As IAF turns 85, here is a look at the world’s 10 largest air forces; check out where India ranks

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 85th anniversary on Sunday, October 8 at the Air Force Station, Hindon in Ghaziabad. The parade began early in the morning at 8:00 AM where various aircraft of the Indian Air Force showcased a stunning air display. India's air force is one of the best in the world and there must be natural curiosity to find out where exactly does it rank vis a vis the rest. So, here we present a list of world's 10 largest air forces according to data revealed by famous statistician Mohandas Menon.

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The United States of America: United States Air Force (USAF) is at No. 1. An F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter takes off on a training sortie at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida in 2012. (Source: Reuters)

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China: People’s Liberation Army Air Force is at No. 2. Two J-10 fighter jets from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force August 1st AerobaticsTeam during a demonstration at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai in 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

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Russia: Russian Air Force is at No. 3. Russian Air Force Su-34 fighter-bombers take part in a military parade during celebrations marking Independence Day in Minsk in 2014. (Source: Reuters)

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India: Indian Air Force is at No. 4. IAF's transport aircraft Antonov An-32 (foreground) and Dornier Do 228 are seen from the air traffic control at the Yelahanka Air Force Station ahead of Air Force Day on the outskirts of Bengaluru in 2015. (Source: Reuters)

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North Korea: Surprisingly, Korean People's Army Air Force is at No. 5. The Korean People's Army Air Force possesses aircraft of different types, mostly of Soviet and Chinese origin including thirty Russian MiG-29 jets. Kim Jong-un sits in a fighter jet as he guides a flight drill for airmen of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Air and Anti-Air Force. (Source: Reuters)

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South Korea: Republic of Korea Air Force is at No. 6. The American supersonic B-1s flew over the Korean Peninsula where they were joined by Republic of Korea Air Force KF-16 fighter jets. (Photo: Reuters)

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Egypt: Egyptian Air Force is at No. 7. An Egyptian Air Force F-16 fighter jet flies low over thousands of anti-government protesters gathered at Tahrir square in Cairo in 2011. (Source: Reuters‏)

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Pakistan: Pakistan Air Force is at No. 8. Pakistani F-16 fighter jets fly past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

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Taiwan: Taiwan Air Force is at No. 9. A Taiwanese Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) (below) monitors a Chinese Xian H-6 bomber near Taiwan's air defence identification zone in 2017. (Source: Reuters)

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Japan: Japanese Air Self Defense Force is at No. 10. A Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-15 fighter scrambles at the Air Self Defense Force Naha base in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan in 2015. (Source: Reuters)