well is it?
Are we talking number of aircraft, number of commissioned vessels, or something else?
Total firepower? Global reach? Thermonuclear capabilities?
Meaning our combined Air Forces are over twice the size of that of the Commonwealth of Independent states?
Here’s what I could turn up:
CIS: 180,000 personnel, 880 fighters in active service, 1164 fighters in storage, 575 attack planes in active service, 166 attack planes in storage, 816 bombers in active service, 92 bombers in storage, 135 reconnaissance planes in active service, 16 AWACS in storage, 20 tanker aircraft in active service, 1240 trainer aircraft, 320 Mi-24 helicopters in active service, 30 attack helicopter in storage or used for training, 240 military transport aircraft 1500 more transport aircraft in civilian service, 480 assault/transport helicopters in active service.
U.S. Navy: personnel on active duty, 383,970 (54,638 officers, 325,053 enlisted); operational aircraft 4000+.
So if you believe the internet it could be close. I guess it depends on how you define air superiority. They could have a great, great deal more in storage than the Navy does.
The US and the CIS (former USSR) are the only powers capable of carrying out intercontinental air and space warfare with long range bombers and missles. Britain, France and China come next with shorter range tactical capabilities, although I’m guessing China could be gaining. The US is the only power left with a strong naval air force.
Sorry if any of this is already said, this took a hellish long time to type.
I have no cite for this but I’ve often heard that the US Army has more aircraft than the USAF and more boats than the USN.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force is the largest military air force in the world with over 6,000 military airplanes and nearly one million active personnel according to this site .
Aircraft I can see. However, More boats then the Navy makes me think that whoever said it is comparing Naval Submarines(Called Boats, the rest are ships) vs. gunboats, or being really lenient on the army.
Sounds like a recruiters pitch. I have a friend who’s Husband once worked in an Army recruiting office. He was confronted by a young man once who really wanted to be serve on submarines, so he sent the man to the Navy. When his boss heard about this, he was upset. Apparently the proper thing to do (according to said boss) was to lie, rather then send him to a branch that actually HAD submarines.
CIS = a “single” air force?
“In storage” != “rusting”?
Sure. The CIS maintains a unified strategic air command just like the USSR did.
As to whether “in storage” means “rusting”, I guess that’s a matter of perspective. They don’t seem to have either the funds or the inclination to keep them operational right now, and seem to be actively trying to get rid of some of them, but they still got 'em.
Whoops. Scratch that, and insert “I’m an idiot”.The stats I gave are for the Russian air force only.
Also, it’s not quite accurate to say the CIS has a unified strategic air command “just like the USSR did”. Of course it’s not under unified political control like in the good old days, but they do have a joint air defense system.
But I’m pretty sure none of the non-Russia CIS states has anything approaching a significant military. There are probably some beat up-old fighters lying around.
Taking some numbers here http://www.usaf.com/intro.htm:
USAF
Personnel:
over half-million on active duty and over 250k in reserve.
planes:
fighter planes: approx 2500
transports/tankers: 1500+
trainer planes: 1500
helicopters: 200
That’s 5700 without counting bombers.
So basically using the CIS is like comparing them to NORAD, since we share a air-defence system as well? Therefore it would be better to just compare between Russia and the US.
That’s where it gets complex. As I understand it, it’s different from NORAD in that it provides not only aerospace warning and control, but joint operations. Still, it depends on how you parse it. Were the allied air forces of World War II several units in that they were all under the direction and control of sovereign nations, or one unit in that they were under unified command?
slight hijack
What’s the difference between the CIS and Russia? Would talking about Russia’s military be different from or only a part of the CIS’?
The USAF has 200 helicopters?
Is it me, or does that seem very low?
I think the majority of military helicopters in the US are used by either the Navy or the Army.
The AF only uses helicopters for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and missile site support and most are old,Vietnam era .
When counting US Navy manpower and equipment, are the USMC airwing numbers added? Just asking.
What about the National Guards and Reserves of each service? Are their numbers included?