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Indian Air Force Ranking: India has overtaken China to become the world's third most powerful air force. The US continues to hold the top spot in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) rankings, followed by Russia. China has now moved up to fourth. Previously, China held the third spot, and India held the fourth spot. However, India has now overtaken China. 'How many countries and air forces are included in the rankings?' India's growing air power signals a major shift in Asia's strategic balance. The WDMMA rankings include 103 countries and 129 air forces, including the army, navy, and naval aviation branches. The rankings track a total of 48,082 aircraft worldwide. Air power is considered a decisive factor in military strategy, and the US holds the top spot in this regard. Indian Air Force Rating The Indian Air Force's TruVal Rating (TVR) is 69.4. This rating evaluates not only the number of aircraft, but also factors such as offensive and defensive capabilities, logistical support, modernization, and operational training. With a fleet of 1,716 aircraft, India maintains a balanced force structure. The IAF's fleet comprises 31.6 percent fighter aircraft, 29 percent helicopters, and 21.8 percent trainer aircraft. IAF equipment is manufactured in various countries, including the United States, Russia, France, and Israel. The Indian Air Force's strength was particularly evident during Operation Sindoor. During this period, in May 2025, India carried out dozens of precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes demonstrated the extent of damage inflicted by the IAF on Pakistan. Pakistan was denied the opportunity to retaliate, and at least a dozen airbases and radar stations were destroyed. What is China's position? The Chinese Air Force's TruVal Rating (TVR) is 63.8, placing it in fourth place. However, China continues to invest heavily in technology and air fleet modernization. China is investing heavily in areas such as training, close-air support, and specialized bomber units. The gap between India and China underscores not only the importance of fleet size, but also operational readiness and strategic capabilities. US and Russia's Position The US Air Force remains the global leader with a TruVal Rating (TVR) of 242.9. The US Air Force includes strategic bombers, multirole fighters, transport aircraft, tanker aircraft, and special mission aircraft. The US Navy ranks second in the WDMMA rankings, but ranks first by country. Russia, on the other hand, ranks second with a TVR Rating of 142.4. How did the Indian Air Force surpass China? The Indian Air Force's achievement of surpassing China's Air Force in the rankings stems from a number of strategies and improvements. Technological Advancements and Aircraft Modernization Over the years, the Indian Air Force has acquired advanced fighter aircraft and systems, such as the Rafale, advanced versions of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, drones and surveillance aircraft, and aeronautical upgrade projects. The presence of these modern aircraft and systems improves TVR, as it demonstrates that the fleet is not just old, but advanced. The Indian Air Force's Fleet is Balanced The Indian Air Force has ensured a balanced aircraft mix, encompassing fighters, transport, surveillance, helicopters, and drones. This diversity, rather than relying solely on fighter aircraft, improves TVR. Increased Indian Air Force Operational Capability Aircraft effectiveness is enhanced when timely repairs and spare parts are available. The Indian Air Force has made significant improvements in this regard. It has strengthened the airbase network, upgraded maintenance facilities, and focused on the supply chain, enhancing its operational capability. Special Focus on Training The Indian Air Force trains pilots in various weapon systems, temperatures, and geomorphic environments (Himalayan regions, high-altitude flying, etc.). This means they become more adept in challenging situations. This helps increase TVR. Why the Indian Air Force Has Overtaken China Simply put, the Indian Air Force succeeded in surpassing China in the air power rankings because it relied not just on numbers, but on quality.