Air Forces comparison: 
Thailand vs 
Vietnam
Thailand's air force fields 481 active aircraft — 2.3:1 Vietnam's 205.
AIRS (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Thailand
Vietnam
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
| Thailand | Vietnam | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Royal Thai Air Force | Vietnam People's Air Force | |
| Active aircraft | 481 | 205 | 🇹🇭 2.3× |
| Aircraft on order | 16 | 0 | 🇹🇭 |
| Combat aircraft | 84 | 71 | 🇹🇭 1.2× |
| Combat share of fleet | 17.5 % | 34.6 % | 🇻🇳 2.0× |
| Aircraft types in service | 42 | 14 | 🇹🇭 3.0× |
| Main supplier | United States · 63 % | Ex-USSR · 58 % |
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
| Helicopters | 247 | 42 | 🇹🇭 5.9× |
| Transport aircraft | 57 | 17 | 🇹🇭 3.4× |
| Special-mission aircraft | 9 | 0 | 🇹🇭 |
| Trainers | 84 | 75 | 🇹🇭 1.1× |
Backbone aircraft most numerous in service
Fleet evolution · Thailand
Fleet evolution · Vietnam
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more military aircraft, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand has more military aircraft with 481 active aircraft compared to Vietnam's 205, a difference of 276 aircraft.
Which air force has more combat aircraft, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand has more combat aircraft with 84 fighters and attack aircraft compared to Vietnam's 71.
Which country has more military helicopters, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand operates more military helicopters with 247 compared to Vietnam's 42.
Which air force has more transport aircraft, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand has more transport aircraft with 57 compared to Vietnam's 17.
How do the Thailand and Vietnam air forces compare in size?
Thailand's air force is 3.4 times larger than Vietnam's in terms of total active aircraft (57 vs 17).
Which country has more aircraft on order, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand has 16 aircraft on order compared to Vietnam's 0.