Air force is the military branch of the country that conducts aerial warfare, and its functions are different from Army, Navy and marine corps. The important part of any country, Air Force plays an important role in maintaining the security of the country like other forces, but the Air Forces consist of a combination of bombers, helicopters, fighter planes, transport planes, and other aircraft. Moreover, Air forces are majorly responsible for operations of the military space, ICBM Intercontinental ballistic missiles and communications. Every country has their Air Force, which helps them in creating deterrence to other nations, as youngest of all the services Air forces, In its more than 65 years of existence, has become the world’s premier aerospace force. Its mission simply put is to defend the nation through the control and exploitation of air and space. Therefore, here we have the top 10 strongest Air Forces of the world.
1.United States Air Force
United States Air Force founded on 11 September 1947, with the motto No One Comes Close. It operates more than 5,638 aircraft, 450 ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missile) and 63 satellites. It has a $140 billion budget with 332,854 active duty, 185,522 civilian, 71,400 Air Force Reserve, and 106,700 Air National Guard personnel. United States Air Force is most technologically advanced air forces in the world. Capt. Jonathan Lewenthal and Capt. Eric Scheibe, AV-8B Harrier pilots with Marine Attack Squadron 231, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly over southern Helmand province, Afghanistan. The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. Our rich history and our vision guide our Airmen as we pursue our mission with excellence and integrity to become leaders, innovators and warriors. The USAF is the youngest of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces, it’s also the largest and most technologically advanced in the world. The U.S. Air Force articulates its core missions as air superiority, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.
The United States Air Force is all about securing the air, space, and cyberspace arenas for America. USAF is the main aerial and space warfare service branch. It globally present with bases that span three continents. Here 219 careers are available. The USAF has taken to the skies to protect the United States of America. The USAF keeps our country safe by watching the world from the skies and space. The USAF has equipment that involves a lot more than airplanes. From flight helmets to oxygen masks to the AGM-130 missiles, the USAF has high-powered, expensive equipment that’s primed and ready for members to use at a moment’s notice. The Air Force through the Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the Secretary of Defense and is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. North Dakota was home to so many USAF nuclear weapons that if it seceded from the Union, it would have been the third largest nuclear power in the world. The U.S. and the Soviet Union fought one pitched battle — a dogfight during WWII over the Serbian town of Nis. The Air Force’s official song is titled, fittingly, “The U.S. Air Force,” and includes the familiar line, “Off we go Into the wild blue yonder.” The Air Force’s colors are ultramarine blue and yellow. It means blue for the sky, and yellow for the sun and the excellence required of personnel. Only 4 percent of all Air Force personnel are pilots.
The USAF offers more than just active duty opportunities.
Four different options:
• Air Force Active Duty
• Air National Guard
• Air Force Reserve
• Air Force Civilian Service
- Russian Air Force
Russian Air Force Founded after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991-92. It has 148,000 personnel and 4,163 aircraft. Sukhoi and MiGs are their most popular and successful fighter jets. It has extensive fighting experience fighting in First Chechen War, War of Dagestan, Second Chechen War, Russo-Georgian War and Syrian Civil War. It is essential to combine the Army, Navy, Marine Corp and Air Force under the Secretary of Defense’s authority. On Armed Forces Day military exercises are held at sea, in the air, and on land as a means to honor their members and to show the U.S. civilian population their state-of-the-art equipment. Other countries that celebrate an all-in-one Armed Forces Day include Armenia, Australia and New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Mali, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, North Korea, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam. By March 1, 1998 the Administration of the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and the Main Staff of the Air Force were formed on the base of control bodies of the Air Defence Force and the Air Force, and the Air Defence Force and the Air Force were merged into a new Service of the Russian Armed Forces – the Air Force.
The Air Force of the Russian Federation is designed for:
• repulsing aggression in the aerospace sphere and protecting from air attacks the control points of the highest state and military control, administrative-and-political centres, industrial-and-economic areas, the most important economic facilities, the country’s infrastructure and the groups of troops;
• destruction of enemy objects and troops using both conventional and nuclear ordnance;
• providing combat troops of other armies and armed services for air support.
The Air Force includes: the Aviation, Antiaircraft Missile and Radio-Technical Troops, which are the Arms of the Air Force, as well as the Special Forces, the units, subdivisions of military control bodies’ guarding, the medical and other organizations. According to its mission and tasks the Air Force’s Aviation is divided into the long-range, front-line, military transport and army aviation, which in turn can be composed of the bomber, attack, fighter, reconnaissance, transport and special aircraft units. The basis of the Air Force’s combat strength is presented with air bases and brigades of the Aerospace Defence. The US Air Force B-52 bombers flew from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to over 30 NATO countries in a single day. While crossing the Black Sea, Russian air force Su-27 fighters tailed the B-52 that rattled the American crew.
- Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force “Air and Space Arm”, commonly known as “Air Corps”. It was founded on 28 May 1948. It consists of 34,000 active personnel 55,000 reserve personnel 684 aircraft. The Israelis have had a good air force. The airframes are American designs, but the Israelis have installed their own electronics on the F-15I and F-16I planes that are now the backbone of their military. It has a very large fleet of modern aircrafts – many of which are specially designed to meet the requirements of IAF. It had always remained alert and have been ready for any possible attacks. The Israeli Air Force, “Kheil HaAvir” in Hebrew, is universally recognized to be among the world’s most powerful aerial fighting forces. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Air Force has played a major role in securing the country’s numerous military victories. Today, the IAF remains a central pillar of the Israel Defense Forces, deterring terrorist threats and ensuring Israel’s strategic advantage in wartime. The IAF is best known for its distinguished staff of pilots, which ranks among the most elite in the world. During the War of Independence, the IAF intercepted enemy aircraft, supported ground forces, and went on attack sorties in Cairo, Damascus, and Amman.
After the war, most of the foreign volunteers were released, and the IAF, which now relied on Israeli pilots only, began organizing its air bases. In 1956, the IAF performed multiple roles in Operation Kadesh; dropping paratroopers over Sinai, destroying Egyptian communication lines, conducting rescue missions, supporting ground forces, and launching aerial attacks. In the early 2000s, the IAF was heavily involved in various operations in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip, destroying strategic terrorist targets and intelligence missions. During Operation Cast Lead in December 2008, the IAF launched with a broad aerial attack on Hamas infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Throughout the operation, the IAF provided ongoing support to ground forces, gathered intelligence, evacuated the wounded, and targeted terrorist rocket launch pads. On November 14, 2012, in response to incessant rocket attacks in the Gaza Strip, the IDF launched Operation Pillar of Defense, a widespread campaign against terror targets in Gaza. During the operation, the IAF surgically targeted terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, resulting in significant damage to Hamas infrastructure. Hamas significantly increased rocket fire on Southern Israel in June 2014. In response, the IDF launched Operation Protective Edge. The IAF carried out numerous air attacks aimed at Hamas arms caches, launch ramps, and terrorist infrastructures.
- Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932. The fourth largest air force in the world with 139,576 active personnel 140,000 reserve personnel Approx. 1,748+ aircraft. Military Schools and Sainik Schools were founded to broaden the recruitment base of the Defence Forces. Indian Air Force is one among the most professional and well equipped air force across the world. It first saw action during second world war as a part of British empire, again during Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), provided close air support Kargil war and more recently in Balakot airstrike and the following incident with Pakistan in 2019. It has developed some of their own planes in the past and present. Having the second-best carrier aviation arm doesn’t hurt. An Indian MiG-29K purchased from Russia. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict. India will celebrate its Air Force Day on October 8. IAF has proved its mettle numerous times and fulfilled its duty of providing aerial security to the hilt. The President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the IAF. The four-star officer with the rank of Air Chief Marshal leads the force. After Independence of India in 1947, Indian Air Force was named Royal Indian Air Force. However, when India turned Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed. IAF’s Hindon Air Force Station, situated near Ghaziabad is the largest in Asia and 8th largest in the world.
The highest Air Force Station is Siachen Glacier AFS situated at a height of 22,000 ft. IAF flag is blue in colour and contains the National Flag in the first quadrant and a roundel of the Tricolour. IAF has one Air Marshal at a time and Padmavathy Bandopadhyay is the first woman Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force. Also, she was the second woman in the Indian armed forces who was promoted to three-star rank. The IAF created a world record by airlifting around 20,000 civilians in ‘Raahat’ mission during floods in Uttarakhand. According to Flight International, there to be around 1,721 aircraft including Su-30MKI, Jaguars, Mirage-2000, Apache and Chinook in service with the Indian Air Force. The Garud Commando Force is renowned for its skills and rescue operations. IAF destroyed more than 29 Pakistani tanks, 40 APCs and a railway train during the Battle of Longewala in the 1971 Indo-Pak War besides a number of critical installations. IAF created a world record by performing the highest landing of a C-130J at the Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in Ladakh at the height of 16614 feet (5065 meters). India is building the 5th generation Sukhoi PAK FA in collaboration with Russia. The Air Force has over 60 air bases spread all over India. The IAF is the only air force that operates C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Super Hercules, and Il-76 – the three largest transport aircrafts.
- Royal Air Force (Great Britain)
Royal Air Force Founded on 1 April 1918, by the unification of the Royal Naval Air Services and Royal Flying Corps. 32,940 active personnel, 3,200 reserve personnel and 832 operational aircraft, making it the largest air force in the European Union . RAF is the oldest air force of the world and one of the most technologically sophisticated and capable air forces in the world. It Played a significant role in the British Military History in the Second World War. Motto “Through Adversity to the Stars”. Royal Air Force (RAF), youngest of the three British armed services, charged with the air defense of the United Kingdom and the fulfillment of international defense commitments. At the time it was formed, it was the largest air force in the world. It expanded even more during World War II and today is still one of the world’s leading air powers. The British Army was formed as a standing army in 1660. The Gloster Meteor was the first jet fighter used by the RAF. It first flew in March 1943 and was introduced into the war in July 1944, though it saw limited action.
The RAF was instrumental in the Berlin Airlift during the Cold War. Soviet forces in East Berlin and East Germany had the part of the city controlled by the Allies surrounded, hoping to convince the rest of Berlin to surrender. The RAF delivered 1,340 tons of supplies per day until the Soviets relented in October 1949. The RAF had 1,000 of its own planes shot down during the battle while the Germans lost 1,800. The first female jet pilot in the RAF was Flight Lieutenant Jo Salter in 1994, flying a Panavia Tornado. Now it is a common sight for both men and women to take to the skies for Britain. In addition, since the United Kingdom was the main base for operations against the Axis forces and was itself under constant threat of air attack, flying training became virtually impossible there, and great numbers of aircrew pupils were sent to Canada, South Africa, and Southern Rhodesia to receive their training at schools specially established for the purpose. From June 1941 (six months before the United States entered the war) until the end of hostilities, British aircrew were also trained at civilian-operated schools in the United States.
- Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (China)
Peoples Liberation Army Air Force founded on November 11, 1949. It has more than 330,000 personnel and 2500+ aircrafts. It has largest air force in Asia, and is better known for comprising some of self-reliant combat aircrafts. After the fall of USSR, Russia became China’s principal arm suppliers. Today, many of the planes are from the “Flanker family,” including home-grown versions like the J-11, J-11B, J-15, and J-16. China also has the indigenous J-10 and JH-7, while also flying two fifth-generation designs. People’s Liberation Army, Unified organization of China’s land, sea, and air forces. Initially called the Red Army. It is composed of 5 branches which are aviation, anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, radar and Airborne Corps. As of 2014, the PLAAF has a strength of around 398,000 personnel and is the largest air force in Asia. After World War II the communist forces, renamed the People’s Liberation Army, defeated the Nationalists, making possible the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The Air Force reportedly had four branches: air defense, ground attack, bombing, and independent air regiments. The air corps consists of fighter plane units, bomber units, attack plane units, reconnaissance plane units and air transport units. In peacetime the Air Force Directorate, under the supervision of the PLA General Staff Department, controls the Air Force through Air Army headquarters located with, or in communication with, each of the seven military region headquarters. By the end of the 1980’s, the radars used by the Air Force’s radar corps contained over 20 varieties.
As of 1996 there were 600 air defense missile battalions, equipped with HQ-2 air defense missiles; HQ-3 air defense missiles; HQ-61 air defense missiles; HQ-7 air defense missiles; LY-60 air defense missiles; PL-9 air defense missiles; HY-5 shoulder-launched air defense missiles; QW-1 shoulder-launched air defense missiles; and three sets of advanced Russian-made C-300 missiles. Whatever the facts, the appearance of the J-20 was visible evidence China is building an air force Chinese military leaders have indicated is intended to be commensurate with their nation’s emerging status as a world power—and the equal of any other air force on the globe. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) must build its strategic capabilities to enter the top tier of airpower nations. It has deployed airborne early warning and control aircraft, third-generation combat aircraft, and other advanced weaponry. “China’s air force is in the midst of a transformation. A decade ago, it was an antiquated service equipped almost exclusively with weapons based on 1950s-era Soviet designs.” “Like the rest of the Chinese armed forces, change in the PLAAF is happening across a wide front, and in myriad endeavors: in operational matters, in institutional affairs, and in the acquisition of new capabilities.
- Armee de lAir (France) In the post-World War 2 era, the French made a successful effort to develop the domestic aircraft industry. In 1933, it was made an independent military arm. The Mirage demonstrated its abilities in the Gulf War, becoming one of the most popular jet fighters of its day. It employs a total of 41,160 regular personnel and 5,187 personnel of the operational reserve. It has 225 combat aircraft in service, with the majority being 117 Dassault Mirage 2000 and 108 Dassault Rafale. Its awaiting the A 400M military transport aircraft which is said to be in the developmental stages. The number of aircraft in service with the French Air Force varies depending on source. The French took active interest in developing the air force from 1909 and had the first World War I fighter pilots. During the interwar years, however, particularly in the 1930s, the quality fell after they compared with the Luftwaffe, which crushed the French during the Battle of France. In the post–World War II era, the French made a successful effort to develop a domestic aircraft industry. Dassault Aviation led the way mainly with delta-wing designs, which formed the basis for the Mirage series of jet fighters. The Mirage demonstrated its abilities in the Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, the Falklands War and the Gulf War, becoming one of the most popular jet fighters of its day, with a high quantity of sales.
The French Air Force participated in several protracted colonial wars in Africa and Indochina after WWII, and continues to employ its air power in Africa. From January 1964, the French political leadership, now prioritising nuclear deterrence, put in train a complete reorganisation of the Air Force, with the creation of four air regions and seven major specialised commands, among which was the Strategic Air Forces Command. In 1985, the Air Force had four major flying commands, the Strategic Air Forces Command, the Tactical Air Forces Command, the Military Air Transport Command, and the Commandement Air des Forces de Defense Aerienne. In 1994 the Commandement des Fusiliers Commandos de l’Air was established. Currently, the French Air Force is expanding and replacing aircraft inventory. The French are awaiting the A400M military transport aircraft, which is still in developmental stages, and the integration of the new Dassault Rafale multi-role jet fighter, whose first squadron of 20 aircraft became operational in 2006 at Saint-Dizier. France has also been a lead nation, alongside the United States, Great Britain and Italy in implementing the UN sponsored no-fly zone in Libya (NATO ‘Odyessy Dawn’, deploying 20 fighter aircraft to Benghazi in defense of rebel held positions and the civilian population.
- Luftwaffe (Germany)
Luftwaffe (Germany) was established in 1935, after violating the Treaty of Versailles. In the modern era, the United States Government still lends nuclear weapons to Luftwaffe under the NATO nuclear sharing agreement. It has more than 3,400,000 Personnel & 119,871 aircraft during World War II. 465 Aircraft and 27,620 personnel as on April 2020. Most advanced and most battle-experienced air forces in the world at the time of World War II. In 2005 and 2008, F-4 Phantom fighter planes took part in the Baltic Air Policing operation of NATO. Most of the pilots of Luftwaffe are trained either in United States or in Canada. Hermann Goring was commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe. About 70 people volunteered to be suicide pilots for the force. The Women Who Flew for Hitler author Clare Mulley says letters show Reitsch speaking of von Stauffenberg’s “racial burden” and that the two women absolutely loathed each other. Hanna Reitsch and Melitta von Stauffenberg were both pilots at the top of their game and both had a strong sense of honour and duty. But despite these similarities, the two women didn’t get on and had very different perspectives regarding the Nazi regime. A Luftwaffe detachment supported rebel forces in the Spanish Civil War. Many of Luftwaffe pilots and personnel trained in the Soviet Union.
Originally, the German military high command, for their air warfare forces, decided to use an organizational structure similar to the army and navy, treating the aviation branch as a strategic weapon of war. Initial plans were for long-term growth of the Luftwaffe over a period of five years with the intention of using the Luftwaffe as a strategic force. These plans were changed several times, especially after the June 1936 death of Walter Wever and the succession of Ernst Udet. The focus and role of the Luftwaffe became one of ground support for the German Army during its Lightning War campaigns. The Luftwaffe one of the most powerful air forces in Europe during its initial years. Partly due to its ground support role, the Luftwaffe was reorganized in a fashion similar to the army units, with one unit controlling a specific area. Each Luftwaffe unit was self-contained and had complete control over all aspects of Luftwaffe forces in that area. Unlike the other two forces, air power did not have past experience to draw upon. This resulted in the air force having to learn from experience rather than the classroom.
The Luftwaffe was configured to serve as a crucial part of the German blitzkrieg, or “lightning war”–the deadly military strategy developed by General Heinz Guderian. As German panzer divisions burst deep into enemy territory, lethal Luftwaffe dive-bombers would decimate the enemy’s supply and communication lines and cause panic. By the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the Luftwaffe had an operational force of 1,000 fighters and 1,050 bombers. First Poland and then Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, and France fell to the blitzkrieg. After the surrender of France, Germany turned the Luftwaffe against Britain, hoping to destroy the RAF in preparation for a proposed German landing. However, in the epic air battle known as the Battle of Britain, the outnumbered RAF fliers successfully resisted the Luftwaffe, relying on radar technology, their new, highly maneuverable Spitfire aircraft, bravery, and luck. For every British plane shot down, two German warplanes were destroyed. In the face of British resistance, Hitler changed strategy in the Battle of Britain, abandoning his invasion plans and attempting to bomb London into submission. However, in this campaign, the Luftwaffe was hampered by its lack of strategic, long-range bombers, and in early 1941 the Battle of Britain ended in failure. Britain had handed the Luftwaffe its first defeat. Later that year, Hitler ordered an invasion of the USSR, which after initial triumphs turned into an unqualified disaster. As Hitler stubbornly fought to overcome Russia’s bitter resistance, the depleted Luftwaffe steadily lost air superiority over Europe in the face of increasing British and American air attacks. By the time of the D-Day invasion of Normandy in June 1944, the Luftwaffe air fleet was a skeleton of its former self.
- Royal Australian Air Force
RAAF was created in March 31, 1921. It has majorly participated in some of the deadliest conflicts of 20th century, including World War 2. It has 13,991 Active personnel, 4,316 Reserve personnel and 309 aircrafts. The motto of RAAF is “Through Struggle to the Stars.” It is credited for immediately implementing the kinetic and non-kinetic air. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates the majority of the ADF’s fixed wing aircraft, although both the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy also operate aircraft in various roles. The RAAF provides support across a spectrum of operations such as air superiority, precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air mobility, space surveillance, and humanitarian support. On 20 December 2001, the Chief of Air Force formally standardized the Royal Australian Air Force’s public ‘signature’ logo format. The logo is a combination of the Air Force Roundel as the ‘O’, within the customized logo and the text of Air Force in Air Force blue colour.
It is used on a variety of general promotional material, publications and displays. Military aviation was first pioneered during the First World War. During that war, both the armies and the navies of all the major combatants operated aircraft. Late in the war, however, when it was realized that aerial fighting was a distinct form of warfare and not just an adjunct to land or sea operations, some nations formed specialist air forces. Combining the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps, Great Britain formed the Royal Air Force in 1918. The four squadrons of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) remained part of the AIF. In 1920, the remnants of the AFC became the Australian Air Corps, which in turn became the Royal Australian Air Force. RAAF personnel, however, can be classified into two broad categories: air crew and ground staff and within these categories are found a variety of occupations, known in the air force as “musterings”.
Aircrew are the personnel who are responsible for the operation of an aircraft and its weapons. They are:
• Pilots who actually fly the aircraft
• Navigators who plan the aircraft’s flight path and then guide the pilot
• Bombardiers/Weapons System Operators who aim and then drop or fire the aircraft’s main weapons
• Air Gunners who operate the weapons used for the aircraft’s self-defence
• Observers who observe and report activity outside the aircraft, usually on the ground or sea
• Radio Operators/Communications Operators who operate the aircraft’s communications equipment
• Loadmasters who ensure the safe and efficient stowage of cargo and passengers aboard the aircraft
• Engineers who monitor the aircraft’s engines and other mechanical systems
• Tactical Systems Operators who operate an aircraft’s electronic equipment, such as radar, sonar buoys, passive defensive systems etc.
10.Japan Air Self-Defense Force
JASDF was established on July 1, 1954. One of the sharpest tool, made for the defense-oriented policy of Japan. After World War 2, Japan did not have a separate air force. It carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems. In 2005, it had an estimate of 45,000 personnel.
As of 2010, the JASDF operates 805 aircrafts, 424 being fighter aircraft. The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy were dissolved and replaced by the JSDF with the passing of the 1954 Self Defense Forces Law, with the JASDF as the aviation branch. They are stretching the boundaries, the lack of real ground-attack capabilities but they have very good air-to-air capabilities. With four “helicopter destroyers” that are really small carriers, Japan could vault up very quickly. Japan has a long configuration from the north to the south with its population and industrial centers concentrated in particular regions. In order to defend the life and the property of the Japanese people from invading aircraft and missiles under Japan’s geographical characteristics and defense-oriented policy, the Air Self-Defense Force should detect invading aircrafts and missiles as soon as possible and destroy them as far from Japan as possible. So the ASDF should have capability for vigilance and surveillance and for a quick counterattack to fight against invading aircrafts and missiles.
The Flight Support Command is responsible for direct support of operational forces in rescue, transportation, control, weather monitoring, and inspection. The Flying Training Command is responsible for basic flying and technical training. The Air Developing and Proving Command, in addition to overseeing equipment research and development, is also responsible for research and development in such areas as flight medicine. The Air Defense Command has northern, central, and western regional headquarters located at Misawa, Iruma, and Kasuga, respectively, and the Southwestern Composite Air Division based at Naha on Okinawa. All four regional headquarters control surface-to-air missile units of both the ASDF and the GSDF located in their respective areas. The Oct. 29 U.S. approval of Japan’s request for a major upgrade to its F-15J fighter aircraft that will see 98 of the jets equipped with advanced radar and the ability to fire cruise missiles marks a critical step in Japan’s move away from its post-World War II pacifist stance. But in an increasingly complex threat environment including an expanding Chinese military and a declining Japanese aerospace defense industry, Japan will have its work cut out for it when it comes to national defense.
