There’s been much discussion and debate about our original article about the Top 10 Armies in the World. First written in 2010, we’ve been updating it ever since.
Nearly every country in the world has its own army to protect its interests against internal and external enemies. Most countries like to boast of their military prowess, often claiming to be one of the strongest in the world. Not all can actually back that claim with data and numbers
In an effort to quantify the rankings of the top military forces in the world, we analyzed data on over sixty countries. We based this on the most recent data available at GlobalFirepower. This includes the size of defense budget, number of active military members, tanks and armored vehicles, aircraft and helicopters, and number of naval craft.
Additionally, we considered nuclear capability and recent operations, the latter meaning that the army actually has live combat experience.
We then assigned a weight to each of these components, and finally calculated an overall score for each country. In most places, this differs from the country’s GlobalFirepower rank.
After the calculations were completed, the top ten armies in the world became easily visible as the most powerful militaries in the world.
Most of these armies were involved in the major conflicts of the modern world. Notably, these include World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Additionally, many were involved in conflicts fighting for their own country’s independence.
The Turkish Army dates back more than 2,000 years, though the modern day military branches were founded in 1920. With a force of over 730 and a budget of close to $19 billion, it is solidly in the top ten military powers in the world.
It ranks fourth on the list for tanks and armored vehicles, estimated at just over 11,000. Ground forces are additionally supported by an outsize artillery. Out of the nations on this list, Turkey is currently the only without nuclear capability.
With very few exceptions, military service is required of all male citizens after the age of twenty, contributing to the large force and reserve size. After the U.S. and ahead of France, it is the second largest ground force in NATO.
The Turkish Army was involved in the Korean War, recurrent internal Kurdish conflicts, the division of Cyprus, and recently Syria. Its largest conflict to date, however, was the Turkish Independence War. In this confrontation, it fought Russia, Britain, Greece, France and Italy along its borders. It was one of the few larger powers to remain neutral until almost the end of World War II.
The British Armed Forces were organized in 1661 and have been involved in various conflicts including the Napoleonic Wars, Revolutionary War and both world wars. In fact, only 22 countries in the world were never invaded by British forces.
The British Army has had a significant presence in Northern Ireland and the Balkans. It stood beside the United States in the Gulf War in the 1990s. The army is a powerful force in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The active duty force of the British military is over 190,000 strong, making it the second largest army in the European Union behind France. The U.K. has a defense budget of over $51 billion annually. Of the top ten military powers, it has the smallest number of active duty members but the fourth-largest budget, behind only the U.S., China, and India.
There are three branches of service. These are the Royal Navy, the British Army proper and the Royal Air Force, also known as RAF.
With nearly 750 aircraft and helicopters and around 5,500 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery, it is a viable force and an unwavering ally of the United States.
The Pakistan Armed Forces were founded in 1947, and comprises three service branches. It succeeded the former British Indian Army after the country gained independence the same year.
Pakistan’s military history includes recurrent conflicts with its bordering neighbors of Afghanistan and India, the Gulf War and Mogadishu, Somalia in the early 90s.
The country is part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). As such, it has been active against ISIL and other terrorist groups. Pakistan has also served as an ally to the United States in the Global War on Terrorism. It assisted in the fight against both Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and along its borders.
At the same time, the army maintains close ties with the Chinese military.
This volunteer army consists of an active duty force of over 650,000 personnel. Additional reserve forces are another 550,000 strong. Together, they make the Pakistan Armed Forces into one of the largest armies in the world.
Pakistan’s defense budget is around $11.5 billion. This may be the smallest budget of the top ten military powers, but still far exceeds the defense budget of most other countries around the world.
While on par with U.K. for naval craft, Pakistan boasts several hundred more aircraft and helicopters, over 9,000 tanks and armored vehicles, and a much larger amount of artillery pieces.
Israel maintains a conscript army. It is the only country in the world that requires military service from both male and female citizens with few exceptions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were founded in 1948, but trace their roots to several paramilitary organizations active against the British while they held Palestine. Today, the IDF maintains an active duty force of over 170,000. In comparison, its reserves are enormous, evaluated at around 450,000.
Its fleet is fairly small, but the IDF can field considerable airpower and over 13,000 tanks and armored vehicles.
The Israeli military history includes the Arab-Israel War, the Six-Day War and numerous conflicts with Lebanon, the annexed Palestine, and frequent operations against Iran. As a whole, it is one of the most battle-tested armies of the world.
The United States remains one of Israel’s largest and closest allies, giving the IDF preferential access to new military technology. Israel’s defense budget clocks in at fully $20 billion.
Since its struggles during the World Wars, France does no longer enjoy the reputation of a military superpower. These perceptions aside, the numbers tell a different story.
France has a military of over 360,000 strong across the army, navy, air and space force and paramilitary branches. This makes it the largest army in the European Union by numbers. It is unique in letting foreign nationals serve in its forces – in the notorious and elite Foreign Legion. Unusually, the country’s police also form part of the French Armed Forces.
Compared to its one-time hereditary rival, the British Armed Forces, it commands more craft across almost all categories. The exception are some naval classes and artillery pieces. Its budget, however, is smaller than the U.K.’s, at $41 billion.
The North Korean People’s Army was established in 1939 and has an impressive size of more than 1,250,000 soldiers. When reserve unit numbers are added to this, estimates are more than seven million soldiers could be activated if needed. This makes the North Korean forces potentially the largest in the world.
Major conflicts in North Korea’s history are the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Tensions between North and South Korea still exist today. Technically, the conflict is a frozen one – it never officially ended between the two.
Its defense budget, at $1.6 billion, is nominally small. Much of its economy, however, is prepared for military use along a total war doctrine. Additionally, North Korea is a relatively close, though erratic, ally of China.
North Korea has confirmed its nuclear and chemical weapons capability in recent years with threats against various countries. This especially includes the United States, mainly for its alliance with South Korea. Over the last decade, it has also emerged as a cyber-war force to be reckoned with.
The Indian Army’s roots go back, with only minor interruptions, to the Stone Age. Today, it is the largest all-volunteer ground force in the world with nearly 1.5 million active duty soldiers. Reserves make up a force an additional 2 million strong.
India has never had to institute a draft to staff its ground force. The Indian Army – overlapping with the British Indian Army – was active in both world wars. Subsequently, the Indian Armed Forces fought in conflicts for the country’s own independence. Border skirmishes with Pakistan are common in its history.
The Indian military consists of three branches as well as several paramilitary units, and operates on a budget of more than $61 billion. While its aircraft and helicopter as well as tank and armored vehicle numbers rank it solidly in the middle of the list, it has a relatively small naval fleet. India also has more than eighty nuclear warheads in its possession.
Russia has undergone numerous changes throughout its military history. This history dates back all the way to 863. The modern day army – the Russian Ground Force – arose in 1992, following on the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Previous Russian military organizations, including the Red Army, saw combat in regional conflicts, both World Wars and numerous Cold War operations. Before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was one of two superpowers in the world. By this point, it had surpassed the United States both in terms of the number of soldiers and nuclear weapons.
The Russian Ground Force draws its soldiers through a military draft. In principle, all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 33 serve for a period of 12 months. There are, however, many reasons for exception and deferral, and bribery is common.
Russia currently has over 1.2 million active duty military members and 2 million in reserves. It operates under a comparatively slim budget of more than $48 billion dollars. In terms of finances, only India, China and the U.S. are bigger spenders. Though its air force and ground capabilities are larger than China’s, the latter has been gaining rapidly, and China possesses a larger navy.
Russia also has the largest number of nuclear warheads in the world – nearly 8,000. This stock, though, is aging, and not all of it is combat-ready.
The People’s Liberation Army of China is the largest military in the world in absolute numbers. It numbers nearly 2.2 million soldiers, with a reserve over 500,000 strong. After significant cuts in forces a decade ago, numbers are again increasing.
The Chinese Army arose in 1927. It was active in the Sino-Japanese conflict, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
While technically service is a necessity for all men over the age of 18, China has never had to draft soldiers. There have always been more than enough Chinese men who have volunteered for military service to their country.
It has the second largest defense budget, at nearly $240 billion – a full $100 billion more than a decade ago. This corresponds roughly to the combined budget of all previous countries on this list. It also houses nuclear weapons, with estimates putting the number at around 350.
The United States military’s history dates back to 1775, where it arose out of rebel forces fighting the Revolutionary War. With over 1.4 million on active duty, it now has the third largest active duty force ranking behind China and India.
However, the defense budget is what really sets the U.S. apart from all other countries on the list. With a budget of over $750 billion, it exceeds all other military budgets on this list combined by nearly $250 billion, and China’s by over $500 billion.
The U.S. Army and its special forces have participated in every major world war, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, and leads the Global War on Terrorism.
The modern day Army is an all-volunteer force, though drafts have been used for long periods. It maintains numerous permanent posts throughout the United States as well as Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Japan, Korea, and other countries.
Ranking only behind Russia in the total number of warheads, the U.S. has the largest number of active warheads in the world.
The U.S. also has the largest number of aircraft and helicopters by far with just under 14,000. It’s still comfortably ahead of China in the number of tanks and armored vehicles. Its air dominance also shows in its fleet, which is smaller than China’s, but features numerous aircraft carriers and supporting craft.
View Comments
You know, there are a lot of us that would just as soon we pull all our armed forces back from the places we aren't wanted, and just defend our real friends and our own territory, and just let the rest of you ingrates annihilate each other. I guarantee there would be some new "dead zones" all over the world, some bankrupt nations, some former proud nations living under Sharia and a lot of misery with no help in sight. And you'd be railing at the US for not stepping in.
But maybe that's what needs to happen for the world to figure out how to get along, and to appreciate the the net good that Americans do for an ungrateful world.
The "net American good" to the "ungrateful world" always comes with a price tag, which nations have to pay through their noses for generations to come!
Many times, this "net American good" is not called for and is only good for USA or its enterprises even in oil-rich "Shariya" places like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia!
U dont worry.. That is y they wont invade u! ;) because nothin s der... Else Out Of memmory.
Where the heck did the above loon came from?
Probably some slum in downtrodden India. Keep your nose where it belongs ==} Cow dung!
@ above li*kr..
Slums in India haha.. naughty the whole pakistan is a big slum. . . u try to jus smell acroos ur lahore. frog in d well.
Compared to Delhi and Culcutta and Mumbai; Lahore is definitely a heaven! You have to see it to belive it.
Not that i expect a hate-filled retard to understand it!
hace you come across those cities ? haha i feel so pity on you ...
http://www.news-world.us/pics/2010/08/22/60-worst-countries-in-the-world/
this is were ur pakistan is. best amoung worst countries.
I have lot of paki friends while i was abroad. They lik pak but hate to live in that country. They felt so bad abut their country and inflation and living (25 rs for a single tea) :D. the more what Can I tell you.
Your lahore is 163 rd ,:D c dis
http://www.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/livable_cities_worldwide.html
2006 now lots of blasts.. and slums..
may be upgraded to 200th
Also see this and you are telling about the slums in India.. Avg 8th position in world cities in 2010 (explanation also there) http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/76165
Can u pls provide position of Lahore('heaven compared to delhi'- real stupidity)?
MORON WARNING ABOVE.
ALL ARTICLES WRITTEN BY LIKE-MINDED, HATEFILLED INDIANS!
If any one tells the facts with proof u can simply curse in capital letters!! haha.. carry on Sh** 8r
im not american but i will bet the farm on US millitary any time all you need is US AIR FORCE, some of the F22,F15,F35 , long range bombers ,apache gunship,laser guided missiles,tactical missiles ,highly mobile navy aircraft carriers most in number in any nation submarines and good old nuclear bomb their is no nation in this world that can challange US millitary in allout war not a chance so stop fooling your selfs it my hurt and it may be sad but thats the reality US millitary destroy all of visible enemy targets in iraq and afganistan in days but all that hiding individuals russia, turkey ,spian,england,pakistan ,israil all this nations have the same failing point of dealing with hiding terrorist not only US millitary
Treu, but still. A lot of missery is in Africa.
Reason they are in Afghanistan is that they want to build ( or already have) a straight pipline for oil from the balkan which needs to be protected.
Dont act like the US is some salvation army, there are strong economical reasons to do as they do.
The whole story about salvation comes from cnn & serves to sell the warr to the american people.
The US has the greatest wealth of any country BY FAR, which leads to no assumptions. Of course we have the technology, we field the greatest training, and we have more of everything. We have never lost a war. Some could differ in the end game in a few instances, but in those instances we have never any major battles. In the end, we have the best war record. That's what counts. If the US Army went up against the UK, for some random reason, the US would win hands down. If anything, we have the greatest Air Force, Navy, and Special Forces divisions...
Also, moucxs... The US army IS an all-volunteer force. If you want scholarships, you apply for them. Most are out of private institutions. We have a free economy, not a socialist one. If you join the army, you get an $80,000+ GI bill after 5 years of service. The Army has the best training available. If you're an infantry man, however, I would agree on some levels. And when we're in enemy territory, we don't play any games. If a dude drives a car next to a tank in Iraq seemingly on purpose, we assume there is an IED in the car, we fucking shoot the bastard and isolate the vehicle. Don't let "The Hurt Locker" fool you (if you have seen it). I would agree the movies and videos on YouTube have it right in some cases... but don't let your friend's experiences "color" your decision.
Furthermore... I'm glad a few people caught on to a significant point... When we help, you think we're invading. If we don't, you would insult the US for not coming to help.
Sorry if you think I sound pretentious or stuck-up, but this is a subject that's very dear to my heart because my father has served in the US military and continues to do so. If you want to talk about who has the most gorgeous women, or the best food... we've already lost.
Sorry to disappoint you bro. USA lost the Vietnam war. Your pride the marine were fleeing to remote Islands to save their lives.
What exactly is the reason the U.S. has the "best" army?
Sure it is one of the most technically advanced armies, since they spend tons of money on it (which they don't have), and fight a lot of wars (mostly for no reason), but they lose 9/10 wars they enter (even when they start it and pick the terrain).
And:
"The active duty force of the British Army is more than 100,000 strong, making it the second largest army in the European Union behind France."
and in this same article you state that Germany has 200.000 soldiers, since when is 100k more than 200k?
The number is incorrect. The German army only has 90,000 soldiers
In today's world only being the largest or the second largest in Europe or having technology wont help. India has more than a million active personals and about 2.2 million reserve personals. China has around 2 million active personals and about 3 million reserves, do you even think that you have got a chance. The west have the advantage because they have looted the east for centuries but I don't think that you are recognizing it, the east is growing stronger both economically and in military terms also.
Ex- China(2nd largest economy), India(4rt largest economy). these countries might not be the richest yet but in the future the tables will definitely turn.
England could not even win a single war in both the world wars without the outsourced 2,00,000+ Indian solders and the USA support.
The west is not as strong as they were. Only the middle east due to their lack of technology and man power might lose to the western power but in Asiatic nations like Russia, China, India only the USA stand a chance.
I wonder how this is ranked? Also, the title says Army, not Defense. The US and UK are naval superpowers and rule the seas. The Navies contributes a lot towards their defense and ability to project power.
Israel's Airforce is its primary offensive weapon against military targets. Not their army.
Is the metric gross budget? Or perhaps percentage of GDP? Those would explain the rankings.
Dear All,
Guys I think Pakistan army is the best army in the world. This is how?
If you see the tribal areas of pakistan from 300 years back, none of the armies from all over the world conquer this area except "Pakistan Army". Britishers also surrender the area, but pakistan army conquer the particular area with in one month.So Pakistan Army is of above level and no one can reach this level.
Regards
LOL - Hey Pakistan wasn't even a country 300 years ago, it was British India and India before that. It was the Khalsa Army of the Punjab that controlled that whole area before the British.
Your point being....? India was never a whole country itself.... not a 1,000 years back, not even 2,000 years back. It was always a group of princely states (even during British Rule) or small states ruled by Sultans, Rajas and Mahrajas.
Atleast, we have historical records of living as one nation under the rule of Mughals and other Muslim sultanates before that. (if you consider geography)
P.S. Most of the Punjab comes under Pakistan's rule today!
No country was a whole except European countries in the Medieval Age. The country border came much later. Earlier, all were Empires and Kingdoms. Nationalism gained ground only in the Modern history from the 18th Century.
So you do accept.... that India never was one nation to begin with. (Unlike so many other Indians who believe the contrary. Perhaps the Indian govt. should start focusing on "quality" of education then) Nation states in EUROPE came after 18th Century. SO many Nations were there the whole time in India, living independently.
Besides, for a country like India (with so many nations in it and 1.2 Billion Population!), its only a miracle that it has survived even for 60 years as a single entity. One wonders for how long it can be that way.
Entire continents like Africa and South America can only hold fewer populations and fewer ethnicities and nations!
@ Nabeel: We stays 2gether until the end of world because insane like u people are much much less in our country. Unity in Diversity, That what we are proud of, and now it is getting more and more stronger than your country, who r just binded b'coz of a religious wickedness. Even in ur country with muslim, are fighting each other violently as shia and sunni. You sig*figs only know to fight each other and kills each other. Tolerating Maniacs will surely have a limit by the entire world.
I "dare to look" towards the so-called "Great India" and I pity the pathetic fools living in it. Call it Freedom of Speech, call it Freedom of Expression or just some Compassion to Humanity. I know these are unfamiliar, even hostile terms in a place where people think from their as*es rather than using their rusted brains for a change!
For once, please do get your facts straight. Throughout its history, India has never been one country. Its a diverse set of different nations and different ethnicities who cannot live together for long. The fact that modern-day India has lasted for 60 years is a nothing short of a miracle, and a proof of support from major World Powers (After all, you people are a derivative of two hundred years of British atrocities). The question remains... how long is the magic going to last?
I mean every day its becoming more and more difficult. Your population is 1.2 Billion already. That’s bigger than the entire continent of Africa! Your collapse is inevitable!
To the Above Insane Nabeel and 4 his lies.. http://www1.internationalliving.com/qofl2010/ See this and understand you f*kin liar. Or if u r ignorant it will help you.
*Freedom of speech in India is 75% while Pakistan is below half 42%, while china is with 8%.
*In culture Pakistan just 3%, while India have 40%. What a pathetic idiot who don't have an Idea about his arse and talking about others.
*Safety of Life in India 64% and in Pakistan just 7%, & in china your DAD 57%.
Total Quality of life in INDIA-58%, China-56%,Pakistan (failed no pass)-43%
**France-82% is best with Quality of life Index.
Is this how you are comparing with humanity of Pakistan with liberty of India, and talking about our Culture hahaha, I cant control my laugh u idiot.
I mentioned this in here because holy sh*tz & nonsense from his(above one) Imagination, about human rights and freedom. SO just to say that we are ahead of f*kin china and our old bro Pakistan.
MY dear,
let me tell you the person who told you that pakistan army conquerd the tribal areas even before no one could done it perfectly we know that pakistan came into existance in 1947 but we are talking about efficiency of world armed forces
just think about the minimum resourses of pak armybut army had done tremendous job in s.w.a..i think we should list pak army at no 4 yes pak army deserve it...
India was a one nation even before Islam originated.
Rulers like Chandra Guptha Mourya I(defeated Alexander's army and married his commander's daughter) , Samudra Guptha Mourya(United the entire sub continent and parts of China under one rule), Chandra Gupta II , the super massive Nanda dynasty(even Alexander's army did not dare attack and turned back), Bhim dev Solanki(One of the weathiest and the only king who stood a chance against Gazni's Invasion, it is said that Gazni had to excavate gold for one whole month from solanki's temple), Bimbhisara, Ashoka, Hashavardana, Ayodhya kings(nearly 8 generations of undefeated and unified rule, One of our most worshiped gods Lord Ram was born in this dynasty), Dhvaraka dynasty(One of our most worshiped gods Lord Krishna was born in this dynasty).
These are facts and according to our history, India was under many kings known as "raja" and there was one powerful ruler Know as Chakravarthi who controlled other kings, so India was always under one rule and any battles were between the subordinate kings, the most powerful subordinate king would challenge the Chakravarti and if he wins he will replace as the Chakravarti. But all this remained only until the Islamic invasions began.
Nadirshah of Iran invaded India in 1739.he must have come through Pakistan. He must have defeated the rulers there or they must have never fought him. There's no other way to attack Delhi. this was within last 300 years.
In 1761, Ahmedshah Abdali invaded India. Same as what I said Above.
even this was within last 300 years.
One more thing, the now Pakistan army was a part of British Indian Army(Like Indian Army), not the army of tribals who must have fought bravely in the past.
I hope you find a good English teacher soon one day. Till then, there is no point arguing....
"Deadly Weapon" highlighted the fact.... that no other army in world could defeat the Tribal Warlords in the Tribal Belt between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Not the British, not the Russians and even USA and Nato have yet to prove their success against the reselience of these tribals. But Pakistani Army accomplished this feat in a month!
@ "Mithun": Some 300 years back.... the Bristish also invaded India..... All these invasions occurred because the Centre (a.k.a Mughal Empire) got weak. When the Sultanate at Dehli got weak.... all hell broke loose. The Subcontintent was under attack from all sides. Meanwhile most Indian princes and governors were busy fighting amongst themsleves.
Even the southern states of the subcontinent (Gujrat, Mysore, Hyderabad Deccan) which always remianed independent from the Sultanate at Delhi in North India, soon lost their independence!
There was no Pakistan in the 1700's you idiot! We were formed in 1947.... remember... Genius!
r u a UP history teacher? :D
Your Talking about a time when America wasn't a country and 300 years ago Britain was the world power. I surely have never heard a time when Pakistan was stronger than any country.
Dear All:
Pakistan's army is second to none in battlefield, Most courageous of the world,As the facts shown by Deadly Weapon.
Dear All:
Indian army is second to none in running from battlefield.
I don't want to hurt anyone but it is true if you read 1965 war history.
Israel army just Bullshit.
Indian Army got a pretty good beating in the 1965 War from Pakistan (Had it not been saved through diplomatic means, it would have no place to show its face in the world!) and in 1962 from the Chinese.
Indian Crappy army has a record number of attrocities including genocide and rape in a number of its own provinces!
Know anything about Battle of Longewala? please find facts
Battle of Longewala.... wasn't that part of 1971 War? You love fapping to that... dont you? LOL! What about all the other wars that Indians fought (1948 with Pakistan, 1962 with China and 1965 with Pakistan,) and so many other operations.... all lost!
Wikiphobiac
see this..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pakistani_War_of_1971
I have detailed explanation given above for trusting wiki about 99%.
if i ask for anything ..... and I mean ANYTHING else besides Wikipedia and You'll probably pee in your pants!
this is going no where. totally useless!
History .. is written in WIki wikiphobiac.
A lot other links other than wiki was provided by me (Check MC) abt ur army city and country in this forum. . :D
Well one thing is for sure, ignorance is not only bliss, it's funny as hell. I wish we were all in a room where we could actually talk... France, Pakistan, Britain, Turkey and any other country you care to name all have fine armies if you fight those armies on their terms.
Some of you are so full of hate towards the US you cant see the facts. Who cares about man to man, what someone did in history or any thing like that, we're talking raw military power in all it's forms. Just ask yourself this... pick any country you want and stack it up against the US. Then ask yourself, can this country defeat the US on US soil. I can promise you the answer is NO. Now can the US military defeat any country on its soil?... Let the US military fight at will and it would destroy any country you care to name.
Take out all the political BS and all your US hate dogma. Look at the facts, were talking military power, that' all. I challenge any of you to name one country... just one. And don't forget, you have to consider all military options, not just the politically correct ones.
I care to name history mt dear that showed how military might could be brought down to earth .... !!! I refer to the consequences US military faced in Vietnam my dear. The Battle of Iwo Jima. The battle of Pellielu and many more if counted. Hence rather sticking to coventional thinking of engaging armies in battles look to history and preception and lessons of past a little bit.
easy move your hole military force to antartica and perish dont bomb it please
NOBODY here says they "hate" U.S. Why do you hate yourself? Must be the "guilt" feeling....
If the U.S army is the best (I never said it isn't), then why do you feel so insecure?
If your taking politics out of this, Vietnam