10 Most Powerful Militaries in the World in 2024

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8. South Korea

GDP (2023): $1.71 trillion

Defense Spending (2022): $46.36 billion

Nuclear Weapons: None

Manpower: 600,000

Tanks: 2,501

Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 890

Aircraft Carriers: None

Submarines: 22

Military Satellites in Orbit: 2

Overseas Bases: None

Cybersecurity Ranking: 8

Technological Advancement Ranking: 10

Overall Score: 0.518

Given its tense ties with North Korea, it is no surprise that Seoul has raised a powerful military. South Korea has the ninth largest standing army in the world with 600,000 troops. The country also ranks high on technological capabilities, which it has leveraged in its defense industry as well. The KF-21 Boramae is South Korea’s indigenous fourth-generation fighter jet, which according to defense experts has radar evading capabilities similar to fifth-generation fighters.

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