20 most powerful militaries in the world

In this Credit Suisse ranking, right after the US are Russia and China, and at the bottom of the ranking is Canada.

Despite budget cuts and downsizing, the US military is still considered the strongest in the world, according to a new global report released by Credit Suisse.

An F-22 flies next to an F-15. Photo: US Air Force

In this Credit Suisse ranking, right after the US are Russia and China, and at the bottom of the ranking is Canada.

Credit Suisse acknowledges the difficulties in comparing the military strength of countries. To compile this list, Credit Suisse relied on 6 criteria including: Number of regular troops (accounting for 5% of the total score), tanks (10%), combat helicopters (15%), number of aircraft (20%), number of aircraft carriers (25%) and number of submarines (25%).

This ranking by Credit Suisse is based purely on quantity and does not take into account the actual quality of weapons and military training of the countries. Therefore, the position of the countries in this ranking may be a surprise.

Here is Credit Suisse's ranking of the 20 most powerful militaries in the world (in order from bottom up):

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Photo: Canadian Forces

20. Canada:

- Defense budget: 15.7 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 92,000

- Number of tanks: 181

- Total number of aircraft: 420

Number of submarines: 4

Canada ranks last because it has the smallest active military. It also lacks aircraft carriers and attack helicopters, and has few tanks and submarines.

However, Canada still participates in military operations with the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq. The country is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Canada is also a partner in the US F-35 fighter jet development program, although it may not buy the F-35.

Indonesian soldiers. Photo: Reuters

19. Indonesia:

- Defense budget: 6.9 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 476,000

- Number of tanks: 468

- Total number of aircraft: 405

- Number of submarines: 2

The Indonesian military is ranked above Canada because it has more active troops and more tanks. However, the Indonesian military also lacks aircraft carriers and possesses fewer planes and submarines.

German special forces. Photo: Reuters

18. Germany:

- Defense budget: 40.2 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 179,046

- Number of tanks: 408

- Total number of aircraft: 663

Number of submarines: 4

Germany's military ranks low in Credit Suisse's rankings due to a lack of platforms that reflect its power - as Credit Suisse puts it. Germany has no aircraft carriers and a modest number of submarines.

However, Germany currently has a significant number of combat helicopters and has recently been considering providing military assistance to NATO members in Eastern Europe.

Polish army soldiers. Photo: Reuters

17. Poland

- Defense budget: 9.4 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 120,000

- Number of tanks: 1,009

- Total number of aircraft: 467

Number of submarines: 5

Poland was ranked above Germany by Credit Suisse because it has more tanks and also more submarines. Poland has significantly increased its defense spending in recent years to counter Russia after it annexed Crimea and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Thai soldiers in Narathiwat province, southernmost Thailand. Photo: Reuters

16. Thailand

- Defense budget: 5.39 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 306,000

- Number of tanks: 722

- Total number of aircraft: 573

- Number of submarines: 0

The Thai army is highly rated by Credit Suisse because the country has a large number of regular troops, owns many tanks and also has an aircraft carrier.

Australian soldiers participate in the RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii. Photo: Reuters

15. Australia

- Defense budget: 26.1 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 58,000

- Number of tanks: 59

- Total number of aircraft: 408

Number of submarines: 6

The Australian military is relatively small. It is ranked at the bottom of the list because it has few regular troops, only a few dozen tanks and few fighter aircraft.

However, Credit Suisse ranked Australia higher than some other countries because it has more combat helicopters and submarines.

Israeli soldiers at the Israel-Lebanon border. Photo: AP

14. Israel:

- Defense budget: 17 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 160,000

- Number of tanks: 4,170

- Total number of aircraft: 684

Number of submarines: 5

In terms of size, the Israeli army is not large. However, with compulsory military service, the majority of the Israeli population is willing to join the army. Located in the unstable Middle East, the Israeli army currently possesses a large number of tanks, fighter jets and attack helicopters.

Israel also has an advantage in military quality, possessing modern fighter jets, high-tech drones and nuclear weapons.

Taiwanese soldiers practice. Photo: Reuters

13. Taiwan (China):

- Defense budget: 10.7 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 290,000

- Number of tanks: 2,005

- Total number of aircraft: 804

Number of submarines: 4

Taiwan focuses on developing its military as part of its defense plans. The territory has the fifth-largest number of combat helicopters on Credit Suisse's list.

In addition, the Taiwanese army also has many fighter planes and tanks.

Egyptian army tank. Photo: Mohamed Abd El Ghany

12. Egypt:

- Defense budget: 4.4 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 468,500

- Number of tanks: 4,624

- Total number of aircraft: 1,107

Number of submarines: 4

The Egyptian military is one of the oldest and largest armed forces in the Middle East. It receives significant financial support from the United States and also has the fifth largest tank fleet in the world.

Egypt currently has more than 1,000 US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks, many of which are still in storage and have never been used. Egypt also has a relatively large air force.

Pakistani soldiers. Photo: Reuters

11. Pakistan:

- Defense budget: 7 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 617,500

- Number of tanks: 2,924

- Total number of aircraft: 914

Number of submarines: 8

Pakistan's military is one of the largest in the world in terms of active personnel. Credit Suisse also says the country has a sizable number of tanks, fighter jets and attack helicopters.

In addition, Pakistan is believed to be a country developing nuclear weapons at a rapid pace and within the next decade, Pakistan will be the country with the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

Turkish tanks at the Türkiye-Syria border. Photo: Reuters

10. Türkiye:

- Defense budget: 18.2 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 410,500

- Number of tanks: 3,778

- Total number of aircraft: 1,020

- Number of submarines: 13

Türkiye's armed forces are among the largest in the eastern Mediterranean. Although it does not possess an aircraft carrier, its submarine fleet is behind only five other countries in the Credit Suisse ranking.

In addition, this country also impresses with a large number of tanks along with many fighter jets and attack helicopters.

Türkiye is also a member of the US F-35 fighter jet development program.

British soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

9. English:

- Defense budget: 60.5 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 146,980

- Number of tanks: 407

- Total number of aircraft: 936

Number of submarines: 10

Although Britain is planning to cut about 20% of its military strength between 2010 and 2018, it is still a country that demonstrates formidable military power in the world.

The Royal Navy is currently planning to put the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier into operation in 2020. This aircraft carrier can carry 40 F-35B fighter jets and is capable of operating globally.

Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet of the Italian Air Force. Photo: Reuters

8. Italy:

- Defense budget: 34 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 320,000

- Number of tanks: 586

- Total number of aircraft: 760

Number of submarines: 6

The Italian military ranked high in Credit Suisse's rankings because the country owns two aircraft carriers.

In addition, Italy also has a relatively large submarine fleet and number of combat helicopters, which significantly contribute to improving Italy's position in the rankings.

South Korean special forces participate in training. Photo: Matthew J. Bragg/US Marine Corps

7. South Korea:

- Defense budget: 62.3 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 624,465

- Number of tanks: 2,381

- Total number of aircraft: 1,412

- Number of submarines: 13

Faced with threats from North Korea, South Korea is said to have no choice but to develop a strong military force.

South Korea has a large number of submarines, attack helicopters and a fairly large number of regular troops. It also has a lot of tanks and the South Korean air force is the 6th largest in the world.

French soldiers in northern Mali. Photo: Reuters

6. France:

- Defense budget: 62.3 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 202,761

- Tanks: 423 units

- Total number of aircraft: 1,264

- Submarines: 10

In terms of size, the French army is relatively small, but it is a well-trained, professional force.

France currently has one active aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle. It also regularly deploys troops across Africa to help stabilize political situations in these countries and fight extremism.

India's rapid reaction force. Photo: Reuters

5. India:

- Defense budget: 50 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 1,325,000

- Tanks: 6,464 units

- Total number of aircraft: 1,905

- Submarines: 15

India is one of the world’s largest military powers. It has a standing army second only to China and the United States. It also has a formidable number of tanks and aircraft, second only to the United States, China and Russia.

In addition, India is also approaching and developing nuclear weapons. According to forecasts, by 2020, India will be the 4th country in the world in terms of defense spending.

Japanese tanks and helicopters take part in a military exercise. Photo: Reuters

4. Japan:

- Defense budget: 41.6 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 247,173

- Tanks: 678 units

- Total number of aircraft: 1,613

- Submarines: 16

Like France, Japan's army is relatively small in size. However, it is extremely well equipped.

According to Credit Suisse, Japan has the fourth largest submarine fleet on the list. Japan also currently has four aircraft carriers, although they are only helicopter carriers.

In addition, Japan also has the 4th largest number of attack helicopters after China, Russia and the United States.

Chinese soldiers train in the snow in Heilongjiang. Photo: Reuters

3. China:

- Defense budget: 216 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 2,333,000

- Tanks: 9,150 units

- Total number of aircraft: 2,860

- Submarines: 67 units

Over the past few decades, the Chinese military has grown rapidly in both size and capability. In terms of size, China now has the world's largest army, with more than 2 million soldiers. It also has the second-largest tank force after Russia and a submarine fleet second only to the United States.

China has also made rapid strides in modernizing its military and is currently developing military technology, including ballistic missile technology and fifth-generation aircraft.

Russian armored vehicles in Sevastopol, Crimea. Photo: Reuters

2. Russia:

- Defense budget: 84.5 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 766,055

- Tanks: 15,398 units

- Total number of aircraft: 3,429

- Submarines: 55 units

It is indisputable that the Russian armed forces are the second most powerful military forces in the world. The Russian army currently has the largest number of tanks in the world, the number of aircraft second only to the US, and the submarine fleet third after the US and China.

The Kremlin’s military spending has increased by nearly a third since 2008 and is expected to rise by more than 44% over the next three years. Russia has also demonstrated its military might by launching air strikes in Syria recently.

US Air Force F-22 and F-35 fighter jets. Photo: USAF

1. America:

- Defense budget: 601 billion USD

- Number of regular soldiers: 1,400,000

- Tanks: 8,848 units

- Total number of aircraft: 13,892

- Submarines: 72

Despite spending cuts, with a $601 billion defense budget, the United States still spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined.

America’s biggest traditional military advantage is its fleet of 10 aircraft carriers, significantly more than India, which has the second-largest fleet after the United States and is currently building its third.

In addition, the US possesses the largest number of fighter planes in the world and cutting-edge technologies such as electromagnetic guns along with a large and elite army. That is not to mention the world's largest nuclear arsenal that the US possesses./.

According to VOV