WDMMA 2026 Rankings: Indian Air Force Retains 3rd Spot Globally
The <b>World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA)</b> Global Air Power Rankings 2026 ranked the <b>Indian Air Force (IAF)</b> as the <b>3rd-most powerful air force</b> globally, behind only the United States and Russia, staying ahead of China's PLAAF for the <b>5th consecutive year</b>. When all air arms (Army, Navy, Air Force) are considered together, the IAF ranks 6th overall with a True Value Rating (TVR) of <b>69.4</b>; the US Air Force tops with a TVR of <b>242.9</b> (5,004 aircraft). The assessment evaluated 129 air services across 103 countries. Pakistan's air force ranked 18th and Bangladesh 83rd.
Indian Air Force founded 1932 | Air Force Day: 8 October | Motto: Nabha Sparsham Deeptam (Touch the Sky with Glory)
The Indian Air Force retained 3rd place among national air forces in the WDMMA 2026 rankings, staying ahead of China for the 5th straight year.
More International Current Affairs
Indian Navy Commissions INS Mahendragiri, Sixth Project 17A Stealth Frigate, at VisakhapatnamThe Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahendragiri (F38) on 11 July 2026 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. It is the sixth of the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) indigenous stealth guided-missile frigates, designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, with over 75% indigenous content. Named after the Mahendragiri range in the Eastern Ghats, it carries BrahMos and Barak-8 missiles and joins the Eastern Fleet. Its motto is 'Sthitpragyah, Raneshu, Aprajitah' (steadfast, wise, invincible in battle). Project 17A frigates are all named after Indian mountain ranges.11 Jul 2026INetra AEW&C Gets Final Operational ClearanceDRDO handed over the Final Operational Clearance for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system in Bengaluru, making India the fifth country with indigenous AEW&C capability.25 Jun 2026INavy Commissions INS Dunagiri, Sanshodhak & AgrayPM Modi commissioned three warships at Kolkata: INS Dunagiri (a Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigate by GRSE), INS Sanshodhak (Survey Vessel Large) and INS Agray (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft).21 Jun 2026