We detail some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2024.

Once combined, our selection of deleted entries – which cover nine aircraft types, drawn from three regions and all six of our directory role categories – total some 122 airframes.

Taiwan phased out the last of its F-5 fighter/reconnaissance jets and trainers

Source: Ritchie B Tongo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Poland gave a colourful send-off to the final NATO-operated Su-22s

Source: WZL-2

New Zealand said farewell to its long-serving H-model Hercules, replacing them with new C-130Js

Source: New Zealand Defence Force

India’s air force retired the MiG-21 after 62 years of service. Croatia and Cuba also ended use of the Mikoyan-built type

Source: Anuj Jain/Shutterstock

The US Navy waved off its veteran EP-3E Aries II electronic intelligence-gatherers

Source: US Navy

The UK Royal Air Force ended operations with the Puma HC2 transport helicopter

Source: Crown Copyright

France sold its departing C-135 tanker fleet to private US operator Metrea

Source: French Air and Space Force

Kawasaki’s C-1 airlifter was withdrawn by lone operator the Japan Air Self-Defence Force

Source: AirTeamImages

Belgium withdrew its four TTH-variant NH90s from operational service

Source: NH Industries

1/9

show caption

Among other departures not included within our image selection, we record Nigeria as having ended use of the Dornier 128, Peru the Aermacchi MB-339, Spain the CASA C-101, and Tanzania the Shenyang F/FT-6.

Click here to access our free-to-download, 36-page 2026 World Air Forces directory, with full fleet listings.

European Defence Editor Craig Hoyle has reported on the UK, European and international military aviation sector for almost 30 years, and has also been the Editor of Flight International since 2015. He joined FlightGlobal in 2003, and also compiles our annual World Air Forces directory.View full Profile

More from Craig Hoyle

Topics