Air Forces comparison: Italy vs United Kingdom

Italian Air Force 🇮🇹

Official Name Italian Air Force
Local Name Aeronautica Militare
Active aircraft726 as of 2026
Aircraft on order87
Roundel

Roundel of Italy air force

Royal Air Force 🇬🇧

Official Name Royal Air Force
Active aircraft631 as of 2026
Aircraft on order139
Roundel

Roundel of United Kingdom air force

Italian aircraft by type

Aircraft type Active
Combat Combat 178
Bomber Bomber 0
Helicopter Helicopter 390
Training Training 123
Transport Transport 30
UAV UAV 0
Other Other 5

British aircraft by type

Aircraft type Active
Combat Combat 144
Bomber Bomber 0
Helicopter Helicopter 266
Training Training 156
Transport Transport 52
UAV UAV 0
Other Other 13

Evolution of Italian Air Force fleet

Evolution of British Air Force fleet

Aircraft Types Radar Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more military aircraft, Italy or United Kingdom?
Italy has more military aircraft with 726 active aircraft compared to United Kingdom's 631, a difference of 95 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Italy or United Kingdom?
Italy has more combat aircraft with 178 fighters and attack aircraft compared to United Kingdom's 144.
Which country has more military helicopters, Italy or United Kingdom?
Italy operates more military helicopters with 390 compared to United Kingdom's 266.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Italy or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has more transport aircraft with 52 compared to Italy's 30.
How do the Italy and United Kingdom air forces compare in size?
United Kingdom's air force is 1.7 times larger than Italy's in terms of total active aircraft (52 vs 30).
Which country has more aircraft on order, Italy or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has 139 aircraft on order compared to Italy's 87.