Countries all over the world need an army to protect themselves from external threats and foreign invasions. Armies serve as a country’s first line of defence. They are a critical component of a country, and not only do they defend their nations but also help the people and protect vital national interests. The military forces of many nations worldwide comprise of the land forces or the army, the air force, and the marine or the naval forces.
Most of the countries in the world have well-defined armies. However, there are 31 nations, like the Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Aruba, and Costa Rica, who do not have an army! These countries receive military assistance from other powerful states, or their police force acts as an armed force.
Battlefield techniques are continuously evolving, and armies worldwide use advanced weaponry, combat techniques, and technology to stay ahead of other nations. Below we explore the top ten armies in the world in terms of power, size, and operations.
Best Armies in the World
1. United States
The US retains power as one of the world’s best armies, working under the US Department of Defence. America has the maximum air units than any other country in the world, with 2,085 fighters, 967 combat helicopters, and 742 special mission aircraft. It has an estimated 1,400,000 active personnel, reserve, and National Guard members. The US Army consists of modern weaponry with an allocated budget of $750 billion, including armoured vehicles, tanks, missiles, self-propelled and towed artillery, and rocket-launching systems. The world’s most significant military base Fort Bragg belongs to the US, with 52,280 active-duty soldiers deployed there.
Image Source: Wikimedia
2. Russia
The Russian Army is also known as the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation. It is a significant component of the Russian Armed Forces and was established in May 1992 after the Soviet Union’s dissolution. It is controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Russian army currently deploys 350,000 to 400,000 troops and has the world’s largest tank fleet. It has the second-largest aircraft fleet in the world after the US. It also has the third-largest submarine fleet in the world, after the US and China.
Image Source: Wikimedia
3. China
The Chinese military is the largest force in the world, with estimated military personnel of 2,183,000. It is also known as the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) of China. The Chinese army operates under the command of China’s Central Military Commission. Seven military regions in the country deploy the active ground forces of the military. 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 spends about $250bn on its military budget and ranks second after the US in military expenditure.
Image Not Avalaible
4. India
The Indian army ranks fourth globally and consists of 1.2 million troops actively serving in its armed forces. This army is commanded by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The army employs a system of regiments for different divisions, like the mountain, infantry, armoured and mechanized divisions. The Army is equipped with modern T-72 and Arjun tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. It also has guided missiles, Apache helicopters, and self-propelled artillery with air defence missiles. India is estimated to spend $61 billion on its military this year.
5. France
The French Ground Army is relatively small but highly trained, professional, and capable of force projection. It was founded in 1445 and is part of the French Armed Forces. The army has over 2 million active personnel engaged. The country also has the most recent aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. France engages its troops in military deployments in Africa to help stabilize governments. France has the fifth largest defence budget globally and the first in the European Union (EU).
Image Source: Wikimedia
6. Japan
Japan’s constitution bans it from having a regular standing army. Nevertheless, Japan maintains its Self Defense Force, one of the world’s most skilled armed forces. The Japanese force has 2 million military personnel. It is equipped with modern weaponry, more than 150 special mission aircraft, armoured vehicles, tanks, attack helicopters, and a formidable navy fleet. The Japan Self-Defense Forces or the JSDF have the sixth largest military budget.
Image Source: Flickr (John Carkeet)
7. South Korea
South Korea has a large, well-trained, and adequately equipped army in the form of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, also known as the ROK Armed Forces. The country has several submarines, attack helicopters, and about more than 600,000 active military personnel. Since 1957, South Korea follows conscription, which means male South Korean citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 need to perform compulsory military service.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. England
The British Army is known as the British Armed Forces, or Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. It consists of the military services responsible for defending the United Kingdom and all of its overseas territories. It consists of about 140,000 active and reserve personnel. The British Navy plans to use the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier with a vast 4.5-acre flight deck. It can carry 40 F-35B joint strike fighters on base. The British Army is known to spend around $60 billion on its military budget.
Image Source: Wikimedia
9. Turkey
Turkey’s location makes it prone to clashes with neighbouring countries. To keep it always protected and on the go, Turkey has an $18 billion defence budget. Its army size, just above 660,000 and includes both regular troops and reserves. The Turkish Armed Forces are the second largest standing military force in NATO after the US Armed Forces. Turkey’s air force has 1000 aircraft, and its military claims to have 16,000 land weapons. The country also has strong diplomatic ties with the US and participates in deployed forces worldwide.
Image Not Avalaible
10.Germany
The German Constitution states that defence matters have to be controlled by the federal government. The German states are not allowed to maintain separate armed forces of their own. So, the Bundeswehr is the name given to Germany’s combined armed forces and their civil administration. The German Army or Deutsches Heer was founded in 1955. The Bundeswehr has a strength of 184,258 active-duty military personnel and 79,973 civilians. It is the second-largest army in the European Union.
Image Source: Wikimedia
These are the top ten armies in the world, who continue to dominate the world with their power, personnel, and military expertise. Equipped with the best weaponry and battle techniques, these armies continue to awe us with their skills and defense capabilities.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
