Like every year, the Global Firepower has published its ranking of the most powerful countries, from a military point of view. A total of 140 nations that were analyzed. But which states are in the top 10?
To determine this, no less than 50 parameters were analyzed and listed by the Global Firepower.
This is the case, in particular, of armaments, of the national budget allocated to military forces, but also of natural resources, mobilized equipment or even the land, air and naval forces of each country.
This made it possible to determine a score, the PowerIndex. Thus, the closer a nation’s index is to 0, the stronger its military power. Here are the ten countries with the largest armed forces.
United States
In 2022, the country of Uncle Sam has 1.4 million active soldiers for 440,000 reservists. With a defense budget amounting to 770 billion dollars, or approximately 688.8 billion euros, the United States is the first military power in the world, with a PowerIndex of 0.0453.
They officially possess nuclear weapons. And, according to Stockohlm international peace research Institute (SIPRI), they hold 5,550 warheads.
Russia
With 850,000 soldiers and 250,000 reservists, the Russia ranks second with a PowerIndex of 0.0501. Its defense budget amounts to 154 billion dollars in 2022, (about 137.8 billion euros).
SIPRI estimates that Russia has 6,255 nuclear bombs.
China
It is the largest army in the world, with 2 million soldiers and 510,000 reserves. China spends 250.2 billion dollars (227.4 billion euros) on its defense. However, its PowerIndex score is 0.0511, making it the world’s third largest military power.
China has 350 nuclear bombs, according to SIPRI.
L’Inde
This Asian country has 1.45 million soldiers and 1.15 million reservists. Its defense budget is 49.6 billion dollars (44.4 billion euros). Thus, India’s PowerIndex is 0.0979.
India is one of four countries to unofficially possess nuclear weapons. It has 156 warheads according to SIPRI.
Japan
Faced with the geopolitical conflict with its Chinese neighbor with regard in particular to the Senkaku-Diaoyu islands (which are claimed by the two countries) and its desire to no longer depend on the United States, Japan gradually increases its military power. In 2022, the archipelago has 240,000 soldiers and 55,000 reservists for a defense budget of 47.5 billion dollars, or 42.5 billion euros. Its PowerIndex is 0.1195.
Japan does not have nuclear weapons.
South Korea
Bordering North Korea, South Korea has an army of 555,000 soldiers and 500,000 reservists. In 2022, its defense budget is 46.3 billion dollars (41.4 billion euros). Its PowerIndex is 0.1261.
South Korea does not have nuclear weapons.
France
France is the world’s seventh largest military power. Its army has 200,000 soldiers for 35,000 reservists. In 2022, its defense budget is 40.9 billion dollars, or about 36.6 billion euros. For Global Firepower, its score is 0.1283.
France officially has nuclear weapons with 290 warheads according to SIPRI.
The United Kingdom
With 194,000 soldiers and 37,000 reservists, our British neighbors are the eighth military power in the world. The United Kingdom has a defense budget of 38 billion dollars, approximately 60.8 billion euros. Its PowerIndex is 0.1382
The UK officially has 225 nuclear bombs, according to SIPRI.
The Pakistan
This country bordering China and India has an army of 640,000 soldiers and 500,000 reservists in 2022. Its defense budget is 7.7 billion dollars (6.9 billion euros). Its PowerIndex is 0.1572.
Pakistan unofficially holds the nuclear weapon, with 165 warheads according to SIPRI.
Brasil
Brazil ranks tenth among the most powerful countries militarily. The South American country has 360,000 soldiers and 1.34 million reservists, with a defense budget of 18.8 billion dollars (16.8 billion euros). Its PowerIndex is 0.1695.
Brazil does not have nuclear weapons.