Do you know which are the biggest military powers in the world in 2023 and which are the most powerful armed forces on the planet? We have made this top 10 with the greatest military powers in the world in 2023.

It is a fact that calculating the military capacity of countries and comparing them with others is a very complex task, but despite this, some parameters can be adopted so that this comparison is possible. In this comparison we will use data from the global firepower ranking website, which, although it presents certain limitations in its analysis and is not more precise, is a ranking that considers more than 50 criteria for its classification.

These criteria include, in addition to the number of men, weapons and varieties, the economic power of countries and even their logistical capabilities, their reserves of strategic resources such as oil, for example. Therefore, large countries with large populations gain many points for these factors alone, however, it should be noted that this ranking in fact does not intend to predict the outcome of an eventual conflict, since this depends on an even greater number of factors.

Brazil

Occupying again the tenth position in the ranking among the world’s largest military powers in 2023, we have Brazil that lost one position compared to the 2021 ranking.

The South American giant stands out as the largest military force in the region, with more than 330,000 men, 715 aircraft, 43 of which are trousers, as well as 437 tanks and 112 naval means, also counting on a greater diversity of means than most of its neighbours.

Although the country also has important gaps in the Defence sector, it is currently investing in important projects that should improve its future capabilities, such as the nuclear submarine project, the acquisition of 36 Gripen fighters from Sweden and even the development of a Cruise missile, entering the select group of countries that hold the technology. In addition, and also stands out for having the largest industrial park in the region, which adds points for a hypothetical prolonged war.

Pakistan

Pakistan will occupy the ninth position in the ranking of the world’s greatest military powers in 2023. The country that has a great rivalry with India has been increasing its military capabilities year after year, mainly with the help of China, which is its second largest arms supplier, behind only the United States.

With over 650,000 active military personnel, 500,000 para military personnel and 550,000 in reserve, Pakistan’s military forces are among the most numerous in the world.Pakistan’s numerous forces also operate equipment of such diverse origins that among its 2680 tanks we can find units of the Chinese Type 85, the Soviet t80 and the locally made Al-Zarrar.

In the air it has more than 1,300 aircraft, most notably the more than 350 fighter jets it operates, such as the American-made F-16s.

Its navy, on the other hand, is the least powerful of the forces, with only 100 vessels, among which its new submarines stand out. In addition to its conventional forces, Pakistan is also a nuclear power with the capacity to strike targets with warheads thousands of kilometres from its borders.

United Kingdom

With a centuries-long military tradition, having taken part in several wars in recent years, the UK’s armed forces still hold a respected position on the international stage. With less than 200,000 active military personnel, 733 aircraft, 227 tanks, 88 naval assets, including two aircraft carriers, the UK’s armed forces stand out for their well-equipped and professionalism.

A member of NATO, the country participated in the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and several subsequent counter-terrorism missions in Afghanistan.

France

In 2023 France’s armed forces stand out as one of the most capable among the major global military powers, having participated in several conflicts recently and needing to protect the country’s interests far from national borders.

With 268,000 military personnel, over 1,200 aircraft, more than 500 tanks and 180 naval assets, France stands out for operating a nuclear aircraft carrier and for using mostly nationally manufactured weapons, such as the Leclerc tank and the very modern Rafale fighter jets.

Moreover, its forces stand out for their professionalism as they are well equipped for most of the theatres of operations in which they must operate.

South Korea

To confront its unpredictable neighbour from the North, South Korea has developed one of the most powerful Armed Forces on the planet, and to confront the more than 1 million North Korean soldiers, South Korea has 580,000 very well armed soldiers, with more than 1,600 aircraft, more than 2,600 tanks and 234 naval means.

South Korea’s armed forces are noted for operating modern equipment such as the K2 Black Panther tank, F-15 fighter jets and participating in several UN peacekeeping missions. With modern weaponry, mandatory military service and a programme to manufacture equipment locally, South Korea hopes to be ready to contain North Korea without outside help by 2030.

Japan

Japan’s self-defence forces are equivalent to the armed forces in other countries, but are differentiated by their totally defensive character, regulated by the Japanese constitution. In other words, these forces cannot be used to promote wars abroad, but only for the defence of Japanese territory. In 2023, they have 247 thousand members, more than 1,500 aircraft among helicopters and aeroplanes, more than 100 tanks and 155 naval means.

They stand out for their discipline and preparedness, as well as operating state-of-the-art equipment such as the F-35 fighter jets bought from the United States.

India

Occupying fourth position are the armed forces of a country that is expected to be among the greatest powers on the planet in the coming years and decades, with estimates indicating that it will be the third largest economy on the planet in a few years.

What is the capability of India’s troops?

With over 1.4 million active military personnel, over 2,100 aircraft, over 4,200 tanks and 285 naval assets, India stands out for its numbers, having numerous and well-equipped armed forces.

India operates weapons of varied origins, such as Russian-made T-90 tanks and recently, brand new French-made Rafale fighter jets, but has placed emphasis on domestic development having already an operational Indian fighter jet, TEJAS, as well as a Russian-developed supersonic anti-ship missile, the Brahmos, and is working on building submarines locally and even building an aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

In the year 2020, apart from the old disagreements with Pakistan, India had localised clashes against Chinese soldiers over border issues, which substantially increased the importance of its defence investments.

China

The Asian dragon giant is on its way to becoming the second largest military power on the planet, but already aims to be the first in a few decades and has invested heavily to do so.

What is the capacity of China’s troops?

With almost 2.2 million active soldiers, China has the largest Armed Forces on the planet, equipped with more than 3,200 aircraft, 3,500 tanks and 777 naval means, including the largest submarine fleet in the world with 74 of them active.

China has also recently achieved the rank of the world’s largest navy in absolute numbers, with 350 warships and submarines compared to the United States’ 293 warships. China also operates one aircraft carrier, has another in the testing phase and is building a third, as well as incorporating a large number of ships every year.

It also operates a large number of ballistic and anti-ship Cruise missiles aimed at deterring any approach to its coast by enemy ships.

The Chinese have also been working hard to build weapons locally, such as the Type 99-A tanks and Chengdu J-20 and J-31 stealth fighters. Although they still import a large amount of armaments, mainly from Russia, such as SU-35 Fighters and S400 anti-aircraft systems, as well as engines for their fighters, which seems to indicate that their domestic projects have not yet reached the stage where they can get everything they need from local industry, which could indicate that many of the military technologies still need improvement.

Russia

Russia, as the greatest heir of the Soviet Union and holder of the largest nuclear arsenal on the planet, remains an undisputed military power like few others.

What is Russia’s military capability?

With over 1 million soldiers, over 4,100 aircraft, the largest tank force in the world with 13,000 tanks, over 600 naval assets including 62 submarines and an aircraft carrier, it can be said that Russia’s armed forces have a large and powerful contingent, as well as a wide variety of armaments.

In recent decades Russia has invested much of its defence budget in modernising its assets, resulting in projects such as the SU-35 fighter, MIG-35, T-14 Armata tanks, the SU-34 fighter-bomber and the SU-57 fifth-generation fugitive fighter, as well as various naval assets such as ships and submarines, and a new class of hypersonic anti-ship cruise missiles and the modernisation of the nuclear arsenal and its delivery assets.

The Russian action in Syria also brought great benefits to the Russian armed forces as combat experience and served as a testing ground for several of its armaments that underwent improvements or served as propaganda for eventual buyers.

United States

Undoubtedly, even in 2023 the United States will still be the country with the most powerful armed forces on the planet for a series of factors, but among them is the technological vanguard in various fields, as well as the great availability of means and the ability to project power practically anywhere in the world.

What is the military capability of the United States?

With an active 1.4 million active military, over 13,200 aircraft, including over 2,000 fighter jets, over 6,200 tanks, over 490 Naval assets, including 11 large nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, 91 destroyers and 66 submarines, the United States is undoubtedly the only country on the planet capable of projecting power in any substantial way anywhere on the globe.

Its armed forces stand out for the largest military budget on the planet, the high level of readiness, the large number of conflicts they have been involved in in recent years and for operating some of the most advanced means on the planet, such as the F-22 F-35 fighter jets, as well as the B2 Spirit stealth bombers.

Putting these and other factors together, the United States’ armed forces are still the most powerful on the planet, something that may only change in the coming decades with the rise of China.