The Indian Air Force (IAF) has achieved a major milestone by becoming the third most powerful air force in the world, according to the latest ranking released by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA). With this achievement, India has surpassed China, which is now placed in the fourth position. The United States Air Force remains at the top spot, followed by Russia in second place.

The ranking is based on a special scoring system called the TruVal Rating (TVR), which compares the overall strength of air forces. The US has the highest TVR of 242.9, followed by Russia with 114.2. India’s score stands at 69.4, which puts it ahead of China’s score of 63.8. Other countries on the list include Japan (58.1), Israel (56.3), France (55.3) and the United Kingdom (55.3). Pakistan, on the other hand, has a TVR score of 46.3.

Why India ranked higher than China

The report explains that the Indian Air Force has a more balanced fleet compared to China. According to the data, about 31.6% of IAF’s aircraft are fighter jets, 29% are helicopters, and 21.8% are trainer aircraft. Meanwhile, China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has more fighter jets (52.9%), but the overall mix is considered less balanced.

India currently operates advanced 4.5-generation aircraft like the Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, and Tejas. It also flies fourth-generation jets such as MiG-29 and Mirage 2000. In the future, India plans to add more indigenous aircraft, including LCA-Mk1A, LCA-Mk2, MRFA, and AMCA.

China, on the other hand, flies fifth-generation aircraft like the J-20 and J-35, along with 4.5-generation jets such as J-10C and J-16. However, the report suggests that India’s fleet structure and operational readiness make it more effective overall.

What is TruVal rating?

The TruVal Rating is a system created by WDMMA to measure the true strength of an air force. Instead of only counting the number of aircraft, it considers many other factors such as technology, training, mission capability, support systems, and combat readiness. This helps in giving a more accurate comparison between air forces.

India securing the third position globally is a matter of national pride. It reflects not just the size, but also the quality and efficiency of the Indian Air Force. With ongoing modernisation and upcoming indigenous aircraft, India is expected to further strengthen its position in the coming years.