This Country's Paramilitary Is Almost as Big as Its Entire Military Force

Military

Published: April 1, 2025 11:10 am

Over the weekend, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, admitted to being pushed out of Khartoum, the country’s capital. This marks a turning point in Sudan’s current Civil War, which has been raging for the past two years between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF. (These regional conflicts will escalate in the coming months.)

Paramilitaries like the RSF are military organizations that operate outside the country’s official and recognized armed forces. These groups can be associated with the government or particular political parties and often help to strengthen the country’s official military units. However, in some cases — as seen by the current events in Sudan — paramilitaries may operate against the government. (These simmering conflicts could erupt under Trump.)

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the world’s various paramilitary forces and assessing which nations have the largest. To identify the countries with the largest paramilitary forces, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2025 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 paramilitary personnel. We included supplemental information regarding active personnel, total personnel, reserves, total population, fit-for-service, and overall military strength score.

This is an updated version of a previously published story to reflect current paramilitary numbers and the RSF’s role in Sudan’s current conflict.

Why This Matters Today

Military boots and camouflage trousers of many soldiers in uniform in a row under the rain and snow

Paramilitary forces around the globe are a large factor in today’s volatile geopolitical landscape, greatly impacting regional and global security. These forces often operate outside traditional military structures and can rapidly destabilize nations and amplify existing conflicts. The fighting between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is a stark example of this. In just two years, this conflict has forced more than 12 million people to leave their homes, causing one of the world’s biggest displacement and hunger crises. Many of Sudan’s people are starving, and tens of thousands have died.

These are the countries with the largest paramilitary forces:

35. Kazakhstan

Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Active personnel: 110,000
Reserves: 135,000
Total military personnel: 300,000
Total population: 20,260,006
Fit-for-service: 6,928,922
Military strength score and world rank: 1.1016 – #57 out of 145

Kazakhstan also has a total of 198 aircraft, 7,736 military vehicles, and 26 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

34. Greece

Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Active personnel: 142,700
Reserves: 221,350
Total military personnel: 419,050
Total population: 10,461,091
Fit-for-service: 3,985,676
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5337 – #30 out of 145

Greece also has a total of 558 aircraft, 61,888 military vehicles, and 192 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

33. Belarus

Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Active personnel: 63,000
Reserves: 145,000
Total military personnel: 263,000
Total population: 9,501,451
Fit-for-service: 3,724,569
Military strength score and world rank: 1.3954 – #70 out of 145

Belarus also has a total of 185 aircraft and 6,916 military vehicles at its disposal.

32. Peru

Paramilitary forces: 60,000
Active personnel: 120,000
Reserves: 385,000
Total military personnel: 565,000
Total population: 32,600,249
Fit-for-service: 12,681,497
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8588 – #49 out of 145

Peru also has a total of 256 aircraft, 6,560 military vehicles, and 71 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

31. Lebanon

Paramilitary forces: 65,000
Active personnel: 60,000
Reserves: 35,000
Total military personnel: 160,000
Total population: 5,364,482
Fit-for-service: 1,775,644
Military strength score and world rank: 2.5981 – #115 out of 145

Lebanon also has a total of 80 aircraft, 4,538 military vehicles, and 64 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

30. Spain

Paramilitary forces: 78,470
Active personnel: 133,282
Reserves: 15,150
Total military personnel: 226,902
Total population: 47,280,433
Fit-for-service: 17,635,602
Military strength score and world rank: 3.242 – #17 out of 145

Spain also has a total of 461 aircraft, 17,626 military vehicles, and 152 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

29. Panama

Paramilitary forces: 80,000
Active personnel: 0
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 80,000
Total population: 4,470,241
Fit-for-service: 1,206,965
Military strength score and world rank: 3.65181 – #136 out of 145

Panama also has a total of 38 aircraft, 262 military vehicles, and 30 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

28. Afghanistan

National Military Academy of Afghanistan Affirmation Ceremony by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan

National Military Academy of Afghanistan Affirmation Ceremony (BY-SA 2.0) by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan

Paramilitary forces: 80,000
Active personnel: 0
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 80,000
Total population: 40,121,552
Fit-for-service: 8,826,741
Military strength score and world rank: 2.6442 – #118 out of 145

Afghanistan also has a total of 9 aircraft and 5,202 military vehicles at its disposal.

27. Ukraine

Ukraine+military | On Day of Defenders of Ukraine President presents orders of Gold Star, Cross of Combat Merit awards, awards military units with honorary titles.

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 900,000
Reserves: 1,200,000
Total military personnel: 2,200,000
Total population: 35,661,826
Fit-for-service: 12,731,272
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3755 – #20 out of 145

Ukraine also has a total of 324 aircraft, 18,920 military vehicles, and 89 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

26. North Korea

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 1,320,000
Reserves: 560,000
Total military personnel: 1,980,000
Total population: 26,298,666
Fit-for-service: 5,312,331
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6016 – #34 out of 145

North Korea also has a total of 861 aircraft, 18,288 military vehicles, and 207 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

25. Malaysia

Malaysia Navy (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Rizuan

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 113,000
Reserves: 51,600
Total military personnel: 264,600
Total population: 34,564,810
Fit-for-service: 13,480,276
Military strength score and world rank: 0.7429 – #42 out of 145

Malaysia also has a total of 135 aircraft, 13,506 military vehicles, and 100 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

24. Libya

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 32,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 132,000
Total population: 7,361,263
Fit-for-service: 3,290,485
Military strength score and world rank: 1.4449 – #76 out of 145

Libya also has a total of 143 aircraft, 1,816 military vehicles, and 5 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

23. Iraq

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 193,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 293,000
Total population: 42,083,436
Fit-for-service: 14,308,368
Military strength score and world rank: 0.7738 – #43 out of 145

Iraq also has a total of 391 aircraft, 37,288 military vehicles, and 68 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

22. Italy

Paramilitary forces: 105,000
Active personnel: 165,500
Reserves: 18,500
Total military personnel: 289,000
Total population: 60,964,931
Fit-for-service: 22,191,235
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2164 – #10 out of 145

Italy also has a total of 729 aircraft, 73,480 military vehicles, and 196 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

21. South Korea

Flag of South Korea on soldiers arm. Flag of South Korea on military uniforms (collage). by Bumble Dee

Flag of South Korea on soldiers arm. Flag of South Korea on military uniforms (collage). (Shutterstock.com) by Bumble Dee

Paramilitary forces: 120,000
Active personnel: 600,000
Reserves: 3,100,000
Total military personnel: 3,820,000
Total population: 52,081,799
Fit-for-service: 21,353,538
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1656 – #5 out of 145

South Korea also has a total of 1,592 aircraft, 58,880 military vehicles, and 227 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

20. Mexico

Paramilitary forces: 120,000
Active personnel: 412,000
Reserves: 98,655
Total military personnel: 630,655
Total population: 130,739,927
Fit-for-service: 49,811,912
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5965 – #32 out of 145

Mexico also has a total of 433 aircraft, 19,658 military vehicles (including 90 artillery units), and 167 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

19. Laos

Paramilitary forces: 120,000
Active personnel: 100,000
Reserves: 30,000
Total military personnel: 250,000
Total population: 7,953,556
Fit-for-service: 2,521,277
Military strength score and world rank: 2.2663 – #106 out of 145

Laos also has a total of 33 aircraft and 4,380 military vehicles at its disposal.

18. Turkiye

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 355,200
Reserves: 378,700
Total military personnel: 883,900
Total population: 84,119,531
Fit-for-service: 36,087,279
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1902 – #9 out of 145

Turkey also has a total of 1,083 aircraft, 61,173 military vehicles, and 182 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

17. Saudi Arabia

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 257,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 407,000
Total population: 36,544,431
Fit-for-service: 17,468,238
Military strength score and world rank: 0.4201 – #24 out of 145

Saudi Arabia also has a total of 917 aircraft, 19,040 military vehicles, and 32 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

16. France

Flag of France on military uniform. Army, troops, soldier (collage).

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 200,000
Reserves: 26,000
Total military personnel: 376,000
Total population: 68,374,591
Fit-for-service: 23,794,358
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1878 – #7 out of 145

France also has a total of 976 aircraft, 110,932 military vehicles, and 129 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

15. Colombia

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 293,200
Reserves: 35,000
Total military personnel: 478,200
Total population: 49,588,357
Fit-for-service: 19,190,694
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8353 – #46 out of 145

Colombia also has a total of 436 aircraft, 3,460 military vehicles, and 233 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

14. Algeria

Algeria artillery | Algeria tank forces concept on the national flag background. 3d Illustration

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 325,000
Reserves: 135,000
Total military personnel: 610,000
Total population: 47,022,473
Fit-for-service: 19,185,169
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3589 – #25 out of 145

Algeria also has a total of 608 aircraft, 26,000 military vehicles, and 110 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

13. Brazil

Paramilitary forces: 200,000
Active personnel: 360,000
Reserves: 340,000
Total military personnel: 900,000
Total population: 220,051,512
Fit-for-service: 88,680,759
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2415 – #11 out of 145

Brazil also has a total of 513 aircraft, 22,464 military vehicles, and 64 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

12. Venezuela

Paramilitary forces: 220,000
Active personnel: 109,000
Reserves: 8,000
Total military personnel: 337,000
Total population: 31,250,306
Fit-for-service: 12,812,625
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8882 – #50 out of 145

Venezuela also has a total of 229 aircraft, 8,802 military vehicles, and 34 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

11. Iran

Paramilitary forces: 220,000
Active personnel: 610,000
Reserves: 350,000
Total military personnel: 1,180,000
Total population: 88,386,937
Fit-for-service: 41,541,860
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3048 – #16 out of 145

Iran also has a total of 551 aircraft, 65,825 military vehicles, and 107 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

10. Vietnam

Vietnam flag on sky and cloud background. National symbols of Vietnam. Flag of Vietnam.

Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Active personnel: 600,000
Reserves: 5,000,000
Total military personnel: 5,850,000
Total population: 105,758,975
Fit-for-service: 45,053,323
Military strength score and world rank: 0.4024 – #23 out of 145

Vietnam also has a total of 246 aircraft, 11,912 military vehicles, and 110 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

9. Russia

Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Active personnel: 1,320,000
Reserves: 2,000,000
Total military personnel: 3,570,000
Total population: 140,820,810
Fit-for-service: 46,189,226
Military strength score and world rank: 0.0788 – #2 out of 145

Russia also has a total of 4,292 aircraft, 131,527 military vehicles, and 419 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

8. Indonesia

Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Active personnel: 400,000
Reserves: 400,000
Total military personnel: 1,050,000
Total population: 281,562,465
Fit-for-service: 114,595,923
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2557 – #13 out of 145

Indonesia also has a total of 459 aircraft, 20,440 military vehicles, and 331 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

7. Egypt

Paramilitary forces: 300,000
Active personnel: 440,000
Reserves: 480,000
Total military personnel: 1,220,000
Total population: 111,247,248
Fit-for-service: 38,269,053
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3427 – #19 out of 145

Egypt also has a total of 1,093 aircraft, 41,012 military vehicles, and 150 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

6. Pakistan

Pakistan military tank by Ahmed Bin Mazhar

Pakistan military tank (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Ahmed Bin Mazhar

Paramilitary forces: 500,000
Active personnel: 654,000
Reserves: 550,000
Total military personnel: 1,704,000
Total population: 252,363,571
Fit-for-service: 85,803,614
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2513 – #12 out of 145

Pakistan also has a total of 1,399 aircraft, 17,516 military vehicles, and 121 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

5. Serbia

Paramilitary forces: 600,000
Active personnel: 25,000
Reserves: 2,000
Total military personnel: 627,000
Total population: 6,652,212
Fit-for-service: 2,574,406
Military strength score and world rank: 1.2576 – #63 out of 145

Serbia also has a total of 110 aircraft and 3,683 military vehicles at its disposal.

4. China

China News 4 Ways How Chinas Military Stacks Up Against the US by Times Asi

China News 4 Ways How Chinas Military Stacks Up Against the US (CC BY 2.0) by Times Asi

Paramilitary forces: 625,000
Active personnel: 2,035,000
Reserves: 510,000
Total military personnel: 3,170,000
Total population: 1,415,043,270
Fit-for-service: 626,864,169
Military strength score and world rank: 0.0788 – #3 out of 145

China also has a total of 3,309 aircraft, 144,017 military vehicles, and 754 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

3. Cuba

Paramilitary forces: 1,145,000
Active personnel: 45,500
Reserves: 40,000
Total military personnel: 1,230,500
Total population: 10,966,038
Fit-for-service: 4,737,328
Military strength score and world rank: 1.3286 – #67 out of 145

Cuba also has a total of 31 aircraft, 6,864 military vehicles, and 19 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

2. India

Paramilitary forces: 2,527,000
Active personnel: 1,455,550
Reserves: 1,155,000
Total military personnel: 5,137,550
Total population: 1,409,128,296
Fit-for-service: 522,786,598
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1184 – #4 out of 145

India also has a total of 2,229 aircraft, 148,594 military vehicles, and 293 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

1. Bangladesh

Paramilitary forces: 6,800,000
Active personnel: 163,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 6,963,000
Total population: 168,697,184
Fit-for-service: 66,129,296
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6062 – #35 out of 145

Bangladesh also has a total of 214 aircraft, 11,584 military vehicles, and 118 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

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