These Countries Have the Most Powerful Militaries in the World
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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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
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. | 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 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. | 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
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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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 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. | 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 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. | 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
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 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
Follow The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!