Air

Twitter goes wild as IAF overtakes Chinese Air Force in Global Air Powers Ranking 2022

DW Bureau

New Delhi: Time for a piece of news you would relish to read. Indian Air Force has overtaken the People's Liberation Army Air Force or Chinese Air Force in the latest Global Air Powers Ranking 2022. The development dates a few of days back but Defence Watch is still carrying it, for the sake of a 'sense of pride'.

The report, issued by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), has evaluated the total fighting strength of the various air services of different world nations and has ranked them accordingly. It tracked 98 countries, covering 124 air services and following 47,840 aircraft.

It uses a formula which takes into account values related to the total fighting strength of the various air services of the nations. The formula produces the 'TrueValueRating' (TvR), which helps WDMMA to separate each power based on not just the overall strength, but also on factors like modernisation, logistical support, attack and defence capabilities.

The development has been welcomed by Twitterati with open hands.


The Global Air Powers Ranking 2022 report has given the highest ranking to the United States Air Force (USAF). At the 6th position in the ranking, the Indian Air Force has also been placed above Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Israeli, French and Space Force.

According to the report, the Indian Air Force currently counts 1,645 total units in its active aircraft inventory.

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