Air Forces comparison: Germany vs France
Germany operates 589 active military aircraft vs 988 for France. The breakdown includes 224 vs 289 combat aircraft, 290 vs 454 helicopters, 70 vs 142 transport aircraft, 2 vs 44 trainers (Germany vs France). Germany has 302 aircraft on order vs 301 for France. The France air force is officially the French Air and Space Force.
German Air Force 🇩🇪
| Official Name | German Air Force |
| Local Name | Luftwaffe |
| Active aircraft | 589 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 302 |
| Roundel |
|
French Air and Space Force 🇫🇷
| Official Name | French Air and Space Force |
| Local Name | Armée de l'air et de l'Espace |
| Active aircraft | 988 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 301 |
| Roundel |
|
German aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
224 | |
Bomber
|
0 | |
Helicopter
|
290 | |
Training
|
2 | |
Transport
|
70 | |
Other
|
3 | |
French aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
289 | |
|
Bomber
|
0 | |
|
Helicopter
|
454 | |
|
Training
|
44 | |
|
Transport
|
142 | |
|
Other
|
59 | |
Evolution of German Air Force fleet
Evolution of French Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Germany or France?
France has more military aircraft with 988 active aircraft compared to Germany's 589, a difference of 399 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Germany or France?
France has more combat aircraft with 289 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Germany's 224.
Which country has more military helicopters, Germany or France?
France operates more military helicopters with 454 compared to Germany's 290.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Germany or France?
France has more transport aircraft with 142 compared to Germany's 70.
How do the Germany and France air forces compare in size?
France's air force is 2.0 times larger than Germany's in terms of total active aircraft (142 vs 70).
Which country has more aircraft on order, Germany or France?
Germany has 302 aircraft on order compared to France's 301.