Air Forces comparison: 
Ireland vs 
United Kingdom
Force Profile
| Ireland | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Irish Air Corps | Royal Air Force |
| Local name | Óglaigh na hÉireann Aerchór | — |
| Active aircraft | 27 (2026) | 654 (2026) |
| Aircraft on order | — | +41 |
| Roundel |  |
 |
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Aircraft by Type
🇮🇪 Irelandas of 2026
🇬🇧 United Kingdomas of 2026
Fleet Evolution
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Overview
United Kingdom's air force fields 654 active aircraft — 24:1 Ireland's 27.
The breakdown includes 0 vs 151 combat aircraft, 10 vs 259 helicopters, 9 vs 58 transport aircraft, 8 vs 170 trainers (Ireland vs United Kingdom). Ireland has 0 aircraft on order vs 41 for United Kingdom.
The Ireland air force is officially the Irish Air Corps, while United Kingdom's is the Royal Air Force.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Ireland or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more military aircraft with 654 active aircraft compared to Ireland's 27, a difference of 627 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Ireland or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more combat aircraft with 151 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Ireland's 0.
Which country has more military helicopters, Ireland or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom operates more military helicopters with 259 compared to Ireland's 10.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Ireland or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more transport aircraft with 58 compared to Ireland's 9.
How do the Ireland and United Kingdom air forces compare in size?
United Kingdom's air force is 6.4 times larger than Ireland's in terms of total active aircraft (58 vs 9).
Which country has more aircraft on order, Ireland or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has 41 aircraft on order compared to Ireland's 0.