They’re The Strongest Militaries In The World
Listen, some might be under the impression that the best way to prove your military strength is through a full-blown war. For others, like the experts from the Credit Suisse Report, Global Fire Power, and Nation Master, the real way to decide is based on various different factors. Now that they’ve checked allocated budgets, training, war-readiness and a selection of other criteria, we can understand which armies are the strongest. You’ll be shocked by some of these!
Peru
With an annual military budget above $820 million, Peru’s military is considerably well equipped. Its population is approximately 32 million and its military is ~100,000 strong. As for reserve forces, they have ~268,000 ready to jump into battle. With attack helicopters, fighter jets, and a variety of other aircraft, Peru is ready for war. on the ground their strength includes 300 tanks, armored vehicles and self-propelled artillery. Despite having a smallish navy, they still have six submarines, frigates, corvettes and patrol boats.
Peru
Netherlands
Netherlands has an active number of military personnel at 42,705. In addition to that number, they have 10,500 reservists ready to be called upon at any time. Few fighter jets, 29 attack helicopter and other support and transport aircraft make up their air force. At sea they don’t possess any aircraft carriers, but they do have a supply of frigates, four corvette ships, patrol boats and four submarines. On land the army is equipped with 144 battle tanks as well as self-propelled artillery. They allocate $12.6 billion annually on their military budget.
Netherlands
Switzerland
This country might have sworn to neutrality during the Second World War, but it has steadily armed itself anyway. Many of its operations are peace-keeping missions and not direct conflicts. Switzerland has approximately 160,000 active personnel at all given times, the 47th highest in the world. In more recent years, the Swiss Air Force has downsized their number of aircraft from ~456 to ~270. Due to limited budget (annual of $4.53 billion) the Swiss Air Force does not have constant operational readiness.
Switzerland
Norway
Norway surely has an underwhelming number of military personnel compared to others on this list – 22,905 in total. This minute number includes reservists! Ironically though, Norway has compulsory military service of 19 months. Only 57 fighter jets are tasked with protecting the skies of Norway; without the aid of attack helicopters. On the ground, armored vehicles, 136 combat tanks and other ground personnel are responsible for Norway’s safety from enemies. At sea, six submarines, mine-warfare vessels, patrol boats and frigates keep the waters around Norway peaceful.
Norway
Argentina
Argentina has an active number of soldiers numbered at 51,309, despite having a population of almost 44 million. Perhaps its the ground that Argentina’s military really dominates. With 430 combat tanks, armored fighting vehicles and an array of different artillery pieces, they’re ready for almost anything. In the air 86 fighter jets and five attack helicopters are among the aircraft that keep Argentina safe. The navy is somewhat less developed with some destroyers, patrol boats, three submarines and nine corvettes.
Argentina
Mexico
In spite of its population of 124 million people, Mexico has a military of 273,000 active soldiers, as well as 110,000 reservists. By spending somewhere around $10 billion annually on its military, Mexico has activated 58 fighter jets, 567 tanks and 7 corvette warships. Mexico doesn’t have any aircraft carriers, but it does mine warfare vessels as well as frigates. Of course there are lots of other support vehicles on the ground too.
Mexico
Malaysia
Malaysia has allocated around $4.69 billion to its medium-sized military. 100,000 active personnel and 310,000 reserve personnel are responsible for operating 44 fighter jets, 64 combat tanks and two submarines. Above that, there are rocket projectors, towed artillery, other air support vehicles and navy vessels to protect the seas surrounding Malaysia.
Malaysia
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic doesn’t have the largest military out there, but it is impressive nonetheless. The country’s population is 10.6 million, and its military numbers 29,050. There are just 31 fighter jets and 24 attack helicopters that make up the air defense of the Czech Republic. Since it this country is landlocked, it has no active navy. Having said this, we can’t neglect to mention the strength of its ground forces. Infantry units, armored fighting vehicles ans 123 combat tanks are all ready to protect and serve. Annually, the Czech Republic spends $1.16 billion on its defense.
Czech Republic
Myanmar
There are approximately 57 million people living in Myanmar. Of this large number, 406,000 active personnel and 110,000 reserves make up its military. More than $7 billion are annually pumped into building and maintaining Myanmar’s military. 128 fighter jets, 10 attack helicopters, and impressive artillery pieces make up part of the force that protects Myanmar from all threats.
Myanmar
Ukraine
With threats in the past and the present by Russia, Ukraine has to ensure that it can hold its own security. 1.2 million soldiers (182,000 active) are tasked with operating a collection of advanced war machines, like 188 fighter jets, an astonishing 3,748 combat tanks as well as other support vehicles. Artillery makes up a large part of the military’s strength, but its navy is somewhat minute.
Ukraine
Sweden
Since Sweden holds a strict neutrality stance, it relies heavily on the assistance of its allies for military support. Its active personnel count is around 21,875, with a fair share being made up of reserves. Sweden’s main focus is on its air force, which has 138 fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as other support aircraft. Even though Sweden has 160 tanks and other armored vehicles, it has no self-propelled artillery. They proudly own five submarines and nine corvettes.
Sweden
Greece
A population less than 11 million and an army greater than 112,000, Greece is quite an impressive country in the Mediterranean. 2.23% of the country’s annual budget is allocated to its military, giving support to its 29 attack helicopters, 308 fighter jets, 1,244 battle tanks and numerous other support vehicles. Being surrounded by so much water, Greece has a total of 11 submarines!
Greece
Spain
Spain hasn’t built up a military quite like we might have imagined but they still have an active military of 124,000 at all times. The $25.5 billion military budget of theirs ensures that 151 fighter jets, 6 attack helicopters and 552 combat tanks all operate smoothly. Their small navy consists of one aircraft carrier, four submarines, and other sea vessels.
Spain
Canada
Even though Canada has a relatively small military, it still has one of the world’s strongest. It also doesn’t hurt to have allies like theirs, but let’s not imagine that they can’t protect their own borders alone. After noting that Canada has 426 aircraft, 181 tanks and 4 submarines, let us point out that Canada received the Noel Peace Prize for their work in restoring peace in war-torn countries.
Canada
Algeria
Algeria is a massive country in North Africa with a pretty large military – 520,000 active and 400,000 reserve personnel. This country gets their arms’ supplies from a variety of different countries like, Russia, China, France and even the United States among others. To this day, Algeria is still “at war” with Israel, as some other Arab countries are too.
Algeria
Saudi Arabia
Iran and Saudi Arabia have been involved in a proxy war for some time now, and there’s no sign of it dying down. Saudi Arabia has an active military of 231,000 personnel, along with 1,055 tanks, 287 combat jets, and other artillery pieces. The U.S. military has been a big contributor in the armament of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF).
Saudi Arabia
North Korea
Ah, North Korea. What would our list be without the military of the Hermit Kingdom. 6.4 million North Koreans serve in the military forces here, and 945,000 are currently on active duty. Aside from the frightening threat they pose with nuclear weapons, North Korea has some 660 fighter jets, 3,500 tanks and other means to make war with their neighbors, South Korea.
North Korea
Australia
Some might find it hard to believe that in the 1930’s Australia lost the war they waged on the Emu population. As of today however, Australia has one of the most formidable armies worldwide. Although their numbers are relatively low (58,000 active personnel), they have a strong and strategic army.
Australia
Iran
Many wonder about Iran’s nuclear program, and rightfully so. The Persian state has sworn to decimate the State of Israel once it acquires nuclear weapons. Almost a million soldiers make up the armed forces of Iran. There are 2,895 tanks, 100 attack helicopters and 407 fighter jets in their arsenal. Let’s not forget that they have 28 submarines too.
Iran
Thailand
It’s the 20th most populous country in the world, and perhaps its 400,000 active soldiers reflect that great number. Thailand has 772 tanks, 81 seacraft, 551 aircraft and yearly expenditure of $5.2 billion. Recently Thailand has used its military might to quell fighting in Iraq and East Timor.
Thailand
Poland
At the start of the Second World War, Poland found itself at a great disadvantage. Germany attacked from the west and Russia from the east; in no time Poland was overrun. Since the embarrassment of WWII, Poland has built up a military worthy of delivering a massive blow to any opponent. Now their military is made up of 1,009 tanks, 461 aircraft and 83 vessels at sea, 120,000 active personnel and 515,000 reservists.
Poland
Taiwan
Constant threat of invasion by China has caused Taiwan to increase its military expenditure ($10.6 billion) as well its military numbers. Active soldiers number at 275,000 while reserves cover 2,800,000 soldiers. Taiwan is armed with 815 different aircraft, 105 naval vessels, as well as 2,005 tanks ready for ground assaults. Many of their weapons have been supplied by other countries, like USA, France and Germany.
Taiwan
Brazil
In the case of a war, Brazil has the uncontested advantage of calling up 1.6 million reservists. Those soldiers would accompany the 335,000 active personnel who are responsible for taking charge of a massive fleet of 224 fighter jets, 13 attack helicopters, 581 combat tanks, 7 submarines, 5 corvettes and one aircraft carrier.
Brazil
Vietnam
It’s hard to compare the numbers of the Vietnamese Army. 5.5 million people ready to serve at a moment’s notice is impressive to say the least. Vietnam suffered a major civil war in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and some are still paying the price for it. Now they have 1,829 tanks, 189 fighter jets, 8 submarines, some mine warfare vessels and 5 corvette warships.
Vietnam
Israel
Since its modern statehood, Israel has been the target of its neighbors. Israel however has come out on top of its war-waging enemies, and now it stands as one of the strongest military powers in the world, even if it is relatively small. With 160,000 active soldiers (630,000 reservists), 4,170 tanks, 691 aircraft, 66 seacraft and an array of local technologies like the Iron Dome, Israel is at the very edge of military innovation.
Israel
Indonesia
It might surprise some that a country surrounded entirely by water only has two submarines. But on land and in the air, Indonesia is more prepared than many other countries in the region. With 476,000 active soldiers, another 400,000 ready for reserves, 420 aircraft, 171 ships and 468 tanks, we’re pretty sure they can hold their own.
Indonesia
Pakistan
The military of Pakistan receives an annual budget of $7.8 billion. With that money comes the training and retention of 620,000 troops in active duty. In addition, 923 air vehicles, 2,924 tanks and 74 ships make up the military. Pakistan actually boasts being the only Islamic country with a female in the position of Major General.
Pakistan
South Korea
With constant threat from the north, South Korea has been forced to create a military that could protect its 51 million residents. Active personnel make up 625,000 soldiers, and the reserve force is made up of 2,9 million! South Korea has 2,381 tanks, 450 attack aircraft and 166 naval ships.
South Korea
Italy
In the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Italy has itself two aircraft carriers. In addition to those two, they also have 174 naval vessels, 568 tanks, and 785 aircraft. In terms of soldiers, the military has 320,000 active personnel and 42,000 waiting in reserves.
Italy
Egypt
Egypt has been involved is some of the most famous battles throughout history. Tanks seem to be a big part of their arsenal, with a collection of 4,624. Adding air support are 1,133 aircraft, and 245 naval vessels to protect the seas, and the very crucial Suez Canal.
Egypt