Air Forces comparison: 
Australia vs 
United Kingdom
Australia operates 355 active military aircraft vs 654 for United Kingdom.
AIRS (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
AustraliaWorld #22
17.8
AIRS Index / 100
United Kingdom leads on 4 of 5 categories
United KingdomWorld #14
24.0
Australia
United Kingdom
Bars: weighted contribution to the AIRS Index (airframes × category weight; combat and bombers by unit price, helicopters by era) · figures: active airframes at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
| Australia | United Kingdom | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Royal Australian Air Force | Royal Air Force | |
| Active aircraft | 355 | 654 | 🇬🇧 1.8× |
| Aircraft on order | 113 | 41 | 🇦🇺 2.8× |
| Combat aircraft | 96 | 151 | 🇬🇧 1.6× |
| Combat share of fleet | 27.0 % | 23.1 % | 🇦🇺 1.2× |
| Aircraft types in service | 20 | 22 | 🇬🇧 1.1× |
| Main supplier | United States · 62 % | United States · 28 % |
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
| Helicopters | 95 | 259 | 🇬🇧 2.7× |
| Transport aircraft | 42 | 49 | 🇬🇧 1.2× |
| Special-mission aircraft | 43 | 25 | 🇦🇺 1.7× |
| Trainers | 79 | 170 | 🇬🇧 2.2× |
Backbone aircraft most numerous in service
Fleet evolution · Australia
Fleet evolution · United Kingdom
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Australia or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more military aircraft with 654 active aircraft compared to Australia's 355, a difference of 299 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Australia or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more combat aircraft with 151 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Australia's 96.
Which country has more military helicopters, Australia or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom operates more military helicopters with 259 compared to Australia's 95.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Australia or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more transport aircraft with 49 compared to Australia's 42.
Which country has more aircraft on order, Australia or United Kingdom?
Australia has 113 aircraft on order compared to United Kingdom's 41.