The number of pilots in the air forces around the world fluctuates regularly as fleets shrink and grow. Some nations have expanded greatly in recent years, like the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Below is the list of the top five air force rankings by national fleet size:Ranking Airframe Count Pilot Count 1. The Air Force is authorized for 4,239 cockpit billets yet can fill only about 3,834, according to the Hindustan Times. He was arrested in 2022 for allegedly providing air force training between 2008 and 2012 in China, violating existing arms embargoes.