Context:

Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly surpassed China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to secure the third position globally, according to the 2025 rankings published in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA).

About World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA):

The WDMMA rankings evaluate air forces across 103 countries, including 129 air services (army, naval, marine aviation components) and assess a total of 48,082 aircraft globally.

The principal metric is the TruVal Rating (TVR), which captures a blend of quantitative and qualitative factors (fleet size, modernization level, operational readiness, logistics, mission flexibility, etc.).

In 2025, the TVR scores for the top-ranked air forces are:

·         United States: 242.9

·         Russia: 114.2

·         India: 69.4

·         China: 63.8

Reasons behind India's ranking rise:

The WDMMA report highlights a few structural and qualitative strengths that have helped India overtake China in this ranking:

1.       Balanced Fleet Composition

o    In India’s case, 31.6 % of its aircraft are fighters, 29 % are helicopters, and 21.8 % are trainers—signaling a diversified, multi‑role capability rather than being overly concentrated in one type.

o    By contrast, China’s fleet is heavily skewed: 52.9 % fighters and 28.4 % trainers, which though powerful in combat may lack flexibility in broader mission mixes.

2.      Modernization & Multi-Generation Platforms

o    The IAF currently operates a mix of 4.5‑generation fighters such as Su‑30MKI, Dassault Rafale, Tejas Mk1, along with upgraded older platforms like MiG‑29 and Mirage 2000.

o    Future induction plans include Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft), and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) to bring fifth-generation capability.

3.      Operational Readiness & Training

o    A robust pilot training pipeline, maintenance regimes, logistical support, and ability to deploy across different mission types (air defence, ground support, transport, surveillance) factor into WDMMA’s evaluation.

Strategic Implications

·        India’s Strategic Leverage: Occupying third place gives India a stronger regional deterrent posture and boosts its influence in the Indo-Pacific strategic theater.

·        Perception & Diplomacy: Such a ranking will be leveraged in defence diplomacy, signaling to allies and adversaries alike that India’s air power is credible at a global level.

·        Pressure to Sustain Momentum: Surpassing China is a significant symbolic victory, but maintaining or improving that ranking demands consistent modernization, investment in R&D, pilot training, fleet renewal, and logistics infrastructure.

Conclusion:

India's rise to become the world's third most powerful air force is a significant development in global military dynamics. The country's emphasis on operational readiness, training, and modernization has paid off, and it is now well-positioned to play a major role in regional and global security. As the global defence landscape continues to evolve, India's air force is likely to remain a key player