Tornados bombing targets in Northern Ireland.

Maybe beacuse IRA has been not firing Katyushas from Ireland, don't you think? And to all others please don't compare IRA to the palestinan terorists. Those are two completely different conflicts. IRA had not more than 150 members and they didn't strike very often.