Latest news with #MiG-29
India.com
19 hours ago
- General
- India.com
Which country has world's largest air force and how many fighter jets do they have? India, Pakistan rank will surprise you
Which country has world's largest air force and how many fighter jets do they have? India, Pakistan rank will surprise you The United States Air Force is the biggest and most powerful air force in the world. It has over 5,000 aircraft, including thousands of fighter jets. These include powerful 4th-generation jets like the F-15, F-16, and F-18. Along with these, the US. also has super-advanced 5th-generation stealth fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. These jets are not just large in number they are also highly advanced in technology. Russia, the second largest powerful air force Russia has the second-largest air force in the world based on the number of aircraft. It also owns thousands of planes, including strong fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-27, Su-30, Su-35 and MiG-29, MiG-31. Russia is also working on improving its latest 5th-generation jet, the Su-57 'Felon', to make it even more advanced. China at same level as Russia China's air force is growing very fast and becoming more modern every year. It is now almost at the same level as Russia and some reports even say China may have already moved ahead. China has a large number of fighter jets like the J-10, J-11, and J-16, and it is also mass-producing its advanced 5th-generation stealth jet, the J-20 'Mighty Dragon'. India, top four largest air forces India has one of the world's top four largest air forces, and it is the most powerful in South Asia. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has a strong mix of fighter jets, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, MiG-29, Mirage 2000, and the homegrown Tejas. India is steadily modernizing its fleet and is also working on developing its own 5th-generation fighter jets for the future. Where does Pakistan stand on the list Other powerful air forces Countries like South Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey also have powerful air forces with strong regional capabilities. Each of them has modern jets and continues to improve their air strength. What the future looks like on fighter jets In the future, air power will not depend only on fighter jets. The focus is now shifting to 5th-generation jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones), and new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
Time of India
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Watch: Pilot Ejects Moments Before A French Mirage 2000 Jet Crashes In Ukraine
A newly inducted French Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed in Ukraine due to equipment failure, with the pilot ejecting safely. The Mirage 2000 is Ukraine's third fighter class after the F-16 and MiG-29, received second-hand from France this February. Known for its weaker engine compared to the F-16, the Mirage has a history of non-combat crashes, with Taiwan losing 13% of its fleet. Speculation suggests Ukraine may label combat losses as accidents to preserve morale and protect Western aviation reputations. Ukraine has not officially confirmed any Mirage 2000 combat losses so far. Read More
Deccan Herald
19-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
India's fighter airbase in eastern Ladakh set for October takeoff
New Delhi: India's military infrastructure in eastern Ladakh is set for a major boost with a fighter airbase at Nyoma coming up within a few months and Daulat Beg Oldie, the country's highest military outpost, to get an alternate axis by next year for quick troop movement, defence sources Mudh air base at Nyoma – 50 km from the Line of Actual Control that separates China from India – would be ready by this October, sources will set the stage for the Indian Air Force to operate some of its fighter jets from a base at an altitude of 11,000 ft and is in close proximity to the LAC. .The alternate road link to the DBO below the Karakoram range would take one more year and is likely to be ready by 2026 to provide summer connectivity to the world's highest airstrip through the strategic Sub-Sector will be an alternate axis to the Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road that runs parallel to the Sasoma-Sasser La-Sasser Brangsa-Gapshan-DBO link will aid movement of troops from Siachen base camp to DBO within a few hours, as against the current option of spending nearly two days on transit during which the soldiers come down to Leh and take the DSDBO route. .Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, the new road has nine bridges that are currently capable of ferrying vehicles weighing up to 40 of them, sources said, would be converted to Class-70 bridges for the movement of heavy military vehicles including the alternate road link will be operational between March and November currently, sources said a proposal to create a tunnel under the 17,800 ft Sasser pass was being prepared. .If the proposal is approved by the government, it would take about 4-5 years to complete the road, providing all weather access to DBO by two roads.A second route to the DBO is necessary because the DSDBO road comes under direct Chinese observation at several at an elevation of 16,700 ft, DBO is strategically critical to India because of its proximity to over 18,000 ft high Karakoram pass that separates China's Xinjiang province from Ladakh. .To the west of DBO, China is constructing the controversial China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The Karakoram highway connecting Gilgit to Xinjiang is also near DBO, making the outpost strategically of military infrastructure near the LAC received a boost in the wake of the recent India-China border conflict in eastern instance, turning Nyoma into a fighter-base was a proposal that the IAF mooted way back in 2010 after successfully landing an AN-32 transporter, but the idea gained traction in the wake of the recent border tension. .New Delhi focussed on improving its air bases near the LAC after it noticed that the communist country had upgraded all its airfields with longer runways and hardened shelters all along the 3,488 km long disputed ready, the Nyoma air base will support MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI operations besides regular flights of transporters like C-130J and AN-32 carrying troops.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Believe it or not! These 5 countries have fighter jets but no pilots to fly them
Fighter jets are often viewed as the pinnacle of military power. Built for speed, strength, and precision, these aircraft are symbols of a nation's defence capabilities. However, not every country that owns a fighter jet has the personnel to operate them. Yes, it's true—some nations possess sophisticated fighter aircraft, yet they lack the most critical component: trained pilots. In this article, we explore five such countries without fighter jet pilots, uncovering the reasons why these expensive war machines remain grounded. 1. Afghanistan: Fighter Jets Left Behind After Withdrawal After the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, several fighter aircraft, including A-29 Super Tucanos and Mi-17 helicopters, were left behind. Now under Taliban control, these fighter jets are mostly unusable. The main issue? A complete lack of trained pilots. Earlier, the U.S. had trained Afghan forces and provided maintenance support. But in the absence of this expertise, the fighter jets are nothing more than military showpieces. Afghanistan neither has the budget nor the technical know-how to maintain or operate them effectively. 2. Chad: Fighter Jets Grounded by Budget Limitations In 2014, Chad purchased MiG-29 fighter jets from Ukraine, aiming to strengthen its air force. However, the country faces severe financial constraints and an ongoing shortage of trained fighter jet pilots. On occasion, Chad has hired foreign pilots or military contractors to operate its aircraft, but this approach is unsustainable and costly. Today, the jets are rarely flown and mostly serve as a symbol of military status rather than functional defence tools. 3. Libya: Once a Strong Air Force, Now in Ruins Libya once possessed a formidable air force featuring aircraft such as the MiG-21, MiG-23, and Mirage F1. These fighter jets played a central role during Muammar Gaddafi's reign. However, years of civil war have devastated the nation's military infrastructure. Airbases have been bombed, skilled pilots have either perished or fled, and training facilities have been dismantled. Libya is now one of the leading countries without fighter jet pilots. The remaining jets are either rusting away or being stripped for spare parts. 4. Somalia: Fighter Jets with No One to Fly Them Somalia once had Soviet-supplied MiG jets decades ago. However, years of political unrest and internal conflict have rendered the country's air force inactive. Due to a complete breakdown in training programmes and aviation infrastructure, Somalia's fighter jets are now just museum pieces. The government currently has no plans to revive its air force, meaning these aircraft will remain permanently grounded. 5. Yemen: A Military Force Crippled by War Yemen's air force formerly operated jets like the Su-22 and MiG-29. But the country has been battered by years of civil war, air raids, and political instability. Most airstrips and training centres have been destroyed. Pilots have either been lost in the conflict or are no longer active. Yemen simply lacks the resources to train new fighter jet pilots, and as a result, the jets remain parked and powerless. Why Keep Fighter Jets That Can't Be Flown? You might wonder why these nations continue to keep fighter jets they can't operate. The answer lies in perception and power. Fighter jets are often seen as symbols of sovereignty and military strength. They are showcased during national parades, displayed at diplomatic events, and even used in political negotiations. Despite not being combat-ready, these aircraft serve as status symbols on the global stage. Some nations hope that they'll be able to train pilots in the future or receive assistance from allies. Others keep these jets for prestige, even if they never take flight. The High Price of Training Fighter Jet Pilots Becoming a fighter pilot isn't easy—or cheap. It typically takes 2 to 3 years of intense training and millions of dollars in investment per pilot. Nations also need advanced simulators, expert instructors, maintenance crews, and consistent access to fuel and spare parts. For war-torn or underdeveloped countries, these requirements are often out of reach. And without trained pilots, even the most advanced fighter jet is reduced to a grounded piece of machinery. Fighter Jets Alone Don't Define Military Strength In today's world, owning a fighter jet does not automatically equate to military power. Countries like Libya, Afghanistan, Chad, Somalia, and Yemen remind us that real defence strength comes from people, infrastructure, and long-term investment, not just machines. These are some of the few countries without fighter jet pilots, where impressive aircraft remain grounded due to conflict, poverty, or lack of training. This unusual reality shows that national power is more than just hardware—it's about the ability to use it effectively. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Nato jets scrambled as Putin launches one of war's biggest attacks in Ukraine with 700 drones and hypersonic missile
RUSSIAN BLITZ Nato jets scrambled as Putin launches one of war's biggest attacks in Ukraine with 700 drones and hypersonic missile Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NATO fighter jets were scrambled overnight after Russia launched one of the biggest attacks on Ukraine. Some 30 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 700 drones were launched in one of the most intense bombing raids since the start of the war. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Picture shows the aftermath of an attack in Lviv Credit: East2West 2 A Polish Air Force MiG-29 during the Frisian Flag exercise (stock picture) Credit: Alamy More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
