Special Report

The Most Widely-Flown Military Aircraft on Earth

Chris Lange

Published: November 16, 2023 10:34 am

Last Updated: November 16, 2023 2:56 pm

As modern warfare has evolved, the importance of air superiority cannot be understated. Most conflicts in the modern era are now largely decided by which nation controls the skies over the battlefield. Accordingly, military aircraft have become a hot commodity on the global stage and nations are continually fortifying their fleets with the newest military aircraft.

Different types of military aircraft are employed to assert power, defend territories, and execute strategic operations by military forces around the world. Some aircraft have become popular across militaries due to their utility, whether in a combat, special mission, or transport role. 

To identify the military aircraft that are used by the most military forces, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the report 2023 World Air Forces from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. Aircraft were ranked by the number of military forces using them. Only aircraft used by 25 forces or more are listed, with such forces as the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marines considered separate forces. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft, how many are on order or in active service, and notable countries that use these aircraft also came from FlightGlobal. Data on the different variants of aircraft was sourced from various historical and military sources.

Transport aircraft ensure the global reach of a military force, moving personnel, equipment, and supplies across vast distances, and perhaps one of the most recognized transport aircraft is the C-130 Hercules. This aircraft tops this list, with over 80 military forces using it as a transport, tanker, and even a gunship.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the more popular combat aircraft globally, finding a place in more than 50 military forces. Known for its speed, maneuverability, and offensive power, these fighter jets are the primary instruments of aerial warfare. The U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II or the Russian Mig-29 are examples of other fighters that have found favor with global militaries. (This is every plane in Russia’s air force.)

Noticeably on this list, the two main producers of aircraft are the United States and Russia, with other countries owning aircraft from one or the other depending on their alliances. Also, many of the aircraft at the top of the list, used by the most militaries, are helicopters. Overall, these aircraft are used by multiple military forces worldwide, with each playing an important role. (Find out if these planes are among the 25 most widely used military aircraft on Earth.)

Here is a look at the military aircraft used in most military forces across the world.

23. Antonov An-26 Curl

Antonov An-26 Curl 'RF-93999' (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

• Number of militaries using: 25 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 160
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Type: Special mission, transport
• Notable variants: An-26A (assault transport), An-26B (civilian cargo hauler)
• Notable countries: Russia, Sudan, Nicaragua

22. Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot

Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr

• Number of militaries using: 25 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 489
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
• Notable variants: Su-25UB (two seat trainer), Su-25UBM (two seat attack trainer)
• Notable countries: Belarus, Russia, North Korea

21. CASA C-212 Aviocar

CASA C-212 Aviocar (CC BY 2.0) by Manolo Gu00c3u00b3mez

• Number of militaries using: 26 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 91
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
• Notable variants: C-212A (military transport), C-212C (civilian market model)
• Notable countries: Indonesia, Mexico, United States

20. Leonardo AW139

Italian Helicopter HH139, Trident Juncture 15 (CC BY 3.0) by Antonio Stellato

• Number of militaries using: 26 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 153
• Aircraft on order: 84
• Type: Combat helicopter
• Notable variants: HH-139A (search & rescue variant), VH-139A (VIP variant)
• Notable countries: Italy, Qatar, Algeria

19. Mil Mi-17 Hip

Russian Air Force Mil Mi-17 yellow 62 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Vitaly V. Kuzmin

• Number of militaries using: 28
• Active aircraft: 765
• Aircraft on order: 65
• Type: Combat helicopter
• Notable variants: M-17-1, Mi-17V-3
• Notable countries: China, India, Colombia

18. CASA CN-235

CASA CN-235 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Falconu00c2u00ae Photography

• Number of militaries using: 29
• Active aircraft: 157
• Aircraft on order: 5
• Type: Special mission, transport
• Notable variants: CN-235-330 (Phoenix), HC-144 (Ocean Sentry)
• Notable countries: France, South Korea, Turkey

17. F-35 Lightning II

Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr

• Number of militaries using: 31
• Active aircraft: 716
• Aircraft on order: 2,758
• Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
• Notable variants: F-35A (conventional), F-35B (STOVL), F-35C (carrier-based)
• Notable countries: United States, Japan, Israel, United Kingdom

16. Bell 212 Twin Huey

BH-169: Bangladesh Air Force (... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Shadman Samee

• Number of militaries using: 33 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 382
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Type: Combat helicopter
• Notable variants: 212 Twin Huey
• Notable countries: Austria, Italy, Thailand

15. Aero L-39 Albatros

Source: volvob12b / Flickr

• Number of militaries using: 33 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 575
• Aircraft on order: 36
• Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
• Notable variants: L-39C (unarmed trainer), L-39Z0 (armed weapons trainer)
• Notable countries: Cuba, Russia, Syria

14. F-5 Tiger II

Source: rancho_runner / iStock via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 33 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 611
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
• Notable variants: F-5F (Tiger II, two seat variant), F-5E (Tiger II, single seat variant)
• Notable countries: Brazil, Iran, South Korea

13. Beechcraft Super King Air 350

RAAF Beechcraft Super King Air... (CC BY 2.0) by Tony Hisgett

• Number of militaries using: 34 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 135
• Aircraft on order: 11
• Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
• Notable variants: King Air 350C, King Air 350ER
• Notable countries: Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States

12. Bell 412

Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 34 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 295
• Aircraft on order: 164
• Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
• Notable variants: 412HP (high-performance model), 412EPX (civilian market UH-X variant)
• Notable countries: Canada, Indonesia, Japan

11. Beechcraft Super King Air 200

Vanderbilt LifeFlight - Beechc... (CC BY 2.0) by Josh Beasley

• Number of militaries using: 37
• Active aircraft: 327
• Aircraft on order: 2
• Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
• Notable variants: King Air 200CT, King Air B200T
• Notable countries: Israel, United States, Morocco

10. EADS Casa C-295

CASA C-295AEW 'EC-295' (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

• Number of militaries using: 39
• Active aircraft: 252
• Aircraft on order: 24
• Type: Special mission, transport
• Notable variants: C-295M (base military transport model), C-295MPA (Persuader)
• Notable countries: India, Spain, Egypt

9. Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum

Source: Milous / iStock via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 42
• Active aircraft: 899
• Aircraft on order: 79
• Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
• Notable variants: MiG-29UB (two seat trainer), MiG-29AS (NATO standard)
• Notable countries: Belarus, Russia, India, Egypt

8. Cessna 208 Caravan

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Number of militaries using: 43 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 171
• Aircraft on order: 4
• Type: Special mission, transport, training aircraft
• Notable variants: 208A (Cargomaster), 208B (Grand Caravan EX)
• Notable countries: Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Brazil

7. Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Bell UH-1 Iroquois (CC BY 2.0) by Daniel Ramirez

• Number of militaries using: 43 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 1,105
• Aircraft on order: 33
• Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
• Notable variants: UH-1D (troop transport), UH-1P (USAF special operations and attack model)
• Notable countries: Argentina, Japan, Greece, United States

6. Mil Mi-24 Hind

Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 51
• Active aircraft: 828
• Aircraft on order: 33
• Type: Combat helicopter
• Notable variants: Mi-24A (base model), Mi-24DU (training variant)
• Notable countries: Poland, Russia, Sudan

5. Bell 206 JetRanger

S3-BSJ Bangladesh Army Aviation Bell 206-L4 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Shadman Samee

• Number of militaries using: 52 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 478
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
• Notable variants: 206A (JetRanger), 206L (LongRanger)
• Notable countries: Colombia, Italy, United States

4. S-70 Black Hawk

Source: fikretozk / iStock via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 52 (tied)
• Active aircraft: 3,909
• Aircraft on order: 806
• Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
• Notable variants: UH-60A (base US Army model), UH-60C (command and control model)
• Notable countries: United States, Japan, Colombia

3. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 54
• Active aircraft: 2,763
• Aircraft on order: 156
• Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
• Notable variants: F-16B (two-seat model), F-16E (single-seat)
• Notable countries: United States, Israel, Taiwan

2. Mil Mi-8 Hip

Mil Mi-8 Hip [unmarked] (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

• Number of militaries using: 60
• Active aircraft: 2,039
• Aircraft on order: 17
• Type: Combat helicopter
• Notable variants: Mi-8AMT (unarmed transport), Mi-MTO (night attack model)
• Notable countries: Algeria, Russia, Azerbaijan

1. C-130 Hercules

Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Number of militaries using: 83
• Active aircraft: 1,133
• Aircraft on order: 119
• Type: Combat aircraft, special mission, tanker, transport
• Notable variants: C-130H, C-130J Super Hercules
• Notable countries: United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia,