Battlefields are constantly evolving, leading countries around the world to pump hundreds of billions of dollars each year into their armed forces in a race to develop the most advanced training, technology and weaponry.

As of 2020, Global Firepower, a website that tracks military strength, says the following five armies are the most powerful, based on a rank given to them after looking at how they compare in categories “ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography”:

5) Japan

With an estimated active military personnel of 247,160, this Asian country only has a fraction of the headcount that volatile neighbor North Korea has, but makes up for it with its updated weaponry.

Japan has 152 special mission aircraft – more than any country in the world other than the U.S., according to Global Firepower’s statistics – and a formidable Navy fleet that contains 40 destroyers.

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It also has 3,130 armored vehicles, 1,004 tanks and 119 attack helicopters.

Japan is estimated to spend $49 billion on its military in 2020.

Japan's armed forces have to contend with a volatile neighbor in North Korea.
Japan's armed forces have to contend with a volatile neighbor in North Korea. (iStock)

4) India

India, which has been engaged in a prolonged territorial conflict with nearby Pakistan over the Kashmir region, has an estimated 1,444,000 people actively serving in its armed forces.

Global Firepower says the developing nation is amongst the world’s leaders in the number of tanks (4,292), towed artillery (4,060) and fighter aircraft (538).

India is estimated to spend $61 billion on its military this year.

India has an estimated 1,444,000 people actively serving in its armed forces.
India has an estimated 1,444,000 people actively serving in its armed forces. (iStock)

3) China

China, the most powerful country in Asia and a growing adversary to the U.S., ranks third on this list.

The communist superpower has an estimated active personnel of 2,183,000 – the largest in the world.

China has been building out its Navy in recent years while engaging in territorial disputes across the South China Sea. Today, they have 74 submarines, 52 frigates and 36 destroyers, Global Firepower says.

On land, China has 33,000 armored vehicles and 3,500 tanks. Their Air Force has amassed 1,232 fighter aircraft and 281 attack helicopters.

China is estimated to spend $237 billion on its armed forces in 2020.

China, which has the largest active duty army in the world, is becoming a growing adversary to the U.S.
China, which has the largest active duty army in the world, is becoming a growing adversary to the U.S. (iStock)

2) Russia

Russia, whose military has become involved in Syria and Ukraine in recent years, has the most tanks of any country in the world: 12,950, more than double what the U.S. has, according to Global Firepower’s statistics.

Its estimated 1,013,628 active personnel, on land, are in charge of commanding 27,038 armored vehicles, 6,083 units of self-propelled artillery and 3,860 rocket projectors.

In the skies, Russia’s air force has 873 fighter aircraft and 531 attack helicopters. In water, they have 62 submarines and 48 mine warfare ships.

Russia is estimated to spend $48 billion on its military this year.

Russian soldiers stand near a convoy of rocket launchers in military parade rehearsal on Red Square, Moscow, in 2008.
Russian soldiers stand near a convoy of rocket launchers in military parade rehearsal on Red Square, Moscow, in 2008. (iStock)

1) United States

In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the U.S. “retains its top spot as the undisputed military power in the world,” Global Firepower says.

America has more air units than any other country on Earth, with 2,085 fighters, 967 attack helicopters, 945 transports and 742 special mission aircraft.

The U.S. also leads the world with 39,253 armored vehicles, 91 Navy destroyers, and 20 aircraft carriers. It has an estimated 1,400,000 active personnel.

Washington has allocated $750 billion to the U.S. military budget in 2020.

The U.S., Global Firepower says, is the "undisputed" top military power in the world.


Picture 1: The U.S., Global Firepower says, is the "undisputed" top military power in the world

Picture 2: Russian soldiers stand near a convoy of rocket launchers in military parade rehearsal on Red Square, Moscow, in 2008

Picture 3: China, which has the largest active duty army in the world, is becoming a growing adversary to the U.S

Picture 4: India has an estimated 1,444,000 people actively serving in its armed forces.


Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/5-most-powerful-armies-in-the-world.amp

The budget for security in these countries is alarming. Africa needs to rise up sincerely.

Picture 5: Japan's armed forces have to contend with a volatile neighbor in North Korea

ok

These are the real warriors not our amotekun

I dey pity Iran

habiham:
I dey pity Iran

Iran's strength has always lie with their undisclosed bio and nuclear power and ability to use human shield tactics when it comes to defending their territories. On land Iran is not a country to be written off but air and water strength which dictates who wins wars in this present century is their own weakness. So I join you in pitying them but a bit. Those guys have strong head.

Let's hear from Amatekun they should also tell us if they can help out here. We need peace in Nigeria

158th Nigeria
In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the Nigeria “retains its last spot as the undisputed military loser in the world,” Global Firepower says.

Nigeria has none air units on Earth, with 0 fighters, 0 attack helicopters, 0 transport and 0 special mission aircraft.

The Nigeria also ranks last in the world with 8 armored vehicles, 9 Navy destroyers, and 2 aircraft carriers. It has an estimated 20,000 active personnel.

Abuja has allocated #10 millionaire to the Nigeria military budget in 2020.

chloedogie:


Iran's strength has always lie with their undisclosed bio and nuclear power and ability to use human shield tactics when it comes to defending their territories. On land Iran is not a country to be written off but air and water strength which dictates who wins wars in this present century is their own weakness. So I join you in pitying them but a bit. Those guys have strong head.

You're right tho, Iranians get strong head.
Their weakness is in the air..
Buh it's not easy to defeat them in on the land (esp in their own land)

Just when will I ever see the US not toping everything..

I also heard that if California were a country it would be the 6th biggest economy..

So California GDP is bigger than the whole of Africa's GDP combined..

God Bless America..
God Bless Trump

Only USA army budget can fund 90% of Africa budget

Sammy07:


You're right tho, Iranians get strong head.
Their weakness is in the air..
Buh it's not easy to defeat them in on the land (esp in their own land)

They fight like these Bush wild dogs. No tactics just use dagbo to scatter everything. Their sturboness has no part two. If you watch discovery very well and see those wild dogs hunting you will understand what I am saying about their fights.

USA have all dis yet we don't know der classified aircraft and submarine and next year dey will launch a super carrier,no wonder APC led government quickly exempted der citizens from paying the $110 bill for US citizens

Sammy07:
158th Nigeria
In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the Nigeria “retains its last spot as the undisputed military loser in the world,” Global Firepower says.

Nigeria has none air units on Earth, with 0 fighters, 0 attack helicopters, 0 transport and 0 special mission aircraft.

The Nigeria also ranks last in the world with 8 armored vehicles, 9 Navy destroyers, and 2 aircraft carriers. It has an estimated 20,000 active personnel.

Abuja has allocated #10 millionaire to the Nigeria military budget in 2020.

How did we even get there self? I heard on TVC journalist hangout that president Babangida said during his regime that we dont need to put one naira into our airforce unit as we were at peace with our neighbours and they were literally callibalising our fighter jets and reduced airforce soldiers drastically. They very terrible state nigeria is in now was a gradual mismanagement of power by all our previous head of states and presidents plus baba bubu and Kyari now. God help us.

thundafire:
Only USA army budget can fund 90% of Africa budget

Gbam. Our leaders are terrible and worse than stubborn he goats. Ogufe.

chloedogie:


How did we even get there self? I heard on TVC journalist hangout that president Babangida said during his regime that we dont need to put one naira into our airforce unit as we were at peace with our neighbours and they were literally callibalising our fighter jets and reduced airforce soldiers drastically. They very terrible state nigeria is in now was a gradual mismanagement of power by all our previous head of states and presidents plus baba bubu and Kyari now. God help us.

Hmmm!
I just don't know what to say.
This country is bleeped up

thundafire:
USA have all dis yet we don't know der classified aircraft and submarine and next year dey will launch a super carrier,no wonder APC led government quickly exempted der citizens from paying the $110 bill for US citizens

Even Trump is planning space air force. They will be residing permanently in the space and that guy no dey make mouth for fun o. If him hand touch the amount of money needed then it is a done deal. By that time everyone don enter one chance with usa

chloedogie:


They fight like these Bush wild dogs. No tactics just use dagbo to scatter everything. Their sturboness has no part two. If you watch discovery very well and see those wild dogs hunting you will understand what I am saying about their fights.

Ahhhh, they are very stubborn.
They don't give up easily

Sammy07:


Hmmm!
I just don't know what to say.
This country is bleeped up

Michael Jackson sang a song to give an answer to your plight and that is "speechless"

ok

Why spend money on military. We are not going to war and we are not fighting war.

Sammy07:
158th Nigeria
In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the Nigeria “retains its last spot as the undisputed military loser in the world,” Global Firepower says.

Nigeria has none air units on Earth, with 0 fighters, 0 attack helicopters, 0 transport and 0 special mission aircraft.

The Nigeria also ranks last in the world with 8 armored vehicles, 9 Navy destroyers, and 2 aircraft carriers. It has an estimated 20,000 active personnel.

Abuja has allocated #10 millionaire to the Nigeria military budget in 2020.

happy200:
Let's hear from Amatekun they should also tell us if they can help out here. We need peace in Nigeria

amu kini?

You did not mention, Nigeria. Lol!

johnmartus:
Why spend money on military. We are not going to war and we are not fighting war.

See thinking that got us to a stage where boko haram don almost kill the whole north finish. Some of you dont know the meaning of preventive maintenance as it is always cheaper than corrective maintenance. If na so usa dey think dem for no be world strongest power.

I don't even understand your point.

chloedogie:


See thinking that got us to a stage where boko haram don almost kill the whole north finish. Some of you dont know the meaning of preventive maintenance as it is always cheaper than corrective maintenance. If na so usa dey think dem for no be world strongest power.

johnmartus:
Why spend money on military. We are not going to war and we are not fighting war.

Until muslim countries decide to approach issues differently. I don't mean to insult anyone but it's the sad reality.

Op I thought u included naija, I for necked baff for my kitchen.

Sammy07:
158th Nigeria
In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the Nigeria “retains its last spot as the undisputed military loser in the world,” Global Firepower says.

Nigeria has none air units on Earth, with 0 fighters, 0 attack helicopters, 0 transport and 0 special mission aircraft.

The Nigeria also ranks last in the world with 8 armored vehicles, 9 Navy destroyers, and 2 aircraft carriers. It has an estimated 20,000 active personnel.

Abuja has allocated #10 millionaire to the Nigeria military budget in 2020.

what....??

you dont have to lie to show your hate....

nigeria may not have much,but nigeria is not that weak either....
and now that we are learnin to build stuffs ourselfs,things will change....

if nigeria was like china,alot of una would land in prison....

go talk anyhow in china and see if you would not disappear in a prison....

J111333:
Until muslim countries decide to approach issues differently. I don't mean to insult anyone but it's the sad reality.

What are you even saying

Do you have sense in the first place.

J111333:
Until muslim countries decide to approach issues differently. I don't mean to insult anyone but it's the sad reality.

A black man in Africa is cursed "kind of" especially our leaders, thats why their policies and actions are always not as futuristic as their counterparts, making our developments to grovel or wriggle in all aspect of our existence...