Most varied Air Forces in the world

[mvsgas]

There are rumors that India may build F-16 in the future.

 

This got me thinking that the Indian Air Force has to be one of the most varied Air Forces out there. They Got American, French, Russian , UK, German , Brazilian , Canadian and indigenous aircraft.

 

What are the most varied Air Forces in the world?

Edited May 7, 2016 by mvsgas

[WinterH]

Egypt fits the bill too I think, Malaysia as well, there are quite a few air forces actually that have aircraft from all sides of the fence.

[Retu81]

Finnish Air Force Certainly fits the bill. We have a long history of using whatever plane we could get our hands on.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_aircraft_of_Finland

[WinterH]

Finnish Air Force Certainly fits the bill. We have a long history of using whatever plane we could get our hands on.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_aircraft_of_Finland

 

I always say to my Finnish friends "you guys have flown all the coolest fighters", Bf-109, Draken, MiG-21 and now F-18 to count a few.

 

Though, I think currently it is mostly, almost only Western aircraft right? So may not qualify as currently most diverse no? :)

[Retu81]

I always say to my Finnish friends "you guys have flown all the coolest fighters", Bf-109, Draken, MiG-21 and now F-18 to count a few.

 

Though, I think currently it is mostly, almost only Western aircraft right? So may not qualify as currently most diverse no? :)

 

Sadly no. Our air force has since moved to completely western equipment.

[VTJS17_Fire]

The Iraqi Airforces (IQAF) in 1990 had one of the most varied Air Forces, with french, russian, british equipment, a few other as well.

[mvsgas]

Cool guys thanks. Egyptian and Malaysian AF are very varied indeed. It must be a logistical night mare for parts and support equipment.

 

VJS161_Fire,

What British equipment did the Iraqi AF had in the 90's? I thought they only had French and Russian aircraft and helicopters?

[WinterH]

Just remembered that Pakistan is also worth mentioning. They have some F-16s, highly upgraded Mirage 3 & 5s, Chinese co developed JF-17 and Chinese J-7s, which is sort of MiG-21 at heart but with very divergent evolution from other MiG-21 family.

 

On another note about J-7 & MiG-21, unless I am mistaken, I think Egypt operates them both :).

 

Edit : aaand also Indonesia, which has Hawk, F-5, F-16, Su-27 and Su-30MKK.

Edited May 8, 2016 by WinterH

[VTJS17_Fire]

VJS161_Fire,

What British equipment did the Iraqi AF had in the 90's? I thought they only had French and Russian aircraft and helicopters?

I'm currently reading "Storm Over Iraq: Air Power and the Gulf War" by Richard Hallion and it says, that the IQAF also had a Hawker Hunter squadron (which performed for the Egyptian AF against Israel). But I have to look, if this was in the 90s or earlier.

 

Edit: They had also U.S. equipment (Bell 214ST) and trainer from Sitzerland (PC-7/9). Source: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/air-force-equipment.htm

Edited May 8, 2016 by VTJG17_Fire

[VTJS17_Fire]

The Germans had also a nice inventory after the reunion:

+ Tornados (Tri-European project),

+ Alpha Jets (French-German aircraft),

+ different MiG and Suchoi jets from the former GDR (MiG-29, MiG-21PF/bis, MiG-23, Su-22 for example),

+ Hueys, CH-53s and F-4F (U.S.), C-160,

+ Mi-24P and Mi-8 (Russian),

... and a few others.

[mvsgas]

cool Thanks guys.