New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has retained its position as the world’s third-most powerful air force, staying ahead of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) for the fifth consecutive year, according to the 2026 Global Air Power Rankings released by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA).

The latest assessment places only the United States Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Forces ahead of India, reaffirming the IAF’s status among the world’s top military aviation powers.

IAF Scores High on Combat Capability

The WDMMA evaluated 129 air services across 103 countries, covering more than 48,000 military aircraft. Instead of judging strength solely by fleet size, the rankings are based on the organisation’s proprietary True Value Rating (TVR) system, which measures operational capability, technological sophistication, aircraft diversity, logistics, fleet modernisation, and mission readiness.

This is the sixth time overall that India has been ranked behind only the US and Russia, while remaining ahead of China since 2022.

Fleet of Over 1,700 Aircraft

According to the report, the IAF currently operates 1,716 military aircraft, including 542 fighter jets across seven aircraft types, 498 helicopters, 282 transport aircraft, 374 trainer aircraft, and 20 special mission platforms such as Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, aerial refuelling tankers, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

The helicopter fleet includes 222 Mi-17s and 111 indigenous HAL Dhruv and Rudra helicopters. The assessment also notes that the fleet count still includes the retired MiG-21, which was phased out in September 2025.

Capability Gaps Remain

Despite its strong global ranking, the report highlights key challenges facing the IAF. The force currently operates 29 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, while shortages persist in force-multiplier assets such as aerial refuellers, AEW&C aircraft, electronic warfare systems, and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) platforms.

Major Modernisation Drive

To bridge these gaps, the IAF is pushing ahead with an ambitious modernisation programme. India has ordered 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft in two phases, while also evaluating the procurement of up to 114 additional Rafale fighters to replace ageing fleets.

More than 200 Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29 aircraft are expected to retire during the 2030s, making fleet replacement a strategic priority. The Air Force is also planning to induct additional AEW&C aircraft, aerial refuelling tankers, and advanced ISTAR platforms to enhance its network-centric warfare capabilities.

The latest rankings underscore India’s growing air power even as the IAF continues efforts to strengthen its combat readiness through indigenous development and strategic acquisitions.