Top 10 Most Powerful Military Forces In The World - Ranked

The most accurate way to measure military power is if a war breaks out. Something like the Second World War or worse Third World War (don't hope for that). But the power of a military can also be measurded by the capabilities of a country, nuclear weapons, air force power and quantity of defensive equipment.

Let's take a look to the world's most powerful militaries in the world including some shocking or surprising (or both) facts.

10. Japan: $50 Billion

With around 245,000 active military forces and a defence budget of $50 Billion, Japan has the 10th most powerful military in the world. The astronomic budget allowed Japan to have na impressive navy and air force with 1595 attack aircrafts, 130 war ships, 767 tanks and 99 MLRSs.


9. South Korea: $33 Billion

South Korea's defence budget is $33 Billion. 640,000 are active out of 2 million soldeirs. The air force consists of 1,393 attack aircrafts and the navy consists of 166 ships. With 15,000 land weapons including 2,346 tanks puts South Korea in a safe military position.


8. Turkey: $18 Billion

With around 400,000 active troops, 989 aircrafts, 16,000 land defence weapons and 115 naval devices, Turkey is the 8th most powerful military in the world. The current defence budget is $18 Billion and has increased by 10% in a short amount of time making them very powerful.


7. Germany: $45 Billion

Germany has only around 180,000 active forces, 5000 land weapons including Armored Fighting Vehicles, 710 aircrafts and 82 naval attack weapons. The military is witnessing significant improvement as a consequence of the $45 Billion defence budget.


6. France: $43 Billion

With around 500,000 troops, 9000 ground weapons, 1000 aircrafts and 290 nuclear weapons, France has a defence budget of $43 Billion which makes them the 6th on the list of powerful militaries around the world.


5. United Kingdom: $53 Billion

With aroud 200,000 regular active force, 908 aircrafts, 66 war ships, around 6,500 land weapons and 160 nuclear weapons, the United Kingdom is the 5th most power in the world and the most powerful in EU. The defence budget of the UK is around $53 Billion.


4. India: $46 Billion

With a population of 1,220,800, 359, India has 1,325,000 active force, 16,000 land weapons including 3,500 tanks, 1785 aircrafts and 184 war ships. The $46 Billion defence budget will help the country to modernize it's military forces.

3. China: $126 Billion

With a budget of $126 Billion, China is the 3rd most powerful country in the world consisting of 2.2 million soldiers, 20,000 land weapons including 9,000 tanks, 2,788 aircrafts and 520 war ships including 24 destroyers.
 
2. Russia: $77 Billion

 










With around 766,000 active soldiers, 57,000 land weapons including 15,000 tanks, 3000 aircrafts and 352 ships, Russia is one of the most powerful militaries in the world. Russia is also the country with most nuclear weapons with 8,500 active nuclear weapons. With a budget of $77 Billion the countries military is on track to become even more powerful.


1. Unites States of America: $617 Billion

With an astronomical budget of $617 Billion (yes, $617 Billion!) United States Of America has the most powerful military forces in the world. The USA is the leader in aircraft production andis currently possessing 13,600 attack aircrafts. With an estimated of 1.4 million active soldiers and 7,500 nuclear weapons, the USA is known to be the 'super power'. They also have 473 war ships including 10 aircraft carriers.