Something that most of us hope will be achieved in our lifetime is peace on Earth, but realistically, that’s a pipe dream, which is why we decided to take a look at the 11 most technologically advanced militaries in the world.
Warfare isn’t something nice, it’s not something that we desire, but sometimes that seems to be the only solution to fixing things in one part of the world or another. Furthermore, it seems like there’s always some kind of combat taking place in one area or another, in recent years most often than not due to terrorist groups or nasty regimens.
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While almost every country on the planet has an army, they’re not all created equal. Some invest a lot of money into their defense budgets, which in turn go to supporting the troops, buying aircraft and other technology, paying the men and women for serving their countries and so on, while others can’t or won’t put that much money in this department.
If you want, you can also read about 11 African countries with the highest military strength so you can make a few comparisons when you’re done reading this through.
Since this is a list of the 11 most technologically advanced militaries in the world, we decided to take a look at several different aspects. Just so we get this out of the way from the start, we gave out 3 points to any country that is active in a certain department and 1 point to those who are currently developing something in said department.
On one hand, we wanted to see whether these armies had any aircraft that are fifth generation fighters. Then, we wanted to see whether the country had nuclear subs, missile defense systems, and unmanned combat aerial vehicles. Countries also received 1 point for each type of military robot they have active right now. Lastly, we gave out points based on the size of the defense budget assigned by each government.
11. Spain
Points – 3
The Spanish Army has over 123,000 active frontline personnel and an extra 16,000 people in reserve. The country is part of a series of countries that plans to purchase the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper surveillance aircraft, as well as two ground control stations.
The Spanish Army also has two unmanned combat aerial vehicles that are currently under development. While it might be some time before they become available to the soldiers or take their first flights, these UCAVs will certainly come in handy at one point in history.
Spain’s defense budget rises up to over $11.6 billion, which is quite a big number, even though it may not come close to what other nations invest in their militaries.
10. Turkey
Points – 3
The Turkish army is known across the globe. It’s one of the biggest out there, and the second armed force in NATO. While it may not benefit from the service of a fifth generation fighter just yet, it has one in development, so it will take a few years before its first flight. The TAI TFX is going to be introduced in 2025, or at least that’s the plan if development all goes how it should.
Turkey’s army also has a type of specialized robot at its disposal and one unmanned combat aerial vehicle. For the EADS Barracuda, Turkey has worked alongside Germany. It had its first flight in 2006, but it’s still in development.
Turkey’s defense budget is over $18.1 billion and the army’s active frontline personnel counts over 410,500 soldiers, while an extra 185,000 are in reserve. They also have over 3,700 tanks at their disposal, over 1,000 aircraft and 13 submarines, to name just a few.
9. Italy
Points – 4
The Italian army comes in next, especially since the country spends over $34 billion for its defense. As far as advanced technology comes, Italy has a type of robots at its disposal, as well as two unmanned combat aerial vehicles under development, namely the Alenia Aermacchi Sky-X, which took its first flight in 2005, and the European project Dassault nEUROn, which first took to the air in 2012. They’re both a bit away from becoming something the army can use, however.
The Italian army has over 320,000 members while an extra 42,000 people are in reserve. They have close to 600 tanks and over 760 aircraft, as well as a navy that’s 174 ships strong.
8. Pakistan
Points – 6
Pakistan is one of the few countries that produces unmanned combat aerial vehicles. In fact, it has three that are already deployed – the UCAV Burraq, GIDS Shahpar, and the Falco UAV. On top of these, it also has another three that are in development and that are still some years away from becoming usable by the army.
The Pakistani army is also quite impressive when it comes to numbers. It has over 617,000 active personnel and another 515,000 that are in reserve and ready to join in at any moment. There are also close to 3,000 tanks, over 900 aircraft and more. At the same time, its defense budget only reaches $7 billion, indicating that you can do a lot even with a small budget.
7. Israel
Points – 11
Israel is known for its army, even though it’s not exactly numerous. In fact, according to data, it only has over 160,000 active personnel, although a staggering 630,000 are in reserve.
The country is also one of the few to have developed a missile defense system to protect itself against threats, the Iron Dome. The system is effective against short and medium range missiles. It was funded and produced by the Israeli government in collaboration with the United States.
The Israeli army also has at its disposal two different robots and several unmanned combat aerial vehicles, with a few extra under development, although it will be a while before those get to become helpful for the military.
Israel’s defense budget sits at $17 billion, which is quite an impressive number.
6. France
Points – 15
The French army is not only massive but also well equipped. There are over 200,000 people acting as active frontline personnel and another 195,000 in reserve. They have over 400 tanks, 1,200 aircraft and 110 ships. The country’s defense budget sits at $40 billion, although it might increase soon given its desire to get even more involved in the fight against terrorism.
France has nuclear submarines at its disposal, as well as various combat robots and unmanned combat aerial vehicles, such as the EADS Harfang, SAGEM Sperwer and the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper “F”, plus a few others under development. The country also has a missile defense system in place, the Aster 30 being able to defend France against ballistic missiles. Another version is already under development, so there is no surprise seeing France in the 6th spot among most technologically advanced militaries in the world.
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5. India
Points – 15
With a population of over 1.2 billion people, you’d expect India’s army to be quite large, and it is. Over 1.3 million people are on active duty, while another 2.1 million are in reserve, ready to come back when needed.
The army also has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. While it may not have a fifth generation fighter jet in its arsenal, it has one under development, namely the HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, which they plan on introducing this fighter in 2020. Another project India is currently working on alongside Russia is the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft.
India is also in possession of nuclear subs, ground robots, and several unmanned combat aerial vehicle. Furthermore, there’s also a missile defense system in place. The Air Defense Ground Environment System and the Base Air Defense Zones work together to protect the country. India’s defense budget sits at $38 billion.
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4. Russia
Points – 16
Known as one of the big powers of the world, Russia also has an impressive military. With over 760,000 active personnel and an extra 2.5 million in reserve, Russia’s manpower is huge. They also have close to 15,400 tanks, over 3,400 aircraft and 350 ships at their disposal, as well as a hefty defense budget of $60.4 billion.
The Russians are currently developing the PAK FA and the Mikoyan LMFS, fifth generation fighter jets to compete with those from any other army. They also have nuclear subs in their arsenal and a missile defense system set in place.
3. United Kingdom
Points – 16
The British army comes up next. There are close to 147,000 active members of the army and an extra 182,000 in reserve. The UK has nuclear subs at its disposal, as well as several robots that can aid on the field. Unmanned combat aerial vehicles are also in the arsenal, namely the MQ-9 Reaper and the Elbit Hermes 450 while others are currently in development.
Data shows the British arm also has over 400 tanks, 900 aircraft and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, to name a few.The country’s defense budget is of $51.5 billion.
2. China
Points – 19
The Chinese military is quite impressive. First of all, it has over 2.3 million people on active duty and just as many in reserve. Data also indicates that it has over 9,000 tanks, 2,800 aircraft and a huge fleet.
While it may now own a fifth generation fighter jet, it has a couple of them currently under development. China also has nuclear subs at its disposal, as well as unmanned combat aerial vehicles, plus a few currently under development. The country’s defense budget sits at $145 billion.
1. USA
Points – 31
It wasn’t difficult to deduce that the USA would be at the top of the list, especially since its defense budget is over $581 billion, which is a huge number. There are over 1.4 million people on active duty and another 1.1 million currently in reserve.
What’s more important, however, is whether the US army is efficient in war theaters. Considering that it easily tops the list of 11 most technologically advanced militaries in the world, the answer is pretty easy. The USA flies both operational fifth-generation fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Others are also in development.
The US army has nuclear subs on hand, as well as plenty of robots to help out on the field. Furthermore, it has a missile defense system set in place to protect itself against enemies. Since drone attacks have made headlines on a number of times, there’s no secret that the US has unmanned combat aerial vehicles at its disposal, or that it’s seeking to build more.
The US Army has earned its top spot among the 11 most technologically advanced militaries in the world.
