The Indian Air Force has surpassed China to rank as the world's third strongest air force, as per the new rankings published by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft. The United States is still at the top, followed by Russia as number two.

China's Air Force, which was previously placed ahead of India, is now ranked fourth.

According to the ranking, the United States Air Force TruVal Rating is 242.9, Russia's rating is 114.2, and India's rating is 69.4. To put it in perspective, China's rating is 63.8, Japan's is 58.1, Israel's is 56.3, France's is 55.3, and the United Kingdom's rating is also 55.3.

Pakistan, on the other hand, holds a much lower rating of 46.3.

The report added that 31.6 per cent of India's aircraft are fighters, 29 per cent are helicopters, and 21.8 per cent are trainers. While China's People's Liberation Army Air Force has a larger percentage of fighters with 52.9 per cent and 28.4 per cent trainers, the Indian Air Force was termed as a better-balanced force.

India currently operates state-of-the-art 4.5 generation aircraft like Dassault Rafales, Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs, and Tejas, along with fourth-generation fighter jets like MiG-29 and Dassault Mirage 2000. India is also set to introduce new indigenous aircraft like LCA-Mk1A, LCA-Mk2, MRFA, and AMCA to its fleet.

China, meanwhile, operates fifth-generation fighter jets like J-20 and J-35, and 4.5 generation fighter jets like J-10C and J-16.

The TruVal Rating system, created by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), quantifies and compares air force strength worldwide. It compares a number of parameters such as aircraft numbers, capabilities, supporting systems, state of readiness, and the general efficiency of the fleet.

The rating, according to the WDMMA website, relies on a comprehensive formula representing the actual combat power of each air force. "The formula produces the 'TruVal Rating' (TVR) helping to definitively separate each power based on - not only overall strength - but modernisation, logistical support, attack and defence capabilities, and so on. In this way, a power is not simply assessed on its total quantity of aircraft but rather its quality and general mix of inventory," it said.

"Greater weight is given to categories generally overlooked by some powers, namely special-mission, dedicated bomber force, CAS, training, and on-order units. Beyond this is a focus on local aero-industry capabilities, inventory balance (general mix of unit types), and force experience," it added.