When it comes to the list of most powerful military countries in the world, there is probably one way to decide that – and that is when two countries face each other in war. Battleground is the place where countries show their military strengths. Thankfully the world has not seen a major war for some time now, and we hope it stays this way forever. But still, many of us would want to know the name of the countries with the most powerful military – and there is an easier way to find out.
Generally people are of the opinion that most economically stable ones are the most powerful countries too but this is not the case. Global Firepower Index evaluates militaries of the world based on 50 factors. These factors include manpower, access to natural resources, equipment (arsenal) and the most important, the amount of budget these countries spend each year in strengthening and maintaining their military strengths. This index keeps quantity ahead of quality like N. Korea has 78 submarines but these underground warriors are not as technologically advanced as some other modern submarines. This index also doesn’t take into account the nuclear stockpile, which after all is the most important indicator of military strengths. Global Firepower Index also doesn’t negatively mark land-locked countries and the fact that they lack vital naval forces.
Some of the countries in this list are bound to surprise you. This is because a country like Pakistan (currently ranks at 15 in the index) and its military and defense capabilities are nothing short of impressive. There are many reasons behind this. Pakistan spends more on defense and less on education because its relationship with the neighboring countries has never been an ideal one. There has been a continuous tension between Pakistan and India and this tension has led to not only wars but the two countries spending a hefty amount as military budget each year. With Firepower Index the lower the score, the higher is the rank of that particular country.
So without going into too much detail, let us focus on our list of the most powerful military countries in the world.
10. Japan
Number 10 on our list of most powerful military countries in the world is Japan. The country has more than 247,746 active personnel 767 ready-to-fight tanks and more than 1500 fighter aircraft. Japan also has 1 aircraft carrier, which probably brings it to the number 10 spot since the country is not a nuclear nation. Japan also has around 15 operational submarines.
9. South Korea
With 640,000 personnel and 2,346 tanks in its arsenal, S. Korea is one of the powerful countries in the world when it comes to military strengths. It also has 1,393 aircrafts and 14 submarines ready to take part in combats.
8. Turkey
Turkey is not known for its military power but the amount of budget and some of the equipment the country has makes it our number eight. With a staggering budget of $18,185,000,000, 410,500 active personnel and some good numbers in tanks and aircrafts, Turkey is a real force in when it comes to military strengths.
7. Germany
Germany has 423 tanks and 1,203 aircraft. It has got one of the most powerful air force in the world. Germany in not the nuclear power but it has 4 submarines and 183,000 capable personnel. The annual military budget of Germany is $45,000,000,000.
6. France
From here on the list will only include the nuclear powers of the world. Number 6 on our list is France with 228,656 personnel in its military. Not that it makes a big difference in the ranking but it is worth mentioning that France has around 300 nuclear warheads which make the country one of the most powerful, military wise.
5. United Kingdom
Number 5 on our list of most powerful military countries in the world is United Kingdom. The country known for its history in the battle ground spends $53,600,000,000 annually as its military budget. It has 205,330 personnel, 407 tanks and 908 aircrafts. United Kingdom also has an aircraft carrier, which provides a great boost to its military strength.
4. India
Another nuclear power with 1,325,000 personnel in its military, India is surely emerging as a stronger force when it comes to military. India also has 2 aircraft carriers.
3. China
Here is our first in the top three – China has an unbelievable 2,285,000 personnel which puts it way ahead of the competition. In fact this is the main factor that makes China such a force when it comes to military power.
2. Russia
Russia has more tanks and nuclear warheads than any other country in the world today. It has around 15,000 tanks and 8,484 nuclear warheads. Sounds scary, doesn’t it?
1. United States
The number one in the list of most powerful military countries in the world, without much of a surprise is United States. 1,430,000 personnel, 8,325 tanks, 13,683 aircrafts, 7,506 nuclear heads, 10 air craft carriers, 72 submarines and a budget of $612,500,000,000 annually makes the military of US the strongest.
