10 Most Powerful Countries in the World by Military

6. South Korea

GDP (2022): $1.7 trillion

Defense Spending (2022): $46.4 billion

Manpower: 555,000

Tanks: 2,331

Nuclear Weapons: 0

Military Aircraft, including Fighter Jets: 1,595

Naval Assets: 157

Military Satellites: 2

Overseas Military Bases (countries): 0

Active Airports: 111

Score: 5.23

Given its tense relations with North Korea, it is no surprise that South Korea has raised a strong military and spends heavily on defense to sustain and upgrade it. South Korea is also among the most technologically advanced countries in the world, which has enabled development of its own sophisticated combat jets, the most notable of which is the KF-21 Boramae “Fighting Hawk”, which has radar evading capabilities similar to those found in fifth-generation fighter jets.