Top 10 countries with most bombers and superior air force

Business Insider

4 hours ago

Air force power remains one of the most decisive pillars of military strength in today's world, shaping the global balance through advanced technology, bomber and fleet size, and strategic reach.
Airpower is a crucial element of modern military strength, influencing global dynamics through advanced technology and fleet capabilities.
The United States operates 39% of the world's fighter jets, showcasing its superior aerial capabilities compared to other nations.
Countries like Israel, South Korea, and Japan maintain strong, technologically sophisticated air forces, despite not operating strategic bombers.
From heavy bombers capable of long-range precision strikes to cutting-edge fighter jets built for air superiority, the world's major powers continue to invest heavily in their air force as a means of projecting influence and deterring threats.
According to Flight Global, there were 53,265 military aircraft in the world in 2022.
The United States alone operates about a quarter of that total, followed by Russia with 8% and China with 6%. A separate report by Military Embedded Systems also noted that 39% of the world's fighter jets are flown by the U.S., with China trailing far behind at 24.4%.
These figures reflect not only dominance in quantity, but also in capability—especially when strategic bombers and multirole combat aircraft are factored in.
U.S. B-2 Spirit bomber steals the show in airspace war
One dramatic event that underlines the role of air superiority is the recent strike carried out by the U.S. B-2 Spirit bomber—one of the most feared and advanced aircraft ever built.
The U.S. B-2 Spirit bomber's ability to infiltrate Iranian airspace and carry out one of the most precise bombing operations in recent history has left a global mark on the evolving nature of modern warfare and air dominance.
With a unit cost of $2.1 billion, the B-2 remains the most expensive military aircraft in history. Manufactured by Northrop Grumman, the B-2 first entered service in the late 1980s, but production was limited to just 21 units following the end of the Cold War.
Powered by stealth and capable of penetrating even the most sophisticated air defenses, the B-2 has a combat range of over 6,000 nautical miles without refueling. With aerial refueling, it can reach virtually any target on the planet.
It has demonstrated this in missions from Missouri to Afghanistan, Libya, and more recently, Iran—reaffirming America's unmatched global strike capabilities.
This ranking of the top 10 countries with the most bombers and superior air force capabilities takes into account not only total fleet size, but also the sophistication and readiness of their combat aircraft—particularly advanced fighter jets and long-range bombers.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the world's top air powers, ranked by bombers, advanced fighter jets, and total air force strength, using data from FlightGlobal, Military Embedded Systems, and Global Firepower.
The 20 countries with the most bombers and superior air power are ranked by their overall scores.
Countries equipped with bombers are ranked higher, while those without are evaluated based on the strength of their fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets.
Rank Country Bombers Advanced Fighter Jets Air Force Fleet Score
1 United States 141 2,364 5,209 N/A
2 Russia 137 616 3,652 N/A
3 China 120 324 2,084 N/A
4 Israel None 273 581 0.394
5 South Korea None 215 890 0.392
6 Japan None 182 779 0.307
7 Australia None 72 296 0.305
8 India None 284 1,645 0.29
9 United Kingdom None 145 466 0.26
10 Saudi Arabia None 283 702 0.249
While the U.S. and Russia continue to lead with massive and strategically diverse fleets, countries like Israel, South Korea, and Japan have built formidable air forces through modernization and advanced technology, even without maintaining bomber fleets.