This article examines the top 25 Countries with Strongest Military. The past few years have seen a constant uptick in conflicts around the world. The Taliban have caused Afghanistan to crumble. Following Azerbaijan’s 2020 secession of portions of the Nagorno-Karabakh territory from Armenian sovereignty, there is a frequent firefight between the two countries in the Caucasus.
There is no immediate end in sight to Russia’s assault on Ukraine, which has lasted more than two years (737 days). And if that wasn’t enough, Israel’s full-scale invasion of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ attacks on Israel in October of last year has left the Middle East confronting what many characterize as the biggest crisis in the area since 1973.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, defense spending hit a new high of $2.2 trillion in 2022, with Europe seeing the biggest increase in military spending in three decades. The defense industry is expected to continue expanding, with companies like Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX), General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) profiting financially from the situation. Final figures for 2023 are still pending. The need for weapons worldwide amid continuous escalations suggests this.
Revenue for Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) increased 2.4% in 2023 over 2022 to reach an astounding $67.6 billion. Additionally, the company’s net earnings from the previous fiscal year increased by $1.2 billion. Additionally, the $68.9 billion in yearly revenue for RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) represented a 3% increase over 2022. However, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) reported $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023—a 7.7% increase over 2022—which is its largest revenue ever.
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It was announced in October of 2023 that Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) had seen a 2% increase in its stock price after exceeding estimates and reporting higher-than-expected revenue for the third quarter of the year. Analysts attribute the increased financial performance to a persistent demand for weapons among the ongoing military conflicts across the globe.
Since Russia began its war on Ukraine in February 2022, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) has received orders totaling $3 billion, all of which are intended to resupply Kyiv. In the third quarter of 2023, the combat systems division of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) likewise saw a 25% YoY increase in revenue. The artillery output of the unit, which also produces tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery, has already increased from 4,000 to 20,000 rounds each month. As of 2024, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) ranks sixth globally among defense contractors. Read more about this topic here.
The share price of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has increased by 6% since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza was announced in October of last year. Because of the rising demand for its weaponry, the business projects revenue to reach between $40.8 billion and $41.2 billion in 2024. Early in 2023, the US Army gave Global Military Products and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $522 million contract to produce artillery ammunition for Ukraine.
Now let’s move on to the list of the world’s strongest armies.
The Top 25 Nations in the World with the Strongest Armies
25. Australia
Employees: 57,350
59 tanks
16,162 armored combat vehicles
Not a single rocket projector
22 Helicopters for Attack:
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $1.69 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $32.3 billion
Technical Proficiency: 24 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 21.30
Australia is home to one of the world’s strongest armies. To protect Australian interests, its officers and staff are stationed in a number of foreign countries.
24. United Arab Emirates
65,000 people in total
354 tanks
12,253 armored fighting vehicles
162 rocket projectors
Thirty attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $509 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $22.7 billion
Technical Proficiencies: 32 out of 132
Ranking by weight: 20.80
We will move on to the United Arab Emirates next. It is one of the most powerful nations in the Middle East and a vital ally of the US in maintaining regional stability. Most notably in Yemen, the Emirati Army is actively involved in regional conflicts.
23. Vietnam
600,000 people
2,029 tanks
18,578 Armored Fighting Vehicles
450 rocket projectors
Helicopters of Attack: 0
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $433 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $5.5 billion
Technical Proficiency: 46 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 19.70
With over 600,000 soldiers and a vast fleet of combat tanks and armored fighting vehicles, Vietnam has one of the greatest ground militaries in the world.
22. Poland
Personnel: 202,100
612 tanks
13,956 armored combat vehicles
221 rocket projectors
Thirty attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $842 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $16.6 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 41/132
Ranking in weight: 18.95
Following a $1.4 billion agreement for 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks with General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) last year, the power of the Polish army is expected to be substantially bolstered. Poland is the NATO member with the fourth-highest defense spending percentage (2.42%) of GDP.
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21. Brazil
Workforce: 360,000
469 tanks
44,044 armored fighting vehicles
Projectors for rockets: 78
Helicopters of Attack: 0
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $2.13 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $20.21 billion
Capabilities Technologically: 49/132
Ranking in weight: 18.45
The economy of Brazil is the ninth largest in the world. The nation is strengthening its armed forces by taking advantage of its economic might. Its 360,000-strong ground forces include a sizable fleet of armored combat vehicles. SIPRI estimates that Brazil’s defense spending in 2022 totaled more than $20 billion.
20. Algeria
Workforce: 325,000
1,632 tanks
35,990 armored combat vehicles
236 rocket projectors
Helicopters for Attack: 75
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $224 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $9.14 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 119/132
Ranking in weight: 17.95
With arguably the best ground troops in the world, Algeria’s military ranks third in strength among African nations. Not only does the nation own an enormous fleet of assault helicopters and armored fighting vehicles, but it also boasts the fifteenth largest battle tank force. Algeria is a lowly technologically capable country that purchases the majority of its military hardware from Russia.
19. Iran
610,000 people
1,996 tanks
65,765 Armored Fighting Vehicles
775 rocket projectors
Thirteen attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $366 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $6.84 billion
Technical Proficiency: 62/132
Ranking in weight: 17.70
Iran has a formidable army with over 600,000 soldiers and a sizable fleet of combat tanks and armored fighting vehicles, despite being under strict sanctions from the West for many years. Particularly in Syria and Iraq, the Iranian military has taken a leading role in the Middle East’s crises.
18. Korea North
1,320,000 people
5,845 tanks
24,696 Armored Fighting Vehicles
2,920 rocket projectors
Twenty attack helicopters
40 nuclear weapons
GDP: $21 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $1.6 billion
Technical Proficiencies: Not Mentioned
Ranking in weight: 17.25
With more than 1.3 million soldiers, North Korea has one of the biggest standing armies in the world. Nonetheless, a large portion of their soldiers’ gear is antiquated. The magnitude of North Korea’s economy in conjunction with global sanctions impedes Pyongyang’s attempts to enhance its military capabilities.
17. Ukraine
900,000 people
1,777 tanks
22,110 armored fighting vehicles
491 rocket projectors
33 Helicopters for Attack
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $173 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $44 billion
Technical Proficiency: 55 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 16.10
Defense analysts worldwide have praised Ukraine for its resistance to the Russian invasion. In addition to receiving financial, military, and humanitarian support from its western friends, most notably the United States, the nation spent over $44 billion on defense in 2022. As part of a $1.2 billion deal from the US, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is supplying Kyiv with six sophisticated surface-to-air missile system batteries. Our article, 15 Countries that Gave Ukraine the Most Military Aid, has more information on this.
16. Italy
Personnel: 165,500
200 tanks
61,892 armored fighting vehicles
21 rocket projectors
57 attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $2.19 trillion as of 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $33.49 billion
Technical Proficiency: 26 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 16.10
Italy is next on our list of nations with the greatest armies in the world; its soldiers are well-known for their assistance with international peacekeeping operations. The nation upgraded its armed forces in 2022, spending over $33 billion, and has strong military technical capabilities.
15. Saudi Arabia
Workforce: 257,000
1,485 tanks
20,694 armored fighting vehicles
490 rocket projectors
34 attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $1.07 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $75 billion
Technical Proficiencies: 48 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 15.25
With around $75 billion spent on defense in 2022, Saudi Arabia ranked as the world’s fifth-largest military spender. Along with a substantial number of battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles, rocket projectors, and attack helicopters, the Saudi army has approximately 250,000 active men.
14. Israel
170,000 workers
1,370 tanks
43,407 armored fighting vehicles
150 rocket projectors
48 Helicopters for Attack
Ninety nuclear weapons
GDP: $522 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $23.41 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 14/132
Ranking in weight: 14.95
Though much of its military might comes from its aviation prowess, Israel remains the most technologically advanced nation in the Middle East and yet has one of the greatest militaries in the world. It is one of the few countries in the world with nuclear weapons.
13. Taiwan
Personnel: 215,000
1,010 tanks
19,868 Armored Fighting Vehicles
223 rocket projectors
Nineteen attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $752 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $12.51 billion
Technical Proficiency: 7 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 14.90
One of the world’s strongest armies is found in Taiwan. Since Taipei’s independence, the government has prioritized developing a strong military because of the perceived threat of Chinese aggression. The nation has superior military technical capabilities and invested more than $12 billion on defense in 2022.
12. Pakistan
Workforce: 654,000
3,742 tanks
50,523 Armored Fighting Vehicles
602 rocket projectors
57 attack helicopters
165 nuclear weapons
GDP: $340 billion in 2023
Pentagon Budget for 2022: $10.33 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 88/132
Ranking in weight: 14.25
Pakistan possesses one of the most formidable armed forces globally. Its toughened ground forces, which have had considerable success against militants in the unstable Af-Pak border region, are among the few army that have been able to drive back terrorist organizations. Pakistan’s army possesses nuclear weapons, which is one of its main advantages. In the nuclear arena, the nation has also advanced much beyond its bitter adversary, India.
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11. Egypt
Personnel: 440,000
5,340 tanks
77,596 armored fighting vehicles
1,119 rocket projectors
Hundred attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $398 billion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $4.65 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 86/132
Ranking in weight: 14.15
The military of Egypt is the strongest in Africa. The ground forces of the nation consist of 440,000 soldiers and are well-equipped with massive fleets of assault helicopters, battle tanks, and armored fighting vehicles. The administration of President Sisi is being compelled to raise defense spending in order to fortify the armed forces due to the unrest in Libya and the escalating terrorist operations in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
10. United Kingdom
Personnel: 184,860
213 tanks
27,203 armored combat vehicles
41 rocket projectors
52 Helicopters for Attack
225 nuclear weapons
GDP: $3.33 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $68.46 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 4/132
Ranking in weight: 13.75
The United Kingdom, with one of the most powerful ground forces in Europe, comes in at number ten. The nation has a sizable nuclear weapons stockpile and is highly technologically advanced militarily.
9. Germany
Personnel: 181,600
295 tanks
79,317 armored fighting vehicles
33 rocket projectors
55 Attack Helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $4.43 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $55.76 billion
Technological Proficiency: 8 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 13.15
Germany possesses one of the world’s most formidable armies. In the foreseeable future, the government intends to add 20,000 more soldiers to its force. In terms of technology, it is among the most developed nations in the world, having invested more than $55 billion in military in 2022.
8. France
200,000 workers
222 tanks
85,023 Armored Fighting Vehicles
Nine rocket projectors
69 attack helicopters
290 nuclear weapons
GDP: $3.05 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $53.64 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 11/132
Ranking in weight: 13.00
In addition to being the strongest army in Europe, the French army has the greatest personnel base. The nation possesses a sizable stockpile of nuclear weapons. Although France does not have as large a tank or attack helicopter fleet as some other nations, the majority of its equipment is state-of-the-art. Paris may use its economic might to bolster its military even more. The nominal GDP of the nation exceeded $3 trillion in 2023.
7. Turkey
Workforce: 355,200
2,231 tanks
55,104 armored fighting vehicles
286 rocket projectors
111 Attack Helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $1.15 trillion in 2023
Pentagon Budget for 2022: $10.64 billion
Capabilities Technologically: 39/132
Ranking in weight: 13.00
The next country on our list is Turkiye, which possesses enormous fleets of attack helicopters, armored fighting vehicles, and battle tanks in addition to a sizeable army of active troops. In 2022, Ankara invested more than $10 billion in defense spending, despite economic difficulties. The defense industry in the nation is also rapidly becoming self-sufficient, with Turkiye now working on over 700 projects valued at over $70 billion.
6. Japan
247,150 people
518 tanks
37,662 armored fighting vehicles
54 rocket projectors
119 attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $4.23 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $46 billion
Technical Proficiency: 13 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 12.30
Japan possesses one of the world’s most formidable armies. The nation has a substantial fleet of armored battle vehicles and a sizable number of active ground troops. Additionally, it has 119 assault helicopters, which may be helpful to Japan in the case of hostilities.
5. Korea
600,000 people
2,501 tanks
66,492 armored fighting vehicles
581 rocket projectors
112 attack helicopters
None with nuclear weapons
GDP: $1.71 trillion in 2023
Budgeted for defense in 2022: $46.36 billion
Technical Proficiency: 10/132
Ranking in weight: 8.45
With more than 500,000 active soldiers, South Korea boasts one of the most manpower-rich armies in the world. Seoul also possesses a sizable, updated fleet of attack helicopters, armored fighting vehicles, and battle tanks. It also claims to be equipped with several rocket projectors. In light of its tense relations with North Korea, the nation has built up a powerful military.
4. India
1,455,550 people
4,614 tanks
151,248 armored fighting vehicles
702 rocket projectors
Forty attack helicopters
156 nuclear weapons
GDP: $3.73 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $81.36 billion
Capabilities Technologically: 40/132
Ranking in weight: 7.35
At about 1.5 million active soldiers, India’s standing army is the second largest in the world, behind China’s. Additionally, the nation possesses the fourth-highest quantity of armored fighting vehicles and the sixth-largest fleet of battle tanks globally. India possesses 156 nuclear weapons in its arsenal, which is one of its greatest strengths. New Delhi can look to further strengthen its defense capabilities by acquiring more powerful and sophisticated weapons, especially now that its GDP is around $4 trillion. The nation’s military budget soared to an astounding $81.36 billion in 2022.
3. Russia
1,320,000 people
14,777 tanks
161,382 armored fighting vehicles
3,065 rocket projectors
559 Attack Helicopters
6,255 nuclear weapons
GDP: $1.86 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $86.37 billion
Technological Proficiency: 51 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 6.55
Russia’s armed forces continue to be among the greatest in the world, notwithstanding their losses in Ukraine. It possesses the greatest number of nuclear weapons in addition to the world’s largest fleet of battle tanks. Russia possesses the world’s greatest arsenal of self-propelled artillery and rocket projectors. Having said that, a large portion of Russia’s armaments are antiquated and in need of urgent upgrading.
2. China
2,035,000 people
Five thousand tanks
174,300 armored fighting vehicles
3,180 rocket projectors
281 Attack Helicopters
350 nuclear weapons
GDP: $17.7 trillion in 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $292 billion
Technical Proficiency: 12 out of 132
Ranking in weight: 3.50
China boasts the world’s largest standing army, with over two million active soldiers. The nation possesses an immense stockpile of nuclear armaments, rocket launchers, and self-propelled artillery. It also possesses a sizable fleet of attack helicopters, armored fighting vehicles, and battle tanks. As evidenced by its operations in the South China Sea and along the disputed border with India, China, which has the largest economy in the world according to purchasing power parity, uses its economic might to show off its military prowess.
1. Americas
1,328,000 people
4,657 tanks
360,069 armored fighting vehicles
694 rocket projectors
One thousand attack helicopters
5,550 nuclear weapons
GDP: $26.95 trillion as of 2023
Spending on defense in 2022: $877 billion
Capabilities in Technology: 3/132
Ranking in weight: 3.25
The world’s most formidable army is that of the United States. The United States of America was responsible for over two-fifths (40%) of all military spending worldwide in 2022, having spent around $877 billion on defense. Its defense industry, which is home to some of the biggest aerospace and armaments companies in the world, including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and RTX Corporation, is reflective of its ranking as the third most technologically advanced nation in the world. The US Army’s ability to strike foes wherever they may be at any time is facilitated by its military outposts, which are dispersed throughout 80 countries.
