List of countries dominating global military power

On November 23, the defense analysis organization Global Firepower announced the ranking of the 10 countries with the world's leading military power in 2023, in which the US, Russia, China, and India are in the top 4.

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With a PowerIndex score of 0.0712, the US continues to maintain its position as the world's leading military power. (Source: LinkedIn)

Global Firepower's 2023 military power rankings assess 145 countries, looking at more than 60 individual factors such as troop numbers, military equipment, financial stability, geography, and available resources. These factors contribute to a PowerIndex score, with lower scores indicating stronger military capabilities.

The United States tops the list with a military spending of $877 billion and a PowerIndex score of 0.0712. To maintain its dominance, the United States must excel in key material, financial, and resource categories. The United States also leads in technological advancement, healthcare , aerospace, and computers/telecommunications. The country operates 13,300 aircraft, of which 983 are attack helicopters, and has a current military strength of 1,832,000.

Russia ranks second in the list, with military spending reaching $864 billion and a PowerIndex score of 0.0714. Russia currently maintains a powerful military force with a total of 1,330,900 personnel. Russia has advanced technology, a significant military force and global strategic influence.

China ranks third with a military expenditure of $292 billion and a PowerIndex score of 0.0722. China is the world's second largest economy, after the United States, and has a total military strength of approximately 3,135,000. China focuses on strengthening its naval, air, and land combat capabilities. China has 3,166 aircraft and 4,950 tanks.

In fourth place is India - the world's most populous country and therefore the largest military with 5,132,000 personnel - with a military expenditure of $81.4 billion and a PowerIndex score of 0.1025. In recent years, India has focused on digitization and modernization, and its efficient domestic military-industrial complex has made it one of the world's five most powerful militaries. India possesses a total of 2,210 aircraft, 4,614 tanks and 295 naval assets.

Ranked 5th in the ranking is the United Kingdom with a military expenditure of 68.5 billion USD, a PowerIndex score of 0.1435, and a total military strength of 231,000. The European country achieved this position thanks to its strength in manpower, air force, logistics efficiency, and financial resources. In addition, a powerful tanker fleet and available ports are also significant advantages for the United Kingdom to be ranked in this position.

Ranked 6th is South Korea with a military expenditure of 46.4 billion USD, a PowerIndex score of 0.1505, and a total military force of 1,130,000 people. South Korea possesses the strength of its aircraft fleet, armored fighting vehicles, and helicopters. With more than 133,000 vehicles and 739 helicopters, including a squadron of 112 attack helicopters.

Ranked 7th in the Global Firepower rankings is Pakistan with a military expenditure of $17.9 billion and a PowerIndex score of 0.1694. Pakistan has a total military strength of 1,704,000 and is strong in the air force, army and navy. Its natural resources and strategic location along the common borders have enhanced Pakistan's position on the world stage.

Japan ranks 8th with a military expenditure of $46 billion and a PowerIndex score of 0.1711. Japan has many large ports, demonstrating its strategic advantage at sea. With 4 helicopter carriers, Japan is second in this category, behind only the United States. This fleet is equipped with advanced technology for specialized roles on the battlefield. Japan maintains a fully capable military force with a total strength of 309,000.

France ranks 9th with a military expenditure of $53.6 billion, a PowerIndex score of 0.1848, and a total military strength of about 415,000. France has advantages in air force, navy, logistics, and financial resources. France demonstrates flexibility in modern warfare with a fleet of 438 helicopters, including 69 attack helicopters.

Italy ranks 10th with a military expenditure of $33.5 billion, a PowerIndex score of 0.1973, and a total military strength of about 297,000. Italy excels in its air tanker fleet, helicopter fleet, attack aircraft fleet, and aircraft carriers.

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