Air Forces comparison: 
South Korea vs 
Japan
South Korea operates 1,543 active military aircraft vs 1,397 for Japan.
Force Profile
| South Korea | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Republic of Korea Air Force | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Local name | 공군 (Gong-gun) | 空自 (Kūji) |
| Active aircraft | 1,543 (2026) | 1,397 (2026) |
| Aircraft on order | +410 | +353 |
| Roundel |  |
 |
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Aircraft by Type
🇰🇷 South Koreaas of 2026
🇯🇵 Japanas of 2026
Fleet Evolution
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇯🇵 Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, South Korea or Japan?
South Korea has more military aircraft with 1,543 active aircraft compared to Japan's 1,397, a difference of 146 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, South Korea or Japan?
South Korea has more combat aircraft with 374 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Japan's 331.
Which country has more military helicopters, South Korea or Japan?
South Korea operates more military helicopters with 856 compared to Japan's 533.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, South Korea or Japan?
Japan has more transport aircraft with 110 compared to South Korea's 50.
How do the South Korea and Japan air forces compare in size?
Japan's air force is 2.2 times larger than South Korea's in terms of total active aircraft (110 vs 50).
Which country has more aircraft on order, South Korea or Japan?
South Korea has 410 aircraft on order compared to Japan's 353.