Air Forces comparison: South Korea vs North Korea
South Korea operates 1,543 active military aircraft vs 1,131 for North Korea. The breakdown includes 314 vs 571 combat aircraft, 0 vs 80 bombers, 856 vs 205 helicopters, 56 vs 275 transport aircraft, 293 vs 0 trainers (South Korea vs North Korea). South Korea has 410 aircraft on order vs 0 for North Korea. The South Korea air force is officially the Republic of Korea Air Force , while North Korea's is the Korean People's Army Air Force.
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 |
|
Korean People's Army Air Force 🇰🇵
| Official Name | Korean People's Army Air Force |
| Local Name | 공군 (Gonggun) |
| Active aircraft | 1131 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
|
South Korean aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
314 | |
Bomber
|
0 | |
Helicopter
|
856 | |
Training
|
293 | |
Transport
|
56 | |
Other
|
24 | |
North Korean aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
571 | |
|
Bomber
|
80 | |
|
Helicopter
|
205 | |
|
Training
|
0 | |
|
Transport
|
275 | |
|
Other
|
0 | |
Evolution of South Korean Air Force fleet
Evolution of North Korean Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, South Korea or North Korea?
South Korea has more military aircraft with 1,543 active aircraft compared to North Korea's 1,131, a difference of 412 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, South Korea or North Korea?
North Korea has more combat aircraft with 571 fighters and attack aircraft compared to South Korea's 314.
Which country has more military helicopters, South Korea or North Korea?
South Korea operates more military helicopters with 856 compared to North Korea's 205.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, South Korea or North Korea?
North Korea has more transport aircraft with 275 compared to South Korea's 56.
How do the South Korea and North Korea air forces compare in size?
North Korea's air force is 4.9 times larger than South Korea's in terms of total active aircraft (275 vs 56).
Which country has more aircraft on order, South Korea or North Korea?
South Korea has 410 aircraft on order compared to North Korea's 0.