There’s finally some thunder in the skies that Indians can cheer — and it comes not from ceremonial flypasts, but from cold, hard military data. In the latest Global Air Power Ranking 2022, India’s Air Force has leapfrogged China’s, securing sixth place globally, while China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) was relegated to seventh.
The rankings, compiled by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), measure not just the number of aircraft, but their quality, readiness, operational capability, and the overall strength of the air force using a metric called TrueValue Rating (TVR). And that’s where India has outshone China — with a TVR score of 69.4, ahead of China’s 63.8.
For too long, certain sections of media and academia have spread the narrative that India cannot stand up to China’s military muscle. This new data punches holes in that fear-mongering. It reaffirms what Indian defence strategists and soldiers have long maintained — it’s not just about how many jets you have, but how well you can fly and fight with them.
China may field over 2,084 aircraft, compared to India’s 1,645, but air dominance is not a numbers game alone. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has 632 fighter jets, 438 helicopters, 250 transport aircraft, 304 trainers, and 7 aerial tankers. These numbers reflect a well-balanced and highly versatile air wing — capable of attack, transport, reconnaissance, training, and in-flight refuelling.
By contrast, China’s air fleet includes 120 bombers, a modest 65 helicopters, 238 transport aircraft, and 261 trainers, along with 3 tankers. The difference is telling. The IAF has been battle-tested — it has fought wars, conducted cross-border airstrikes like Balakot, and patrolled contested skies at high altitudes. The PLAAF, on the other hand, lacks real combat experience.
This reality was brought into sharp focus during the 2019 India-Pakistan conflict, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, flying an aging MiG-21, took down a U.S.-made Pakistani F-16, possessed from the US. That moment didn’t just electrify the nation — it embarrassed Pakistan and showed the world what India’s air warriors are made of. Abhinandan’s dramatic return after being captured sent a clear message: mess with India, and face consequences.
Another key factor in India’s growing air superiority is its leadership. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s defence spending has seen a marked rise, with a clear focus on indigenisation and modernization. From the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets to the push for homegrown aircraft like the LCA Tejas, India is strategically upgrading its air fleet while reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.
The defence ecosystem is also undergoing a tectonic shift, thanks to policy initiatives such as “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and the strategic partnerships with nations like France, the U.S., and Israel. These collaborations are yielding not just weapons and aircraft, but joint training, simulation systems, and intelligence-sharing — all crucial to modern warfare.
Let’s also not ignore that air power alone doesn’t define military might, but it is often the first line of response in today’s battles, whether for surgical strikes, border defence, or strategic deterrence. The IAF’s climb up the ranks is therefore not just symbolic. It is operationally significant.
India’s rise as a military power — much like its ascent as an economic power — is real, measurable, and accelerating. Just as we are projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, there’s every reason to believe that with sustained investment and political will, India will soon break into the top five in military rankings too.
It’s time the world — and particularly India’s own sceptics — acknowledged the transformation underway. The Indian Air Force today doesn’t just guard the skies. It commands respect.
