世界主要空軍-英國空軍(World Major Air Force-Royal Air Force)-2012

皇家空軍由國防委員會(Defence Council)的空軍委員會(Air Force Board)所管理並由空軍参謀総長 (CAS ; Chief of the Air Staff)為最高統帥，空軍委員會除了空軍參謀總長外加數名空軍參謀次長 (Assistant Chief of the Air Staff)(由內閣官員與空軍高階軍官擔任)所組成。共分為六級:

司令部(Command)-航空團(Groups)-航空群(Stations)-聯隊(Wings)-中隊(Squadrons)-航空班(Flights)

軍團

航空司令部(Air Command)- headquartered at RAF High Wycombe

航空團

• 1 Group (the Air Combat Group): controls the RAF's combat fast jet aircraft and the following stations: RAF Odiham, RAF Benson, RAF Leeming, RAF Coningsby, RAF Leuchars, RAF Wittering, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Marham and RAF Lossiemouth in the UK in addition to RAF Unit Goose Bay in Canada, which is used extensively as an operational training base. The RAF's electronic warfare tactics range at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, is also within its sphere of responsibility.
• 2 Group (the Air Combat Support Group): controls the strategic and tactical air transport aircraft, the RAF Regiment, the RAF's air-to-air refuelling aircraft as well as Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and search and rescue assets.
• 22 Group: responsible for recruiting, personnel management and training.

英國是老牌航空科技大國，也是世界最早開發出垂直起降戰機的國家，不過英國在千禧年後隨著美國參加了不少戰役花掉了不少軍費，再加上國防預算也被刪減，也因此其中一艘無敵級航艦皇家方舟號(HMS Ark Royal)也不得不提前除役，而皇家海空軍的獵鷹式(Harrier GR5/7/9)垂直起降戰機也跟著全數提前於2010年除役，因此最後只能靠租借美國的AV-8B攻擊機作為最後一艘無敵級航艦的艦載機，不然航空母艦就只剩直升機可用而已。甚至未來新的伊莉莎白女王級可能也會在一段很長的時間沒有新戰鬥機可以用，至於皇家空軍也因而裁撤掉幾個中隊。

Combat aircraft

Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 58/72+35*(On Order)
Eurofighter Typhoon T.3 16/5+13*(On Order)
F-35A/B 3+147*(On Order)
Tornado GR4 108
Tornado GR4 17
Special mission
BN-2 (Recce) 3
E-3D (AEW) 5
Global Express (Sentinel R1) (Recce) 5
King Air 350CER (Shadow R1) (Recce) 4
RC-135 Airseeker (ELINT) 3
Tanker
A330 (AirTanker) 14
TriStar 4
VC10 12
Transport

A400M 22

BAe 125 6
BAe 146 2
C-17 7
C-130J 24
C-130K 8
TriStar 3
Combat helicopter
AW101 Merlin HC3/3A 25
AW109 2
Bell 412 4
CH-47 Chinook HC2/2A/3/4/6 45 16
SA330/Puma HC1 19
Sea King HAR3/3A 22
Training aircraft/helicopters
G115 (Babcock) 119
Hawk T1 68
Hawk T2 28
King Air 200 10
Tucano T1 54