Ranked: Countries with the largest active combat helicopter fleet worldwide in 2024

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine highlights the significance of helicopters in modern warfare. Both sides in this protracted dispute have endeavored to gain the upper hand, but no significant progress has been made so far. Russia has been launching attacks on Ukrainian cities through airstrikes, missiles, and drones, while Ukraine claims to have shot down Russian aircraft, including helicopters, although there is conflicting evidence. These events clearly demonstrate how much value powerful nations like Russia attach to helicopters and fighter jets.

Military helicopters play a significant role in modern warfare and are capable of performing a wide range of operations, including search and rescue missions and the swift delivery of important cargo. Their value has been proven in combat. In this text, we will explore which countries possess the largest helicopter fleets in the world.

Topping the list is the United States, with the world’s largest helicopter fleet, comprising over 5,500 helicopters. These helicopters serve various purposes and are critical components of the U.S. military, which boasts the world’s most extensive air force.

Russia is home to an impressive fleet of over 1,500 helicopters, securing the second position globally. The Russian rotorcraft industry has been relentlessly pursuing excellence, resulting in innovative and cutting-edge designs, such as the Mi-8/17/171 series, which make up a significant portion of its air force. These helicopters have become popular both in Russia and in many other nations across the globe.

China secures the third position with just under 1,000 helicopters in its inventory. Over the past decade, China has embarked on a journey to modernize and enhance its military capabilities, yet the Russian Mi-17/171 aircraft continues to be its most prevalent helicopter model.

It is worth noting that nations with higher defense spending generally possess larger helicopter fleets. Furthermore, those with powerful air forces tend to have more considerable rotorcraft resources. This highlights the important part helicopters play in modern military operations, where continuous progress and technological breakthroughs in helicopter technology offer an advantage in battle and invaluable assistance in disaster relief operations.

With this context in mind, let’s delve into the countries that boast the world’s largest helicopter fleets.

1. United States
   > Helicopter fleet size: 5,584
   > Total Air Force fleet: 13,300
   > Most common helicopter Black Hawk combat helicopter (2,312 aircraft)
2. Russia
   > Helicopter fleet size: 1,531
   > Total Air Force fleet: 4,182
   > Most common helicopter Mi-8/17/171 (783 aircraft)
3. China
   > Helicopter fleet size: 913
   > Total Air Force fleet: 3,166
   > Most common helicopter Mi-17/171 (242 aircraft)
4. India
   > Helicopter fleet size: 807
   > Total Air Force fleet: 2,210
   > Most common helicopter Mi-17V-5 (222 aircraft)
5. South Korea
   > Helicopter fleet size: 739
   > Total Air Force fleet: 1,602
   > Most common helicopter MD500 (248 aircraft)
6. Japan
   > Helicopter fleet size: 566
   > Total Air Force fleet: 1,451
   > Most common helicopter UH-1J (130 aircraft)
7. Turkey
   > Helicopter fleet size: 478
   > Total Air Force fleet: 1,065
   > Most common helicopter UH-1H (86 aircraft)
8. France
   > Helicopter fleet size: 438
   > Total Air Force fleet: 1,004
   > Most common helicopter SA342 (109 aircraft)
9. Italy
   > Helicopter fleet size: 404
   > Total Air Force fleet: 850
   > Most common helicopter AW129 (58 aircraft)
10. Egypt
    > Helicopter fleet size: 325
    > Total Air Force fleet: 1,069
    > Most common helicopter Boeing AH-64 Apache (46 aircraft)
11. Pakistan
    > Helicopter fleet size: 322
    > Total Air Force fleet: 1,413
    > Most common helicopter AH-1F (50 aircraft)
12. Germany
    > Helicopter fleet size: 287
    > Total Air Force fleet: 601
    > Most common helicopter CH-53G/GA/GS (81 aircraft)
13. Algeria
    > Helicopter fleet size: 273
    > Total Air Force fleet: 547
    > Most common helicopter Mi-8/17/171 (138 aircraft)
14. Greece
    > Helicopter fleet size: 271
    > Total Air Force fleet: 635
    > Most common helicopter UH-1H (64 aircraft)
15. Saudi Arabia
    > Helicopter fleet size: 258
    > Total Air Force fleet: 897
    > Most common helicopter S-70/i/UH-60L/M (43 aircraft)
16. United Kingdom
    > Helicopter fleet size: 233
    > Total Air Force fleet: 663
    > Most common helicopter CH-47 HC3/4/5/6/MH-47G (57 aircraft)
17. United Arab Emirates
    > Helicopter fleet size: 222
    > Total Air Force fleet: 565
    > Most common helicopter S-70/UH-60L/M (80 aircraft)
18. Colombia
    > Helicopter fleet size: 211
    > Total Air Force fleet: 465
    > Most common helicopter S-70i/UH-60L (51 aircraft)
19. Poland
    > Helicopter fleet size: 208
    > Total Air Force fleet: 459
    > Most common helicopter Mi-2 (44 aircraft)
20. Taiwan
    > Helicopter fleet size: 207
    > Total Air Force fleet: 737
    > Most common helicopter AH-1W (62 aircraft)

The analysis shows that the United States, Russia, and China have the largest military helicopter fleets. However, we can also see that countries such as India and Pakistan are emerging as significant military powers in this area. Military helicopters are crucial in modern warfare, and different countries have specialized fleets to meet their specific security needs. It is important to consider the ongoing technological advancements and increased international collaboration that are shaping the global security landscape. Understanding these dynamics is vital for strategic planning and international relations.

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