Air Forces comparison: Japan vs South Korea
Japan operates 1,399 active military aircraft vs 1,543 for South Korea. The breakdown includes 331 vs 314 combat aircraft, 533 vs 856 helicopters, 114 vs 56 transport aircraft, 296 vs 293 trainers (Japan vs South Korea). Japan has 317 aircraft on order vs 410 for South Korea. The Japan air force is officially the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, while South Korea's is the Republic of Korea Air Force .
Japan Air Self-Defense Force 🇯🇵
| Official Name | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Local Name | 空自 (Kūji) |
| Active aircraft | 1399 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 317 |
| Roundel |
|
Republic of Korea Air Force 🇰🇷
| Official Name | Republic of Korea Air Force |
| Local Name | 공군 (Gong-gun) |
| Active aircraft | 1543 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 410 |
| Roundel |
|
Japanese aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
331 | |
Bomber
|
0 | |
Helicopter
|
533 | |
Training
|
296 | |
Transport
|
114 | |
Other
|
125 | |
South Korean aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
314 | |
|
Bomber
|
0 | |
|
Helicopter
|
856 | |
|
Training
|
293 | |
|
Transport
|
56 | |
|
Other
|
24 | |
Evolution of Japanese Air Force fleet
Evolution of South Korean Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Japan or South Korea?
South Korea has more military aircraft with 1,543 active aircraft compared to Japan's 1,399, a difference of 144 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Japan or South Korea?
Japan has more combat aircraft with 331 fighters and attack aircraft compared to South Korea's 314.
Which country has more military helicopters, Japan or South Korea?
South Korea operates more military helicopters with 856 compared to Japan's 533.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Japan or South Korea?
Japan has more transport aircraft with 114 compared to South Korea's 56.
How do the Japan and South Korea air forces compare in size?
Japan's air force is 2.0 times larger than South Korea's in terms of total active aircraft (114 vs 56).
Which country has more aircraft on order, Japan or South Korea?
South Korea has 410 aircraft on order compared to Japan's 317.