Military power is an interesting thing. It isn’t just about troop numbers and material, but how effectively you can project force in a timely manner. Keeping troops supplied, fed, and stable goes far further than just having more men on the ground. Today, we’re looking at who has the world’s most powerful military.
Do Nations Need Militaries?
Military might is a natural component of geopolitics. While we’re past the point of a world war, realistically speaking, it still helps to safe guard your interests at home and abroad. As such, militaries are still very much needed.
17. Iran
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2712
- Armed forces personnel: 1.01 million
- Active military aircraft: 541
- Defense expenditure (2022) $6.8 billion
16. Australia
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2567
- Armed forces personnel: 90,500
- Active military aircraft: 353
- Defense expenditure (2022) $32.3 billion
15. Ukraine
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2516
- Armed forces personnel: 500,000
- Active military aircraft: 312
- Defense expenditure (2022) $44.0 billion
14. Egypt
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2224
- Armed forces personnel: 1.22 million
- Active military aircraft: 1,069
- Defense expenditure (2022) $4.6 billion
13. Indonesia
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2221
- Armed forces personnel: 1.08 million
- Active military aircraft: 466
- Defense expenditure (2022) $9.0 billion
12. Brazil
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2151
- Armed forces personnel: 2.10 million
- Active military aircraft: 665
- Defense expenditure (2022) $20.2 billion
11. Turkey
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.2016
- Armed forces personnel: 775,000
- Active military aircraft: 1,065
- Defense expenditure (2022) $10.6 billion
10. Italy
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1973
- Armed forces personnel: 297,000
- Active military aircraft: 850
- Defense expenditure (2022) $33.5 billion
9. France
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1848
- Armed forces personnel: 415,000
- Active military aircraft: 1,004
- Defense expenditure (2022) $53.6 billion
8. Japan
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1711
- Armed forces personnel: 309,000
- Active military aircraft: 1,451
- Defense expenditure (2022) $46.0 billion
7. Pakistan
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1694
- Armed forces personnel: 1.70 million
- Active military aircraft: 1,413
- Defense expenditure (2022) $10.3 billion
6. South Korea
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1505
- Armed forces personnel: 1.13 million
- Active military aircraft: 1,602
- Defense expenditure (2022) $46.4 billion
5. United Kingdom
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1435
- Armed forces personnel: 231,000
- Active military aircraft: 663
- Defense expenditure (2022) $68.5 billion
4. India
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.1025
- Armed forces personnel: 5.13 million
- Active military aircraft: 2,210
- Defense expenditure (2022) $81.4 billion
3. China
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.0722
- Armed forces personnel: 3.13 million
- Active military aircraft: 3,166
- Defense expenditure (2022) $292.0 billion
2. Russia
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.0714
- Armed forces personnel: 1.33 million
- Active military aircraft: 4,182
- Defense expenditure (2022) $86.4 billion
1. United States
- Global Firepower PowerIndex score: 0.0712
- Armed forces personnel: 1.83 million
- Active military aircraft: 13,300
- Defense expenditure (2022) $876.9 billion
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