Top 10 Countries With Most Powerful Military Forces in the World 2024: Rankings, Manpower, and Military Capabilities Unveiled
The basis of security of any country is its army. If the army is strong then there will be no danger of any external attack on the country. Every year a large part of the budget is spent on improving and strengthening the army. It is the responsibility and duty of the country to collect state-of-the-art weapons and technology for the army. The Indian Army is the fourth most powerful army in the world. India also spends a large part of its budget every year to strengthen its army. On this the question in your mind will be that who are the number 1 and number 2 armies of the world? Let us know through this article which are the top 10 powerful armies of the world.
| Rank | Rank & Nation | Power Index | Total Military Personnel (est) |
| 1 | United States | 0.0699 | 2,127,500 |
| 2 | Russia | 0.0702 | 3,570,000 |
| 3 | China | 0.0706 | 3,170,000 |
| 4 | India | 0.1023 | 5,137,550 |
| 5 | South Korea | 0.1416 | 3,820,000 |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 0.1443 | 1,108,860 |
| 7 | Japan | 0.1601 | 328,150 |
| 8 | Turkey | 0.1697 | 883,900 |
| 9 | The United Kingdom | 0.1711 | 1,704,000 |
| 10 | Italy | 0.1863 | 289,000 |
Top 10 Armies: These are the 10 Most Powerful Armies of the World
1. The United States
The world’s biggest power i.e. ‘The United States’ has the most powerful army in the world. If we talk about power, in 2024 the US have 104 million soldiers. According to the data, the US government spent US$693 billion on its military in 2023.
| Founded | 14 June 1775; 248 years ago[a] |
| Service branches | U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Coast Guard |
| Headquarters | The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia |
| Leadership | Commander-in-Chief: President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense: Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Homeland Security: Alejandro Mayorkas, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: GEN Charles Q. Brown Jr., USAF, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: ADM Christopher W. Grady, USN, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman: SEAC Troy E. Black, USMC |
| Personnel | Military age: 17 with parental consent, 18 for voluntary service[b], Conscription: Only males register at age 18 (conscription inactive since 1973), Available for military service: 15 million (2021), age 18–25, Active personnel: 1,328,000 (ranked 3rd), Reserve personnel: 799,500 |
| Expenditures | Budget: $816.7 billion (2023) (ranked 1st), Percent of GDP: 3.47% (2022) |
| Industry | Domestic suppliers: List, Foreign suppliers: United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Jordan, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, Czech Republic, Canada, South Korea, Brazil, Bulgaria, Annual imports: US$652.6 million (2014-2022), Annual exports: US$28.50 billion (2014-2022) |
| Related articles | History: Military history of the United States, Warfare directory of the United States, Conflicts involving the United States, Battles involving the United States |
| Ranks | Commissioned officer: Army officer, Marine Corps officer, Navy officer, Air Force officer, Space Force officer, Coast Guard officer, Warrant officer: Army warrant officer, Marine Corps warrant officer, Navy warrant officer, Coast Guard warrant officer, Enlisted: Army enlisted, Marine Corps enlisted, Navy enlisted, Air Force enlisted, Space Force enlisted, Coast Guard enlisted |
2. Russia
According to data, Russia has 12,950 tanks which is twice the number of tanks of the US. Russia has 900,000 active military and more than 4,100 aircraft. All these qualities make the Russian Army the second most powerful army in the world.
| Founded | 1721 (Imperial Russian Army) |
| Current form | 7 May 1992 |
| Service branches | – Ground Forces – Navy – Aerospace Forces – Strategic Rocket Forces – Airborne Forces – Special Operations Forces |
| Headquarters | Ministry of Defence, Moscow |
| Leadership | – Supreme Commander-in-Chief: Vladimir Putin – Minister of Defence: Sergei Shoigu – Chief of the General Staff: Valery Gerasimov |
| Personnel | – Military age: 18 – Conscription: 12 months – Active personnel: 1,320,000 (December Draft) (ranked 4th) – Reserve personnel: ~2,000,000 |
| Expenditures | – Budget: US$86.4 billion (2023) (ranked 3rd) – Percent of GDP: 4.1% (2023) |
| Industry | – Domestic suppliers: See list – Foreign suppliers: Belarus (MZKT), Italy (Iveco), Iran (HESA) – Annual imports: US$905 million (2010–2021) – Annual exports: US$74.535 billion (2010–2021) |
3. China:
China, the country with the largest military manpower in the world, comes third in terms of strength. China has a fleet of tanks and submarines second only to the US and Russia.
| Founded | August 1, 1927 |
| Current form | October 10, 1947 |
| Service branches | – Ground Force – Navy – Air Force – Rocket Force – Strategic Support Force |
| Headquarters | August First Building (ceremonial), etc., Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing |
| Leadership | – Governing body: Central Military Commission (CMC) – Chairman: Xi Jinping – Vice Chairmen: General Zhang Youxia, General He Weidong – Minister of National Defense: Admiral Dong Jun – Director of the Political Work Department: Admiral Miao Hua – Chief of the Joint Staff Department: General Liu Zhenli – Secretary of Discipline Inspection Commission: General Zhang Shengmin |
| Personnel | – Military age: 18 – Conscription: Yes (hybrid system of conscripts and volunteers) – Active personnel: 2,035,000 (2022) – Reserve personnel: 510,000 (2022) |
| Expenditures | – Budget: US$293 billion (2022) – Percent of GDP: 1.7% (2022) |
| Industry | – Domestic suppliers: China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, China Electronics Technology Group, Norinco, China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, China State Shipbuilding Corporation, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, China South Industries Group Corporation, China Electronics Technology Group, China National Nuclear Corporation – Foreign suppliers: Russia, France, Ukraine – Historical: Soviet Union – Annual imports: US$14.858 billion (2010–2021) – Annual exports: US$18.121 billion (2010–2021) |
4. India
India has an estimated 1,444,000 active military personnel. India and Pakistan have been embroiled in a dispute over Kashmir for a long time. The fourth most powerful Indian Army in the world has the most tanks (4,292) and the most fighter aircraft (538).
| Founded | 26 January 1950 (as current service), 1 April 1895 (as British Indian Army) |
| Country | India |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | – 1,237,117 active personnel – 960,000 reserve personnel – ~310 manned aircraft |
| Part of | Indian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi |
| Motto(s) | “Sevā Paramo Dharmaḥ” (Service Before Self) |
| Colours | Gold, red, and black |
| March | – Quick: “Qadam Qadam Badhaye Ja” (Keep stepping forward) – Slow: “Samman Guard” (The Guard of Honour) |
| Anniversaries | Army Day: 15 January |
| Engagements | Various international conflicts and domestic conflicts as listed |
| Commander-in-Chief | India President Droupadi Murmu |
| Chief of Defence Staff | General Anil Chauhan |
| Chief of the Army Staff | General Manoj Pande |
| Vice Chief of the Army Staff | Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi |
| Notable Commanders | – Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa – Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw – General K. S. Thimayya |
| Insignia | Flag |
| Aircraft flown | Attack helicopter: HAL Rudra, HAL Prachand – Utility helicopter: HAL Dhruv, HAL Chetak, HAL Cheetah |
5. Japan
The Japanese Army is considered to be the fifth most powerful army in the world, although this army is only for internal security. Japan has the fourth largest fleet of fighter helicopters in the world, after China, Russia and the United States.
| Founded | 1 July 1954; 69 years ago |
| Service branches | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | |
| Japan Air Self-Defense Force | |
| Headquarters | Ministry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan |
| Leadership | Commander-in-chief: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida |
| Minister of Defense: Minoru Kihara | |
| Chief of Staff, Joint Staff: General Yoshihide Yoshida | |
| Personnel | Military age: 18–32 eligible for enlistment |
| Conscription: No | |
| Active personnel: 247,150 | |
| Reserve personnel: 56,000 | |
| Expenditures | Budget: ¥6.82 trillion (US$51.4 billion) (2023) |
| Percent of GDP: 1.19% (2023) | |
| Industry | Domestic suppliers: List |
| Foreign suppliers: List | |
| Annual imports: US$5.68 billion (2010–2021) | |
| Annual exports: US$6 million (2010–2021) |
6. South Korea
South Korea has a large number of submarines, assault helicopters and active military personnel to deal with external attacks. This army is the sixth most powerful army in the world.
| Founded | 5 September 1948 (75 years, 6 months) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 365,000 personnel (2022) |
| Part of | Republic of Korea Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Gyeryong, South Chungcheong, South Korea |
| Nickname(s) | “ROK Army”, “ROKA”, “South Korean Army” |
| Motto(s) | 강한친구 대한민국 육군 (“A Strong Friend, Republic of Korea Army”) |
| March | 육군가 (“Army Anthem”) |
| Mascot(s) | 호국이 (Hogugi) |
| Equipment | 2,200 main battle tanks, 3,100 armoured fighting vehicles, 5,600 artillery pieces, 310 multiple rocket launchers, 60 guided missile systems |
| Engagements | Yeosu–Suncheon rebellion, Korean War, Korean DMZ Conflict, Vietnam War, Coup d’état of December Twelfth, Gwangju Uprising, Persian Gulf War, 1999 East Timorese crisis, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
| Commanders | President: Yoon Suk Yeol, Minister of National Defense: Shin Won-sik, Chief of Staff of the Army: General Park An-su |
7. France
France may be small in terms of military personnel but the French Army is a highly trained and professionally trained army. France has 118,600 active military personnel.
| Founded | May 26, 1445 |
| Country | France |
| Branch | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | – 118,600 active personnel – 23,000 reserve personnel |
| Part of | French Armed Forces |
| Motto(s) | “Honneur et Patrie” (Honour and Fatherland) |
| Colors on logo | Blue, White, and Red |
| Chief of the Armed Forces | President Emmanuel Macron |
| Chief of the Defence Staff | Army General Thierry Burkhard |
| Chief of the Army Staff | Army General Pierre Schill |
| Major General of the French Army | Army Corps General Hervé Gomart |
8. Turkey
The Turkish Army is one of the greatest armies in the Eastern Mediterranean. There are only five countries in Credit Suisse’s list which have more submarines than Turkey.
| Founded | 14 May 1920; 103 years ago |
| Service branches | Turkish Land Forces, Turkish Naval Forces, Turkish Air Force, Turkish Gendarmerie, Turkish Coast Guard |
| Headquarters | Ankara, Turkey |
| Leadership | Commander-in-Chief: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of National Defense: Hulusi Akar, Chief of the General Staff: General Yaşar Güler, Commander of the Land Forces: General Musa Avsever, Commander of the Naval Forces: Admiral Adnan Özbal, Commander of the Air Force: General Hasan Küçükakyüz, Commander of the Gendarmerie General Command: General Arif Çetin, Commander of the Coast Guard: Rear Admiral Ahmet Kendir |
| Personnel | Military age: 20 for male candidates, 21 for female candidates, Conscription: 12 months for male citizens aged 20-41, Active personnel: ~355,200 (ranked 8th), Reserve personnel: ~379,000 |
| Expenditures | Budget: $22.5 billion (2022) (estimated), Percent of GDP: 2.7% (2022) |
| Industry | Domestic suppliers: Aselsan, Havelsan, Roketsan, TAI, BMC, FNSS, MKE, Otokar, Foreign suppliers: United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, Russia, Annual imports: $2.6 billion (estimated), Annual exports: $3.7 billion (estimated) |
| Related articles | History: Military history of Turkey, Conflicts involving Turkey, Battles involving Turkey |
| Ranks | Commissioned officer: Army officer, Navy officer, Air Force officer, Gendarmerie officer, Coast Guard officer, Warrant officer: Turkish Land Forces warrant officer, Turkish Naval Forces warrant officer, Turkish Air Force warrant officer, Turkish Gendarmerie warrant officer, Turkish Coast Guard warrant officer, Enlisted: Turkish Land Forces enlisted, Turkish Naval Forces enlisted, Turkish Air Force enlisted, Gendarmerie enlisted, Coast Guard enlisted |
9. Pakistan
The Pakistani Army, the ninth most powerful army in the world, currently has 82,040 regular full-time personnel as well as 3,960 Gurkhas, and 29,740 reserve personnel.
| Founded | 14 August 1947 |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 560,000 active-duty personnel, 550,000 reserve force, 185,000 National Guard, 16,500 civilian personnel, Approximately 560+ manned aircraft |
| Part of | Pakistan Armed Forces |
| Garrison | General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi Cantonment, Punjab, 46100 |
| Motto(s) | Iman, taqwa, jihad fi sabilillah |
| Anniversaries | Defence Day: 6 September |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Asif Ali Zardari |
| Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff | General Sahir Shamshad Mirza |
| Chief of the Army Staff | Gen. Asim Munir |
| Chief of the General Staff | Lt. Gen. Avais Dastgir |
10. Italy
Italy’s army is made up of four armies: Army, Air Force, Navy and Carabinieri. In this 341,250 strong army, 165,500 people are serving in the Army, Air Force and Navy.
| Founded | 27 March 1861 (162 years, 11 months) |
| Country | Italy |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 97,755 (2018)[1] |
| Part of | Italian Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Rome |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Salus Rei Publicae Suprema Lex Esto “The safeguard of the republic shall be the supreme law” |
| March | 4 Maggio (May 4) by Fulvio Creux |
| Anniversaries | 4 November, National Unity and Armed Forces Day; 4 May, Army Day |
| Engagements | Risorgimento, War of 1866, Italo-Ethiopian War of 1887–1889, Mahdist War, First Italo-Abyssinian War, Boxer Rebellion, Italo-Turkish War, World War I, Second Italo-Abyssinian War, Spanish Civil War, Italian invasion of Albania, World War II, Gulf War, Kosovo War, 1999 East Timorese crisis, Global War on Terrorism, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Decorations | 3 Cavalier Crosses of the Military Order of Italy, 1 Gold Medal of Military Valor, 2 Gold Medals of Civil Valor, 1 Silver Medal of Civil Valor, 1 Silver Medal of Civil Merit |
| Commanders | President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella, Capo di Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito (Chief of Staff): Generale di Corpo d’Armata Pietro Serino |
| Notable commanders | Giuseppe Garibaldi, Luigi Cadorna, Armando Diaz, Emanuele Filiberto, 2nd Duke of Aosta, Enrico Caviglia, Pietro Badoglio, Giovanni Messe |
So these were the Top 10 armies of the world that you should check out. These nations have built there military strength on the basis of technological advancements and man power acquisition.
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