These European Countries Have the Largest Artillery Armies

Artillery is essentially any large-caliber weapon used in combat. This includes cannons, mortars, and large guns, all of which can deliver a powerful punch to enemy forces. This weaponry is designed to hit long distance targets. Many of these pieces of equipment are capable of high- explosive rounds. Modern artillery is quite accurate and technologically advanced.

Artillery is an important aspect of any army, especially the largest armies in Europe. Aside from Russia, these largest European powers include France, Germany, and Italy. In recent years, Germany has maintained a strict attention to technological modernization. France is a key player in NATO, maintaining a strong ground force. Though Italy’s troops are fewer in number, they also contribute effectively to NATO’s superiority.

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the artillery units across Europe. To identify the European countries with the most artillery units, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Countries were ranked on the total number of artillery units in their arsenal. We included supplemental information regarding the total military vehicles, tanks and MLRS units, as well as each country’s overall military strength score. Countries with no artillery were excluded. Note that we also excluded Russia from this list.

Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the military dynamics in Europe is important considering the continent’s deeply rooted geopolitical challenges going forward. Historically, Europe has been marked by wars, shifting alliances, and territorial disputes, and yet it still remains a key player on the global stage. At the same time, alliances like the EU or NATO are some of the most powerful in terms of their influence on the world. Whether it is a question of NATO’s expansion or Russia’s campaign in Eastern Europe, these military forces tilt the region’s balance of power.

Here is a look at the largest artillery armies in Europe:

29. Denmark

Stevnsfortet (CC BY 2.0) by Morten Jensen

Total artillery: 19
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 19
Total tanks: 44
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 4,056
Military strength score: 0.7743 – #48 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Denmark has 119 military aircraft (including 4 attack aircraft, 33 fighter aircraft, and 34 helicopters). Denmark has 20,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.9 million.

28. Estonia

Total artillery: 24
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 24
Total tanks: 0
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 6
Total military vehicles: 1,409
Military strength score: 1.7237 – #87 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Estonia has 7 military aircraft (including 3 helicopters). Estonia has 7,700 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 1.2 million.

27. Sweden

Total artillery: 26
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 26
Total tanks: 120
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 7,958
Military strength score: 0.4009 – #29 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Sweden has 212 military aircraft (including 71 fighter aircraft and 53 helicopters). Sweden has 24,400 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.5 million.

26. Slovakia

Total artillery: 44
Total towed artillery: 9
Total self-propelled artillery: 35
Total tanks: 36
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 25
Total military vehicles: 2,048
Military strength score: 1.1891 – #69 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Slovakia has 37 military aircraft (including 22 helicopters). Slovakia has 19,500 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.4 million.

25. Czechia

Total artillery: 53
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 53
Total tanks: 65
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 6,757
Military strength score: 0.7706 – #46 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Czechia has 88 military aircraft (including 16 attack aircraft, 12 fighter aircraft, and 33 helicopters). Czechia has 28,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.7 million.

24. Austria

100-mm anti-aircraft gun KS-19 in Saint Petersburg Artillery museum

Total artillery: 53
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 53
Total tanks: 58
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 848
Military strength score: 1.2351 – #71 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Austria has 104 military aircraft (including 15 fighter aircraft and 66 helicopters). Austria has 16,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 8.9 million.

23. Norway

Azerbaijan+artillery | Romanian artillery

Total artillery: 56
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 56
Total tanks: 36
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 7,048
Military strength score: 0.5664 – #41 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Norway has 102 military aircraft (including 30 attack aircraft and 37 helicopters). Norway has 23,250 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.6 million.

22. Latvia

Total artillery: 59
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 59
Total tanks: 0
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 1,544
Military strength score: 1.9911 – #99 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Latvia has 7 military aircraft all of which are helicopters. Latvia has 17,250 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 1.8 million.

21. Netherlands

Luxembourg+artillery | American Bunker-Buster WWII artillery

Total artillery: 72
Total towed artillery: 23
Total self-propelled artillery: 49
Total tanks: 18
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 3,176
Military strength score: 0.5644 – #40 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, the Netherlands has 143 military aircraft (including 26 attack aircraft, 26 fighter aircraft, and 66 helicopters). The Netherlands has 41,380 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 17.5 million.

20. Lithuania

Total artillery: 75
Total towed artillery: 54
Total self-propelled artillery: 21
Total tanks: 0
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 1,356
Military strength score: 1.7395 – #88 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Lithuania has 9 military aircraft (including 4 helicopters). Lithuania has 23,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 2.7 million.

19. France

Total artillery: 96
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 96
Total tanks: 222
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 9
Total military vehicles: 85,023
Military strength score: 0.1878 – #11 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, France has 972 military aircraft (including 224 fighter aircraft and 447 helicopters). France has 200,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 68.5 million.

18. Portugal

Total artillery: 106
Total towed artillery: 82
Total self-propelled artillery: 24
Total tanks: 34
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 11,173
Military strength score: 0.5609 – #38 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Portugal has 117 military aircraft (including 28 fighter aircraft and 38 helicopters). Portugal has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.5 million.

17. Switzerland

Total artillery: 133
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 133
Total tanks: 134
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 4,304
Military strength score: 0.6097 – #43 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Switzerland has 147 military aircraft (including 43 fighter aircraft and 41 helicopters). Switzerland has 101,584 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 8.6 million.

16. Germany

Total artillery: 134
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 134
Total tanks: 295
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 33
Total military vehicles: 79,317
Military strength score: 0.2847 – #19 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Germany has 618 military aircraft (including 76 attack aircraft, 133 fighter aircraft, and 318 helicopters). Germany has 181,600 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 84.2 million.

15. Serbia

Total artillery: 162
Total towed artillery: 72
Total self-propelled artillery: 90
Total tanks: 262
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 82
Total military vehicles: 3,954
Military strength score: 0.9038 – #56 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Serbia has 112 military aircraft (including 17 attack aircraft, 11 fighter aircraft, and 44 helicopters). Serbia has 25,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 6.7 million.

14. Italy

Total artillery: 172
Total towed artillery: 108
Total self-propelled artillery: 64
Total tanks: 200
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 21
Total military vehicles: 61,892
Military strength score: 0.1863 – #10 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Italy has 800 military aircraft (including 67 attack aircraft, 90 fighter aircraft, and 402 helicopters). Italy has 165,500 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 61.0 million.

13. Croatia

Total artillery: 181
Total towed artillery: 163
Total self-propelled artillery: 18
Total tanks: 75
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 105
Total military vehicles: 3,076
Military strength score: 1.1333 – #66 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Croatia has 81 military aircraft (including 11 fighter aircraft and 52 helicopters). Croatia has 14,325 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 4.2 million.

12. North Macedonia

Total artillery: 191
Total towed artillery: 191
Total self-propelled artillery: 0
Total tanks: 23
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 24
Total military vehicles: 2,156
Military strength score: 2.1717 – #110 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, North Macedonia has 20 military aircraft (including 10 helicopters). North Macedonia has 9,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 2.1 million.

11. United Kingdom

United+Kingdom+artillery | Royal Artillery Memorial, Constitution Hill, Hyde Park Corner, Grosvenor Place, Knightsbridge, London, England UK

Total artillery: 197
Total towed artillery: 126
Total self-propelled artillery: 71
Total tanks: 213
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 41
Total military vehicles: 27,203
Military strength score: 0.1443 – #6 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, the United Kingdom has 664 military aircraft (including 29 attack aircraft, 120 fighter aircraft, and 276 helicopters). The United Kingdom has 184,860 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 68.1 million.

10. Spain

Museo de Unidades Acorazadas d... by Contando Estrelas

Museo de Unidades Acorazadas d... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Contando Estrelas

Total artillery: 236
Total towed artillery: 140
Total self-propelled artillery: 96
Total tanks: 327
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 15,046
Military strength score: 0.2882 – #20 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Spain has 513 military aircraft (including 12 attack aircraft, 139 fighter aircraft, and 121 helicopters). Spain has 133,282 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 47.2 million.

9. Bulgaria

160724-Z-NT152-004 by Oregon National Guard

160724-Z-NT152-004 (CC BY 2.0) by Oregon National Guard

Total artillery: 273
Total towed artillery: 225
Total self-propelled artillery: 48
Total tanks: 215
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 24
Total military vehicles: 7,420
Military strength score: 1.0132 – #62 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Bulgaria has 65 military aircraft (including 5 attack aircraft, 11 fighter aircraft, and 27 helicopters). Bulgaria has 37,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 6.8 million.

8. Hungary

Hungary+artillery | Dedication to the Great Victory Day. Soviet Self Propelled Tank Destroer SU-100. 1944-45. ÃÂÃÂ¾ ÃÂ´ÃÂ½ÃÂ ÃÂÃÂµÃÂ»ÃÂ¸ÃÂºÃÂ¾ÃÂ¹ ÃÂÃÂ¾ÃÂ±ÃÂµÃÂ´ÃÂ. ÃÂ¡ÃÂ¾ÃÂ²ÃÂµÃÂÃÂÃÂºÃÂ°ÃÂ ÃÂ¡ÃÂ°ÃÂ¼ÃÂ¾ÃÂÃÂ¾ÃÂ´ÃÂºÃÂ° ÃÂ¡ÃÂ£-100.

Total artillery: 318
Total towed artillery: 295
Total self-propelled artillery: 23
Total tanks: 208
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Total military vehicles: 7,797
Military strength score: 0.8478 – #54 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Hungary has 62 military aircraft (including 12 fighter aircraft and 38 helicopters). Hungary has 41,600 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 9.7 million.

7. Poland

Total artillery: 525
Total towed artillery: 0
Total self-propelled artillery: 525
Total tanks: 612
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 211
Total military vehicles: 13,956
Military strength score: 0.2917 – #21 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Poland has 468 military aircraft (including 34 attack aircraft, 59 fighter aircraft, and 215 helicopters). Poland has 202,100 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 38.0 million.

6. Belarus

9K22 Tunguska Anti-Aircraft We... by Andrey Korchagin

9K22 Tunguska Anti-Aircraft We... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Andrey Korchagin

Total artillery: 539
Total towed artillery: 170
Total self-propelled artillery: 369
Total tanks: 517
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 206
Total military vehicles: 6,700
Military strength score: 1.0901 – #64 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Belarus has 183 military aircraft (including 51 attack aircraft, 37 fighter aircraft, and 64 helicopters). Belarus has 63,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 9.4 million.

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia+and+Herzegovina+artillery | Prepping for mission

Total artillery: 590
Total towed artillery: 580
Total self-propelled artillery: 10
Total tanks: 91
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 79
Total military vehicles: 450
Military strength score: 2.3996 – #116 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Bosnia and Herzegovina has 24 military aircraft (including 24 helicopters). Bosnia and Herzegovina has 12,770 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 3.8 million.

4. Romania

Total artillery: 720
Total towed artillery: 720
Total self-propelled artillery: 0
Total tanks: 345
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 225
Total military vehicles: 9,990
Military strength score: 0.7712 – #47 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Romania has 131 military aircraft (including 14 fighter aircraft and 67 helicopters). Romania has 81,300 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 18.3 million.

3. Finland

Total artillery: 792
Total towed artillery: 667
Total self-propelled artillery: 125
Total tanks: 200
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 76
Total military vehicles: 11,716
Military strength score: 0.7967 – #50 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Finland has 164 military aircraft (including 55 fighter aircraft and 27 helicopters). Finland has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.6 million.

2. Greece

Total artillery: 1,318
Total towed artillery: 729
Total self-propelled artillery: 589
Total tanks: 1,365
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 152
Total military vehicles: 57,030
Military strength score: 0.4349 – #32 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Greece has 632 military aircraft (including 194 fighter aircraft and 289 helicopters). Greece has 142,700 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.5 million.

1. Ukraine

Total artillery: 2,217
Total towed artillery: 1,012
Total self-propelled artillery: 1,205
Total tanks: 1,777
Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 491
Total military vehicles: 22,110
Military strength score: 0.2598 – #18 out of 145

Separate from the ground forces, Ukraine has 321 military aircraft (including 30 attack aircraft, 72 fighter aircraft, and 130 helicopters). Ukraine has 900,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 43.3 million.