Royal Air Force

Key facts

Official Name Royal Air Force
Country🇬🇧 United Kingdom
World rank#16
Active aircrafts631 as of 2025
Aircrafts on order139
Roundel

Roundel of United Kingdom air force

Overview

The Royal Air Force is structured around a series of groups, wings, and squadrons, which are the fundamental operational units. This structure is underpinned by the "Whole Force" concept, integrating regular, reserve, and civilian personnel. The RAF Regiment provides ground-based force protection, including air defense and the mitigation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

The strategic doctrine of the RAF is centered on providing an agile and capable air force that can project power globally. Key tenets of its operational philosophy include achieving control of the air to enable freedom of action for all UK military forces. The doctrine emphasizes multi-domain operations as part of an integrated approach with allies and other branches of the armed forces. A core concept is Agile Combat Employment (ACE), which is designed to enhance survivability and resilience by dispersing forces and operating from various locations.

The RAF's operational capabilities encompass a wide spectrum of air power roles, including fighter and strike operations, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), maritime patrol, and strategic and tactical transport.

RAF is focused on enhancing its network-enabled capabilities and preparing for future operating environments. A significant program is the introduction of the F-35B Lightning II, a fifth-generation multirole fighter. Other key procurements include the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control platform, and the Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft system. Looking further ahead, the UK is collaborating with Italy and Japan on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a project to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. However, financial constraints have led to the retirement of some assets and are presenting challenges to the pace of modernization and personnel training.

Origin countries of aircrafts

Country Active Aircraft
🇬🇧 United Kingdom 254
🇩🇪 Germany 243
🇮🇹 Italy 226
🇺🇸 United States 169
🇪🇸 Spain 113
🇫🇷 France 59
🇪🇺 Europe 30
🇧🇷 Brazil 5

Evolution of British Air Force fleet

Aircrafts by type in 2025

Aircraft type Active
Helicopter Helicopter 266
Training Training 156
Combat Combat 144
Transport Transport 52
Other Other 13

Full inventory in 2025

Army Air Corps

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active 𝚫 YoY Ordered
HelicopterHelicopter AH-64E 🇺🇸 1984 37
+37
13
HelicopterHelicopter AW159 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 2014 25
-2
0
HelicopterHelicopter AS365 🇫🇷 1990 5
0
0

Royal Air Force

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active 𝚫 YoY Ordered
CombatCombat Eurofighter Typhoon 🇩🇪 🇪🇸 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 2003 113
-7
0
CombatCombat F-35B 🇺🇸 2013 31
+2
103
HelicopterHelicopter CH-47 HC3/4/5/6/MH-47G 🇺🇸 1962 57
0
14
HelicopterHelicopter H135 🇫🇷 1996 29
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter SA330 Puma HC2 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 1978 16
+2
0
HelicopterHelicopter H145 🇫🇷 2002 7
0
6
HelicopterHelicopter AW109 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 1976 1
0
0
TransportTransport A400M 🇪🇺 2013 21
-1
0
TransportTransport 737 (P-8A) 🇺🇸 1968 9
0
0
TransportTransport A330 MRTT 🇪🇺 1994 9
0
0
TransportTransport C-17 🇺🇸 1993 8
0
0
TransportTransport Phenom 100 🇧🇷 2008 5
0
0
TransportTransport 737 (E-7A) 🇺🇸 1968 0
0
3
TrainingTraining G115 🇩🇪 1999 91
0
0
TrainingTraining Hawk T2 🇬🇧 1976 28
0
0
TrainingTraining G120TP 🇩🇪 1999 23
0
0
TrainingTraining T-6C 🇺🇸 2001 14
0
0
OtherOther King Air 350 🇺🇸 1964 6
0
0
OtherOther RC-135W 🇺🇸 1961 3
0
0

Royal Navy

Various public data, including Wikipedia, Flightglobal.com, SIPRI Arms Transfer and official government websites.