Air Forces comparison: North Korea vs Japan
North Korea operates 1,131 active military aircraft vs 1,399 for Japan. The breakdown includes 571 vs 331 combat aircraft, 80 vs 0 bombers, 205 vs 533 helicopters, 275 vs 114 transport aircraft, 0 vs 296 trainers (North Korea vs Japan). North Korea has 0 aircraft on order vs 317 for Japan. The North Korea air force is officially the Korean People's Army Air Force, while Japan's is the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
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 |
|
Japan Air Self-Defense Force 🇯🇵
| Official Name | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Local Name | 空自 (Kūji) |
| Active aircraft | 1399 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 317 |
| Roundel |
|
North Korean aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
571 | |
Bomber
|
80 | |
Helicopter
|
205 | |
Training
|
0 | |
Transport
|
275 | |
Other
|
0 | |
Japanese aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
331 | |
|
Bomber
|
0 | |
|
Helicopter
|
533 | |
|
Training
|
296 | |
|
Transport
|
114 | |
|
Other
|
125 | |
Evolution of North Korean Air Force fleet
Evolution of Japanese Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, North Korea or Japan?
Japan has more military aircraft with 1,399 active aircraft compared to North Korea's 1,131, a difference of 268 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, North Korea or Japan?
North Korea has more combat aircraft with 571 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Japan's 331.
Which country has more military helicopters, North Korea or Japan?
Japan operates more military helicopters with 533 compared to North Korea's 205.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, North Korea or Japan?
North Korea has more transport aircraft with 275 compared to Japan's 114.
How do the North Korea and Japan air forces compare in size?
North Korea's air force is 2.4 times larger than Japan's in terms of total active aircraft (275 vs 114).
Which country has more aircraft on order, North Korea or Japan?
Japan has 317 aircraft on order compared to North Korea's 0.