This Central European NATO Member Has One of the World's Most Powerful Air Forces

Air power is one of the defining traits that makes for military might in the last century. If you control the skies, you control the battlefield. NATO is one of the most powerful military alliances in the world, so let's take a closer look at their air capabilities.

Is Airpower Vital?

It certainly is, especially when you consider the modern needs of the battlefield. Air superiority was already a defining doctrine during the Second World War, and as technology advances, it is only set to become more important with each passing year.

Do All NATO Nations Field the Same Planes?

There is some commonality between allies, but it is important to note the differences as well. Some nations, like France, rely entirely on domestically developed airframes to wage war. This has been a noted push since the 1950s to end the reliance on US exports.

21. Denmark

Military aircraft on order: 17
Types of aircraft on order: F-35A
Total military aircraft: 119
Total attack aircraft: 4
Total helicopters: 34

20. Bulgaria

Military aircraft on order: 18
Types of aircraft on order: F-16V, H215m/AS532
Total military aircraft: 65
Total attack aircraft: 5
Total helicopters: 27

19. Norway

Military aircraft on order: 25
Types of aircraft on order: F-35A, S-70, AW101
Total military aircraft: 102
Total attack aircraft: 30
Total helicopters: 37

18. Slovakia

Military aircraft on order: 26
Types of aircraft on order: AH-1Z, F-16V
Total military aircraft: 37
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 22

17. Hungary

Military aircraft on order: 28
Types of aircraft on order: H225M, L-39NG
Total military aircraft: 62
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 38

16. Belgium

Military aircraft on order: 35
Types of aircraft on order: A400M, F-35A
Total military aircraft: 110
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 20

15. Netherlands

Military aircraft on order: 37
Types of aircraft on order: F-35A, H225M
Total military aircraft: 143
Total attack aircraft: 26
Total helicopters: 66

14. Czechia

Military aircraft on order: 51
Types of aircraft on order: AH-1Z, F-35A, UH-1Y
Total military aircraft: 88
Total attack aircraft: 16
Total helicopters: 33

13. Finland

Military aircraft on order: 64
Types of aircraft on order: F-35A
Total military aircraft: 164
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 27

12. Greece

Military aircraft on order: 74
Types of aircraft on order: Rafale, S-70, NH90
Total military aircraft: 632
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 289

11. Sweden

Military aircraft on order: 77
Types of aircraft on order: Gripen E
Total military aircraft: 212
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 53

10. Spain

Military aircraft on order: 123
Types of aircraft on order: Eurofighter, NH90, S-70
Total military aircraft: 513
Total attack aircraft: 12
Total helicopters: 121

9. Canada

Military aircraft on order: 127
Types of aircraft on order: F-35, S-92, AW101
Total military aircraft: 375
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 143

8. United Kingdom

Military aircraft on order: 136
Types of aircraft on order: AH-64, CH-47, F-35B
Total military aircraft: 664
Total attack aircraft: 29
Total helicopters: 276

7. Romania

Military aircraft on order: 140
Types of aircraft on order: AH-1z, F-16A, F-35A
Total military aircraft: 131
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 67

6. Italy

Military aircraft on order: 177
Types of aircraft on order: AW101, AW249, F-35A/B
Total military aircraft: 800
Total attack aircraft: 67
Total helicopters: 402

5. Germany

Military aircraft on order: 187
Types of aircraft on order: Eurofighter, F-35A
Total military aircraft: 618
Total attack aircraft: 76
Total helicopters: 318

4. Poland

Military aircraft on order: 238
Aircraft Currently On Order: AH-64, AW101, F-35A
Total military aircraft: 468
Total attack aircraft: 34
Total helicopters: 215

3. Turkey

Military aircraft on order: 246
Types of aircraft on order: Hurkus C, S/T-70
Total military aircraft: 1,069
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 502

2. France

Military aircraft on order: 377
Types of aircraft on order: H160, H225M, Rafale
Total military aircraft: 972
Total attack aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 447

1. United States

Military aircraft on order: 3,921
Types of aircraft on order: AH-64, F-35, S-70
Total military aircraft: 13,209
Total attack aircraft: 896
Total helicopters: 5,737

This Central European NATO Member Has One of the World’s Most Powerful Air Forces