III. The Medium Powers: Europe’s Leading Air Forces

Abstract

The 28 non-US NATO members collectively possess well over 1,000 fast jet aircraft and as such represent a potentially highly potent part of the Alliance’s airpower. However, a significant number of smaller member states do not possess combat aircraft, while the majority operate comparatively small fleets of between 40 and 60 aircraft and few enablers. Most of the non-US airpower in the Alliance is fielded by a few large European states, including the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.