Capability is determined on the ground, not on paper… China is furious after the Indian Air Force was ranked third most powerful.

A new global ranking of air forces worldwide has sparked a strategic debate in Asia. A ranking released by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) places India in third place, behind the United States and Russia. This makes the Indian Air Force the third most powerful in the world, sparking a response from China. What’s more, it’s expressed irritation. The Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, the Global Times, published an article titled, “Army Rankings Should Be Based on Actual Capabilities, Not Papers – Chinese Experts on India’s “World’s Third Most Powerful Air Force” Ranking.”

According to the WDMMA ranking, the United States ranks first with a total “TruVal Rating” of 242.9, Russia second with 114.2, and India third with 69.4. China has fallen behind India in this list. According to the ranking, the Indian Air Force has a total of 1,716 aircraft, comprising 31.6 percent fighter jets, 29 percent helicopters, and 21.8 percent trainer aircraft. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force fleet is a mix of Russian, French, and Indian-made aircraft, reflecting its strategic partnerships.

What did a Chinese expert say about the WDMMA ranking?
On Monday, the Global Times quoted a Chinese defense expert as saying, “Army rankings should be based on actual capabilities, not paperwork, and potential miscalculations due to exaggeration will benefit no one.” Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Monday that “this so-called ranking should not be taken seriously.” He added, “The actual combat capabilities of armies are the basis for meaningful comparisons, not their paper strength.”

He said, “The true military strength of any country should be judged not by its paperwork, but by its actual combat capability.” Zhang warned that “such hyped comparisons can lead to misunderstandings and increase strategic risks.” He added, “Some American and Indian media are trying to further inflame China-India rivalry by fanning this debate, which is in no one’s interest.”

India vs. China’s Air Force
In the past few years, India has rapidly modernized its air force. The deployment of the Rafale fighter jet, the indigenous development of the Tejas, and the upgrade of the Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mirage-2000 have significantly increased the IAF’s strength. While the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) possesses a significant number of aircraft, many analysts believe its training, joint operations, and deployment capabilities are at a limit. Meanwhile, India’s active participation in multinational air exercises has strengthened its global profile. However, the EurAsian Times wrote, “While the rankings may be a source of pride, they are a sign of overconfidence.” Or a miscalculation could prove fatal.” He also reminded that “India and China are neighbours and any tension between them could take a dangerous turn due to misunderstanding or exaggeration.”