Battlefields are constantly evolving, leading countries worldwide to pump hundreds of billions of dollars each year into their armed forces in a race to develop the most advanced training, technology, and weaponry.
As of 2020, Global Firepower, a website that tracks military strength, says the following five armies are the most powerful, based on a rank given to them after looking at how they compare in categories “ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography”:
5) Japan
With estimated active military personnel of 247,160, this Asian country only has a fraction of the headcount that volatile neighbor North Korea has but makes up for it with its updated weaponry.
According to Global Firepower's statistics, Japan has 152 special mission aircraft – more than any country in the world other than the U.S. and a formidable Navy fleet that contains 40 destroyers.
It also has 3,130 armored vehicles, 1,004 tanks and 119 attack helicopters.
Japan is estimated to spend $49 billion on its military in 2020.
4) India
The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army,[4] and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a four-star general. Two officers have been conferred with field marshal, a five-star rank, a ceremonial position of great honor. The Indian Army originated from the armies of the East India Company, which eventually became the British Indian Army, and the armies of the princely states, which were merged into the national army after independence. The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories. They have participated in several battles and campaigns worldwide, earning many battle and theatre honors before and after Independence.[5
The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and national unity, defend the nation from external aggression and internal threats, and maintain peace and security within its borders. It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances, such as Operation Surya Hope, and can also be requisitioned by the government to cope with internal threats. It is a major component of national power, alongside the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.[6] The army has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the army include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, and Operation Cactus. The army has conducted large peacetime exercises such as Operation Brasstacks and Exercise Shoorveer, and it has also been an active participant in numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions, including those in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador, Liberia, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Somalia.
The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided into seven commands, with the basic field formation being a division. Below the division level are permanent regiments that are responsible for their own recruiting and training. The army is an all-volunteer force and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defense personnel. It is the largest standing army globally, with 1,237,117[7][8] active troops and 960,000 reserve troops.[9][10] The army has embarked on an infantry modernization program known as Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS). It is also upgrading and acquiring new assets for its armored, artillery, and aviation branches.
3) China
China, the most powerful country in Asia and a growing adversary to the U.S. ranks third on this list.
The communist superpower has an estimated active personnel of 2,183,000 – the largest in the world.
China has been building out its Navy in recent years while engaging in territorial disputes across the South China Sea. Today, they have 74 submarines, 52 frigates, and 36 destroyers, Global Firepower says.
On land, China has 33,000 armored vehicles and 3,500 tanks. Their Air Force has amassed 1,232 fighter aircraft and 281 attack helicopters.
China is estimated to spend $237 billion on its armed forces in 2020.
2) Russia
Russia, whose military has become involved in Syria and Ukraine in recent years, has the most tanks of any country globally: 12,950, more than double what the U.S. has, according to Global Firepower’s statistics.
Its estimated 1,013,628 active personnel on land are in charge of commanding 27,038 armored vehicles, 6,083 units of self-propelled artillery, and 3,860 rocket projectors.
In the skies, Russia’s air force has 873 fighter aircraft and 531 attack helicopters. In water, they have 62 submarines and 48 mine warfare ships.
Russia is estimated to spend $48 billion on its military this year.
1) the United States
In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the U.S. “retains its top spot as the undisputed military power in the world,” Global Firepower says.
America has more air units than any other country on Earth, with 2,085 fighters, 967 attack helicopters, 945 means of transport, and 742 special mission aircraft.
The U.S. also leads the world with 39,253 armored vehicles, 91 Navy destroyers, and 20 aircraft carriers. It has an estimated 1,400,000 active personnel.
Washington has allocated $750 billion to the U.S. military budget in 2020.
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