Air Forces comparison: 
China vs 
Russia
Aircraft by Type
🇨🇳 Chinaas of 2026
🇷🇺 Russiaas of 2026
Fleet Evolution
🇨🇳 China
🇷🇺 Russia
Overview
China operates 3,731 active military aircraft vs 4,300 for Russia.
The breakdown includes 2,043 vs 1,524 combat aircraft, 234 vs 120 bombers, 1,019 vs 1,604 helicopters, 413 vs 514 transport aircraft, 16 vs 442 trainers (China vs Russia). China has 130 aircraft on order vs 677 for Russia.
The China air force is officially the People's Liberation Army Air Force, while Russia's is the Russian Air Force.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, China or Russia?
Russia has more military aircraft with 4,300 active aircraft compared to China's 3,731, a difference of 569 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, China or Russia?
China has more combat aircraft with 2,043 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Russia's 1,524.
Which country has more military helicopters, China or Russia?
Russia operates more military helicopters with 1,604 compared to China's 1,019.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, China or Russia?
Russia has more transport aircraft with 514 compared to China's 413.
Which country has more aircraft on order, China or Russia?
Russia has 677 aircraft on order compared to China's 130.