Every Australian Military Aircraft in Service (2026)
Overview
🇦🇺 Australia operates 355 aircraft across 17 distinct types as of 2026. This page assembles every type currently in active service — fighters, bombers, helicopters, transports, trainers, and unmanned systems — with profile drawings, operating branch, and fleet counts. For the full historical list including retired types, see every Australian military aircraft ever operated.
Fleet size by branch
| Service | Active | Types |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Australian Air Force | 260 | 12 |
| Royal Australian Army | 72 | 5 |
| Royal Australian Navy | 23 | 1 |
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
2 types · 108 active airframes · 28 on order.
Military Helicopters
5 types · 95 active airframes · 61 on order.
Transport & Tanker Aircraft
6 types · 61 active airframes · 21 on order.
Special Mission Aircraft
1 type · 12 active airframes.
Trainers
3 types · 79 active airframes · 3 on order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft does the Australia military operate in 2026?
Australia operates 355 aircraft across 17 distinct types as of 2026, split between 3 service branches.
Which Australia service branch has the most aircraft?
The Royal Australian Air Force operates the largest fleet with 260 active airframes across 12 types.
What is the most numerous Australia military aircraft?
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the single most numerous airframe in Australia's inventory, with 72 active units.
Does this page include retired or stored aircraft?
No. Counts reflect airframes on active inventory in the most recent fleet snapshot. Retired, stored and test-only aircraft are excluded.