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Karmayogi

World Air Forces - details

The world's most powerful air forces include the air forces of the United States, Russia, China, Ukraine, India, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Israel. Other important air forces include those of Italy, North Korea, and Turkey. However, these forces are smaller and less technologically advanced.

The United States Air Force has about 1,800 active fighter and attack aircraft and about 200 bombers. The Air Force also operates several satellite and radar systems. It has about 400,000 members, along with about 80,000 in the Air Force Reserve. An additional 110,000 people serve in Air National Guard units, which are administered by the states. The U.S. Air Force commands about 600 ICBM's but no IRBM's. Under a 1987 treaty, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to eliminate their IRBM's.

The U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard all have their own air force units. The U.S. Navy has the world's largest air arm with about 1,900 combat aircraft, including about 300 armed helicopters. The U.S. Army air unit includes about 1,600 armed helicopters.

The Russian Air Force has about 2,100 combat aircraft, including about 1,700 fighters. The air force has about 130,000 members. A separate strategic force controls about 900 ICBM's in Russia, 50 in Kazakstan, and 20 in Belarus. Another force for space operations launches and operates military satellites. The Russian Navy's aviation branch has about 800 combat aircraft.

The Chinese Air Force has about 4,100 fighter and attack planes and more than 400 bombers. Many of its planes are based on Russian designs. About 470,000 people serve in the Air Force. China's Navy operates about 700 additional combat aircraft. China also has 17 ICBM's and over 70 IRBM's under a separate strategic force.

The Ukrainian Air Force has about 850 combat aircraft and 140 ICBM's. It has about 150,000 members. The aviation branch of the Ukrainian Navy has more than 200 combat aircraft.

The French Air Force has about 800 combat aircraft, mostly fighter and attack planes. The force has about 90,000 members. A separate strategic air force operates about 50 bombers equipped with IRBM's. The French Navy has about 100 combat aircraft.

The British Air Force, called the Royal Air Force (RAF), has about 550 combat aircraft, mostly fighter and attack airplanes. It has about 70,000 members. The Royal Navy's air arm has about 20 additional combat aircraft and more than 100 armed helicopters.

The German Air Force, called the Luftwaffe, includes about 500 attack and fighter aircraft, with about 50 additional combat aircraft in the navy's air unit. About 75,000 people serve in the Luftwaffe.

The Israeli Air Force has about 450 fighter and attack aircraft and about 32,000 members. It is one of the largest and most capable air forces in the Middle East, with highly experienced pilots.

The United States has about 140 surface warships, including 12 conventional aircraft carriers. The carriers, 7 of which are nuclear powered, are the backbone of the United States fleet. In addition to surface ships, the United States Navy operates about 100 nuclear-powered submarines. Approximately 440,000 men and women serve in the United States Navy. Another 170,000 belong to the Marine Corps, a separate branch of the Department of the Navy.

Russia took control of most of the massive Soviet Navy after the Soviet Union broke apart in late 1991. Since then, Russia has taken many ships and submarines out of service because they cost too much to operate. Despite these reductions, the Russian Navy is still large, and most of its ships are modern.

The submarine is the most important ship in the Russian fleet. The Russian Navy has about 180 submarines, far more than any other navy. About 120 are nuclear powered. Russia also has about 150 surface warships, including one conventional aircraft carrier. The Russian Navy has about 200,000 men, including marines.

China has a large navy, but its ships are old and have spent little time training at sea. Thus, the effectiveness of the Chinese Navy has been limited. China's fleet operates mostly in coastal waters. China has about 50 surface warships, plus about 900 small combatants. China also operates about 50 submarines, only 6 of which are nuclear powered. Approximately 260,000 people, including marines, serve in the Chinese Navy.

France has a small navy, but it is modern, well trained, and effective. France has about 40 surface warships, including 2 conventional aircraft carriers. France also has 18 submarines, 11 of which are nuclear powered. About 65,000 people serve in the French Navy, including marines.

The United Kingdom has a small but effective navy. The navy of the United Kingdom, called the Royal Navy, operates about 40 surface warships, including 3 conventional aircraft carriers. The Royal Navy also has 16 submarines, almost all of which are nuclear powered. About 50,000 people, including marines, serve in the Royal Navy.