Air Forces comparison: France vs United Kingdom
France operates 988 active military aircraft vs 640 for United Kingdom. The breakdown includes 289 vs 151 combat aircraft, 454 vs 259 helicopters, 142 vs 59 transport aircraft, 44 vs 156 trainers (France vs United Kingdom). France has 301 aircraft on order vs 41 for United Kingdom. The France air force is officially the French Air and Space Force, while United Kingdom's is the Royal Air Force.
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 |
|
Royal Air Force 🇬🇧
| Official Name | Royal Air Force |
| Active aircraft | 640 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 41 |
| Roundel |
|
French aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
289 | |
Bomber
|
0 | |
Helicopter
|
454 | |
Training
|
44 | |
Transport
|
142 | |
Other
|
59 | |
British aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
151 | |
|
Bomber
|
0 | |
|
Helicopter
|
259 | |
|
Training
|
156 | |
|
Transport
|
59 | |
|
Other
|
15 | |
Evolution of French Air Force fleet
Evolution of British Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, France or United Kingdom?
France has more military aircraft with 988 active aircraft compared to United Kingdom's 640, a difference of 348 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, France or United Kingdom?
France has more combat aircraft with 289 fighters and attack aircraft compared to United Kingdom's 151.
Which country has more military helicopters, France or United Kingdom?
France operates more military helicopters with 454 compared to United Kingdom's 259.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, France or United Kingdom?
France has more transport aircraft with 142 compared to United Kingdom's 59.
How do the France and United Kingdom air forces compare in size?
France's air force is 2.4 times larger than United Kingdom's in terms of total active aircraft (142 vs 59).
Which country has more aircraft on order, France or United Kingdom?
France has 301 aircraft on order compared to United Kingdom's 41.