When there are only about...oh say 4 major defense aircraft producing nations, they're obviously "among the best." However, their pilot training hours as of a 2001 report are simply atrocious. Furthermore, with such few hours, that means very little of it, if any, is spent in combat training. Combat training is dangerous and requires basic proficiency going into it.

i agree with tony77 that the russan air force is the best i mean look at their jets specialt the mig-31 and the su-37 u cant find a mach thats in service right now for this planes in all the westren airforces the only weaknes in the russian airforce is the lack of funding.....

Isreal probably has the third best air force when quality and quantity is factor in. US is first and Russia is second (due mainly to contribution from large number of Su-27 and MIG-31).

i think that it will be: 1-USAF 2-RUSSIAN AIRFORCE (due to LACK OF FUNDING or else it would`ve been no:1) 3-THR ROYAL AIRFORCE 4-THE FRENCH AIRFORCE 5-THE SWIDISH AIRFORCE 6-THR ISRAILI AIRFOCE 7-the german airfoce

5-THE SWIDISH AIRFORCE ? let me guess.. you are from .................

wrong guess amigo....

My understanding (from reading) is that US elite forces (such as airborne) have been cross-training with those of other countries at least since the Vietnam era. Colonel Anthony herbert describes this in his book Soldier and has nothing but respect for the guys in the other countries. Everybody has their own tricks. You can only get better if you share with allies. America is the best country in history with the best military in the world, but if we become arrogant, we will lose what we have.

I wouldn't say that Israel has the world's BEST air force, but I would say its up there ( 2 maybe 3 or 4). The reason being the USAF contains stealth bombers and Israel does not. Israel's bombing of a target right near damascus a few months ago was a huge deal to every one, but if the USAF bombed damascus it would seem easy. Iraq is another example. Israel could not launch an aerial campaign against Baghdad as the US did. (They could still attack targets in Iraq though). However, Israel contains an incedible air force and if i were an enemy of Israel I would not try and attack it from the air. Also, as other countries are developing better aircraft (ex eurofighter) the israelis are instead devloping better missiles to level the playing field (python 5).

After about what seems like a HOLE YEAR! which this post has been active, i like to thank everyone for there opinion and thoughts. I have learned a lot of useful information. See you all around.

As the us gets more f-22's,and plent of b-2's, to aid Isreal for concessions in the west bank, and giving land,I think we should give Isreal half our f-117's.