ALBAWABA - According to a survey by Global Firepower, Saudi Arabia has secured a better place in terms of the number of fighter planes, surpassing both Egypt and Israel in military air power rankings. As a result of its increasing investment in air defense capabilities, the monarchy has now surpassed its regional peers in this area for the first time.
Saudi Arabia ranked ninth internationally, ahead of Israel (10th) and Egypt (11th) in the Global Firepower 2025 list. Egypt's military is still the strongest in Africa and the Arab world, ranking 19th in the world for total military might, despite this change in air power rankings.
The degree of modernization, technical developments, and the complexity of aircraft and weapon systems are some of the variables that are taken into consideration while assessing air force capabilities. Although sheer numbers are important, an air force's efficacy also relies on the caliber and capabilities of its fleet.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon and Rafale are two of the many strong and varied fighter planes flown by Egypt's air force. With its multi-role capability for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, Egypt's air force is anchored by its more than 200 F-16s. In the meanwhile, Egypt's aerial combat capabilities are improved by the Rafale, a French-built combat aircraft outfitted with cutting-edge electronics and weaponry.
Alongside its larger military modernization initiatives, which include large expenditures in cutting-edge fighter planes and defensive systems, Saudi Arabia has risen in the ranks of air power. Even though the kingdom's military was rated 24th in the world overall, it is now the second-strongest in the Arab world, solidifying its status as a regional force in the Middle East.
