Top 20 world’s strongest militaries – personnel, aircraft, tanks and more; Here’s where India stands
Today’s world is a slugfest full of geo-political conflicts, and the strength of a country's military is crucial for its security and international standing. Military strength remains pivotal in a nation's ability to protect its interests, assert its influence, and ensure its sovereignty.
A country’s military strength is defined by its personnel, equipment, financials, logistical capabilities, global partnerships and more. This article looks at the top 20 strongest militaries in the world as per GlobalFirepower (GFP), which ranks a country’s military strength based on its potential war-making capability across land, sea, and air fought by conventional means using over 60 parameters.
Being a nuclear power with over 1.4 million defence personnel, India features among the top 5 military powers in the world. Join us as we go through the key elements and distinctive features that contribute to the strength of these 20 strongest militaries, providing insights into the power dynamics that shape our world today.
20. Spain
Budget: $22 billion
Active frontline personnel: 133,282
Tanks: 327
Total aircraft: 513
Submarines: 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.
19. Germany
Budget: $55.94 billion
Active frontline personnel: 181,600
Tanks: 295
Total aircraft: 618
Submarines: 6
Germany, 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.
18. Ukraine
Budget: $42 billion
Active frontline personnel: 900,000
Tanks: 1,777
Total aircraft: 321
Submarines: 0
Ukraine 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.
17. Israel
Budget: $24.40 billion
Active frontline personnel: 170,000
Tanks: 1,370
Total aircraft: 612
Submarines: 5
Israel, 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.
16. Australia
Budget: $52.56 billion
Active frontline personnel: 57,350
Tanks: 59
Total aircraft: 325
Submarines: 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.
15. Egypt
Budget: $9.4 billion
Active frontline personnel: 440,000
Tanks: 5,340
Total aircraft: 1,080
Submarines: 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.
14. Iran
Budget: $9.95 billion
Active frontline personnel: 610,000
Tanks: 1,996
Total aircraft: 551
Submarines: 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.
13. Indonesia
Budget: $25 billion
Active frontline personnel: 400,000
Tanks: 313
Total aircraft: 474
Submarines: 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.
12. Brazil
Budget: $24.75 billion
Active frontline personnel: 360,000
Tanks: 469
Total aircraft: 628
Submarines: 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.
11. France
Budget: $49.73 billion
Active frontline personnel: 200,000
Tanks: 222
Total aircraft: 972
Submarines: 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.
10. Italy
Budget: $31.60 billion
Active frontline personnel: 165,500
Tanks: 200
Total aircraft: 800
Submarines: 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.
9. Pakistan
Budget: $6.35 billion
Active frontline personnel: 654,500
Tanks: 3,742
Total aircraft: 1,434
Submarines: 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.
8. Turkiye
Budget: $40 billion
Active frontline personnel: 355,200
Tanks: 2,231
Total aircraft: 1,069
Submarines: 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.
7. Japan
Budget: $53 billion
Active frontline personnel: 247,150
Tanks: 518
Total aircraft: 1,459
Submarines: 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.
6. United Kingdom
Budget: $62.82 billion
Active frontline personnel: 184,860
Tanks: 213
Total aircraft: 664
Submarines: 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.
5. South Korea
Budget: $44.70 billion
Active frontline personnel: 600,000
Tanks: 2,501
Total aircraft: 1,576
Submarines: 22
South 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.
4. India
Budget: $74 billion
Active frontline personnel: 1,455,550
Tanks: 4,614
Total aircraft: 2,296
Submarines: 18
Nuclear-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.
3. China
Budget: $227 billion
Active frontline personnel: 2,035,000
Tanks: 5,000
Total aircraft: 3,304
Submarines: 61
China, 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.
2. Russia
Budget: $109 billion
Active frontline personnel: 1,320,000
Tanks: 14,777
Total aircraft: 4,255
Submarines: 65
Russia, 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.
1. United States
Budget: $831.78 billion
Active frontline personnel: 1,328,000
Tanks: 4,657
Total aircraft: 13,209
Submarines: 64
The 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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