20 most powerful military forces in the world
In this Credit Suisse ranking, Russia and China are ranked immediately after the US, and Canada is at the bottom of the list.
According to a recently published global report by Credit Suisse, despite budget cuts and downsizing, the US military remains the strongest in the world.
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| An F-22 flies alongside an F-15. Photo: US Air Force |
In this Credit Suisse ranking, Russia and China are ranked immediately after the US, and Canada is at the bottom of the list.
Credit Suisse acknowledges the difficulties in comparing the military strength of different countries. To compile this list, Credit Suisse based it on six criteria: the number of regular troops (5% of the total score), tanks (10%), combat helicopters (15%), the number of aircraft (20%), the number of aircraft carriers (25%), and the number of submarines (25%).
Credit Suisse's ranking is based solely on the quantity of weapons and does not take into account the actual quality of these weapons or the training and development of the countries' militaries. Therefore, the positions of countries in this ranking may come as a surprise.
Below is Credit Suisse's ranking of the 20 most powerful military forces in the world (listed from bottom to top):
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| Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Photo: Canadian Forces |
20. Canada:
- Defense budget: $15.7 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 92,000
- Number of tanks: 181
- Total number of aircraft: 420
- Number of submarines: 4
Canada ranks last on the list because it has the smallest regular army. The country also lacks aircraft carriers and combat helicopters, and has few tanks and submarines.
However, Canada still participates in military operations alongside the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq. It 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 purchase the F-35.
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| Indonesian soldiers. Photo: Reuters |
19. Indonesia:
- Defense budget: $6.9 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 476,000
- Number of tanks: 468
- Total number of aircraft: 405
- Number of submarines: 2
The Indonesian military is ranked above Canada's due to having a larger number of regular troops as well as more tanks. However, the Indonesian military also lacks aircraft carriers and possesses fewer aircraft and submarines.
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| German special forces. Photo: Reuters |
18. Germany:
- Defense budget: $40.2 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 179,046
- Number of tanks: 408
- Total number of aircraft: 663
- Number of submarines: 4
The German military ranks low in Credit Suisse's rankings due to a lack of indicators reflecting its strength – according to Credit Suisse's ranking methodology. Germany does not possess an aircraft carrier and has a modest number of submarines.
However, Germany currently possesses a significant number of combat helicopters. Recently, the country has also been considering providing military support to NATO members in Eastern Europe.
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| Polish army soldiers. Photo: Reuters |
17. Poland
- Defense budget: $9.4 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 120,000
- Number of tanks: 1,009
- Total number of aircraft: 467
- Number of submarines: 5
Poland is ranked above Germany by Credit Suisse because it has more tanks and submarines. Recently, Poland has significantly increased its defense spending to counter Russia following its annexation of Crimea and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
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| Thai soldiers in Narathiwat province, in southern Thailand. Photo: Reuters |
16. Thailand
- Defense budget: $5.39 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 306,000
- Number of tanks: 722
- Total number of aircraft: 573
- Number of submarines: 0
The Thai military is highly rated by Credit Suisse because the country has a fairly large regular army, possesses many tanks, and also has an aircraft carrier.
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| Australian soldiers participate in the RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii. Photo: Reuters |
15. Australia
- Defense budget: $26.1 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 58,000
- Number of tanks: 59
- Total number of aircraft: 408
- Number of submarines: 6
The Australian military is relatively small. It ranks at the bottom of the list due to its small number of regular troops, only a few dozen tanks, and a limited number of fighter jets.
However, Credit Suisse ranks Australia higher than some other countries because it has more combat helicopters and submarines.
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| Israeli soldiers at the Israel-Lebanon border. Photo: AP |
14. Israel:
- Defense budget: $17 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 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, a large portion of the Israeli population is willing to join the military. Located in the volatile Middle East, the Israeli army currently possesses a large number of tanks, fighter jets, and combat helicopters.
Israel also has an advantage in terms of military quality, possessing modern fighter jets, high-tech drones, and nuclear weapons.
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| Taiwanese soldiers training. Photo: Reuters |
13. Taiwan (China):
- Defense budget: $10.7 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 290,000
- Number of tanks: 2,005
- Total number of aircraft: 804
- Number of submarines: 4
Taiwan is focusing on military development as part of its defense plan. The territory possesses the fifth-largest number of combat helicopters on Credit Suisse's list.
In addition, the Taiwanese military also has a considerable number of fighter jets and tanks.
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| Egyptian army tanks. Photo: Mohamed Abd El Ghany |
12. Egypt:
- Defense budget: $4.4 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 468,500
- Number of tanks: 4,624
- Total number of aircraft: 1,107
- Number of submarines: 4
The Egyptian army is one of the oldest and largest armed forces in the Middle East. The country receives significant financial support from the United States and also possesses the fifth-largest number of tanks in the world.
Egypt currently possesses over 1,000 M1A1 Abrams tanks manufactured in the United States. Many of these remain in storage and have never been used. In addition, Egypt also has a relatively large air force.
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| Pakistani soldiers. Photo: Reuters |
11. Pakistan:
- Defense budget: $7 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 617,500
- Number of tanks: 2,924
- Total number of aircraft: 914
- Number of submarines: 8
The Pakistani military is one of the largest in the world in terms of the number of regular troops. Credit Suisse also suggests that the country possesses a significant number of tanks, fighter jets, and attack helicopters.
Furthermore, Pakistan is believed to be developing nuclear weapons at a rapid pace, and within the next decade, it will be the third largest possessor of nuclear weapons in the world.
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| Turkish tanks at the Turkish-Syrian border. Photo: Reuters |
10. Türkiye:
- Defense budget: $18.2 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 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 doesn't possess an aircraft carrier, Türkiye's submarine fleet ranks behind only five other countries in Credit Suisse's list.
In addition, the country also impresses with its very large number of tanks, along with numerous fighter jets and attack helicopters.
Türkiye is also a member of the US F-35 fighter jet development program.
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| British soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters |
9. England:
- Defense budget: $60.5 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 146,980
- Number of tanks: 407
- Total number of aircraft: 936
- Number of submarines: 10
Although Britain is planning to reduce its military size by approximately 20% between 2010 and 2018, it remains a formidable military power in the world.
The Royal Navy is currently planning to commission the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2020. This aircraft carrier can carry 40 F-35B fighter jets and has the capability to operate globally.
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| An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet. Photo: Reuters |
8. Italy:
- Defense budget: $34 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 320,000
- Number of tanks: 586
- Total number of aircraft: 760
- Number of submarines: 6
The Italian military is ranked highly in Credit Suisse's rankings because the country possesses two aircraft carriers.
In addition, Italy also possesses a relatively large submarine fleet and a significant number of combat helicopters, which contribute considerably to its improved ranking.
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| South Korean special forces participate in training. Photo: Matthew J. Bragg/US Marine Corps |
7. South Korea:
- Defense budget: $62.3 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 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 believed to have no other choice but to develop a strong military force.
South Korea possesses a considerable number of submarines, attack helicopters, and a large regular army. Additionally, the country has a significant number of tanks, and its air force ranks sixth in the world.
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| French soldiers in northern Mali. Photo: Reuters |
6. France:
- Defense budget: $62.3 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 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 and professional force.
France currently has one operational aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle. The country also regularly deploys troops throughout Africa to help stabilize political situations in these countries and combat extremism.
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| Indian rapid response forces. Photo: Reuters |
5. India:
- Defense budget: $50 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 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. Its regular military force is second only to China and the United States. India also possesses a formidable number of tanks and aircraft, second only to the US, China, and Russia.
In addition, India is also exploring and developing nuclear weapons. It is projected that by 2020, India will be the world's fourth-largest spender on defense.
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| Japanese tanks and helicopters participate in a military exercise. Photo: Reuters |
4. Japan:
- Defense budget: $41.6 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 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 possesses four aircraft carriers, although these are primarily helicopter carriers.
In addition, Japan also has the fourth largest number of attack helicopters after China, Russia, and the United States.
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| Chinese soldiers train in the snow in Heilongjiang. Photo: Reuters |
3. China:
- Defense budget: $216 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 2,333,000
- Tanks: 9,150 units
- Total number of aircraft: 2,860
- Submarines: 67
Over the past few decades, the Chinese military has rapidly developed in both size and capability. In terms of size, China now has the world's largest army with over 2 million soldiers. It also has a tank fleet second only to 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 technologies, including ballistic missile technology and fifth-generation aircraft.
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| Russian armored vehicles in Sevastopol, Crimea. Photo: Reuters |
2. Russia:
- Defense budget: $84.5 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 766,055
- Tanks: 15,398 units
- Total number of aircraft: 3,429
- Submarines: 55
It is undeniable that the Russian armed forces possess the second-largest military power in the world. The Russian military currently has the world's largest number of tanks, second only to the United States in aircraft numbers, and its submarine fleet ranks third after the US and China.
The Kremlin's military spending has increased by nearly a third since 2008 and is projected to rise by more than 44% over the next three years. Russia has also demonstrated its military strength through its recent airstrike campaign in Syria.
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| F-22 and F-35 fighter jets of the US Air Force. Photo: USAF |
1. USA:
- Defense budget: $601 billion
- Number of regular military personnel: 1,400,000
- Tanks: 8,848 units
- Total number of aircraft: 13,892
- Submarines: 72
Despite spending cuts, with a defense budget of $601 billion, the US still spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined.
The greatest traditional military advantage of the United States is its fleet of 10 aircraft carriers. This number is significantly higher than that of India, which has the second-largest number of aircraft carriers after the US and is currently building its third.
Furthermore, the United States possesses the world's largest number of fighter jets and cutting-edge technologies such as electromagnetic guns, along with a large and highly skilled military force. This is without even considering the world's largest nuclear arsenal that the US currently possesses.
According to VOV
