These Countries Have the Most Powerful Militaries in the World

| More Articles: States & Cities
Published on
June 21, 2018
Published on
June 21, 2018

It is true that the United States spends more money on its military then the next twenty-some-odd countries combined. For that fact, we all know that there is no beating the U.S. military in any category. But it is interesting to see where our allies, or more importantly, our enemies, rank in military strength.

Global Fire Power does a ranking every year based on available information. The rankings are evaluated over 50 different factors, to determine who has the greatest firepower out of any military. All those factors allow for an accurate assessment of 133 different countries’ military strength. We will give you the quick take on each military power based on how many personnel, aircraft, armored vehicles, naval vessels, and what size of a budget (in USD) each country has to work with.

Take a look at how the rest of the world’s militaries stacks up against us in 2017. There’s a little easter egg for you at the end, after the No. 1 superpower, so make sure you follow all the way through.

25. Algeria

Algerian soldiers parade on July 12, 2014 on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, during a rehearsal of the French national celebration, the Bastille Day, two days ahead of the event. France issued an unprecedented invitation to all 72 countries involved in World War I (WWI) to take part in its annual Bastille Day military parade. Bastille Day, on July 14, will fall just before the 100th anniversary of the start of the 1914-18 Great War
Algerian soldiers in a parade. | Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $10.57 billion

Military personnel: 792,350 (520,000 active)

Airpower: 502

Armor power: 9,825

Naval power: 85

Next: They have been making quite a ruckus as of late. 

24. Saudi Arabia

Saudi border guards keep watch along the border with Yemen
Saudi border guards keep watch along the border with Yemen. | Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $56.725 billion

Military personnel: 256,000 (231,000 active)

Airpower: 790

Armor power: 7,892

Naval power: 55

Next: The Hermit Kingdom.

23. North Korea

A North Korean soldiers stands before spectators during a mass military parade.
A North Korean soldiers stands before spectators during a mass military parade. | Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $7.5 billion

Military personnel: 6,445,000 (945,000 active)

Airpower: 944

Armor power: 18,075

Naval power: 967

Next: The thunder from down under.

22. Australia

A defense force guard of honor assembles.
A defense force guard of honor assembles. | Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Defense budget: $24.1 billion 

Military personnel: 81,000 (60,000 active)

Airpower: 465

Armor power: 2,174

Naval power: 47

Next: There is an actual possibility we could go to war with them.

21. Iran

Iranian soldiers march during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq.
Iranian soldiers march during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. | STR/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $6.3 billion

Military personnel: 934,000 (534,000 active)

Airpower: 477

Armor power: 6,803

Naval power: 398

Next: เพื่อชาติ ศาสน์ กษัตริย์ และประชาชน (“For the Nation, Religions, King, and People”)

20. Thailand

Thai king Maha Vajiralongkorn marches behind the chariots carrying the ashes of his father, the late Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The Thai King, Maha Vajiralongkorn, marches behind the chariots carrying the ashes of his father, the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. | Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $5.39 billion

Military personnel: 627,425 (335,425 active)

Airpower: 555

Armor power: 4,085

Naval power: 81

Next: Za wolność Naszą i Waszą (“For our freedom, and yours.”)

19. Poland

Polish soldiers march during a military parade.
Polish soldiers march during a military parade. | Wojtek Radwanski/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $9.36 billion

Military personnel: 184,650 (109,650 active)

Airpower: 465

Armor power: 4,428

Naval power: 83

Next: They are our friends, but not really. 

18. Taiwan

Soldiers take aim with their weapons during an annual drill at the a military base in the eastern city of Hualien
Soldiers take aim with their weapons during an annual drill at a military base in the eastern city of Hualien on January 30, 2018. | Mandy Cheng/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $10.725 billion

Military personnel: 1,932,500 (257,500 active)

Airpower: 850

Armor power: 8,069

Naval power: 87

Next: Braço Forte, Mão Amiga! (“Strong Arm, Friendly Hand!”) 

17. Brazil

A Brazilian Army marching troop walks on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris
A Brazilian Army marching troop walks on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris. | Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $24.5 billion

Military personnel: 1,987,000 (334,500 active)

Airpower: 697

Armor power: 3,031

Naval power: 110

Next: Did we win or lose the war we had with them? The answer may surprise you.

16. Vietnam

Soldiers of the guard of honor march before a welcoming ceremony.
Vietnamese soldiers of the guard of honor march before a welcoming ceremony. | KHAM/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $3.365 billion

Military personnel: 5,488,500 (448,500 active)

Airpower: 278

Armor power: 8,519

Naval power: 65

Next: We just moved our embassy in this country.

15. Isreal

Israeli Air Force cadets practice marching before being sworn in for duty at a Western Wall ceremony.
Israeli Air Force cadets practice marching before being sworn in for duty at a Western Wall ceremony. | Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images

Defense budget: $15.5 billion

Military personnel: 718,250 (168,250 active)

Airpower: 652

Armor power: 13,803

Naval power: 65

Next: Kartika Eka Paksi (“Unmatchable bird with noble goals”)

14. Indonesia

Indonesia National Military Academy cadets marching band perform during The 69th Republic of Indonesia Military Anniversary
Indonesia National Military Academy cadets marching band performs during The 69th Republic of Indonesia Military Anniversary. | Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Defense budget: $6.9 billion 

Military personnel: 975,750 (435,750 active)

Airpower: 441

Armor power: 1,710

Naval power: 221

Next: We found Osama Bin Laden in this country … shocker. 

13. Pakistan

Pakistan military cadets train with their weapons during parade practice at the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Pakistan military cadets train with their weapons during parade practice at the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad, Pakistan. | Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Defense budget: $7 billion

Military personnel: 919,000 (637,000 active)

Airpower: 951

Armor power: 9,629

Naval power: 197

Next: A country we have still not assigned an ambassador for. 

12. South Korea

Korean soldiers stand at attention during the 69th South Korea Armed Forces Day
Korean soldiers stand at attention during the 69th South Korea Armed Forces Day. | Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Defense budget: $43.8 billion

Military personnel: 5,829,750 (627,500 active)

Air power: 1,477

Armor power: 12,892

Naval power: 166

Next: Salus Rei Publicae Suprema Lex Esto (“The safeguard of the Republic shall be the supreme law”)

11. Italy

The Italian Air Force aerobatic unit Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) spreads smoke with the colors of the Italian flag over the Vittoriano Monument.
The Italian Air Force aerobatic unit Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) spreads smoke with the colors of the Italian flag over the Vittoriano Monument. | Marie-Laure Messana/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $34 billion

Military personnel: 267,500 (247,500 active)

Airpower: 822

Armor power: 7,449

Naval power: 143

Next: We’re finally to the top 10!

10. Egypt

Egypt air force specially trained Rafale fighter jets pilots pose at an air base.
Egypt air force specially trained Rafale fighter jet pilots pose at an airbase. | Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $4.4 billion

Military personnel: 1,329,250 (454,250 active)

Airpower: 1,132

Armor power: 22,789

Naval power: 319

Next: Schutzen, Helfen, Vermittein, Kampfen (“Protect, Help, Mediate, Fight”)

9. Germany

A military marching band performs prior to a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, in front of the Reichstag building.
A military marching band performs prior to a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, in front of the Reichstag building. | Adam Berry/Getty Images

Defense budget: $39.2 billion

Military personnel: 210,000 (180,000 active)

Airpower: 698

Armor power: 6,616

Naval power: 81

Next: Well, at least they’re not chicken. 

8. Turkey

Turkish Army soldiers march during a military parade for the celebrations of the Republic Day in Istanbul.
Turkish Army soldiers march during a military parade for the celebrations of the Republic Day in Istanbul. | Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $8.208 billion

Military personnel: 734,415 (382,850 active)

Airpower: 1,018

Armor power: 12,516

Naval power: 194

Next: They are the state-of-the-art.

7. Japan

Japan Self-Defence Force honour guards make a line prior to a welcoming ceremony for Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Self-Defence Force honor guards make a line prior to a welcoming ceremony for Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. | Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $43.8 billion

Military personnel: 311,875 (248,575 active)

Airpower: 1,594

Armor power: 4,351

Naval power: 131

Next: For Queen and Country

6. The United Kingdom

Coldstream Guards march into position outside the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening of Parliament in London.
Coldstream Guards march into position outside the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening of Parliament in London. | Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $45.7 billion

Military personnel: 232,675 (151,175 active)

Airpower: 856

Armor power: 6,466

Naval power: 76

Next: Viva La France!

5. France

Members of the mechanised infantry march during the Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysees avenue.
Members of the mechanized infantry march during the Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysees avenue. | Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $35 billion

Military personnel: 387,635 (204,000 active)

Airpower: 1,305

Armor power: 7,871

Naval power: 118

Next: Service Before Self

4. India

Indian soldiers march down the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
Indian soldiers march down the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. | Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $51 billion

Military personnel: 4,207,250 (1,362,500 active)

Airpower: 2,102

Armor power: 19,126

Naval power: 295

Next: Trump complains about them a bunch. 

3. China

Marching honour guards shout during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing.
Marching honor guards shout during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing. | Thomas Peter/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $161.7 billion

Military personnel: 3,712,500 (2,260,000 active)

Airpower: 2,955

Armor power: 20,971

Naval power: 714

Next: The meddlers that everyone is talking about.

2. Russia

Russian soldiers participate in a military parade on Red Square in Moscow.
Russian soldiers participate in a military parade on Red Square in Moscow. | Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images

Defense budget: $44.6 billion

Military personnel: 3,371,027 (798,527 active)

Airpower: 3,764

Armor power: 65,904

Naval power: 352

Next: Semper Fi (“Always faithful”)

1. The United States military

Soldiers march to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Militaries.
U.S. soldiers march to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. | Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

Defense budget: $587.8 billion

Military personnel: 2,363,675 (1,373,650 active)

Airpower: 13,762

Armor power: 51,510

Naval power: 415

Next: Ever wondered which country has the weakest military power?

133. Bhutan

The Royal Guards of Honor take their positions at the TashichhoDzong in celebration of the wedding of The Royal Couple.
The Royal Guards of Honor take their positions at the Tashichho Dzong in celebration of the wedding of The Royal Couple. | Triston Yeo/Getty Images

Defense budget: $10 million

Military personnel: 7,500

Airpower: 4

Armor power: 10

Naval power: 0

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