Top 10 Military Powers

World's Top 10 Military Powers

1. The United States.

 

 The U.S. defense budget is $612 billion. Despite sequestration and other spending cuts, the United States spends more money on defense than the next ten highest spending countries combined.

The super power also has by far the most aircraft of any country, cutting-edge technology like the Navy's new rail gun, a large and well-trained human force - and that's not even counting the world's largest nuclear arsenal.

MANPOWER

Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength is the actual manpower that drives a given military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.

•  Total Population: 316,668,567
•  Available Manpower: 145,212,012
•  Fit for Service: 120,022,084
•  Reaching Military Age Annually: 4,217,412]
•  Active Frontline Personnel: 1,430,000
•  Active Reserve Personnel: 850,880

LAND SYSTEMS

Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

•  Tanks: 8,325
•  Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 25,782
•  Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 1,934
•  Towed-Artillery: 1,791
•  Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 1,330

 AIR POWER

Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service. All aircraft types accounted (UAVs, gunships, special mission, naval/carrier, trainers, etc).

•  Total Aircraft: 13,683
•  Fighters/Interceptors: 2,271
•  Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 2,601
•  Transport Aircraft: 5,222
•  Trainer Aircraft: 2,745
•  Helicopters: 6,012
•  Attack Helicopters: 914

NAVAL POWER

Aircraft Carrier value does not include dedicated "helicopter carrier" vessels. Total naval strength includes all known auxiliaries as well.

•  Total Naval Strength: 473
•  Aircraft Carriers: 10
•  Frigates: 15
•  Destroyers: 62
•  Corvettes: 0
•  Submarines: 72
•  Coastal Defense Craft: 13
•  Mine Warfare: 13

RESOURCES (PETROLEUM)

Despite the advances made in battlefield technology, oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force.

•  Oil Production: 8,500,000 bbl/day
•  Oil Consumption: 19,000,000 bbl/day]
•  Proven Oil Reserves: 20,680,000,000 bbl/day

LOGISTICAL

War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force reflects possible wartime industry strength.

•  Labor Force: 155,000,000
•  Merchant Marine Strength: 393]
•  Major Ports and Terminals: 24
•  Roadway Coverage: 6,586,610
•  Railway Coverage: 224,792
•  Serviceable Airports: 13,513

FINANCIAL (in USD)

Regardless of military strength in numbers, war is still driven by financing as much as any one leader or weapon.

•  Defense Budget: $612,500,000,000
•  External Debt: $15,930,000,000,000
•  Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $150,200,000,000
•  Purchasing Power Parity: $15,940,000,000,000

 GEOGRAPHY (in km)

Geographical values primarily figure into a defensive-minded war (i.e. invasion).

•  Square Land Area: 9,826,675 km
•  Coastline: 19,924 km
•  Shared Border: 12,034 km
•  Waterways: 41,009 km

  2.Russia.

Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's military is growing again. The Kremlin's military spending has increased by almost a third since 2008 and is expected to grow 44% more in the next three years. Today, the Russian defense budget stands at $76.6 billion.

Russia currently has 766,000 active frontline personnel with a reserve force of 2,485,000 personnel. These troops are backed up by 15,500 tanks, the largest tank force in the world. Russian soldiers generally receive relatively mediocre training, however, and their equipment, like that tank force, is aging.

MANPOWER

Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength is the actual manpower that drives a given military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.

• Total Population: 145,500,482 
• Available Manpower: 69,117,271 
• Fit for Service: 46,812,553 
• Reaching Military Age Annually: 1,354,202
• Active Frontline Personnel: 766,000 
• Active Reserve Personnel: 2,485,000

LAND SYSTEMS

Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

•  Tanks: 15,500
•  Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 27,607
•  Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 5,990
•  Towed-Artillery: 4,625
•  Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 3,781

 AIR POWER

Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service. All aircraft types accounted (UAVs, gunships, special mission, naval/carrier, trainers, etc).

• Total Aircraft: 3,082
•  Fighters/Interceptors: 736
•  Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 1,289
•  Transport Aircraft: 730
•  Trainer Aircraft: 303
•  Helicopters: 973
•  Attack Helicopters: 114 

NAVAL POWER

Aircraft Carrier value does not include dedicated "helicopter carrier" vessels. Total naval strength includes all known auxiliaries as well.

•  Total Naval Strength: 352
•  Aircraft Carriers: 1
•  Frigates: 4
•  Destroyers: 13
•  Corvettes: 74
•  Submarines: 63
•  Coastal Defense Craft: 65
•  Mine Warfare: 34

RESOURCES (PETROLEUM)

Despite the advances made in battlefield technology, oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force.

•  Oil Production: 11,000,000 bbl/day
•  Oil Consumption: 2,200,000 bbl/day]
•  Proven Oil Reserves: 80,000,000,000 bbl/day

 LOGISTICAL

War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force reflects possible wartime industry strength.

•  Labor Force: 75,680,000
•  Merchant Marine Strength: 1,143]
•  Major Ports and Terminals: 7
•  Roadway Coverage: 982,000
•  Railway Coverage: 87,157
•  Serviceable Airports: 1,218

 FINANCIAL (in USD)

Regardless of military strength in numbers, war is still driven by financing as much as any one leader or weapon.

•  Defense Budget: $76,600,000,000
•  External Debt: $631,800,000,000
•  Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $537,600,000,000
•  Purchasing Power Parity: $2,486,000,000,000

 GEOGRAPHY (in km)

Geographical values primarily figure into a defensive-minded war (i.e. invasion).

 Square Land Area: 17,098,242 km

•  Coastline: 37,653 km
•  Shared Border: 20,241 km
•  Waterways: 102,000 km

3. China.

China has embarked upon a relentless policy of massive military spending, with a 12.2% increase in spending over the past year. China's defense budget stands at $126 billion but could unofficially be higher, prompting concern across Asia as China attempts to project its power to settle border disputes with Japan and the Philippines.

The size of the Chinese army is staggering, with 2,285,000 active frontline personnel with an additional 2,300,000 in the reserves. China also has a history of successfully stealing sensitive military technology, such as recently acquiring sensitive information about the new F-35.

MANPOWER

Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength is the actual manpower that drives a given military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.

•  Total Population: 1,349,585,838
•  Available Manpower: 749,610,775
•  Fit for Service: 618,588,627
•  Reaching Military Age Annually: 19,538,534]
•  Active Frontline Personnel: 2,285,000
•  Active Reserve Personnel: 2,300,000

 LAND SYSTEMS

Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

•  Tanks: 9,150
•  Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 4,788
•  Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 1,710
•  Towed-Artillery: 6,246
•  Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 1,770

 AIR POWER

Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service. All aircraft types accounted (UAVs, gunships, special mission, naval/carrier, trainers, etc).

•  Total Aircraft: 2,788
•  Fighters/Interceptors: 1,170
•  Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 885
•  Transport Aircraft: 762
•  Trainer Aircraft: 380
•  Helicopters: 856
•  Attack Helicopters: 122

 NAVAL POWER

Aircraft Carrier value does not include dedicated "helicopter carrier" vessels. Total naval strength includes all known auxiliaries as well.

•  Total Naval Strength: 520
•  Aircraft Carriers: 1
•  Frigates: 45
•  Destroyers: 24
•  Corvettes: 9
•  Submarines: 69
•  Coastal Defense Craft: 353
•  Mine Warfare: 119

 RESOURCES (PETROLEUM)

Despite the advances made in battlefield technology, oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force.

•  Oil Production: 4,075,000 bbl/day
•  Oil Consumption: 9,500,000 bbl/day]
•  Proven Oil Reserves: 25,580,000,000 bbl/day

 LOGISTICAL

War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force reflects possible wartime industry strength.

•  Labor Force: 798,500,000
•  Merchant Marine Strength: 2,030]
•  Major Ports and Terminals: 15
•  Roadway Coverage: 3,860,800
•  Railway Coverage: 86,000
•  Serviceable Airports: 507

 FINANCIAL (in USD)

Regardless of military strength in numbers, war is still driven by financing as much as any one leader or weapon.

•  Defense Budget: $126,000,000,000
•  External Debt: $728,900,000,000
•  Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $3,341,000,000,000
•  Purchasing Power Parity: $12,260,000,000,000

 GEOGRAPHY (in km)

Geographical values primarily figure into a defensive-minded war (i.e. invasion).

 Square Land Area: 9,596,961 km

•  Coastline: 14,500 km
•  Shared Border: 22,117 km
•  Waterways: 110,000 km

4. India.

 India's defense spending is expected to rise as it pursues a modernization drive. Currently, it is estimated that India only spends $46 billion on its budget, and it is slated to become the fourth highest spender by 2020. It is already the world's largest importer of military goods.

India has ballistic missiles with a range capable of hitting all of Pakistan or most of China. Indian military strategy has been dominated by its long-simmering conflict with Pakistan, although there have also been minor wars between China and India in the past.

MANPOWER

Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength is the actual manpower that drives a given military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.

•  Total Population: 1,220,800,359
•  Available Manpower: 615,201,057
•  Fit for Service: 489,571,520
•  Reaching Military Age Annually: 22,896,956]
•  Active Frontline Personnel: 1,325,000
•  Active Reserve Personnel: 2,143,000

 LAND SYSTEMS

Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

•  Tanks: 3,569
•  Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 5,085
•  Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 290
•  Towed-Artillery: 6,445
•  Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 292

 AIR POWER

Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service. All aircraft types accounted (UAVs, gunships, special mission, naval/carrier, trainers, etc).

•  Total Aircraft: 1,785
•  Fighters/Interceptors: 535
•  Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 468
•  Transport Aircraft: 706
•  Trainer Aircraft: 237
•  Helicopters: 504
•  Attack Helicopters: 20

 NAVAL POWER

Aircraft Carrier value does not include dedicated "helicopter carrier" vessels. Total naval strength includes all known auxiliaries as well.

 Total Naval Strength: 184

•  Aircraft Carriers: 2
•  Frigates: 15
•  Destroyers: 11
•  Corvettes: 24
•  Submarines: 17
•  Coastal Defense Craft: 32
•  Mine Warfare: 7

 RESOURCES (PETROLEUM)

Despite the advances made in battlefield technology, oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force.

•  Oil Production: 897,500 bbl/day
•  Oil Consumption: 3,200,000 bbl/day]
•  Proven Oil Reserves: 5,476,000,000 bbl/day

 LOGISTICAL

War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force reflects possible wartime industry strength.

•  Labor Force: 482,300,000
•  Merchant Marine Strength: 340]
•  Major Ports and Terminals: 7
•  Roadway Coverage: 3,320,410
•  Railway Coverage: 63,974
•  Serviceable Airports: 346

 FINANCIAL (in USD)

Regardless of military strength in numbers, war is still driven by financing as much as any one leader or weapon.

•  Defense Budget: $46,000,000,000
•  External Debt: $378,900,000,000
•  Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $297,800,000,000
•  Purchasing Power Parity: $4,716,000,000,000

 GEOGRAPHY (in km)

Geographical values primarily figure into a defensive-minded war (i.e. invasion).

•  Square Land Area: 3,287,263 km
•  Coastline: 7,000 km
•  Shared Border: 14,103 km
•  Waterways: 14,500 km

5. The United Kingdom.

The U.K. is planning on reducing the size of its armed forces by 20% between 2010 and 2018, with smaller cuts to the Royal Navy and RAF. The defense budget stands at $54 billion.

Despite scaling back, the U.K. counts on being able to project its power around the world. The Royal Navy is planning on putting the HMS Queen Elizabeth, an aircraft carrier that has a flight deck measuring at 4.5 acres, into service in 2020. The Queen Elizabeth is planned to carry 40 F-35B joint strike fighters around the world.

MANPOWER

Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength is the actual manpower that drives a given military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.

•  Total Population: 63,395,574
•  Available Manpower: 29,164,233
•  Fit for Service: 24,035,131
•  Reaching Military Age Annually: 749,480]
•  Active Frontline Personnel: 205,330
•  Active Reserve Personnel: 182,000

 LAND SYSTEMS

Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

•  Tanks: 407
•  Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 6,245
•  Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 89
•  Towed-Artillery: 138
•  Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 56

 AIR POWER

Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service. All aircraft types accounted (UAVs, gunships, special mission, naval/carrier, trainers, etc).

•  Total Aircraft: 908
•  Fighters/Interceptors: 84
•  Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 178
•  Transport Aircraft: 338
•  Trainer Aircraft: 312
•  Helicopters: 362
•  Attack Helicopters: 66

 NAVAL POWER

Aircraft Carrier value does not include dedicated "helicopter carrier" vessels. Total naval strength includes all known auxiliaries as well.

•  Total Naval Strength: 66
•  Aircraft Carriers: 1
•  Frigates: 13
•  Destroyers: 6
•  Corvettes: 0
•  Submarines: 11
•  Coastal Defense Craft: 24
•  Mine Warfare: 15

 RESOURCES (PETROLEUM)

Despite the advances made in battlefield technology, oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force.

•  Oil Production: 1,100,000 bbl/day
•  Oil Consumption: 1,700,000 bbl/day]
•  Proven Oil Reserves: 3,122,000,000 bbl/day

 LOGISTICAL

War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force reflects possible wartime industry strength.

•  Labor Force: 32,070,000
•  Merchant Marine Strength: 504]
•  Major Ports and Terminals: 14
•  Roadway Coverage: 394,428
•  Railway Coverage: 16,454
•  Serviceable Airports: 460

 FINANCIAL (in USD)

Regardless of military strength in numbers, war is still driven by financing as much as any one leader or weapon.

•  Defense Budget: $53,600,000,000
•  External Debt: $10,090,000,000,000
•  Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $105,100,000,000
•  Purchasing Power Parity: $2,313,000,000,000

 GEOGRAPHY (in km)

Geographical values primarily figure into a defensive-minded war (i.e. invasion).

•  Square Land Area: 243,610 km
•  Coastline: 12,429 km
•  Shared Border: 360 km
•  Waterways: 3,200 km

6. France.

French soldiers stand on a street during a patrol ahead of Sunday's presidential election in Timbuktu, July 25, 2013.

France effectively froze its military spending in 2013 while cutting 10% of its defense jobs in an effort to save money for purchasing high-tech equipment. The country spends $43 billion a year on defense, which is 1.9% of its GDP, below the spending target set by NATO for member countries.

Despite a leveling off of its military budget, France is still highly capable of projecting force around the globe, with significant deployments in the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Senegal and elsewhere around the world.

7. Germany.

 German military strength falls short of its economic strength on the world stage. Recently, Germany has started considering offering military support to eastern European NATO members. It has also considered a more active international role militarily. Germany spends $45 billion on its military annually, making it the eighth largest spender in the world.

Following the aftermath of World War II, the German population generally became anti-war. Although no laws limit the size of the German military, there is a general lack of interest in serving in the military. Germany only has 183,000 active frontline personnel with an additional 145,000 members in the reserves, and Germany eliminated mandatory service in 2011.

8. Turkey.

 Turkish military spending is expected to rise 9.4% in 2014 over the 2013 budget. The ongoing conflict in Syria and possible clashes with the Kurdish separatist organization, the PKK, were key reasons for the spending increase. Turkey's defense budget stands at $18.2 billion.

The NATO member has contributed soldiers to various initiatives around the world. The Turkish military took part in operations in Afghanistan, as well as in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans. Turkey also maintains a large military force in Northern Cyprus.

9. South Korea.

 South Korea has been increasing its defense spending due to both the increasing armament of Japan and China, and the constant threat from North Korea. South Korea spends $34 billion on defense.

South Korea has a relatively large military force for its small size. It has 640,000 active personnel with an additional 2,900,000 personnel in the reserves. South Korea also has 2,346 tanks and 1,393 aircraft. The South Korean military is generally well-trained and routinely takes part in military exercise with the United States. South Korea's air force is also the sixth largest in the world.

10. Japan.

Japan increased its defense spending for the first time in 11 years in response to growing disputes with China. It has also started its first military expansion in over 40 years by placing a new military base on its outer islands. Japan spends $49.1 billion on defense, the sixth most in the world.

Japan's military is fairly well-equipped. It currently has 247,000 active personnel with an additional 57,900 in reserve. Japan also has 1,595 aircraft, the world's fifth largest air force, and 131 ships. Japan's military is limited by a peace clause in the constitution that makes it illegal for the country to have an offensive army.

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