Air Forces comparison: 
South Korea vs 
China
China's air force fields 3,731 active aircraft — 2.4:1 South Korea's 1,543.
Force Profile
| South Korea | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Republic of Korea Air Force | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| Local name | 공군 (Gong-gun) | 空军 (Kōngjūn) |
| Active aircraft | 1,543 (2026) | 3,731 (2026) |
| Aircraft on order | +410 | +130 |
| Roundel |  |
 |
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Aircraft by Type
🇰🇷 South Koreaas of 2026
🇨🇳 Chinaas of 2026
Fleet Evolution
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇨🇳 China
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, South Korea or China?
China has more military aircraft with 3,731 active aircraft compared to South Korea's 1,543, a difference of 2,188 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, South Korea or China?
China has more combat aircraft with 2,043 fighters and attack aircraft compared to South Korea's 374.
Which country has more military helicopters, South Korea or China?
China operates more military helicopters with 1,019 compared to South Korea's 856.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, South Korea or China?
China has more transport aircraft with 380 compared to South Korea's 50.
How do the South Korea and China air forces compare in size?
China's air force is 7.6 times larger than South Korea's in terms of total active aircraft (380 vs 50).
Which country has more aircraft on order, South Korea or China?
South Korea has 410 aircraft on order compared to China's 130.