Most powerful militaries in the world Using over 55 factors to determine a country’s PowerIndex score, the Global Firepower 2018 list ranks the most powerful military nations in the world. Of the 136 advanced and lesser developed nations included, the parameters include their geographical location, natural resource reliance, manpower and current economic health. It must be noted that nuclear capability and current political/military leadership is not taken into account. Also, land-locked nations are not penalized for not having a standing navy. Here's a look at the 50 most powerful military nations, according to the list, as of April 14, 2018.
Among the findings: -The United States has the best-equipped military on the planet.
-Both Russia & China have been modernizing their armed forces, and while their equipment still lags behind top-end American technology, experts say the gap is closing.
-The French military is larger and arguably more capable than its traditional British rival.
-Italy is stronger than Germany in every area, from aircraft and land forces to seapower.
Courtesy of msn.com/news 2018
The most powerful militaries in the world, updated April 21, 2018:
1.United States Population: 326,625,791 Reaching military age annually: 4,220,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 1,281,900/801,200 Aircraft strength: 13,362 Combat tanks: 5,884 Naval assets: 415 werful militaries in the world, as of Feb. 1, 2017:
2. Russia Russia comes in at second mostly because they possess the most number of tanks as well as nuclear warheads in the world. Population: 142,257,519 Reaching military age annually: 1,355,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 1,013,628/2,572,500 Aircraft strength: 3,914 Combat tanks: 20,300 Naval assets: 352 3. China The Chinese economy is second only to the United States, and their military capabilities are growing at a shocking speed. Population: 1,379,302,771 Reaching military age annually: 19,550,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 2,183,000/510,000 Aircraft strength: 3,035 Combat tanks: 7,716 Naval assets: 714
4. India India has successfully emerged as a major military power in the last two decades and has recently overtaken China as the fastest growing major economy in the world. Population: 1,281,935,911 Reaching military age annually: 22,900,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 1,362,500/2,844,750 Aircraft strength: 2,185 Combat tanks: 4,426 Naval assets: 295
5. France The French have always been told by the British that they are weak but the reality is the modern French military is larger and more capable than Britain. In addition to being highly trained, the French have power projection capabilities second only to the United States thanks to multiple bases around the globe.
Population: 67,106,161 Reaching military age annually: 775,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 205,000/183,635 Aircraft strength: 1,262 Combat tanks: 406 Naval assets: 118
6.United Kingdom The British military remains one of the most well funded and well-trained forces in the world. However this can be disputed concerning funding, many have the opinion; as continue cuts and asset stripping, via new governments continue and with austerity measures, this will reduce the affectiveness of our troops now and in the future. Their manpower might be comparatively low, but the quality is high with equipment at their disposal, begged, borrowed or aquired.... The reason for the decline, is most likely down to the government wanting to remain in the EU and providing delay tactics, as Brexit 'negotiations' continue, to eventually transfer all military responsibility into the new EU Army. This will leave our boarders and specialised units vaulnrable and the British Army will be an Army of little or no worth in a major incident. Many agree with this 'opinion', when asked; especially with continued austerity cuts. Goverment trends continue.
Population: 64,769,452 Reaching military age annually: 750,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 197,730/81,500 Aircraft strength: 832 Combat tanks: 227 Naval assets: 76
7.South Korea
10. Germany Germany is one of the strongest economic forces in the world but the army’s condition seems to have deteriorated in the past few years. Germany does not have an aircraft carrier and has relatively few submarines which lowered its ranking. Population: 80,594,017 Reaching military age annually: 791,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 178,641/30,000 Aircraft strength: 714 Combat tanks: 432 Naval assets: 81
8. Japan Even though Japan has officially denounced its right to declare war, it maintains a modern military that is extremely well equipped. Japan could be a top-four military power if their constitution would allow them to also be an offensive force, not only defensive.
Population: 126,451,398 Reaching military age annually: 1,215,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 247,157/63,300 Aircraft strength: 1,508 Combat tanks: 679 Naval assets: 131
9. Turkey Turkey’s military is mighty in numbers - more than France and the UK combined - but their equipment and training are not as top-notch, but respectable and fully compatible with NATO. In addition, the country can lay claim to an impressively large tank fleet as well as numerous aircraft and attack helicopters.
Population: 80,845,215 Reaching military age annually: 1,375,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 350,000/360,565 Aircraft strength: 1,056 Combat tanks: 2,446 Naval assets: 194
Expenditure - Science and Technology - Military and Developments
Population: 51,181,299 Reaching military age annually: 690,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 625,000/5,202,250 Aircraft strength: 1,560 Combat tanks: 2,654 Naval assets: 166
11. Italy Population: 62,137,802 Reaching military age annually: 570,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 247,500/20,000 Aircraft strength: 828 Combat tanks: 200 Naval assets: 143
12. Egypt Population: 97,041,072 Reaching military age annually: 1,535,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 454,250/875,000 Aircraft strength: 1,132 Combat tanks: 4,946 Naval assets: 319
13. Iran Population: 82,021,564 Reaching military age annually: 1,400,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 534,000/400,000 Aircraft strength: 505 Combat tanks: 1,650 Naval assets: 398
14. Brazil Population: 207,353,391 Reaching military age annually: 3,410,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 334,500/1,652,500 Aircraft strength: 723 Combat tanks: 469 Naval assets: 110
15. Indonesia Population: 260,580,739 Reaching military age annually: 4,500,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 435,750/540,000 Aircraft strength: 478 Combat tanks: 418 Naval assets: 221
16. Israel Population: 8,299,706 Reaching military age annually: 122,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 170,000/445,000 Aircraft strength: 596 Combat tanks: 2,760 Naval assets: 65
17. Pakistan Population: 204,924,861 Reaching military age annually: 4,345,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 637,000/282,000 Aircraft strength: 1,281 Combat tanks: 2,182 Naval assets: 197
18. North Korea Population: 25,248,140 Reaching military age annually: 415,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 945,000/5,500,000 Aircraft strength: 944 Combat tanks: 5,243 Naval assets: 967
19. Spain Population: 48,958,159 Reaching military age annually: 423,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 124,100/50,600 Aircraft strength: 524 Combat tanks: 327 Naval assets: 46
20. Vietnam Population: 96,160,163 Reaching military age annually: 1,640,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 448,500/5,040,000 Aircraft strength: 283 Combat tanks: 1,545 Naval assets: 65
21. Australia Population: 23,232,413 Reaching military age annually: 280,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 60,000/19,700 Aircraft strength: 469 Combat tanks: 59 Naval assets: 47
22. Poland Population: 38,476,269 Reaching military age annually: 435,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 109,650/75,000 Aircraft strength: 466 Combat tanks: 1,065 Naval assets: 83
23. Algeria Population: 40,969,443 Reaching military age annually: 675,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 520,000/272,350 Aircraft strength: 528 Combat tanks: 2,405 Naval assets: 85
24. Taiwan Population: 23,508,428 Reaching military age annually: 325,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 257,500/1,675,000 Aircraft strength: 843 Combat tanks: 2,005 Naval assets: 87
25. Canada Population: 35,623,680 Reaching military age annually: 425,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 64,000/24,000 Aircraft strength: 413 Combat tanks: 80 Naval assets: 63
26. Saudi Arabia Population: 28,571,770 Reaching military age annually: 510,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 231,000/25,000 Aircraft strength: 844 Combat tanks: 1,142 Naval assets: 55
27. Thailand Population: 68,414,135 Reaching military age annually: 1,045,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 335,425/292,000 Aircraft strength: 565 Combat tanks: 737 Naval assets: 81
28. Greece Population: 10,768,477 Reaching military age annually: 105,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 161,500/252,250 Aircraft strength: 567 Combat tanks: 1,345 Naval assets: 115
29. Ukraine Population: 44,033,874 Reaching military age annually: 482,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 182,000/1,000,000 Aircraft strength: 240 Combat tanks: 2,214 Naval assets: 25
30. Czech Republic Population: 10,674,723 Reaching military age annually: 98,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 22,000/7,050 Aircraft strength: 103 Combat tanks: 123 Naval assets: 0
31. Sweden Population: 9,960,487 Reaching military age annually: 110,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 21,875/22,000 Aircraft strength: 206 Combat tanks: 120 Naval assets: 63
32. Mexico Population: 124,574,795 Reaching military age annually: 2,175,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 273,575/110,000 Aircraft strength: 478 Combat tanks: 0 Naval assets: 143
33. South Africa Population: 54,841,552 Reaching military age annually: 965,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 78,050/16,000 Aircraft strength: 209 Combat tanks: 195 Naval assets: 30
34. Switzerland Population: 8,236,303 Reaching military age annually: 90,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 21,000/150,000 Aircraft strength: 167 Combat tanks: 134 Naval assets: 0
35. Myanmar Population: 55,123,814 Reaching military age annually: 1,030,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 406,000/110,000 Aircraft strength: 263 Combat tanks: 592 Naval assets: 155
36. Norway Population: 5,320,045 Reaching military age annually: 65,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 26,500/46,000 Aircraft strength: 128 Combat tanks: 52 Naval assets: 62
37. Argentina Population: 44,293,293 Reaching military age annually: 665,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 75,000/52,720 Aircraft strength: 262 Combat tanks: 390 Naval assets: 42
38. Netherlands Population: 17,084,719 Reaching military age annually: 202,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 42,705/10,500 Aircraft strength: 165 Combat tanks: 0 Naval assets: 56
39. Uzbekistan Population: 29,748,859 Reaching military age annually: 602,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 56,500/20,000 Aircraft strength: 179 Combat tanks: 420 Naval assets: 0
40. Romania Population: 21,529,967 Reaching military age annually: 230,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 72,750/105,000 Aircraft strength: 135 Combat tanks: 827 Naval assets: 48
41. Belarus Population: 9,549,747 Reaching military age annually: 100,620 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 56,500/344,750 Aircraft strength: 202 Combat tanks: 515 Naval assets: 0
42. Peru Population: 31,036,656 Reaching military age annually: 605,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 100,830/268,500 Aircraft strength: 275 Combat tanks: 85 Naval assets: 60
43. Nigeria Population: 190,632,261 Reaching military age annually: 3,456,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 124,000/57,000 Aircraft strength: 124 Combat tanks: 148 Naval assets: 75
44. Malaysia Population: 31,381,992 Reaching military age annually: 520,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 110,000/310,000 Aircraft strength: 182 Combat tanks: 74 Naval assets: 61
45. Colombia Population: 47,698,524 Reaching military age annually: 845,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 369,100/142,450 Aircraft strength: 489 Combat tanks: 0 Naval assets: 234
46. Venezuela Population: 31,304,016 Reaching military age annually: 552,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 115,000/8,000 Aircraft strength: 280 Combat tanks: 696 Naval assets: 50
47. Iraq Population: 39,192,111 Reaching military age annually: 655,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 168,000/150,000 Aircraft strength: 289 Combat tanks: 389 Naval assets: 60
48. Angola Population: 29,310,273 Reaching military age annually: 310,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 107,000/68,500 Aircraft strength: 283 Combat tanks: 244 Naval assets: 57
49. Syria Population: 18,028,549 Reaching military age annually: 502,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 154,000/150,000 Aircraft strength: 460 Combat tanks: 4,640 Naval assets: 56
50. Kazakhstan Population: 18,556,698 Reaching military age annually: 245,000 Active personnel/Reserve personnel: 74,500/32,000 Aircraft strength: 214 Combat tanks: 300 Naval assets: 15
