Every British Military Aircraft — Complete List
United Kingdom has operated 85 distinct aircraft types across its military history — 24 still in active service and 61 retired or former.
Service status85 types
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
13 types
F-35 Lightning II
Status In service Service entry2013
Typhoon
Status In service Service entry2003
AV-8B Harrier II
Status Retired Service entry1983
Sea Harrier
Status Retired Service entry1980
Tornado
Status Retired Service entry1980
Jaguar
Status Retired Service entry1972
Harrier
Status Retired Service entry1969
Buccaneer
Status Retired Service entry1962
F-4 Phantom II
Status Retired Service entry1962
English Electric Lightning
Status Retired Service entry1960
DH.110 Sea Vixen
Status Retired Service entry1959
F-86 Sabre
Status Retired Service entry1949
A-1 Skyraider
Status Retired Service entry1946Strategic Bombers
3 types
Military Helicopters
25 types
AW159
Status In service Service entry2014
H145M / EC645
Status In service Service entry2002
AW101
Status In service Service entry1999
H135M / EC365
Status In service Service entry1996
H125M / AS550 Fennec
Status In service Service entry1990
AH-64 Apache
Status In service Service entry1984
AW109
Status In service Service entry1976
CH-47 Chinook
Status In service Service entry1962
AW149
Status Retired Service entry2014
H175
Status Retired Service entry2014
AW119
Status Retired Service entry2000
Bell 412
Status Retired Service entry1981
H215M / AS532 Cougar
Status Retired Service entry1978
Westland Lynx
Status Retired Service entry1978
SA340 Gazelle
Status Retired Service entry1971
UH-1N Twin Huey
Status Retired Service entry1970
SA330 Puma
Status Retired Service entry1968
Westland Wasp
Status Retired Service entry1964
Westland Scout
Status Retired Service entry1963
Wessex
Status Retired Service entry1961
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"
Status Retired Service entry1959
SA315 Alouette II
Status Retired Service entry1957
H-19 Chickasaw
Status Retired Service entry1950
Bell 47
Status Retired Service entry1946
R-4
Status Retired Service entry1944Transport & Tanker Aircraft
14 types
A400M Atlas
Status In service Service entry2013
Airbus A330 MRTT
Status In service Service entry2011
Phenom 100
Status In service Service entry2008
C-17 Globemaster III
Status In service Service entry1993
BD-700 Global Express
Status Retired Service entry1999
Airbus A330
Status Retired Service entry1994
Jetstream 41
Status Retired Service entry1992
BAe 146
Status Retired Service entry1983
Jetstream 31
Status Retired Service entry1982
Short 360
Status Retired Service entry1982
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Status Retired Service entry1971
BN-2B Defender
Status Retired Service entry1965
C-130 Hercules
Status Retired Service entry1956
Douglas DC-3
Status Retired Service entry1936Special Mission Aircraft
8 types
P-8 Poseidon
Status In service Service entry2013
E-7 Wedgetail
Status In service Service entry2010
King Air 350
Status In service Service entry1990
RC-135 Rivet Joint
Status In service Service entry1961
E-3 Sentry AWACS
Status Retired Service entry1977
King Air 90
Status Retired Service entry1964
Fairey Gannet
Status Retired Service entry1953
DHC-2 Beaver
Status Retired Service entry1948Trainers
7 types
T-6 Texan II
Status In service Service entry2001
Grob G-115
Status In service Service entry1999
Grob G-120
Status In service Service entry1999
Hawk
Status In service Service entry1976
AW169
Status Retired Service entry2015
T-67 Firefly
Status Retired Service entry1974
Scottish Aviation Bulldog
Status Retired Service entry1971Unmanned Aircraft
15 types
MQ-9B SkyGuardian
Status In service Service entry2020
Watchkeeper WK450
Status In service Service entry2019Switchblade 300
Status Retired Service entry2011
S-100 Camcopter
Status Retired Service entry2010RQ-20 Puma
Status Retired Service entry2008
MQ-9 Reaper
Status Retired Service entry2007RQ-16 T-Hawk
Status Retired Service entry2007Wasp III
Status Retired Service entry2007
ScanEagle
Status Retired Service entry2005
RQ-11 Raven
Status Retired Service entry2003GEC-Marconi Phoenix
Status Retired Service entry1999
Hermes 450
Status Retired Service entry1998
MQ-1 Predator
Status Retired Service entry1995Canadair CL-289
Status Retired Service entry1990
BQM-74 Chukar
Status Retired Service entry1968Other National Fleets
National fleets — aircraft in service by country
- 🇺🇸 United States · all-time
- 🇷🇺 Russia · all-time
- 🇨🇳 China · all-time
- 🇮🇳 India · all-time
- 🇰🇷 South Korea · all-time
- 🇯🇵 Japan · all-time
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan · all-time
- 🇰🇵 North Korea · all-time
- 🇪🇬 Egypt · all-time
- 🇹🇷 Turkey · all-time
- 🇫🇷 France · all-time
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · all-time
- 🇮🇹 Italy · all-time
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan · all-time
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · all-time
- 🇮🇷 Iran · all-time
- 🇬🇷 Greece · all-time
- 🇩🇿 Algeria · all-time
- 🇩🇪 Germany · all-time
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · all-time
- 🇮🇱 Israel · all-time
- 🇧🇷 Brazil · all-time
- 🇪🇸 Spain · all-time
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia · all-time
- 🇵🇱 Poland · all-time
- 🇮🇶 Iraq · all-time
- 🇦🇺 Australia · all-time
- 🇨🇦 Canada · all-time
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine · all-time
- 🇦🇷 Argentina · all-time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft types has the United Kingdom military ever operated?
United Kingdom has operated 85 distinct aircraft types across its history and current inventory, including 24 still in active service and 61 retired or former types.
Does this list include retired United Kingdom military aircraft?
Yes. This page covers every aircraft type the country has operated — past, present, and future — with a green In service, blue Entering service, or grey Retired status badge on each tile. For the current-only fleet, see the in-service listicle.
What about prototypes and test aircraft?
This page tracks operational service types. Pure prototypes, X-planes and test aircraft that never entered squadron service are not included.