Top 20 world’s strongest militaries – personnel, aircraft, tanks and more; Here’s where India stands

Budget: $22 billionActive frontline personnel: 133,282Tanks: 327Total aircraft: 513Submarines: 3 Spain has improved its ranking and is now in the 20th position. The country has one of Europe’s most powerful militaries and one of the few countries to have an aircraft carrier. The country announced an increase in its military spending after the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.Budget: $55.94 billionActive frontline personnel: 181,600Tanks: 295Total aircraft: 618Submarines: 6Germany, which has the third largest economy in the world is ranked in the 19th position. The country has also increased its military spending in recent years, which has been possible due to its economy. While the country lacks an aircraft carrier, it has a good number of aircraft, frigates and more.Budget: $42 billionActive frontline personnel: 900,000Tanks: 1,777Total aircraft: 321Submarines: 0Ukraine has boosted its military spending amid Russia’s invasion and has also received aid in the form of equipment from across the world, including the US. The country has a large number of personnel and tanks.Budget: $24.40 billionActive frontline personnel: 170,000Tanks: 1,370Total aircraft: 612Submarines: 5Israel, which has a strong and modern military is 17th on the list. The country has several modern aircraft, including F-35s and F-16s. The country also has mandatory military service, resulting in a large militarily ready population.Budget: $52.56 billionActive frontline personnel: 57,350Tanks: 59Total aircraft: 325Submarines: 6 Despite a relatively small-sized military, Australia is ranked as the 16th strongest military in the world. It has a modern fleet of military aircraft and fighter jets, which makes its air force formidable. As part of the AUKUS pact with the United States, the country will get Virginia-class nuclear submarines.Budget: $9.4 billionActive frontline personnel: 440,000Tanks: 5,340Total aircraft: 1,080Submarines: 8 Despite having a modest budget, Egypt is ranked as the 15th strongest military in the world. The country has one of the largest tank fleets in the world and a considerable number of aircraft at its disposal. It has the most powerful military in Africa.Budget: $9.95 billionActive frontline personnel: 610,000Tanks: 1,996Total aircraft: 551Submarines: 19 Iran has a large number of active troops, along with a large fleet of aircraft, submarines and tanks, which puts it in the 14th position among the world’s strongest militaries. Iran also has advanced cybersecurity capabilities, which increase its strength.Budget: $25 billionActive frontline personnel: 400,000Tanks: 313Total aircraft: 474Submarines: 4 The Indonesian Military is ranked at the 13th position, maintaining its rank. The country has a large number of active troops, along with a decent number of aircraft and tanks. The country has four submarines and a decent naval fleet.Budget: $24.75 billionActive frontline personnel: 360,000Tanks: 469Total aircraft: 628Submarines: 4 With a rising economy, Brazil has been investing in its military. The country has a large aircraft fleet, which includes advanced Gripen aircraft from Sweden. With four submarines and a decent naval fleet, the country is ranked 12th among the world’s strongest militaries.Budget: $49.73 billionActive frontline personnel: 200,000Tanks: 222Total aircraft: 972Submarines: 9 France is on the 11th rank despite having a relatively small number of active troops. The nuclear-armed country has an aircraft carrier, a large fleet of aircraft and nine submarines. The country has the largest number of active personnel in Europe.Budget: $31.60 billionActive frontline personnel: 165,500Tanks: 200Total aircraft: 800Submarines: 8 With two aircraft carriers and a large fleet of aircraft, Italy has the tenth strongest military in the world. The country has one of the strongest naval forces in the world and also operates eight satellites.Budget: $6.35 billionActive frontline personnel: 654,500Tanks: 3,742Total aircraft: 1,434Submarines: 8 Pakistan is ranked eighth in the world’s strongest militaries list. The country has one of the largest forces in the world, in terms of active personnel. The nuclear-armed nation has a huge fleet of tanks and aircraft. While it lacks aircraft carriers, it has eight submarines.Budget: $40 billionActive frontline personnel: 355,200Tanks: 2,231Total aircraft: 1,069Submarines: 12 Turkiye is one of the largest in the eastern Mediterranean. It has a large aircraft fleet including F-16 fighter jets. The country also has a presence in three other countries through its military bases in Northern Cyprus, Somalia and Qatar. While Turkiye does not have an aircraft carrier, it operates 12 submarines.Budget: $53 billionActive frontline personnel: 247,150Tanks: 518Total aircraft: 1,459Submarines: 23 Japan has one of the strongest militaries in the world, with a decently sized military. Its large budget allows it to maintain a modern military, with a huge fleet of tanks and aircraft. The country operates 23 submarines, the fourth largest in the world. Japan also operates four helicopter carriers.Budget: $62.82 billionActive frontline personnel: 184,860Tanks: 213Total aircraft: 664Submarines: 10 The nuclear-armed United Kingdom is sixth on the list of the world’s strongest militaries. The country has several military bases across the world and operates a large fleet of advanced aircraft and tanks. The country has two aircraft carriers and ten submarines.Budget: $44.70 billionActive frontline personnel: 600,000Tanks: 2,501Total aircraft: 1,576Submarines: 22South Korea has a very strong military amid strained ties with North Korea. The country has a large number of active troops. The country has a very advanced military with a large fleet of tanks and aircraft. While it does not have an aircraft carrier, it operates two helicopter carriers and 22 submarines.Budget: $74 billionActive frontline personnel: 1,455,550Tanks: 4,614Total aircraft: 2,296Submarines: 18Nuclear-armed India, which has faced aggression from its neighbours Pakistan and China has the fourth strongest military in the world. It has a very large number of active troops. It operates two aircraft carriers and 18 submarines, along with a large number of tanks and aircraft. While India has remained among the Top 10 military powers for over ten years, it has steadily climbed ranks in recent years, jumping from 5th position in 2021 to 4th in 2024.Budget: $227 billionActive frontline personnel: 2,035,000Tanks: 5,000Total aircraft: 3,304Submarines: 61China, which has the largest number of active troops in the world is ranked third in the list of the world’s strongest militaries. It has the second-largest defence budget and operates a large number of tanks and aircraft. The country has two aircraft carriers and 61 submarine.Budget: $109 billionActive frontline personnel: 1,320,000Tanks: 14,777Total aircraft: 4,255Submarines: 65Russia, which operates the largest number of tanks and submarines in the world is ranked as the world’s second strongest military. The country has the second-highest number of aircraft. It operates one aircraft carrier and 65 submarines. Russia has the second-highest number of nuclear weapons as of 2024.Budget: $831.78 billionActive frontline personnel: 1,328,000Tanks: 4,657Total aircraft: 13,209Submarines: 64The United States has the strongest military in the world and operates the most number of aircraft carriers and aircraft by a huge margin. The country single-handedly accounts for over 40% of the world’s military expenditure in the world with a budget of $831.78 billion. The US also has a huge nuclear arsenal, with the second-highest number of weapons.

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Top 20 world’s strongest militaries – personnel, aircraft, tanks and more; Here’s where India stands

20. Spain

19. Germany

18. Ukraine

17. Israel

16. Australia

15. Egypt

14. Iran

13. Indonesia

12. Brazil

11. France

10. Italy

9. Pakistan

8. Turkiye

7. Japan

6. United Kingdom

5. South Korea

4. India

3. China

2. Russia

1. United States