Air Forces comparison: United Kingdom vs Germany
Royal Air Force 🇬🇧
| Official Name | Royal Air Force |
| Active aircraft | 631 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 139 |
| Roundel |
|
German Air Force 🇩🇪
| Official Name | German Air Force |
| Local Name | Luftwaffe |
| Active aircraft | 584 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 270 |
| Roundel |
|
British aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
144 | |
Bomber
|
0 | |
Helicopter
|
266 | |
Training
|
156 | |
Transport
|
52 | |
UAV
|
0 | |
Other
|
13 | |
German aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
215 | |
|
Bomber
|
0 | |
|
Helicopter
|
309 | |
|
Training
|
2 | |
|
Transport
|
53 | |
|
UAV
|
0 | |
|
Other
|
5 | |
Evolution of British Air Force fleet
Evolution of German Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, United Kingdom or Germany?
United Kingdom has more military aircraft with 631 active aircraft compared to Germany's 584, a difference of 47 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, United Kingdom or Germany?
Germany has more combat aircraft with 215 fighters and attack aircraft compared to United Kingdom's 144.
Which country has more military helicopters, United Kingdom or Germany?
Germany operates more military helicopters with 309 compared to United Kingdom's 266.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, United Kingdom or Germany?
Germany has more transport aircraft with 53 compared to United Kingdom's 52.
Which country has more aircraft on order, United Kingdom or Germany?
Germany has 270 aircraft on order compared to United Kingdom's 139.