5. Israel
Military budget in 2015 in USD billions: 18.6
Compulsory Service Length
Men: 32 – 36 months, depending on the branch
Women: 24 months
Whenever the debate about the compulsory military service starts, Israel, the number 5 in our list of strongest countries with compulsory military service is mentioned. The small country has fought numerically superior enemies on several occasions in the second half of the 20th century, inflicting catastrophic losses on them in the process. On more than one occasion they were on the brink of extinction, but IDF managed to regroup and defeat its enemies despite all odds. One of the reasons for Israel’s military successes is a universal conscription, securing it a pool of highly trained and motivated reserve forces to call upon in the time of need. Still, the situation isn’t as perfect as it seems at first glance. The growing number of draft dodgers and the controversy over the religious exemption of conscription, as well as the need for higher levels of professionalism in the armed forces, have forced Israel to start the debate on the future of conscription in the country. In the meantime, it remains on our list of the strongest countries with compulsory military service.
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