Air Forces comparison: 
Mali vs 
South Sudan
Mali's air force fields 44 active aircraft — 2.2:1 South Sudan's 20.
AIRS (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Mali
South Sudan
Bars: weighted contribution to the AIRS Index (airframes × category weight; combat and bombers by generation tier, helicopters by era; the enabler, armament and availability multipliers apply on top) · figures: active airframes at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
| Mali | South Sudan | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Mali Air Force | South Sudan Air Force | |
| Active aircraft | 44 | 20 | 🇲🇱 2.2× |
| Combat aircraft | 12 | 0 | 🇲🇱 |
| Combat share of fleet | 27.3 % | 0.0 % | 🇲🇱 |
| Aircraft types in service | 13 | 6 | 🇲🇱 2.2× |
| Main supplier | Ex-USSR · 41 % | Ex-USSR · 75 % |
Show full breakdown · 3 more rowsHide the 3 extra rows
| Helicopters | 9 | 15 | 🇸🇸 1.7× |
| Transport aircraft | 10 | 5 | 🇲🇱 2.0× |
| Trainers | 13 | 0 | 🇲🇱 |
Backbone aircraft most numerous in service
Fleet evolution · Mali
Fleet evolution · South Sudan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Mali or South Sudan?
Mali has more military aircraft with 44 active aircraft compared to South Sudan's 20, a difference of 24 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Mali or South Sudan?
Mali has more combat aircraft with 12 fighters and attack aircraft compared to South Sudan's 0.
Which country has more military helicopters, Mali or South Sudan?
South Sudan operates more military helicopters with 15 compared to Mali's 9.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Mali or South Sudan?
Mali has more transport aircraft with 10 compared to South Sudan's 5.
How do the Mali and South Sudan air forces compare in size?
Mali's air force is 2.2 times larger than South Sudan's in terms of total active aircraft (44 vs 20).