Air Forces comparison: North Korea vs South Korea
North Korea operates 1,131 active military aircraft vs 1,543 for South Korea. The breakdown includes 571 vs 314 combat aircraft, 80 vs 0 bombers, 205 vs 856 helicopters, 275 vs 56 transport aircraft, 0 vs 293 trainers (North Korea vs South Korea). North Korea has 0 aircraft on order vs 410 for South Korea. The North Korea air force is officially the Korean People's Army Air Force, while South Korea's is the Republic of Korea Air 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 |
|
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 |
|
North Korean aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
Combat
|
571 | |
Bomber
|
80 | |
Helicopter
|
205 | |
Training
|
0 | |
Transport
|
275 | |
Other
|
0 | |
South Korean aircraft by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat
|
314 | |
|
Bomber
|
0 | |
|
Helicopter
|
856 | |
|
Training
|
293 | |
|
Transport
|
56 | |
|
Other
|
24 | |
Evolution of North Korean Air Force fleet
Evolution of South Korean Air Force fleet
Aircraft Types Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, North Korea or South 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, North Korea or South 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, North Korea or South Korea?
South Korea operates more military helicopters with 856 compared to North Korea's 205.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, North Korea or South Korea?
North Korea has more transport aircraft with 275 compared to South Korea's 56.
How do the North Korea and South 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, North Korea or South Korea?
South Korea has 410 aircraft on order compared to North Korea's 0.