Top 21 Strongest Most Powerful Military Nations in the World in 2017

The next World War could very well be on the horizon, so knowing the top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017 could be beneficial to your livelihood.

World Wars I and II are the greatest in history utilizing a high number of military forces. Alliances were developed, and these wars last for years. Not only military lives perished, but civilians as well were included among the many dead. Even before the First and Second World War broke out, colonization was the trend around the world. It was done to expand power and control over nations making the colonizer bigger and more powerful. In most places, colonization didn’t last forever (although it lasted way too long), but it left traces of its influence on the culture, some traditions, economy and much more. While these wars are officially over, other countries are still suffering from the long-lasting effects of everything from colonization to chemical weapons.

These articles on the countries that have weapons of mass destruction and the most technologically advanced military weapon will show you what major countries are working with, in times of war.

Defense of a country is the primary reason why military power is important, however, in our present time, war is the last resort of a nation so as not to jeopardize their economy. Typically, the world’s superpowers and smaller countries will take measures to communicate and resolve issues before going to war. Having the strongest army in the world can expand alliances because no one wants to be on the losing side. Physical, mental, and emotional strengths are put to the test, which is how military training works and leads to the toughest of soldiers. This, in turn, leads to the most powerful militaries.

The Global Firepower released a report on military strength for a total of 133 countries. The factors influencing ranking to revolve around weapon diversity, advanced technology, local industry, natural resources, logistical flexibility, and geographical factors. Nuclear stockpiles are recognized but are not taken to account. Manpower is taken into consideration since a military force won’t work unless you have people ready to sacrifice their lives for their country. The Global Firepower recognizes the total factors as a Power Index score. The perfect value is 0.0000. Due to the factors considered per country, it is unattainable, realistically speaking. We picked highest 21 on the ranking and obtained more information about each from a Google search. You might be surprised with some countries that made it and some that did not make it to the first 21 spots. While North Korea is showing off their nuclear threat recently, it is not among the countries on our list. The danger should not be taken lightly though since who knows what North Korea is capable of doing.

Let us take a look at our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017.

21. Iran

Power Index Score: 0.3933

The land area of Iran is 1,648,195 square kilometers, making it the Middles East’s second largest country. The total aircraft strength is 477, and the combat tanks are 1,616 in number. Iran’s naval assets equal 398 including submarines, patrol crafts, mine warfare vessels, corvettes, and frigates. The country’s proven oil reserves are around 157 billion barrels.

20. Thailand

Power Index Score: 0.3892

Among the most visited countries in Southeast Asia is Thailand, which is rich in historical and cultural sights. Aside from being a popular tourist destination, it is among the countries that have a strong military force. It has a defense budget of around $5.4 billion and has a total military personnel of 627,425.

19. Poland

Power Index Score: 0.3831

Poland has a total of 194,650 military personnel, and the country covers 312,685 square kilometers of geographical area. Their military modernization phase is estimated to be completed in 2022. Poland has a defense budget of around $9.36 billion.

18. Taiwan

Power Index Score: 0.3765

We are continuing our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017 with Taiwan that is a small country, but it has great military strength. It is among Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore which shows quick industrialization. The four nations are tagged as the Four Asian Tigers or the Four Asian Dragons. The geographical area of Taiwan is 35,980 square kilometers, and their defense budget is around $10.7 billion.

17. Brazil

Power Index Score: 0.3654

The total military personnel in Brazil is approximately 1.99 million. The defense budget is $24.5 billion. In Latin America, Brazil’s military force is the second largest making it one of the strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017.

16. Vietnam

Power Index Score: 0.3587

448,500 is the total number of the active military personnel in Vietnam, and it is called the Vietnam People’s Army. The defense budget is around $3.4 billion. Vietnam is famous for its floating markets and other tourist destinations covering a 331,210 square kilometers of geographical area.

15. Israel

Power Index Score: 0.3476

It’s no surprise that Israel made a list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017. The defense budget of Israel is around $15.5 billion even though the country has a land area of 20,770 square kilometers. Their high-tech weapon systems (including its Iron Dome) are designed and manufactured in Israel. At the age of 18, men and women serve the military. Two years and eight months is the necessary length of service for men and two years for women.

14. Indonesia

Power Index Score: 0.3347

Indonesia’s defense budget is $6.9 billion. It has a geographical area of 1,904,569 square kilometers that boasts cultural heritage and historical landmarks. 435,750 is the number of their active military personnel. Internal enemies and potential external evaders were the reason why the Indonesian armed forces were organized.

13. Pakistan

Power Index Score: 0.3287

Pakistan’s active military personnel is 637,000, and they have been engaged in four conventional wars. Their total defense budget is approximately $7 billion. The number of combat tanks is 2,924. Their troops are also contributors in the UN peacekeeping missions.

12. South Korea

Power Index Score: 0.2741

South Korea’s active personnel number is 627,500, and the reserve personnel is around 5.2 million. The total defense budget is $43.8 billion. It is mandatory for South Korean men to serve the military. The country also sends troops to assist the American forces.

11. Italy

Power Index Score: 0.2694

On number 11 of our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017 is Italy. The geographical area is 301,340 square kilometers, and the country is famous for its cultural and environmental sites. Among of the tourist destinations are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The active military personnel of Italy is 247,500, and the reserve personnel is 20,000 with a defense budget of $34 billion.

10. Egypt

Power Index Score: 0.2676

The defense budget of Egypt is $4.4 billion, and the active military personnel is 454,250. The reserve personnel is approximately 875,000. Egypt is known as one of the oldest nations in the world and manufactures many weapons and consumer goods. Egypt is rich in historical events, and the most well-known tourist destinations are the Pyramids of Giza.

9. Germany

Power Index Score: 0.2609

Germany’s active personnel is 180,000, and the reserve personnel is 30,000. The reservists have deployed abroad and participated in a number of defense exercises. Their defense budget is $39.2 billion. Germany has a land area of approximately 357,022, and it is one of the most visited countries.

8. Turkey

Power Index Score: 0.2491

In Turkey, every fit male except for those in prison is required to serve in the military. The length of period varies by education and job location, but typically it is for three weeks up to a year. The active personnel in Turkey is 382,850, and the reserve personnel is 360,565. They have a defense budget of $8.21 billion.

7. Japan

Power Index Score: 0.2137

The military in Japan that’s up next in our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017 is bound to a restriction under Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. It is about renouncing the right of Japan not to advance on war and not use force in military disputes. This country has a defense budget of $43.8 billion, and their active personnel is 248,575, and the reserve personnel is 63,300.

6. United Kingdom

Power Index Score: 0.2131

The defense budget of the United Kingdom is approximately $45.7 billion. The military is known as Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The active personnel is 151,175, and the reserve personnel is 81,500. The U.K. is one of those countries who has the largest military expenditure around the world.

5. France

Power Index Score: 0.1914

France ranks 5th in our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017. It is among the countries in the world with the largest military force, and it is the largest in the European Union. The active military personnel is 204,000, and the reserve personnel is 183,635. Their defense budget is $35 billion. Every July 14th is a military parade in Paris called France’s National Day.

4. India

Power Index Score: 0.1593

The active personnel in India that ranks 4th on our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017 is approximately 1.4 million and the reserve personnel is 2.8 million. It has a defense budget of $51 billion with a land area of 3,287,263 square kilometers. The Supreme Commander of the military is the President of India.

3. China

Power Index Score: 0.0945

China’s defense budget is $161.7 billion coming in second in the world for having the largest military budget. The active personnel is about 2.3 million and the reserve personnel is 1.4 million. Aside from purchasing fighter jets for the modernization, China also manufactures their modern fighters.

2. Russia

Power Index Score: 0.0929

The active personnel of Russia is 798,527, but the reserve personnel is approximately 2.6 million. The defense budget is a massive $44.6 billion. Russia is also said to have the largest inventory of nuclear weapons and produces many of their military weapons.

1. United States

Power Index Score: 0.0857

Peaking our list of top 21 strongest most powerful military nations in the world in 2017 is the United States. The commander-in-chief of the 1.4 million active personnel and the 990,025 reserve personnel is the President. The defense budget is $587.8 billion surpassing other countries for having the largest military defense budget.