10 Most Powerful Militaries in the World in 2023

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7. South Korea

GDP: $1,800 billion

Defense spending: $42.1 billion

Manpower: 555,000

Tanks: 2,331

Nuclear warheads: 0

Aircrafts including fighter jets: 1,595

Naval vessels: 157

South Korea has raised a strong military force, and this is no surprise, given its tensions with North Korea. With 555,000 active personnel, South Korea has the eighth largest force of troops in the world. The country has a massive fleet of aircrafts, consisting of combat helicopters and fighter jets. It has developed its own fourth-generation fighter jet, the KF-21 Boramae “Fighting Hawk”, which is considered to have radar evading capabilities similar to those in fifth-generation fighter jets. South Korea is also investing on upgrading its navy. In April 2023, a local shipping company announced building of 6 Chungnam frigate (FFX) vessels that would replace old frigates and patrolling ships in the Indo-Pacific.

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