Air Forces comparison: 
United Arab Emirates vs 
Iraq
United Arab Emirates operates 592 active military aircraft vs 396 for Iraq.
AIRS (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
United Arab EmiratesWorld #17
19.8
AIRS Index / 100
United Arab Emirates leads on 5 of 6 categories
IraqWorld #36
10.4
United Arab Emirates
Iraq
Bars: weighted contribution to the AIRS Index (airframes × category weight; combat and bombers by generation tier, helicopters by era; the enabler, armament and availability multipliers apply on top) · figures: active airframes at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
| United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | United Arab Emirates Air Force | Iraqi Air Force | |
| Active aircraft | 592 | 396 | 🇦🇪 1.5× |
| Aircraft on order | 277 | 18 | 🇦🇪 15× |
| Combat aircraft | 135 | 53 | 🇦🇪 2.5× |
| Combat share of fleet | 22.8 % | 13.4 % | 🇦🇪 1.7× |
| Aircraft types in service | 36 | 25 | 🇦🇪 1.4× |
| Main supplier | United States · 52 % | United States · 43 % |
Show full breakdown · 5 more rowsHide the 5 extra rows
| Helicopters | 264 | 213 | 🇦🇪 1.2× |
| Transport aircraft | 55 | 24 | 🇦🇪 2.3× |
| Special-mission aircraft | 8 | 7 | 🇦🇪 1.1× |
| Trainers | 86 | 99 | 🇮🇶 1.2× |
| UAVs | 44 | 0 | 🇦🇪 |
Backbone aircraft most numerous in service
Fleet evolution · United Arab Emirates
Fleet evolution · Iraq
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, United Arab Emirates or Iraq?
United Arab Emirates has more military aircraft with 592 active aircraft compared to Iraq's 396, a difference of 196 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, United Arab Emirates or Iraq?
United Arab Emirates has more combat aircraft with 135 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Iraq's 53.
Which country has more military helicopters, United Arab Emirates or Iraq?
United Arab Emirates operates more military helicopters with 264 compared to Iraq's 213.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, United Arab Emirates or Iraq?
United Arab Emirates has more transport aircraft with 55 compared to Iraq's 24.
How do the United Arab Emirates and Iraq air forces compare in size?
United Arab Emirates's air force is 2.3 times larger than Iraq's in terms of total active aircraft (55 vs 24).
Which country has more aircraft on order, United Arab Emirates or Iraq?
United Arab Emirates has 277 aircraft on order compared to Iraq's 18.