Military website Global Firepower has released its list of most powerful armies for 2018, showing how countries around the world stack-up when it comes to military firepower.<\/p>\n
A total of 136 countries featured on the 2018 list, with the ranking relying on over 50 different countries to determine a given nation’s PowerIndex.<\/p>\n
However the ranking does not simply rely on the total number of weapons available to any one country, but rather focuses on weapon diversity within the number totals to provide a better balance of firepower available.<\/p>\n
In addition nuclear weapons are not recognised directly (but receive an indirect score bonus), while geographical factors, logistical flexibility, natural resources and local industry influence the rankings.<\/p>\n
The USA was named as the most powerful country with 1.28 million active military personnel, over 13,000 aircraft, more than 5,800 tanks and a defense budget of $615 billion.<\/p>\n
This beats out second-place Russia which has 1 million active personnel, a total of 3,914 aircraft, 20,300 combat tanks and a defense budget of $47 billion.<\/p>\n
Third place China has more active military personnel than both the USA and Russia (just under 2.7 million) but has fewer aircraft (3,035) than either country, despite having a defense budget of $151 billion.<\/p>\n
India and France round out the top five.<\/p>\n
| #<\/th>\n | Country<\/th>\n | Active Frontline<\/th>\n | Reserve<\/th>\n | Combat tanks<\/th>\n | Air\u00a0Force<\/th>\n | Naval Vessels<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1<\/td>\n | United States<\/td>\n | \u00a01 281 900<\/td>\n | \u00a0801 200<\/td>\n | \u00a05 884<\/td>\n | \u00a013 362<\/td>\n | \u00a0415<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 2<\/td>\n | Russia<\/td>\n | \u00a01 013 628<\/td>\n | \u00a02 572 500<\/td>\n | \u00a020 300<\/td>\n | \u00a03 914<\/td>\n | \u00a0352<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 3<\/td>\n | China<\/td>\n | \u00a02 183 000<\/td>\n | \u00a0510 000<\/td>\n | \u00a07 716<\/td>\n | \u00a03 035<\/td>\n | \u00a0714<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 4<\/td>\n | India<\/td>\n | \u00a01 362 500<\/td>\n | \u00a02 844 750<\/td>\n | \u00a04 426<\/td>\n | \u00a02 185<\/td>\n | \u00a0295<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 5<\/td>\n | France<\/td>\n | \u00a0205 000<\/td>\n | \u00a0183 635<\/td>\n | \u00a0406<\/td>\n | \u00a01 262<\/td>\n | \u00a0118<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 6<\/td>\n | United Kingdom<\/td>\n | \u00a0197 730<\/td>\n | \u00a081 500<\/td>\n | \u00a0227<\/td>\n | \u00a0832<\/td>\n | \u00a076<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 7<\/td>\n | South Korea<\/td>\n | \u00a0625 000<\/td>\n | \u00a05 202 500<\/td>\n | \u00a02 654<\/td>\n | \u00a01 560<\/td>\n | \u00a0166<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 8<\/td>\n | Japan<\/td>\n | \u00a0247 157<\/td>\n | \u00a063 300<\/td>\n | \u00a0679<\/td>\n | \u00a01 508<\/td>\n | \u00a0131<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 9<\/td>\n | Turkey<\/td>\n | \u00a0350 000<\/td>\n | \u00a0360 565<\/td>\n | \u00a02 446<\/td>\n | \u00a01 056<\/td>\n | \u00a0194<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| 10<\/td>\n | Germany<\/td>\n | \u00a0178 641<\/td>\n | \u00a030 000<\/td>\n | \u00a0432<\/td>\n | \u00a0714<\/td>\n | 81<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n South Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n Note: Some vehicles can fall under multiple classifications.<\/em><\/p>\n In 2018, South Africa was ranked 33rd, above notable European countries such as Switzerland, Norway and the Netherlands, but behind all other BRICS countries – including Brazil in 14th.<\/p>\n According to the report, South Africa has just under 100,000 total military personnel comprising of 78,050 active personnel and 16,000 reserve personnel.<\/p>\n In addition, the report estimates that we have 14,100,000 citizens which would be fit for service should the country enforce conscription laws.<\/p>\n Air power<\/strong><\/p>\n South Africa has a total aircraft strength of 209 assets.<\/p>\n This comprises of:<\/p>\n Army\/Land power<\/strong><\/p>\n One standout of South Africa’s military remains its land capability.<\/p>\n This includes:<\/p>\n Naval power<\/strong><\/p>\n South Africa has a total naval strength of 40 assets. Notably the country currently has no aircraft carriers, destroyers or corvette-class vehicles.<\/p>\n Instead our navy comprises of:<\/p>\n |