The Middle East, a region marked by conflict over the last few decades, is home to some of the world’s strongest military forces. Countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are only some of the powerhouses in the region, but many boast significant military capabilities that play into intricate regional dynamics. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the militaries in the region, and which are the strongest in the Middle East. (These are the most powerful militaries in the world.)
To determine the countries with the strongest military might in the Middle East, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their PowerIndex, a composite of over 60 measures in categories such as military might, financials, logistical capability, and geography. The smaller the PowerIndex value the more powerful a nation’s theoretical conventional fighting capability is. We included supplemental information regarding active military personnel, military aircraft, vehicles, and naval power as well.
The recent conflict within Gaza has put the Israeli military on display on the global stage for all to see. And while there may be some controversy surrounding recent military actions, Israel is considered to have one of the strongest and more technologically advanced militaries in the region.
Turkey is one of the strongest militaries on the planet, and with ties to the NATO Alliance it has even more military backing. Turkey’s impressive military force further reflects its strategic location bridging Europe and Asia. Air power is one of the top deciding factors in what makes a military strong, and Turkey has one of the largest air forces in the world, giving it further reach to project power in not just the Middle East but Europe as well. (These are the NATO countries with the most military aircraft.)
Other powers within the region like Saudi Arabia and Iran, also play into the regional geopolitics with formidable forces as well.
Here is a look at the strongest militaries in the Middle East:
Why Are We Covering This?
Source: Wathiq Khuzaie / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Understanding the strongest militaries in the Middle East is important for giving context to the relationships within the region at large. These militaries ultimately shape the balance of power within the Middle East and either ensure the stability or instability of the region.
15. Lebanon
Source: tanukiphoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 2.4283 – #118 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 60,000
- Total military aircraft: 81
- Total military vehicles: 4,522
- Total navy ships and submarines: 69
14. Bahrain
Source: usnavy / Flickr
- Military strength score: 1.7163 – #86 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 18,400
- Total military aircraft: 120
- Total military vehicles: 2,598
- Total navy ships and submarines: 58
13. Yemen
Source: Andrew Renneisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 1.4692 – #81 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 66,700
- Total military aircraft: 177
- Total military vehicles: 4,800
- Total navy ships and submarines: 38
12. Jordan
Source: Public Domain / marine_corps / Flickr
- Military strength score: 1.4651 – #80 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 100,500
- Total military aircraft: 265
- Total military vehicles: 24,148
- Total navy ships and submarines: 27
11. Oman
Source: usnavy / Flickr
- Military strength score: 1.4448 – #78 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 42,600
- Total military aircraft: 128
- Total military vehicles: 5,019
- Total navy ships and submarines: 22
10. Kuwait
Source: ManuelVelasco / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 1.4261 – #77 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 72,000
- Total military aircraft: 144
- Total military vehicles: 4,409
- Total navy ships and submarines: 123
9. Qatar
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
- Military strength score: 1.0789 – #63 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 66,550
- Total military aircraft: 228
- Total military vehicles: 5,544
- Total navy ships and submarines: 123
8. Syria
Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr
- Military strength score: 1.0026 – #60 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 170,000
- Total military aircraft: 452
- Total military vehicles: 14,550
- Total navy ships and submarines: 47
7. United Arab Emirates
- Military strength score: 0.8083 – #51 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 65,000
- Total military aircraft: 560
- Total military vehicles: 12,253
- Total navy ships and submarines: 79
6. Iraq
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.7441 – #45 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 193,000
- Total military aircraft: 371
- Total military vehicles: 39,872
- Total navy ships and submarines: 68
5. Saudi Arabia
Source: Photo by Abid Katib / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.3235 – #23 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 257,000
- Total military aircraft: 914
- Total military vehicles: 20,694
- Total navy ships and submarines: 57
4. Israel
Source: 77258709@N06 / Public Domain / Flickr
- Military strength score: 0.2596 – #17 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 170,000
- Total military aircraft: 612
- Total military vehicles: 43,407
- Total navy ships and submarines: 67
3. Egypt
- Military strength score: 0.2283 – #15 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 440,000
- Total military aircraft: 1,080
- Total military vehicles: 77,596
- Total navy ships and submarines: 140
2. Iran
- Military strength score: 0.2269 – #14 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 610,000
- Total military aircraft: 551
- Total military vehicles: 65,765
- Total navy ships and submarines: 101
1. Turkey
- Military strength score: 0.1697 – #8 out of 145
- Active military personnel: 355,200
- Total military aircraft: 1,069
- Total military vehicles: 55,104
- Total navy ships and submarines: 186
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