It may seem as if the United States is one of the only dominant forces in the military forum, and to some extent they are. Recognized each year for decades as the most superior military worldwide, it remains on top as a result of its technologically advanced weaponry, local strike capabilities, and most essentially, its extensive defense budget.
The U.S. may consistently keep a large and well-equipped armed force, comprised of its five main branches the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, but it isn’t the only country known for its impressive military. Other nations have been developing their capabilities, some as a means of defense against potential threats and others as a way of competing with, or defeating the U.S. in a possible conflict. (These are the nations with the largest active duty militaries.)
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries to determine the nations with the most powerful militaries in the world. These 145 nations were ranked by Global Firepower 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. Supplemental information regarding active military personnel, military aircraft, vehicles, and naval power was also included.
There are currently five world superpowers, all of whom are listed here. Russia is one of them, coming in at the number two spot of the most powerful militaries in the world. This country has built upon its Soviet-era military legacy and made significant strides in modernizing its armed forces. Moscow’s military might is evident in its extensive land power and technologically advanced arsenal, even compared to the United States.
China takes the third position in military might, although it ranks number one for the largest armed forces. This nation has been investing heavily in modernizing its military, specifically its navy. As the third most powerful military in the world, the People’s Liberation Army is focused on expanding its capabilities, within and outside its borders. In recent years, production on new aircraft carriers and a series of support ships has been a prime directive.
It should be noted that countries towards the top of this list have much larger military budgets and also tend to have much larger air forces. The most powerful militaries in the world possess diverse capabilities and strengths but also have some commonalities. (These are the countries with the most tanks.)
Here are the most powerful militaries in the world:
30. Singapore
Source: Joshelerry / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.4087
Singapore has an active military personnel of 51,000, comprised of 247 aircraft, 8,318 military vehicles, and 43 navy ships and submarines.
29. Sweden
Source: ajw1970 / Flickr
- Military strength score: 0.4009
Sweden has an active military personnel of 24,400, comprised of 212 aircraft, 7,958 military vehicles, and 353 navy ships and submarines.
28. Argentina
Source: nickalbi / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.3823
Argentina has an active military personnel of 108,000, comprised of 229 aircraft, 21,724 military vehicles, and 41 navy ships and submarines.
27. Canada
Source: zabelin / iStock via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.3813
Canada has an active military personnel of 68,000, comprised of 375 aircraft, 18,054 military vehicles, and 67 navy ships and submarines.
26. Algeria
Source: Jawi13, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.3589
Algeria has an active military personnel of 325,000, comprised of 605 aircraft, 35,990 military vehicles, and 213 navy ships and submarines.
25. Thailand
Source: Athit Perawongmetha / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.3389
Thailand has an active military personnel of 360,850, comprised of 501 aircraft, 14,040 military vehicles, and 293 navy ships and submarines.
24. Taiwan
Source: pixgrapher / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.3302
Taiwan has an active military personnel of 215,000, comprised of 750 aircraft, 19,868 military vehicles, and 93 navy ships and submarines.
23. Saudi Arabia
Source: Abid Katib / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.3235
Saudi Arabia has an active military personnel of 257,000, comprised of 914 aircraft, 20,694 military vehicles, and 57 navy ships and submarines.
22. Vietnam
Source: Photo by D. Myles Cullen / U.S. Department of Defense
- Military strength score: 0.3158
Vietnam has an active military personnel of 600,000, comprised of 226 aircraft, 18,578 military vehicles, and 97 navy ships and submarines.
21. Poland
Source: Archive of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2 ), via Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.2917
Poland has an active military personnel of 202,100, comprised of 468 aircraft, 13,956 military vehicles, and 45 navy ships and submarines.
20. Spain
Source: ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office / Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.2882
Spain has an active military personnel of 133,282, comprised of 513 aircraft, 15,046 military vehicles, and 168Â navy ships and submarines.
19. Germany
Source: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.2847
Germany has an active military personnel of 181,600, comprised of 618 aircraft, 79,317 military vehicles, and 64 navy ships and submarines.
18. Ukraine
Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.2598
Ukraine has an active military personnel of 900,000, comprised of 321 aircraft, 22,110 military vehicles, and 104 navy ships and submarines.
17. Israel
Source: archer10 / Flickr
- Military strength score: 0.2596
Israel has an active military personnel of 170,000, comprised of 612 aircraft, 43,407 military vehicles, and 67 navy ships and submarines.
16. Australia
Source: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.2515
Australia has an active military personnel of 57,350, comprised of 325 aircraft, 16,162 military vehicles, and 43 navy ships and submarines.
15. Egypt
Source: Ed Giles / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.2283
Egypt has an active military personnel of 440,000, comprised of 1,080 aircraft, 77,596 military vehicles, and 140 navy ships and submarines.
14. Iran
Source: Majid Saeedi / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.2269
Iran has an active military personnel of 610,000, comprised of 551 aircraft, 65,765 military vehicles, and 101 navy ships and submarines.
13. Indonesia
Source: Dimas Ardian / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.2251
Indonesia has an active military personnel of 400,000, comprised of 474 aircraft, 11,604 military vehicles, and 333 navy ships and submarines.
12. Brazil
Source: Victor Soares/ABr / Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.1944
Brazil has an active military personnel of 360,000, comprised of 628 aircraft, 44,044 military vehicles, and 134 navy ships and submarines.
11. France
Source: Getty Images / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1878
France has an active military personnel of 200,000, comprised of 972 aircraft, 85,023 military vehicles, and 128 navy ships and submarines.
10. Italy
Source: Utente:Jollyroger / Wikimedia Commons
- Military strength score: 0.1863
Italy has an active military personnel of 165,500, comprised of 800 aircraft, 61,892 military vehicles, and 309 navy ships and submarines.
9. Pakistan
Source: Mirko Kuzmanovic / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1711
Pakistan has an active military personnel of 654,000, comprised of 1,434 aircraft, 50,523 military vehicles, and 114 navy ships and submarines.
8. Turkey
Source: IC / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1697
Turkey has an active military personnel of 355,200, comprised of 1,069 aircraft, 55,104 military vehicles, and 186 navy ships and submarines.
7. Japan
Source: Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1601
Japan has an active military personnel of 247,150, comprised of 1,459 aircraft, 37,662 military vehicles, and 155 navy ships and submarines.
6. United Kingdom
Source: Carl Court / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1443
The United Kingdom has an active military personnel of 184,860, comprised of 664 aircraft, 27,203 military vehicles, and 117 navy ships and submarines.
5. South Korea
Source: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1416
South Korea has an active military personnel of 600,000, comprised of 1,576 aircraft, 66,492 military vehicles, and 200 navy ships and submarines.
4. India
Source: BDphoto / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.1023
India has an active military personnel of 1,455,550, comprised of 2,296 aircraft, 151,248 military vehicles, and 294 navy ships and submarines.
3. China
Source: Kevin Frayer / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.0706
China has an active military personnel of 2,035,000, comprised of 3,304 aircraft, 174,300 military vehicles, and 730 navy ships and submarines.
2. Russia
Source: Alexander Aksakov / Getty Images
- Military strength score: 0.0702
Russia has an active military personnel of 1,320,000, comprised of 4,255 aircraft, 161,382 military vehicles, and 781 navy ships and submarines.
1. United States
Source: usnavy / Flickr
- Military strength score: 0.0699
The United States has an active military personnel of 1,328,000, comprised of 13,209 aircraft, 360,069 military vehicles, and 472 navy ships and submarines.
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Orare you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.