Asymmetrical wars in Afghanistan, Vietnam, and now in Syria and Nigeria demonstrate all too clearly that relatively small numbers of belligerents can carry out successful military operations against superior forces.
But still, firepower is extremely important. A country's projection of power relies in large part upon it's military capabilities. Successfully being able to project and wield that power is a key diplomatic asset.
The website Global Firepower ranks the most powerful militaries in the world based on multiple factors, including available manpower, total labor force, and access to strategic assets. Nuclear capabilities are not included in the calculation.
Below are the 11 most powerful militaries in the world according to the 2014 rankings.

11| Isreal:
Isreal spends significantly more than its neighbours proportionally for defense. In 2009, Isreal spent 18.7% of it's national budget on defense. Isreal's defense budget stands at $15 billion.
A large percentage of the Israeli defense budget goes toward defense technology. One of the best examples of this is Israel's Iron Dome, a missile defense shield that can intercept rockets shot into Israel from the Palestinian territories. Israel aims to replace Iron Dome with a laser defense shield called Iron Beam.

10| Japan:
Japan increased its defense spending for the first time in 11 years in response to growing disputes in china. It has also started its first military expansion in over 40 years by placing a new military base on it's outer islands. Japan spends $49.1 billion on defense the sixth most in the world.
Japan's military is fairly well-equipped. It currently has 247,000 active personnel with an additional 57,900 in reserve. Japan also has 1,595 aircraft, the world's fifth largest air force, and 131 ships. Japan's military is limited by a peace clause in the constitution that makes it illegal for the country to have an offensive army.

9| South Korea:
South Korea has been increasing its defense spending due to both the increasing armament of Japan and China, and the constant threat from North Korea. South Korea Spends $34 billion on defense.
South korea has a relatively large millitary force for it's small size. It has 640,000 active personnel with an additional 2,900,000 personnel in the reserves. South korea also has 2,346 tanks and 1,393 aircraft. The South Korean military is generally well-trained and routinely takes part in military exercise with the United States.
South Korea's air force is also the sixth largest in the world.

8| Turkey:
Turkish military spending is expected to rise 9.4% in 2014 over the 2013 budget.
The ongoing conflict in syria and possible clashes with the kurdish separatist organization, the PKK, were key reasons for the spending increase.
Turkey's defense budget stands at $18.2 billion.
The NATO member has contributed soldiers to various initiatives around the world. The Turkish military took part in operations in Afghanistan, as well as in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans. Turkey also maintains a large military force in Northern Cyprus.

7| Germany:
German military strength falls short of it's economic strength on the world stage. Recently, Germany has started considering offering military support to eastern European NATO members. It has also considered a more active international role militarily. Germany spends $45 billion on its military annually, making it the eighth largest spender in the world.
Following the aftermath of World War 2 , the German population generally became anti-war. The German military was originally limited to a defense force, but has become more accustomed to taking an active international role following the breakup of Yugoslavia. Germany only has 183,000 active frontline personnel with an additional 145,000 members in the reserves. Germany eliminated mandatory service in 2011 in an attempt to create a professional army.

6| France:
France effectively froze its millitary spending in 2013 while cutting 10% of it's defense jobs in an effort to save money for purchasing high-tech equipment. The country spends $43 billion a year on defense, which is 1.9% of its GDP, below the spendimg target set by NATO for member countries.
Despite a leveling off of it's military budget, France is still highly capable of projecting force around the globe, with significant deployments in the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Senegal and elsewhere around the world.
Picture tag; French soldiers stand on a patrol ahead of sunday's presidential election in Timbukutu, July 25,2013.

5| The United Kingdom:
The U.K is planning on reducing the size of its armed forces by 20% between 2010 and 2018, with smaller cuts to the Royal Navy and RAF. The defense budget stands at $54 billion.
Desphte scalling back, the U.K counts on being able to project its power around the world. The Royal Navy is planning on putting the HMS Queen Elizabeth, an aircraft carrier that has a flight deck measuring at 4.5 acres, into service in 2020. The Queen Elizabeth is planned to carry 40 F -35B joint strike fighters around the world. Thanks to superior training and equipment, Britain could still hold an advantage over emerging powers like China, according to a leading think tank.
Picture Tag: British Army Corporal Birendra limbu of the 2nd Battalion,The Royal Gurkha Rifles, shows his rifle to Afghan children as he secures an area near and Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoint outside the town of Lashkar Gah in Helmed province, southern Afghanistan, July 13, 2011.

4| India:
India's defense spending is expected to rise as it pursues a modernization drive. Currently, it is estimated that India only spends $46 billion on its budget, and it is slated to become the fourth highest spender by 2020, It is already the world's largest importer of military goods.
India has ballistic missiles with a range capable of hiting all of Pakistan or most of China. Indian millitary strategy has been dominated by its long-simmering conflict with Pakistan, although there have also been minor wars between China and India in the past.

3| China:
China has embarked upon a relentless policy of massive spending with 12.2% increase in spending over the past year. China's defense budget stands at $126 billion but could unofficially be higher, prompting concern across Asia as China attempts to project it's power to settle border disputes with Japan and the Philippines.
The size of the Chinese army is staggering, with 2,285,000 active frontline personnel with an additional 2,300,000 in the reserves.
China also has a history of successfully stealing sensitive military technology, such as recently acquiring sensitive information about the new F-35.

2| Russia:
Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's millitary is growing again. The kremlin's military spending has increased by almost a third since 2008 and is expected to grow 44% more in the next three years. Today, the Russian defense budget stands at $76.6 billion.
Russia currently has 766,000 active frontline personnel with a reserve force of 2,485,000 personnel. These troops are backed up by 15,500 tanks, the largest tank force in the world. Russian soldiers generally receive relatively mediocre training, however, and their equipment, like that tank force, is aging.

1| The United States:
The U.S defense budget is $612 billion. Despite sequestraion and other spending cuts, the United States spends more money on defense than the next ten highest spending countries combined.
America's biggest conventional millitary advantage is its fleet of 19 aircraft carries, compared to 12 carries operated by the rest of the world combined. These massive carries allow the U.S to set up forward operating bases anywhere and project power throughout the world.
The super power also has by far the most aircraft of any country cutting-edge technology lije the Navy's new rail gun, a large and well-trained human force and that's not even counting the world's largest nuclear arsenal.

This topic might have educate you one way or the other. You might now seem to be more elightened about the military and defence of other countries.
Perhaps their financial, social and some other factors might have been the bedrock behind their Success.
Try and get more facts about these countries and use it in your various fields. Who knows? it might be you who would help our country NIGERIA to be a greater country... Guys please tell me your different views or opinions about the post.
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/11-most-powerful-militaries-in-the-world-2014-4

where is naija ?

Kingharzyz: where is naija ?

we are not yet there, but i still believe with our new technological generation,and highly equipped youths who are the master of themselves.. We would get there.. Forget about the present insecurity situation.. I believe we would get there.

.

America remains number one,that country is truly God's own country...with their huge budget,almost x10 of Nigeria. it will take a long time before USA is displaced as the super power..I love that country...

Sijioke: we are not yet there, but i still believe with our new technological generation,and highly equipped youths who are the master of themselves.. We would get there.. Forget about the present insecurity situation.. I believe we would get there.

yes, but what is our defense budget?

I'm sure it will be in the billions as well, with little or nothing to show for it.

#corruption is the worst enemy any nation can face.

EnterPRO:

yes, but what is our defense budget?

I'm sure it will be in the billions as well, with little or nothing to show for it.

#corruption is the worst enemy any nation can face.

I agree with you.. It is now left for us to change this bad corruption omen.

$612b on defense yearly?

$612, 000, 000,000? That is a lot of money!

I don't believe this..Russia still falls within the world's top 3 anytime, anyday.

Are we investing in defense technology atall in this country or are just buying or borrowing?

Did I see India in that list, India powerful than Isreal, una neva start

I thought north korea spends a significant portion of their budget on defence.
I'm surprised its not in the list while india and turkey are there.

Adrenaline123: Did I see India in that list, India powerful than Isreal, una neva start

if you mean isreal suppose to be better than india. you are right and wrong, you are right in the sense that.. Since the inception of isreal, indian has been the most related country with it. You might also notice that most of the army men in indian are full of isreal... They had made trade partnership since 1991 and i even learnt that during the world war. Isreal as been telling some hidden secrets to the indian people.. But what might suprise you is that india is the 2nd largest asain country and they have been able to use their trading effectively.. What might suprise you is that the war india fought with pakistan and china which is the 3rd best.. Isreal might not have won it.. If it was the case.. And at presently indian provide about 46% of their budget on defence sector having donated about $46 billion of their total sector on defence..thanks for the idea.

Sijioke: This topic might have educate you one way or the other. You might now seem to be more elightened about the military and defence of other countries.
Perhaps their financial, social and some other factors might have been the bedrock behind their Success.
Try and get more facts about these countries and use it in your various fields. Who knows? it might be you who would help our country NIGERIA to be a greater country... Guys please tell me your different views or opinions about the post.
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/11-most-powerful-militaries-in-the-world-2014-4

Russia has more nuclear arsenal than the US,don't know where u got ur facts?

fairheven:
Russia has more nuclear arsenal than the US,don't know where u got ur facts?

what might seem right to someone could also be wrong to others.

Nigeria,Ghana, number 1 and 2 in ode shi

Sijioke: 2| Russia:
Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's millitary is growing again. The kremlin's military spending has increased by almost a third since 2008 and is expected to grow 44% more in the next three years. Today, the Russian defense budget stands at $76.6 billion.
Russia currently has 766,000 active frontline personnel with a reserve force of 2,485,000 personnel. These troops are backed up by 15,500 tanks, the largest tank force in the world. Russian soldiers generally receive relatively mediocre training, however, and their equipment, like that tank force, is aging.

mediocre training..? seriously that's a big joke...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z8XZLqIMmw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vdC0i9uqRw

Really?

Quelme: mediocre training..? seriously that's a big joke...

Gone are those days when russia and france were the best.