5 Biggest Militaries in the World

2. Russia

Aircraft Carriers: 1

Aircraft: 3,829

Tanks: 12,420

Strategic Warships: 98

Submarines: 58

Nuclear Weapons: 5,977

Military Satellites: 75

Russia is the second biggest military power in the world. It has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world, at 5,977. It also has the most main-battle tanks in the world, at over 12,000.

Russia spent 4.1% of its 2021 GDP on defense. Its air fleet comprises 3,829 aircraft. Some of the prominent fighters in its aircraft inventory include Su-35 and Su-57. The former is considered one of the best fourth generation dogfighters in the world, while the latter is Russia’s only fifth generation stealth fighter, which was deployed in service in December, 2020. 

Russia, like China, is also ahead of the US in hypersonics. Its Avangard, the Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), has been in service since 2019. It’s also the first country to use hypersonic missiles in combat, in Ukraine. 

Russia has 98 strategic warships other than its aircraft carrier. These include 83 corvettes, 11 frigates, and 4 cruisers. Its submarines amount to a total of 58. It is also one of the only four countries to possess nuclear-triad capability. In addition, Russia’s air-defense system, the S-400 Triumf, is widely regarded as the best in the world.