Latest news with #TupolevTu-160
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
World's largest air forces, India ranks at..., country at number 6 will shock you, name is...
The Indian Air Force is the fourth-largest in the world. (File) Largest Air Forces 2025: The recent India-Pakistan military confrontation, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have proven that aerial superiority will decide the outcome of any and all future wars across the globe, and even a smaller nation, such as Israel, can keep a host of enemy countries at bay, primarily due to its superior air force. On that note, let us a take a look at the top 10 largest air forces in the world today, according to rankings based on data compiled through 2024 and released in 2025 by World Population Review. Countries are ranked based on their number of military aircraft which are currently in service: United States (United States Air Force): Unsurprisingly, the United States Air Force (USAF) is the world's largest air force, boasting a fleet of 14,000 warplanes, coupled with some of the most cutting-edge technology in avionics, weaponry, stealth, and radar tech. This number includes aircraft in fleets of all branches of the US Armed Forces, including the Air Force, Navy, Marines, and the US Army. Russia: The Russian Air Force (RAF) stands a distant second in the list of largest air forces, with a fleet estimated at around 4,292 military planes, which includes a combination of lethal bombers such as the Tupolev Tu-160 'White Swan', as well as advanced fighter jets like the Su-35, and the 5th-gen Sukhoi Su-57. China: The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aka the Chinese Air Force, ranks third with a fleet of 3,304 military planes, including the 5th-generation J-20 and J-35 stealth fighter jet, and a recently unveiled 6th-gen fighter jet (the world's first), unofficially dubbed the J-36. India: The India Air Force (IAF) is one of the most formidable air forces on the planet, boasting the world's fourth-largest military aircraft fleet which current stands at 2,296 fighters, including 4.5-gen French Rafale fighters which decimated Pakistan in the recent conflict. Japan: The Japanese air force, officially known as the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), is one of the well-equipped globally, boasting a fleet of US-made 5th-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 Lightning II, and the F-15J– an upgraded version of the F-35 specifically designed for Japan. The JASDF has a fleet of 1,459 military planes, according to latest estimates. Pakistan: Despite its failing economy, Pakistan has managed to remain a formidable military force in South Asia, periodically making enhancements to its Armed forces, especially the Pakistan Air Force. At present, the PAF has a fleet of 1,434 fighter planes, which include a mix of US-made F-16s, Chinese JF-17 Thunder and J10C fighters, and French Mirage jets. South Korea: Owing to its strategic alliance with the US, South Korea has built a formidable air force to counter regional threats, especially from its nuclear-armed North Korean cousins. The South Korean Air Force, officially called the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), boasts a fleet of 1,171 fighter jets, including US-made F-35A Lightning II, KF-16 fighters, and indigenous KAI T-50 trainers. Egypt: Egypt maintains one of the largest air forces in the Middle East, with the Egyptian Air Force currently having an operational fleet of 1,093 fighter planes, which includes a unique mix of US F16s, French Rafales, and Russian MiGs. Turkey: A key NATO ally that has emerged as a global force in defense manufacturing, especially advanced military drones, also boasts a formidable air force, which is one of the largest in West Asia. The Turkish Air Force has a fleet of 1,069 fighter jets, including F-16 Fighting Falcons, but its primary strength remains unmanned aerial systems such as the globally-recognized Bayraktar military drones. France: A key defence manufacturer in the European Union (EU) and NATO, France maintains a formidable air force that is backed by an advanced fleet of indigenously built Rafale fighter jets, and bleeding-edge military technology capable of dusting an even larger military force. The French Air and Space Force (FASF) currently has fleet of 972 advanced fighter jets, along with transport and reconnaissance aircraft.
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump says he wants US to take over Ukraine's nuclear power plants
Recap: What happened in Trump and Zelensky's call yesterday? Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump held what they described as a positive phone call yesterday, the latest development in the pair's highly volatile relationship. Soon after the call, Mr Trump took to Truth Social to hail the 'very good' discussion - the first time he had spoken with the Ukrainian president since booting him out of the Oval Office nearly three weeks ago. Mr Zelensky echoed the US president's sentiment, praising the 'positive, very substantive and frank conversation' and reaffirming Kyiv's willingness to end strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. It threw the ball back into Russian president Vladimir Putin's court, after he agreed to the partial ceasefire before Kyiv accused Moscow of striking on Ukraine's energy infrastructure hours later. Also discussed in the call was the battlefield situation in Kursk, where Ukrainian troops lost large swathes of land reclaimed by Russia, and the provision of air defence systems and missiles to Ukraine, which Mr Trump committed to continue assisting with. The White House also proposed US control of Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants. US control of these plants, it said in a readout after the call, would be 'the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Alex Croft20 March 2025 07:25 Ukraine targets Russian airbase housing strategic bombers An airfield is on fire deep inside Russia after Ukrainian drones targeted a base housing strategic bombers, according to Russian officials and state media. The base in Engels, about 700km (435 miles) from the frontlines in Ukraine, hosts Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers. Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov, said there had been a Ukrainian drone attack on the town of Engels that had left an airfield on fire and that nearby residents had been evacuated. He did not specifically mention the Engels base, but it is the main airfield in the area. A plume of black smoke rising above cottages and what appears to be a major fire rising into the dawn sky, according to the unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels. Russia's defence ministry said air defences had shot down 132 Ukrainian drones overnight over six different regions in southern Russia, including 54 in the Saratov region where the Engels base is located. Arpan Rai20 March 2025 07:06 Why does Trump want Ukraine's power plants? Donald Trump suggested to Volodymyr Zelensky that he should consider giving the US ownership of Ukraine's power plants to ensure their long-term security, according to a White House statement. Mr Trump told Zelensky yesterday that the US could be 'very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise,' according to a statement from secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Mr Trump suggested that 'American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure,' according to White House officials. The idea was floated even as the Trump administration looks to finalise an agreement to gain access to Ukraine's critical minerals as partial repayment for US support for Ukraine during the war. In Kyiv, Mr Zelensky said the conversation focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — which is the largest of its kind in Europe and has been under Russian control since early in the war. He said Mr Trump posed the idea of 'an understanding' in which 'the United States can recover' the plant. Arpan Rai20 March 2025 06:40 Airfield on fire in Russia's Saratov region after Ukrainian drone attack An airfield is on fire in Russia's Saratov region after a Ukrainian drone attack, governor Roman Busargin said this morning. The Russian official said they are evacuating the nearby region for safety of residents living close to the airfield. The scale of the fire at the airfield was not immediately clear. Arpan Rai20 March 2025 06:11 White House says intelligence sharing with Ukraine will continue after Trump call with Zelensky The White House has said America's intelligence community would continue to share information with the Ukrainian government to bolster Kyiv's defensive efforts. The announcement came after president Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky had a phone call yesterday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two leaders reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defence staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. 'President Zelensky asked for additional air defence systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and president Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe,' Ms Leavitt said. White House will continue intelligence sharing with Ukraine after call Trump floated having the United States take ownership of Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the hour-long call Arpan Rai20 March 2025 05:33 Putin showing 'true face' with energy grid attack, says Finnish president Finnish president Alexander Stubb has said the only real solution to put off Moscow was to 'militarise Ukraine to its teeth'. Talking to Politico, Mr Stubb said the Russian president Vladimir Putin has revealed his real intentions in Ukraine by bombing civilian energy infrastructure just hours after claiming to Donald Trump that Moscow would stop such attacks. 'As someone who's mediated the ceasefire in Georgia in 2008, I can say this is a fairly typical Putin tactic,' Mr Stubb told Politico. 'We have an aggressor who says he wants a ceasefire and peace, but refuses to commit,' he said. 'And I think yesterday's phone conversation between Trump and Putin was a step in the right direction, but we are now seeing the true face of Putin,' Mr Stubb said. Ukraine has an undeniable right to defend itself on its own and supported by partners, he said after his meeting with Mr Zelensky in Helsinki. Arpan Rai20 March 2025 05:09 Hundreds of prisoners of war exchanged Russia and Ukraine have each swapped 175 prisoners, in one of the largest exchanges since the Russian full-scale invasion three years ago. Moscow also handed over 22 badly wounded Ukrainian prisoners, the Russian defence ministry added, in what it says was a goodwill measure. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'We are bringing back soldiers, sergeants, and officers — warriors who fought for our freedom in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defence Forces, and the Border Guard Service.' The Ukrainian leader said releasing all prisoners of war as well as captured civilians would be an important step toward peace and could help build trust between the two countries. He has repeatedly called for an 'all-for-all' prisoner exchange. In case you missed it: Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds of prisoners in one of the war's largest exchanges Russia and Ukraine say they have each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges of the war began Jane Dalton20 March 2025 05:00 Zelensky says 'lasting peace' could be agreed this year after call with Trump Volodymyr Zelensky has said 'lasting peace' in Ukraine could be achieved this year by working together with US president Donald Trump. His remarks came shortly after speaking to Mr Trump yesterday, where he said Mr Trump also shared the details of his call with Vladimir Putin. 'We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year,' he said. Mr Zelensky described his call with Mr Trump as 'positive, very substantive, and frank conversation'. Arpan Rai20 March 2025 04:26 Zelensky says energy strike ceasefire could be established quickly Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a halt on energy strikes in the war with Russia could be established quickly, but warned Ukraine will respond in kind if Moscow violated the terms of the limited ceasefire. The Ukrainian war-time president said Kyiv would draw up a list of facilities that could be subject to a partial ceasefire brokered by Washington, after a phone call with US president Donald Trump. This list could include not only energy, but also rail and port infrastructure, he said, a day after Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke to Mr Trump and claimed to agree to pause attacks on energy infrastructure. "I understand that until we agree (with Russia), until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly," Mr Zelensky said, referring to drones and missiles. Arpan Rai20 March 2025 03:53 Opinion: Putin's attacks make mockery of Trump deal Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine In 'fantastic' phone call with Zelensky, Trump confirms a partial ceasefire on energy is part of plan to bring 'real end to the war' – despite Putin breaking agreement to stop targeting energy grid in mass drone strike hours after promising not to Jane Dalton
Telegraph
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Children injured in fresh Russian strikes on Ukraine
Russia launched one of its largest-ever attacks on the city of Kropyvnytskyi overnight, injuring at least four children. Authorities reported that 10 people were injured in total, with one of the victims in critical condition with surface burns covering 90% of their body. Dozens of drones were launched at the central Ukrainian city overnight, striking homes and residential buildings. Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's railway authority, reported that railway infrastructure had been damaged as a result of the attack. It came after Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that a partial ceasefire with Russia covering energy and civilian infrastructure would likely not come into effect until it was agreed upon in a document. 'I understand that until we agree (with Russia), until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly,' Mr Zelensky told reporters last night. Ukraine also stepped up its attacks on Russia overnight, targeting a strategic bomber base in Engels, which hosts Moscow's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine attacked airfield near Engels strategic bomber base, Russian officials say
MOSCOW (Reuters) - An airfield near a Russian strategic bomber base was on fire on Thursday after a major Ukrainian drone attack in southern Russia, according to Russian officials and state media. The base in Engels, about 700 km (435 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine, hosts Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear capable heavy strategic bombers. Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov, said there had been a Ukrainian drone attack on the town of Engels that had left an airfield on fire and that nearby residents had been evacuated. He did not specifically mention the Engels base, but it is the main airfield in the area. Unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels showed a plume of black smoke rising above cottages and what appears to be a major fire rising into the dawn sky. Russia's defence ministry said air defences had shot down 132 Ukrainian drones over six different regions in southern Russia, including 54 in the Saratov region where the Engels base is located.
Al Bawaba
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Ukraine attacks Engels-2 airbase in Saratov, Russia
Published March 20th, 2025 - 06:26 GMT ALBAWABA - Russia announced that Ukraine forces attacked an air base near a strategic bomber site in southern Russia on Thursday, Reuters reported citing Russian officials. Also Read Russian strike kills 4 Syrians in Odesa, Ukraine According to reports, the Engels-2 airbase caught fire after the heavy bombing by the Ukrainian army. A video was posted on social media showing a massive black cloud following the Ukraine attack on Russia's Engels-2 airbase. Reuters revealed that the base which is located in Engels, Russia is far by about 700 km from the front lines in Ukraine. Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers are inside the Engels-2 airbase. In addition, the governor of Saratov Roman Busargin confirmed that Ukraine targeted the town of Engels setting an airfield on fire. The Russian governor added that civilians were evacuated to a safe place following the heavy attack by Ukraine. Photo of Engels-2 airbase in Russia. (X) © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
