The US Has 10x More Military Aircraft As Any Single NATO Power

The cornerstone of NATO’s global reach as a military alliance comes from its overwhelming air power. In modern warfare, controlling the skies is paramount to controlling the outcome of a conflict and most NATO nations have taken this to heart. While some nations have relatively small air forces, there are outsized ones like that of […] The post The US Has 10x More Military Aircraft As Any Single NATO Power appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

May 17, 2025 - 14:04

The US Has 10x More Military Aircraft As Any Single NATO Power

Key Points

Air superiority in modern warfare is paramount in determining the outcome of a conflict
NATO’s global reach is a result of its overwhelming air power
The United States has the most military aircraft in NATO, with more than 10-times the next nation
While countries around the world are investing billions of dollars in their militaries, you can be investing money in your future with SmartAsset. It’s worth taking 5 minutes to speak with a financial advisor and see how your portfolio is set up for the volatility ahead. Click here to get started now.

The cornerstone of NATO’s global reach as a military alliance comes from its overwhelming air power. In modern warfare, controlling the skies is paramount to controlling the outcome of a conflict and most NATO nations have taken this to heart. While some nations have relatively small air forces, there are outsized ones like that of the United States. In fact, the U.S. Air Force has more than 10-times as many military aircraft than the next NATO military power. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is exploring the NATO nations with the biggest air forces.

To determine the NATO countries with the most military aircraft, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2025 Military Strength report from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. We ranked these countries according to which countries have the most aircraft. We added supplemental information regarding each country’s current air force, including fighter aircraft, attack aircraft, and helicopters, as well as each country’s overall military strength ranking. Countries with no military aircraft were excluded.

Here is a look at the NATO countries with the world’s largest air forces:

Why Are We Covering This?

Nato national Flag textile cloth fabric waving on the top

Understanding NATO’s military dynamics is important when looking at the state of global security. Since its inception, NATO has played a pivotal role in shaping international relations through its collective defense and security framework. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise and new threats emerge, knowing and understanding NATO’s military capabilities is important for getting a clearer picture of the world stage. Not to mention, countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among others, contribute significantly to NATO’s military strength, influencing global power balances and regional stability.

31. Luxembourg

Total military aircraft: 1
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 0
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 1
Military strength score and world rank: 2.6415 – #117 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Luxembourg has 182 military vehicles. Luxembourg has 1,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 671,254.

30. Estonia

Total military aircraft: 5
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 3
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 2
Military strength score and world rank: 2.2917 – #107 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Estonia has 1,685 military vehicles which include 36 artillery units. Estonia has 7,700 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 1.194 million.

29. Latvia

Total military aircraft: 7
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 7
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.1246 – #99 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Latvia has 1,848 military vehicles which include 47 artillery units. Latvia has 17,250 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 1.801 million.

28. Lithuania

Total military aircraft: 9
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 4
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 5
Military strength score and world rank: 1.9075 – #88 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Lithuania has 1,263 military vehicles which include 75 artillery units. Lithuania has 23,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 2.628 million.

27. Montenegro

American attack helicopter silhouette in the flight

Total military aircraft: 11
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 11
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.9216 – #127 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Montenegro has 471 military vehicles which include 12 MLRS units and 12 artillery units. Montenegro has 2,350 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 599,849.

26. Albania

Total military aircraft: 19
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 19
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 1.6815 – #78 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Albania has 1,796 military vehicles which include 46 tanks, 135 MLRS units, and 50 artillery units. Albania has 6,600 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 3.107 million.

25. North Macedonia

Total military aircraft: 20
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 10
Total attack helicopters: 4
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.4042 – #112 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, North Macedonia has 1,108 military vehicles which include 20 tanks, 17 MLRS units, and 150 artillery units. North Macedonia has 9,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 2.136 million.

24. Slovenia

Slovenia+military+aircraft | 160310-F-NH180-165

Total military aircraft: 39
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 16
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 2.1016 – #96 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Slovenia has 1,428 military vehicles which include 54 tanks and 18 artillery units. Slovenia has 7,300 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 2.098 million.

23. Slovakia

Mi-171 | Mi-171 & Mi-24

Total military aircraft: 41
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 2
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 22
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 1
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 7
Military strength score and world rank: 1.3978 – #71 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Slovakia has 3,074 military vehicles which include 45 tanks, 25 MLRS units, and 44 artillery units. Slovakia has 19,500 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.564 million.

22. Bulgaria

Total military aircraft: 65
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 10
Total strike and attack aircraft: 5
Total helicopters: 27
Total attack helicopters: 4
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 6
Military strength score and world rank: 1.2563 – #61 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Bulgaria has 4,914 military vehicles which include 90 tanks, 24 MLRS units, and 72 artillery units. Bulgaria has 37,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 6.783 million.

21. Croatia

Total military aircraft: 67
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 10
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 37
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 1.5074 – #75 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Croatia has 2,848 military vehicles which include 45 tanks, 42 MLRS units, and 67 artillery units. Croatia has 14,325 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 4.150 million.

20. Hungary

Total military aircraft: 69
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 12
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 44
Total attack helicopters: 8
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 3
Military strength score and world rank: 1.0259 – #55 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Hungary has 7,797 military vehicles which include 209 tanks and 319 artillery units. Hungary has 41,600 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 9.856 million.

19. Norway

Total military aircraft: 97
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 0
Total strike and attack aircraft: 32
Total helicopters: 33
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 5
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6811 – #38 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Norway has 6,552 military vehicles which include 44 tanks and 42 artillery units. Norway has 23,250 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.510 million.

18. Czechia

Total military aircraft: 99
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 12
Total strike and attack aircraft: 16
Total helicopters: 42
Total attack helicopters: 4
Total special mission aircraft: 2
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 10
Military strength score and world rank: 0.9994 – #53 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Czechia has 6,340 military vehicles which include 43 tanks, 16 MLRS units, and 50 artillery units. Czechia has 28,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.84 million.

17. Belgium

Total military aircraft: 108
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 43
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 20
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 7
Military strength score and world rank: 1.2564 – #62 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Belgium has 4,606 military vehicles. Belgium has 25,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 11.98 million.

16. Portugal

Portugal+F-16 | Lockheed Martin F-16 AM of the Portuguese Air Force

Total military aircraft: 115
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 28
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 31
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 14
Total tanker aircraft: 3
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 19
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6856 – #39 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Portugal has 10,828 military vehicles which include 34 tanks and 139 artillery units. Portugal has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.64 million.

15. Denmark

Total military aircraft: 117
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 31
Total strike and attack aircraft: 4
Total helicopters: 34
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 3
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8109 – #45 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Denmark has 3,856 military vehicles which include 44 tanks, 8 MLRS units, and 19 artillery units. Denmark has 20,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.973 million.

14. Netherlands

Total military aircraft: 120
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 32
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 63
Total attack helicopters: 12
Total special mission aircraft: 0
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6412 – #36 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, the Netherlands has 2,755 military vehicles which include 18 tanks, 2 MLRS units, and 46 artillery units. The Netherlands has 41,380 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 17.77 million.

13. Romania

Romania+military+aircraft | Pride of the sky

Total military aircraft: 140
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 21
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 65
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 2
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 14
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8984 – #51 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Romania has 10,774 military vehicles which include 328 tanks, 243 MLRS units, and 720 artillery units. Romania has 81,300 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 18.15 million.

12. Finland

Finland+military+aircraft | Hornet On The Wing

Total military aircraft: 163
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 54
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 27
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 1
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 11
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8437 – #48 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Finland has 11,704 military vehicles which include 200 tanks, 76 MLRS units, and 774 artillery units. Finland has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.626 million.

11. Sweden

Sweden+Gripen-E | Gripen E/F Test Aircraft

Total military aircraft: 169
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 71
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 53
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 5
Total tanker aircraft: 1
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 6
Military strength score and world rank: 0.4835 – #27 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Sweden has 6,795 military vehicles which include 110 tanks and 26 artillery units. Sweden has 24,400 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.59 million.

10. Canada

Total military aircraft: 351
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 66
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 145
Total attack helicopters: 0
Total special mission aircraft: 33
Total tanker aircraft: 6
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 28
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5179 – #28 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Canada has 21,704 military vehicles which include 74 tanks. Canada has 68,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 38.79 million.

9. Spain

Total military aircraft: 461
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 137
Total strike and attack aircraft: 12
Total helicopters: 153
Total attack helicopters: 17
Total special mission aircraft: 8
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 51
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3242 – #17 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Spain has 17,626 military vehicles which include 317 tanks and 382 artillery units. Spain has 133,282 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 47.28 million.

8. Poland

Total military aircraft: 479
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 59
Total strike and attack aircraft: 44
Total helicopters: 216
Total attack helicopters: 29
Total special mission aircraft: 11
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 49
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3776 – #22 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Poland has 23,138 military vehicles which include 614 tanks, 196 MLRS units, and 677 artillery units. Poland has 202,100 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 38.75 million.

7. Greece

Total military aircraft: 558
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 178
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 293
Total attack helicopters: 29
Total special mission aircraft: 8
Total tanker aircraft: 0
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 15
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5337 – #30 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Greece has 61,888 military vehicles which include 1,344 tanks, 152 MLRS units, and 1287 artillery units. Greece has 142,700 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.46 million.

6. Germany

Total military aircraft: 584
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 129
Total strike and attack aircraft: 63
Total helicopters: 309
Total attack helicopters: 54
Total special mission aircraft: 26
Total tanker aircraft: 3
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 50
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2601 – #14 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Germany has 83,260 military vehicles which include 296 tanks, 33 MLRS units, and 134 artillery units. Germany has 181,600 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 84.12 million.

5. United Kingdom

Total military aircraft: 631
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 113
Total strike and attack aircraft: 31
Total helicopters: 266
Total attack helicopters: 37
Total special mission aircraft: 28
Total tanker aircraft: 9
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 29
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1785 – #6 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, the United Kingdom has 38,200 military vehicles which include 227 tanks, 29 MLRS units, and 197 artillery units. The United Kingdom has 184,860 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 68.46 million.

4. Italy

Italy+helicopter | A helicopter conducts twilight helicopter rope suspension training.

Total military aircraft: 729
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 89
Total strike and attack aircraft: 67
Total helicopters: 392
Total attack helicopters: 37
Total special mission aircraft: 23
Total tanker aircraft: 8
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 30
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2164 – #10 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Italy has 73,480 military vehicles which include 200 tanks, 21 MLRS units, and 172 artillery units. Italy has 165,500 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 60.96 million.

3. France

Total military aircraft: 976
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 226
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 448
Total attack helicopters: 68
Total special mission aircraft: 44
Total tanker aircraft: 16
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 119
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1878 – #8 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, France has 110,932 military vehicles which include 215 tanks, 9 MLRS units, and 96 artillery units. France has 200,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 68.37 million.

2. Turkey

Total military aircraft: 1,083
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 201
Total strike and attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 508
Total attack helicopters: 111
Total special mission aircraft: 28
Total tanker aircraft: 7
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 84
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1902 – #9 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Turkey has 61,173 military vehicles which include 2,238 tanks, 296 MLRS units, and 2,745 artillery units. Turkey has 355,200 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 84.12 million.

1. United States

Total military aircraft: 13,043
Total fighter and interceptor aircraft: 1,790
Total strike and attack aircraft: 889
Total helicopters: 5,843
Total attack helicopters: 1,002
Total special mission aircraft: 647
Total tanker aircraft: 605
Total transport (fixed-wing) aircraft: 918
Military strength score and world rank: 0.0744 – #1 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, the United States has 391,963 military vehicles which include 4,640 tanks, 641 MLRS units, and 1,883 artillery units. The United States has 1,328,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 341.96 million.

The post The US Has 10x More Military Aircraft As Any Single NATO Power appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..