5. France
The French military has 204,000 active military personnel and 183,000 in reserve, and the budget stands at $43 billion a year, which is 1.9% of the country’s GDP; much below the spending target as set by NATO. Although these numbers are relatively small when compared with other countries, its forces are equipped with capable equipment produced by a homegrown defense industry. France has 1,282 aircrafts, 570 helicopters, 7,000 armored fighting vehicles, 13 rocket projectors, 118 naval assets including 4 aircraft carriers and 10 submarines.
The Charles de Gaulle is an aircraft carrier possessed by France, which is the only nuclear-powered carrier outside of the United States Navy. Apart from land, sea and air defense, France is also considering adding 3,000 cyber security soldiers.
4. India
India continues to look beyond its position as a top military importer to that of top military exporter. In 2014, Britain’s Ministry of Defense projected that by 2045, India could become a global military power with the third largest defense expenditure. The country spends more than $65.4 billion to import a wide-range of technology and military goods. As of 2015, India was the largest importer of military goods, that are capable of tracking subjects across Pakistan and some parts of China.
The country is also capable of launching nuclear warheads from air, land and sea. Apart from that, India has two aircraft carriers, while Russia and China only have one. Other specs include 90-110 warheads, 2,844,750 reserve personnel, 2,185 aircrafts, 720 helicopters, 4,426 combat tanks, 3,147 armored vehicles, 266 rocket projectors and 16 submarines. Today, the country also possesses its first nuclear powered submarine, that is capable of finding targets as far as 466 miles (750 km) away.
3. China
China has a military budget of $175 billion. With a population of 1.386 billion, the country has a manpower of 750,000,000 with 2,183,000 active personnel and 510,000 reserve personnel. The Chinese military also possesses 3,035 aircrafts, 985 helicopters, 7,716 tanks, 9,000 armored vehicles, 2,050 rocket projectors, 1 aircraft carrier and 73 submarines. Although China has the biggest military in the world, it lacks transportation for soldiers. According to several news outlets, the country mainly relies on trains to transport soldiers across the mainland. However, the country has had unprecedented success when it comes to cyber warfare.
2. Russia
Despite a relatively small economy, Russia manufactures a large amount of military hardware and is the second largest exporter in the world after the U.S. The country is currently trying to develop the T-14 Armata. If successful, it would be the world’s most advanced tank, boasting active protection systems, an auto-loader, and nearly unbeatable armor.
The country’s military expanded after its current president, Vladimir Putin, came to power in 2000. The 15,400 tank fleet makes Russia the holder of world’s largest tank fleet. Apart from land defense systems, the country’s military also possesses the world’s second largest aircraft fleet with 3,547 aircrafts. However, when it comes to power, Russia still falls far behind the US in terms of power and technology.
1. United States
The U.S. spends the most on its military, both per capita and total. Its Navy has the largest and most aircraft carriers in the world with 11 full-sized carriers and 8 helicopter carriers in service. Its Air Force flies the largest and most technologically advanced air fleet in the world which is just a little larger than the U.S. Navy’s air fleet. The U.S. Army and Marine Corps aren’t the largest of their respective groups worldwide, but they are some of the most capable.
The U.S. outpaces all other nations in military expenditures. World military spending totaled more than $1.6 trillion in 2015. As of 2017, the US military had 1,400,000 active personnel and 1,100,000 reserve personnel. In order to keep the military forces operational, the country spends $600 billion annually and is also the world’s largest weapons exporter. If that doesn’t put the US on the top of the list, then add the fact that it has 662 overseas bases in 38 foreign countries.