Air Forces comparison: 
Sudan vs 
South Africa
Sudan operates 184 active military aircraft vs 192 for South Africa.
AIRS (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
SudanWorld #67
7.2
AIRS Index / 100
South Africa leads on 5 of 5 categories
South AfricaWorld #42
10.8
Sudan
South Africa
Bars: weighted contribution to the AIRS Index (airframes × category weight; combat and bombers by unit price, helicopters by era) · figures: active airframes at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
| Sudan | South Africa | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Sudanese Air Force | South African Air Force | |
| Active aircraft | 184 | 192 | 🇿🇦 ≈ |
| Combat aircraft | 91 | 25 | 🇸🇩 3.6× |
| Combat share of fleet | 49.5 % | 13.0 % | 🇸🇩 3.8× |
| Aircraft types in service | 23 | 15 | 🇸🇩 1.5× |
| Main supplier | Ex-USSR · 59 % | South Africa · 25 % |
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
| Helicopters | 70 | 84 | 🇿🇦 1.2× |
| Transport aircraft | 17 | 22 | 🇿🇦 1.3× |
| Special-mission aircraft | 0 | 4 | 🇿🇦 |
| Trainers | 6 | 57 | 🇿🇦 9.5× |
Backbone aircraft most numerous in service
Fleet evolution · Sudan
Fleet evolution · South Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Sudan or South Africa?
South Africa has more military aircraft with 192 active aircraft compared to Sudan's 184, a difference of 8 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Sudan or South Africa?
Sudan has more combat aircraft with 91 fighters and attack aircraft compared to South Africa's 25.
Which country has more military helicopters, Sudan or South Africa?
South Africa operates more military helicopters with 84 compared to Sudan's 70.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Sudan or South Africa?
South Africa has more transport aircraft with 22 compared to Sudan's 17.