Is The US Air Force Fleet Shrinking Or Growing?

The Department of Defense has submitted its 2025 Budget Request and much can be learned from trawling through this long document, but one thing that stands out is that the Air Force is continuing to shrink. However, numbers do not tell the full picture; while the Air Force will be smaller, it will also be more modern and capable. It should also be noted that the document is a request – some of its proposals for divestment may be denied. On the surface, it may seem strange that Air Force numbers are falling in an era of great power competition.