Comparing the power of conventional military forces is quite complicated, which is part of what makes the annual Global Firepower rankings so noteworthy. China, for instance, has only 1 operational aircraft carrier to the US’s 11, but the People’s Liberation Army-Navy is testing its second carrier at sea and has plans to build more. The US is locked in an escalating face-off with top rivals Russia and China. But head-to-head comparisons of military strength are hard to come by.

The 2020 military strength ranking brings the USA in the first place of the list, the Russia second and the China third. The USA is ranked first out of 138 countries holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.0606. The United States retains its top spot as the undisputed military power in the world – both numerically and technologically. Total military personnel of USA is estimated at about 2,260,000 while the airpower total strength rating is 13,264, the highest among the 138 countries of the list.

 

The Global Firepower utilizes over 50 individual factors to determine a given nation’s Power Index (PwrIndx) score with categories ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography.

The Russian military continues to make strides towards modernization – and in-the-field experience in Syria has helped. Russia is holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.0681. Total military personnel of Russia is estimated at about 3,013,628 while the airpower total strength rating is 4,163, the second-highest among the 138 countries of the list. Russia has 12,950 tanks, a number that brings the country first place at the list regarding land forces.

 

Chinese military continues to grow alongside a local burgeoning Military-Industrial Complex. For 2020, China is ranked 3 out of 138 countries holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.0691. Total military personnel of Russia is estimated at about 2,693,000 while the airpower total strength rating is 3,210, the third-highest among the 138 countries of the list. Chine has 3,500 tanks, a number that brings the country 7th place at the list regarding land forces.

India comes 4th in the list holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.0953. The mighty Indian military is one of the top five powers in the world – though growing civilian unrest is shifting the focus within. Total military personnel of India is estimated at about 3,544,000 while the airpower total strength rating is 2,123, the 4th highest among the 138 countries of the list. India has 4,292 tanks, a number that brings the country 5th place at the list regarding land forces.

Japan is ranked 5th out of 138 countries holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.1501. The country continues to look to the future and viable solutions to growing regional problems – namely the threat from North Korea. Total military personnel of Japan is estimated at about 303,160 while the airpower total strength rating is 1,561, the 6th highest among the 138 countries of the list. Japan has 1,004 tanks, a number that brings the country 21st place at the list regarding land forces.

For 2020, South Korea is ranked 6th out of 138 countries holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.1509. Under the ever-present threat of its unpredictable northern neighbor, South Korea manages a large and powerful military force.

 

France takes the 7th place of the list holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.1702. France remains a top-level military power with the internal capability to develop and produce any solution it requires. The next one is the United Kingdom holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.1717. It remains to be seen what BREXIT means for the future of Britain – but its fighting forces remain one of the world’s best.

Egypt takes the 9th place of the list holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.1872. Brazil takes the 10th place holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.1988.

For 2020, Greece is ranked 33 out of 138 countries holding a PwrIndx rating of 0.5311. Growing tensions with neighboring Turkey have placed the Greek military on notice heading into 2020.

At the bottom of the list are Bhutan and Liberia.

 

 

Military Strength of Nations, 2020

Rank Country Power Index
1 United States 0.0606
2 Russia 0.0681
3 China 0.0691
4 India 0.0953
5 Japan 0.1501
6 South Korea 0.1509
7 France 0.1702
8 United Kingdom 0.1717
9 Egypt 0.1872
10 Brazil 0.1988
11 Turkey 0.2098
12 Italy 0.2111
13 Germany 0.2186
14 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 0.2191
15 Pakistan (Islamic Republic of) 0.2364
16 Indonesia 0.2544
17 Saudi Arabia 0.3034
18 Israel 0.3111
19 Australia 0.3225
20 Spain 0.3388
21 Poland 0.3397
22 Vietnam 0.3559
23 Thailand 0.3571
24 Canada 0.3712
25 North Korea 0.3718
26 Taiwan 0.4008
27 Ukraine 0.4457
28 Algeria 0.4659
29 South Africa 0.4985
30 Switzerland 0.5259
31 Norway 0.5277
32 Sweden 0.5304
33 Greece 0.5311
34 Czechia 0.5531
35 Myanmar 0.5691
36 Netherlands 0.5919
37 Colombia 0.6045
38 Mexico 0.6065
39 Romania 0.6177
40 Peru 0.6219
41 Venezuela 0.6449
42 Nigeria 0.6485
43 Argentina 0.6521
44 Malaysia 0.6546
45 United Arab Emirates 0.7034
46 Bangladesh 0.7066
47 Chile 0.7668
48 Philippines 0.7852
49 Denmark 0.7878
50 Iraq 0.7911
51 Singapore 0.7966
52 Uzbekistan 0.8086
53 Belarus 0.8179
54 Hungary 0.8215
55 Syria 0.8241
56 Angola 0.8379
57 Morocco 0.8408
58 Slovakia 0.8466
59 Finland 0.8498
60 Ethiopia 0.8581
61 Portugal 0.8612
62 Bulgaria 0.8916
63 Kazakhstan 0.9098
64 Azerbaijan 0.9463
65 Serbia 0.9479
66 Austria 0.9568
67 Bolivia 0.9942
68 Ecuador 1.0062
69 Croatia 1.0183
70 Belgium 1.0499
71 Democratic Republic of the Congo 1.1389
72 Jordan 1.1441
73 Cuba 1.2208
74 Yemen 1.2412
75 Oman 1.2514
76 Sudan 1.3017
77 Turkmenistan 1.3292
78 Afghanistan (Islamic Republic of) 1.3444
79 New Zealand 1.3684
80 Libya 1.3696
81 Tunisia 1.4619
82 Sri Lanka 1.4661
83 Lithuania 1.4752
84 Kenya 1.5287
85 Kuwait 1.5701
86 Uganda 1.6176
87 Chad 1.6383
88 Zambia 1.6464
89 Georgia 1.6679
90 Qatar 1.6703
91 Zimbabwe 1.7577
92 Guatemala 1.8302
93 Bahrain 1.8547
94 Tajikistan 1.8661
95 Uruguay 1.8909
96 Mali 1.8941
97 Burkina Faso 1.9009
98 Kyrgyzstan 1.9244
99 Ireland 1.9481
100 Slovenia 1.9496
101 Cameroon 1.9902
102 Latvia 2.0145
103 Niger 2.0153
104 Ivory Coast 2.0236
105 Mongolia 2.0299
106 Ghana 2.0554
107 Cambodia 2.0557
108 Botswana 2.0582
109 Tanzania 2.0651
110 Honduras 2.0943
111 Armenia 2.1251
112 Moldova 2.1291
113 Paraguay 2.1898
114 Nicaragua 2.2747
115 Albania 2.3137
116 Mozambique 2.3364
117 South Sudan 2.3501
118 Lebanon 2.5193
119 Estonia 2.5893
120 Dominican Republic 2.7504
121 Republic of the Congo 2.9509
122 Nepal 2.9891
123 Montenegro 2.9941
124 Mauritania (Islamic Republic of) 3.0477
125 Madagascar 3.0869
126 El Salvador 3.1291
127 North Macedonia 3.1808
128 Namibia 3.2817
129 Central African Republic 3.2889
130 Gabon 3.3736
131 Laos 3.4433
132 Panama 3.6537
133 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.8586
134 Sierra Leone 4.2063
135 Suriname 4.6042

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