5 NATO Members with the Largest Militaries

3. France

Active Military Personnel: 200,000

Aircraft: 658

Tanks: 222

Submarines: 9

Strategic Warships: 21

Score: 4.45

France has one of the largest standing militaries in Europe with about 200,000 active military personnel. The country boasts a large fleet of advanced military aircraft and battle tanks. The French Navy operates 126 naval assets, which include one aircraft carrier, 9 submarines, and 21 strategic warships, among others. France spent 1.9% of its GDP on defense expenditure last year, and is inching closer to NATO’s 2% spending target.