Despite receiving arms support from many other NATO nations, including Belgium, France, Poland, Canada, and Denmark, Ukraine’s requests for NATO membership have gone unanswered, largely due to the fear of igniting a broader war with Russia.
Sweden and Finland, however, were formally welcomed to join the alliance a few months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. With the addition of these two Scandinavian countries, NATO may reap the benefits of an additional combined force of over 47,000 active military personnel as well as Finland’s cache of one of the most powerful arsenals in Western Europe.
To determine the strongest North Atlantic Treaty Organization members by military power, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2023 data from GlobalFirepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. We ranked countries according to GlobalFirepower’s military strength index, the Power Index, which rates stronger countries closer to zero and weaker countries with higher index values. The index takes into account over 60 factors, including the arsenal, vehicles, aircraft, and more at each countries’ disposal. Only the 30 countries that were NATO members at the beginning of 2023 are included in our analysis.
NATO is a multinational security force of 30 countries that will come to one another’s aid in the case of attack by another nation or force. While 28 of NATO’s members are European nations, two are North American – Canada and the United States. (Here is how Russia’s and NATO’s military capabilities compare.)
The latest country to join the alliance was North Macedonia, which ranks near the bottom of the firepower index, with 9,000 active military, 20 aircraft, and no naval fleet. Other countries on the lower end of the list are Luxembourg, Montenegro, and Iceland. One of NATO’s founding members, Iceland is the only country in the bloc without a military. Its strategic position in the North Atlantic, however, makes it a valuable ally, and the island nation has provided land and facilities for the stationing of troops. (These are the nations without a military.)
Among the most powerful NATO members are Italy, France, the U.K., and the U.S. With over 1.39 million active military members and an aircraft fleet of 13,300, the U.S. military provides more personnel than the next six countries combined and more airpower than all other 29 NATO countries combined.
Click here to see all NATO members ranked by military power.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
30. Iceland
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 3.4845
> Active military: None
> Naval fleet size: None
> Aircraft fleet size: None
> Military spending (2021): $0
> Spending as percent of GDP: 0.0%
> Population (2021): 372,520 – #30 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
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Source: CatEyePerspective / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
29. Montenegro
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 2.8704
> Active military: 2,500 – #28 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 13 – #21 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 11 – #25 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $98.6 million – #29 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.7% – #14 most of 30
> Population (2021): 619,210 – #29 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2017
24/7 Wall St.
Source: SvetlanaSF / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
28. Luxembourg
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 2.8202
> Active military: 1,000 – #29 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: None
> Aircraft fleet size: 1 – #29 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $460.0 million – #26 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 0.6% – #29 most of 30
> Population (2021): 640,060 – #28 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. North Macedonia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 2.1717
> Active military: 9,000 – #23 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: None
> Aircraft fleet size: 20 – #23 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $214.6 million – #28 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.5% – #18 most of 30
> Population (2021): 2,065,090 – #25 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2020
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Source: marine_corps / Flickr
26. Estonia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 2.0686
> Active military: 4,000 – #27 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 6 – #23 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 6 – #27 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $764.0 million – #24 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.2% – #5 most of 30
> Population (2021): 1,330,930 – #27 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
Source: imantsu / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
25. Latvia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.9161
> Active military: 6,500 – #26 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 18 – #19 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 4 – #28 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $826.6 million – #23 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.3% – #4 most of 30
> Population (2021): 1,884,490 – #26 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
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Source: Sean Gallup / Getty Images News via Getty Images
24. Lithuania
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.9026
> Active military: 16,000 – #19 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 11 – #22 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 10 – #26 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $1.24 billion – #21 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.0% – #10 most of 30
> Population (2021): 2,800,840 – #23 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Albania
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.8466
> Active military: 8,000 – #24 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 19 – #18 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 19 – #24 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $236.4 million – #27 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.4% – #20 most of 30
> Population (2021): 2,811,670 – #22 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2009
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
22. Slovenia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.7261
> Active military: 7,000 – #25 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 2 – #24 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 37 – #22 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $734.4 million – #25 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.2% – #27 most of 30
> Population (2021): 2,108,080 – #24 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
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Source: Goran Jakus Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. Croatia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.2141
> Active military: 15,000 – #21 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 34 – #16 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 80 – #18 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $1.7 billion – #20 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.7% – #3 most of 30
> Population (2021): 3,899,000 – #21 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2009
Source: Alexandros Michailidis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Belgium
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.1836
> Active military: 26,000 – #14 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 17 – #20 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 106 – #14 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $6.3 billion – #13 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.1% – #28 most of 30
> Population (2021): 11,592,950 – #12 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
19. Slovakia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 1.1789
> Active military: 13,000 – #22 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: None
> Aircraft fleet size: 48 – #21 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $2.0 billion – #19 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.7% – #14 most of 30
> Population (2021): 5,447,250 – #19 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
24/7 Wall St.
Source: martin-dm / iStock via Getty Images
18. Bulgaria
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.9757
> Active military: 25,000 – #16 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 29 – #17 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 66 – #19 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $1.2 billion – #22 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.6% – #16 most of 30
> Population (2021): 6,877,740 – #17 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. Hungary
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.8643
> Active military: 23,000 – #17 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: None
> Aircraft fleet size: 57 – #20 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $2.8 billion – #18 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.6% – #16 most of 30
> Population (2021): 9,709,890 – #16 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1999
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Source: Plougmann / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
16. Denmark
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.8011
> Active military: 16,000 – #19 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 74 – #10 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 115 – #13 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $5.4 billion – #15 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.4% – #20 most of 30
> Population (2021): 5,856,730 – #18 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
Source: Chalabala / iStock via Getty Images
15. Czechia
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.7849
> Active military: 26,000 – #14 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: None
> Aircraft fleet size: 97 – #17 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $3.9 billion – #17 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.4% – #20 most of 30
> Population (2021): 10,505,770 – #14 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1999
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
14. Romania
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.7735
> Active military: 67,000 – #11 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 45 – #15 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 146 – #11 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $5.6 billion – #14 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.0% – #10 most of 30
> Population (2021): 19,119,880 – #10 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 2004
Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Portugal
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.6116
> Active military: 27,000 – #13 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 111 – #7 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 104 – #15 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $4.9 billion – #16 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.1% – #7 most of 30
> Population (2021): 10,325,150 – #15 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
12. Netherlands
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.5801
> Active military: 35,000 – #12 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 61 – #12 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 136 – #12 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $13.8 billion – #9 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.4% – #20 most of 30
> Population (2021): 17,533,040 – #11 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. Norway
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.5289
> Active military: 23,000 – #17 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 48 – #14 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 100 – #16 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $8.3 billion – #11 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.8% – #13 most of 30
> Population (2021): 5,408,320 – #20 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
10. Greece
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.4621
> Active military: 130,000 – #7 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 120 – #6 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 635 – #6 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $8.1 billion – #12 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 3.9% – #1 most of 30
> Population (2021): 10,641,220 – #13 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1952
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Source: zabelin / iStock via Getty Images
9. Canada
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.3956
> Active military: 70,000 – #10 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 61 – #12 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 376 – #10 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $26.4 billion – #6 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.3% – #25 most of 30
> Population (2021): 38,246,110 – #8 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
Source: ewg3D / iStock via Getty Images
8. Germany
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.3881
> Active military: 184,000 – #5 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 80 – #9 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 601 – #7 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $56.0 billion – #4 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.3% – #25 most of 30
> Population (2021): 83,196,080 – #3 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1955
Source: ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office / Wikimedia Commons
7. Spain
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.3556
> Active military: 120,000 – #8 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 166 – #3 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 517 – #8 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $19.5 billion – #7 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.4% – #20 most of 30
> Population (2021): 47,415,750 – #7 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1982
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Source: Kamila Kozioå‚ (Koziolkamila) / iStock via Getty Images
6. Poland
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.3406
> Active military: 120,000 – #8 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 86 – #8 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 459 – #9 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $13.7 billion – #10 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.1% – #7 most of 30
> Population (2021): 37,747,120 – #9 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1999
Source: CatEyePerspective / iStock via Getty Images
5. Turkey
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.2016
> Active military: 425,000 – #2 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 154 – #4 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 1,065 – #2 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $15.5 billion – #8 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.1% – #7 most of 30
> Population (2021): 84,775,400 – #2 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1952
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Source: naphtalina / iStock via Getty Images
4. Italy
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.1973
> Active military: 170,000 – #6 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 313 – #2 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 850 – #4 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $32.0 billion – #5 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.5% – #18 most of 30
> Population (2021): 59,109,670 – #6 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
Source: Gwengoat / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. France
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.1848
> Active military: 205,000 – #3 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 126 – #5 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 1,004 – #3 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $56.6 billion – #3 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 1.9% – #12 most of 30
> Population (2021): 67,749,630 – #4 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
Source: Scott Nelson / Getty Images
2. United Kingdom
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.1435
> Active military: 194,000 – #4 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 73 – #11 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 663 – #5 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $68.4 billion – #2 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 2.2% – #5 most of 30
> Population (2021): 67,326,570 – #5 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
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Source: DanielBendjy / E+ via Getty Images
1. United States
> GlobalFirepower military strength index: 0.0712
> Active military: 1,390,000 – #1 most of 30
> Naval fleet size: 484 – #1 most of 30
> Aircraft fleet size: 13,300 – #1 most of 30
> Military spending (2021): $800.7 billion – #1 most of 30
> Spending as percent of GDP: 3.5% – #2 most of 30
> Population (2021): 331,893,740 – #1 most of 30
> Year joined NATO: 1949
Methodology
To determine the strongest North Atlantic Treaty Organization members by military power, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2023 data from GlobalFirepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. We ranked countries according to GlobalFirepower’s military strength index, the Power Index, which rates stronger countries closer to zero and weaker countries with higher index values. The index takes into account over 60 factors, including the arsenal, vehicles, aircraft, and more at each countries’ disposal.
Active service personnel, total military aircraft, and naval vessels are from GlobalFirepower. From Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s Military Expenditure Database, we included total military spending by country in 2021 and military spending as a percentage of gross domestic product. 2021 population figures came from the World Bank. From NATO, we added the year that each country joined the alliance.
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