In this article, we look at the 10 strongest armies in the world in 2023. You can read about how countries increasing military spending in wake of the situation in Ukraine has created a boom in the armament manufacturing industry by heading over to our article, 25 Strongest Armies in the World in 2023.
10. Israel
Manpower: 173,000
Tanks: 2,200
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 56,290
Rocket Projectors: 300
Nuclear Weapons: 90
Attack Helicopters: 48
Military Technological Capability: Average
GDP (PPP): $500 billion
Overall Score: 0.659
Even though Israel’s major military strength is derived from its air power, it still boasts one of the strongest armies in the world due to its sizable manpower, large fleets of tanks and armored fighting vehicles, and several nuclear warheads. Israel is also one of the most advanced countries in the world when it comes to technological capabilities.
9. India
Manpower: 1,450,000
Tanks: 4,614
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 100,882
Rocket Projectors: 1,500
Nuclear Weapons: 156
Attack Helicopters: 36
Military Technological Capability: Low
GDP (PPP): $11.86 trillion
Overall Score: 0.693
India has the second largest army in the world after China when it comes to manpower. It also boasts a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and large fleets of tanks and armored fighting vehicles. India also happens to be an economic force which enables the government to have sufficient access to resources required to upgrade the armed forces.
8. Germany
Manpower: 184,000
Tanks: 266
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 68,660
Rocket Projectors: 38
Nuclear Weapons: 0
Attack Helicopters: 55
Military Technological Capability: High
GDP (PPP): $5.35 trillion
Overall Score: 0.756
Germany is projected to spend an estimated 51 billion euros on defense expenditure in 2023. It also ranks among countries with the highest military technological capability. The government plans to expand the active manpower of its armed forces by another 20,000 new recruits in the near future.
7. France
Manpower: 200,000
Tanks: 222
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 72,676
Rocket Projectors: 13
Nuclear Weapons: 290
Attack Helicopters: 69
Military Technological Capability: Average
GDP (PPP): $3.70 trillion
Overall Score: 0.759
France has the largest standing army in terms of manpower in Europe, with at least 200,000 troops. With the GDP in terms of PPP closing in on the $4 trillion mark, the French government will be looking to further upgrade its army amid the rapidly changing security dynamics in Europe and threats to French interests in Africa.
6. United Kingdom
Manpower: 195,000
Tanks: 227
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 73,296
Rocket Projectors: 29
Nuclear Weapons: 225
Attack Helicopters: 33
Military Technological Capability: High
GDP (PPP): $3.71 trillion
Overall Score: 0.767
The United Kingdom has the strongest army in Europe with strength in all key metrics required in a potent force of ground troops. The country also has a sizable arsenal of nuclear weapons and ranks high when it comes to military technological capabilities.
5. Russia
Manpower: 830,000
Tanks: 12,566
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 151,641
Rocket Projectors: 3,887
Nuclear Weapons: 6,255
Attack Helicopters: 537
Military Technological Capability: Low
GDP (PPP): $4.77 trillion
Overall Score: 0.770
Russia still manages to remain one of the strongest armies in the world, despite its reputation taking a hammering in Ukraine. It has the highest number of nuclear weapons, tanks, rocket projectors, and self-propelled artillery in the world. However, the problem it faces is that a lot of the equipment Russia possesses is outdated and that has had an adverse impact on Russian ambitions in Ukraine so far.
4. Japan
Manpower: 240,000
Tanks: 1,004
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 111,180
Rocket Projectors: 99
Nuclear Weapons: 0
Attack Helicopters: 119
Military Technological Capability: Average
GDP (PPP): $6.14 trillion
Overall Score: 0.783
Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world and boasts a strong army. One of the key factors of the strength of the Japanese army is its manpower and a massive fleet of armored fighting vehicles. It also has over 100 attack helicopters which can prove vital for the country in combat operations.
3. South Korea
Manpower: 550,000
Tanks: 2,331
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 133,738
Rocket Projectors: 581
Nuclear Weapons: 0
Attack Helicopters: 112
Military Technological Capability: High
GDP (PPP): $2.77 trillion
Overall Score: 0.789
South Korea has one of the largest standing armies in the world with a manpower in excess of half a million people, and that comes as no surprise given its tensions with North Korea. The country is also well equipped with tanks and armored fighting vehicles, and is one of the most advanced countries in the region with modern technology being actively used in South Korea’s defense industry.
2. China
Manpower: 2,000,000
Tanks: 4,950
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 174,300
Rocket Projectors: 3,145
Nuclear Weapons: 350
Attack Helicopters: 281
Military Technological Capability: High
GDP (PPP): $30.21 trillion
Overall Score: 0.958
China has the largest army in the world when it comes to manpower. The country also has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons, tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and attack helicopters. China is the largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity, and the government leverages this distinct economic advantage to regularly upgrade its military. The country has been actively flexing its muscle in the South China Sea and along the border with India as it establishes itself as a major global power.
1. United States
Manpower: 1,390,000
Tanks: 5,500
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 303,553
Rocket Projectors: 1,716
Nuclear Weapons: 5,550
Attack Helicopters: 983
Military Technological Capability: High
GDP (PPP): $25.47 trillion
Overall Score: 0.982
The United States Army is the strongest army in the world. Nearly 40% of the global military spending is done by the US alone, and the country is home to several of the world’s leading armaments manufacturers, such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman. A key factor that gives the US an edge over both China and Russia is its sophisticated military technological capability. The US is the world leader when it comes to innovations in military technology. Another critical factor is logistics, with the US having more than 750 military bases in about 80 countries.
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