In this article, we look at the 10 most powerful militaries in the world in 2024. You can read about defense spending patterns and their impact on the armaments manufacturing industry by heading over to the 24 Most Powerful Militaries in the World in 2024.
10. Turkiye
GDP (2023): $1.15 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $10.64 billion
Nuclear Weapons: None
Manpower: 355,200
Tanks: 2,231
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 618
Aircraft Carriers: 1
Submarines: 12
Military Satellites in Orbit: 2
Overseas Bases: 3
Cybersecurity Ranking: 23
Technological Advancement Ranking: 39
Overall Score: 0.466
Turkiye has one of the most powerful militaries in the world. Its large fleet of fighter jets includes 157 F-16 among several other military aircraft. The country also has two satellites in orbit used for military purposes. In addition, Turkey maintains geographical presence in three countries through its military bases in Northern Cyprus, Qatar, and Somalia.
9. Italy
GDP (2023): $2.19 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $33.49 billion
Nuclear Weapons: None
Manpower: 165,500
Tanks: 200
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 506
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Submarines: 8
Military Satellites in Orbit: 8
Overseas Bases: 1
Cybersecurity Ranking: 27
Technological Advancement Ranking: 26
Overall Score: 0.498
The Italian armed forces are highly regarded for their military capabilities and contributions to international peacekeeping missions. The Italian Navy is among the strongest in the world, with two aircraft carriers and eight submarines. Italy also has eight satellites in orbit which are used for military purposes.
8. South Korea
GDP (2023): $1.71 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $46.36 billion
Nuclear Weapons: None
Manpower: 600,000
Tanks: 2,501
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 890
Aircraft Carriers: None
Submarines: 22
Military Satellites in Orbit: 2
Overseas Bases: None
Cybersecurity Ranking: 8
Technological Advancement Ranking: 10
Overall Score: 0.518
Given its tense ties with North Korea, it is no surprise that Seoul has raised a powerful military. South Korea has the ninth largest standing army in the world with 600,000 troops. The country also ranks high on technological capabilities, which it has leveraged in its defense industry as well. The KF-21 Boramae is South Korea’s indigenous fourth-generation fighter jet, which according to defense experts has radar evading capabilities similar to fifth-generation fighters.
7. Japan
GDP (2023): $4.23 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $45.99 billion
Nuclear Weapons: None
Manpower: 247,150
Tanks: 518
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 779
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Submarines: 23
Military Satellites in Orbit: 2
Overseas Bases: 1
Cybersecurity Ranking: 16
Technological Advancement Ranking: 13
Overall Score: 0.613
Japan is one of the strongest militaries in the world, with an active manpower of over 247,000 troops, and a large fleet of tanks and fighter jets. Its navy is equipped with two aircraft carriers and 23 submarines. Japan ranks highly on both cybersecurity and technological advancement. The country maintains military presence in space with two satellites used for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering purposes.
6. United Kingdom
GDP (2023): $3.33 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $68.46 billion
Nuclear Weapons: 225
Manpower: 184,860
Tanks: 213
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 466
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Submarines: 10
Military Satellites in Orbit: 6
Overseas Bases: 60
Cybersecurity Ranking: 4
Technological Advancement Ranking: 4
Overall Score: 0.617
The United Kingdom may not be the global power that it once was, but it still boasts one of the most powerful militaries in the world. The UK has 60 military bases worldwide, according to a report, while officially the government claims to be operating 10 bases across Cyprus, Gibraltar, Singapore, the South Atlantic Islands, and the British Indian Ocean Territory. The UK is also among the most advanced nations in cybersecurity and technological advancement.
5. France
GDP (2023): $3.05 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $53.64 billion
Nuclear Weapons: 290
Manpower: 200,000
Tanks: 222
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 658
Aircraft Carriers: 1
Submarines: 9
Military Satellites in Orbit: 10
Overseas Bases: 5
Cybersecurity Ranking: 9
Technological Advancement Ranking: 11
Overall Score: 0.618
France has the largest standing military in Europe, with a manpower of 200,000 troops according to the Global Firepower Index 2024. The French navy operates 126 assets, including one aircraft carrier, nine submarines, and 17 frigates. Moreover, France has 290 weapons in its nuclear arsenal.
4. India
GDP (2023): $3.73 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $81.36 billion
Nuclear Weapons: 156
Manpower: 1,455,550
Tanks: 4,614
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 1,645
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Submarines: 18
Military Satellites in Orbit: 9
Overseas Bases: 3
Cybersecurity Ranking: 26
Technological Advancement Ranking: 40
Overall Score: 0.749
India has one of the most powerful militaries in the world. It boasts the second largest standing army in the world, second only to China, with a manpower of nearly 1.5 million troops. The country also has a large fleet of battle tanks and fighter jets. On the naval side, it is equipped with two aircraft carriers and 18 submarines. Delhi has been expanding its sphere of influence to counter China’s presence in the Indian Ocean. Currently, it operates three overseas military bases in Oman, Tajikistan, and Mauritius.
3. Russia
GDP (2023): $1.86 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $86.37 billion
Nuclear Weapons: 6,255
Manpower: 1,320,000
Tanks: 14,777
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 3,652
Aircraft Carriers: 1
Submarines: 65
Military Satellites in Orbit: 102
Overseas Bases: 12
Cybersecurity Ranking: 3
Technological Advancement Ranking: 51
Overall Score: 0.842
Despite the troubled military campaign in Ukraine, Russia finds itself on third spot among countries with the most powerful militaries in the world. It has the biggest fleet of tanks and submarines in the world. Russia’s nuclear arsenal is also the largest, with over 6,000 weapons. The country has over a hundred satellites in orbit that are used for military purposes. Moreover, Moscow maintains 12 military bases around the world.
2. China
GDP (2023): $17.7 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $292 billion
Nuclear Weapons: 350
Manpower: 2,035,000
Tanks: 5,000
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 2,084
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Submarines: 61
Military Satellites in Orbit: 125
Overseas Bases: 1
Cybersecurity Ranking: 2
Technological Advancement Ranking: 12
Overall Score: 0.853
China has the largest army in the world in terms of manpower, with a force consisting of over 2 million troops. With a GDP nearing the $18 trillion mark, Beijing has a distinct economic edge which it leverages to upgrade its armed forces. The government spent $292 billion on defense expenditure in 2022. China ranks high among the most technologically advanced countries as well, which is helping it catch up with the US in air power. According to a report, its J-20A is on track to eclipse America’s F-22 Raptor in inventory.
1. United States
GDP (2023): $26.94 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $877 billion
Nuclear Weapons: 5,550
Manpower: 1,328,000
Tanks: 4,657
Aircraft including Fighter Jets: 5,209
Aircraft Carriers: 11
Submarines: 64
Military Satellites in Orbit: 218
Overseas Bases: 759
Cybersecurity Ranking: 1
Technological Advancement Ranking: 3
Overall Score: 0.988
The United States is the most powerful military in the world, that outranks all other countries in most metrics. The country ranks number one for ground forces, air force, and naval strength. Its defense spending of $877 billion in 2022 accounted for 40% of all military expenditure in the world that year. The US has the largest fleet of fighter jets and aircraft carriers. It has over 750 military bases around the world, which provides it a significant geographic edge of being able to strike the enemy anywhere in the world at will.
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