Air Forces comparison: 
Kenya vs 
South Africa
Kenya operates 120 active military aircraft vs 192 for South Africa.
AIRS (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
KenyaWorld #73
6.3
AIRS Index / 100
South Africa leads on 4 of 5 categories
South AfricaWorld #42
10.8
Kenya
South Africa
Bars: weighted contribution to the AIRS Index (airframes × category weight; combat and bombers by unit price, helicopters by era) · figures: active airframes at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
| Kenya | South Africa | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Kenya Air Force | South African Air Force | |
| Active aircraft | 120 | 192 | 🇿🇦 1.6× |
| Aircraft on order | 2 | 0 | 🇰🇪 |
| Combat aircraft | 23 | 25 | 🇿🇦 1.1× |
| Combat share of fleet | 19.2 % | 13.0 % | 🇰🇪 1.5× |
| Aircraft types in service | 19 | 15 | 🇰🇪 1.3× |
| Main supplier | United States · 41 % | South Africa · 25 % |
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
| Helicopters | 45 | 84 | 🇿🇦 1.9× |
| Transport aircraft | 24 | 22 | 🇰🇪 1.1× |
| Special-mission aircraft | 0 | 4 | 🇿🇦 |
| Trainers | 28 | 57 | 🇿🇦 2.0× |
Backbone aircraft most numerous in service
Fleet evolution · Kenya
Fleet evolution · South Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Kenya or South Africa?
South Africa has more military aircraft with 192 active aircraft compared to Kenya's 120, a difference of 72 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Kenya or South Africa?
South Africa has more combat aircraft with 25 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Kenya's 23.
Which country has more military helicopters, Kenya or South Africa?
South Africa operates more military helicopters with 84 compared to Kenya's 45.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Kenya or South Africa?
Kenya has more transport aircraft with 24 compared to South Africa's 22.
Which country has more aircraft on order, Kenya or South Africa?
Kenya has 2 aircraft on order compared to South Africa's 0.