In this article, we look at the 5 most powerful militaries in Latin America. You can read about trends in the defense spending patterns in the region and where countries procure most of their military equipment from by heading over to the 15 Most Powerful Militaries in Latin America.
5. Peru
GDP (2023): $265 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $2.85 billion
Technological Advancement Rank: 76/132
Active Military Personnel: 120,000
Tanks: 261
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 7,896
Military Aircraft: 258
Naval Assets: 69
Overall Score: 6.11
We begin our list with Peru. The country has an active manpower of about 120,000 troops, which is one of its key strengths. It also boasts a large fleet of armored fighting vehicles. The country’s military aircraft include 38 combat jets, 12 special mission aircraft, and 93 combat helicopters.
4. Argentina
GDP (2023): $622 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $2.58 billion
Technological Advancement Rank: 73/132
Active Military Personnel: 108,000
Tanks: 348
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 21,724
Military Aircraft: 229
Naval Assets: 41
Overall Score: 6.21
Argentina has one of the most powerful militaries in Latin America. It is among the largest spenders on defense in the region, and has recently been taking measures to lean westwards in order to bolster its relations with the United States and its allies. The country’s new president Javier Milei has sought to build a strong military despite economic challenges and even aiding Ukraine in its resistance against Russia. Late last year, Washington approved the transfer of 24 F-16 fighter jets from Denmark to Buenos Aires which is further likely to strengthen the country’s aerial capabilities.
3. Chile
GDP (2023): $344 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $5.6 billion
Technological Advancement Rank: 52/132
Active Military Personnel: 80,000
Tanks: 270
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 9,492
Military Aircraft: 289
Naval Assets: 130
Overall Score: 6.53
Chile is in third spot. The country has the fifth largest economy and is the second most technologically advanced nation in Latin America. It has made sure to make the most of its economic and technological strengths to upgrade its military. Moreover, Chile also maintains a close and strategic relationship with the United States, which has resulted in it being equipped with advanced weaponry, which includes among others a fleet of 35 F-16 fighter jets.
2. Mexico
GDP (2023): $1.8 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $8.5 billion
Technological Advancement Rank: 58/132
Active Military Personnel: 412,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 17,601
Military Aircraft: 462
Naval Assets: 194
Overall Score: 6.79
Mexico has one of the most powerful militaries in the world. It is the largest military in terms of manpower in Latin America. The country also boasts a large number of armored fighting vehicles, and has a sizable number of military aircraft as well. The Mexican military is a skilled and battle-hardened force that has been at war against narco-terrorism inside its border for several decades now.
1. Brazil
GDP (2023): $2.13 trillion
Defense Spending (2022): $20.2 billion
Technological Advancement Rank: 49/132
Active Military Personnel: 360,000
Tanks: 469
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 44,044
Military Aircraft: 628
Naval Assets: 134
Overall Score: 7.79
The Brazilian military is the most powerful in the Latin America region. The country’s GDP has surpassed the $2 trillion mark, which now allows Brasilia to allocate heavy budgets toward military modernization each year. The country has equipped itself with six Gripen fighter jets, with another 34 on order with Sweden. On the naval front, Brazil has 134 units, which include four submarines and an aircraft carrier. Brazil also maintains military satellites in orbit.
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