In this article, we look at 5 countries with the most special-mission aircraft in the world. You can read about trends in the aerospace industry by heading over to the 15 Countries with the Most Special-Mission Aircraft in the World.
5. India
Special-Mission Aircraft: 70
We begin our list with India, which is one of the most powerful militaries in the world. The country currently has 70 aircraft that it uses primarily for special operations. The most widely used aircraft in service of the Indian military is the Dornier 228 built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. These are 24 in number. The second biggest number (14) in the fleet is that of the Soviet-era Kamov Ka-31 military helicopter. India also operates 12 Boeing P-8 Poseidon, 3 Gulfstream III, and 3 Beriev A-50, among others in its fleet.
4. China
Special-Mission Aircraft: 112
Next up is China, with a fleet of 112 special-mission aircraft, of which 64 are in service of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, while 48 are operated by the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force. A majority of these are locally-built, whereas a handful were procured from the Soviet Union first and later Russia. The Shaanxi Y-8 and Y-9 are the most used special-mission aircraft in China.
3. Russia
Special-Mission Aircraft: 145
Russia is in third spot. Most of the special-mission aircraft operated by the country are locally-built like they are in China’s case. Russia’s large fleet of 145 aircraft include 32 Tu-142 (MPA), 29 Il-20/22, 21 Il-38 (MPA), and 16 An-30, among several others. It is among countries with the most special-mission aircraft in the world.
2. Japan
Special-Mission Aircraft: 145
Despite being a small island nation, Japan boasts one of the strongest and technologically advanced militaries in the world. While it has the same number of special-mission aircraft as Russia, it outranks the latter due to the technical superiority of its fleet. The country benefits from its warm ties with the west and has equipped its military with some of the finest aircraft available today. The most notable aircraft on its fleet of special-mission jets include 42 Lockheed P-3 Orion, 33 locally-built Kawasaki P-1, 26 Hawker 800 (SAR) and 16 Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye with another 13 on order.
1. United States
Special-Mission Aircraft: 695
The United States is the most powerful country in the globe and the world leader when it comes to military technological capabilities with several large defense manufacturers based out of the country. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see the US top the charts in another theater of the ongoing arms race. With 695 aircraft, it has the largest fleet of special-mission aircraft in the world. These include 153 Boeing EA-18G Growlers, 118 Boeing P-8 Poseidon, 109 King Air 350, and 83 E-2 Hawkeyes (C/D), among others. The gulf between Japan and Russia – with 145 aircraft at second and third – and the United States with a whopping 695 is testament to the country’s dominance over the world in this realm.
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