Since ancient times, the army has been the main guarantor of the sovereignty and independence of any state on the planet, providing security, protection and peace for its citizens.
To find out which army is the strongest in the world can only be a large-scale world war, but I would not want to find out this component in this way.
Among the authoritative indicators of the military power of the state is the global firepower rating. Based on this, we will consider the armed forces of the leading states, trying to determine the strongest armies in the world, making a kind of rating of the most combat-ready.
Germany
The armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany - the Bundeswehr - open our list of strong armies.
After two world wars, in which Germany was among the losers, international treaties significantly reduced the size of the German army. Today it is fully professional, and employs about 186 thousand troops with an annual budget of $ 45 million.
German foreign policy is quite peaceful, and this country is not often involved in local military conflicts, so the size of the army is not so great.
France
The eternal enemy of Germany in the past, and now France’s main ally, contains an army of 230 thousand people. From 40 to 43 million dollars are allocated annually for the maintenance of the armed forces.
The state has glorious military traditions and has known many glorious victories. Today, he is an active participant in the NATO bloc, and actively participates in local conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
The military-industrial complex of the French Republic is quite developed, and provides its own armed forces with everything necessary - from military equipment to uniforms.
Great Britain
Another European state whose history remembers glorious victories. Britain for many years had the largest navy to hold colonies and the largest army.
Today, all this is already in the distant past, and the number of the British armed forces is 190 thousand people. But the fleet has remained the most powerful, and in terms of total tonnage it is only ahead of the US naval forces.
The budget of the British Army is $ 53 billion. We also note that the military special forces in England are one of the best and most effective in the world. The army itself is actively involved in NATO operations around the world.
Turkey
Not the last place in the list of the strongest armies of the world is occupied by the Turkish armed forces, with a total number of 520 thousand troops.
Fighting is supported by the fact that Turkish soldiers are actively participating in military operations in the troubled region of the Middle East. But, interestingly, only $ 18 billion dollars are allocated to Turkish troops.
In addition, Turkey has one of the largest fleets of military equipment. But for the sake of justice, we will clarify that most of the tanks and aircraft are morally and technically outdated.
Japan
The ninth article of the Constitution of Japan prohibits her from using her armed forces outside the country. In addition, the army as such is not there, but it is called self-defense force.
But the strength of these forces is 247 thousand people, and this is the fourth indicator in the Pacific region. Such a large number is due to the fact that Japan is afraid of its closest neighbors - North Korea and China.
Japanese self-defense forces are technically well equipped, and $ 47 billion is allocated annually for their maintenance. Today, the state program for the rearmament of special forces, scheduled for 2018, has been adopted.
South Korea
History has forced this eastern state to maintain a combat-ready and numerical army, for more than 60 years it has been at war with its northern neighbor.
The number of South Korean army is 630 thousand troops. And in our TOP-10, it occupies a middle ground. For comparison, recall that North Korea has an armed force of 1 million 200 thousand people.
To maintain its combat effectiveness, South Korea annually allocates $ 37.5 billion, and technical re-equipment, if necessary, is carried out with the direct participation of the United States.
India
By all indicators, including the characteristics of Global firepower, the Indian army has long been among the leaders. After gaining independence in 1949, the Indian government realized that independence must also be protected.
The armed forces of India are 1.33 million people, and $ 50 billion is allocated from the budget for the upkeep. The capabilities of the economy of the eastern state make it possible to purchase the latest models of military equipment, including the latest aircraft and armored vehicles from Russia.
But the combat readiness of the military forces is supported due to the fact that India has many unresolved problems, both in the middle of the state and with its closest neighbors.
China
The time has come to present the world's largest army in the ranking. The military in China is 2 million 333 thousand people. And the military budget is second in terms of, and is equal to $ 126 billion per year.
The Chinese managed to create not only combat-ready ground forces, but also powerful missile forces. In recent years, the Chinese allocated funds, and completely rearm the army with the latest models of military equipment and the Air Force.
China has not been involved in armed conflicts for a long time, but in terms of potential, it is perhaps the most powerful army in the world.
Russia
Few will object, but in the history of world wars the Russian army is the best in the world. And today its fighting efficiency is maintained at a high level.
The armed forces of the Russian Federation today number nearly 800 thousand people, and the maintenance costs $ 76 billion. It is one of the most advanced and modern armies in terms of technical equipment.
After the end of World War II, there are no equal in the world in armored vehicles and aircraft of Russia. The navy and missile forces are also well developed. In the top of the best, the Russian army today is undeniably the most effective army in the world.
Russia, as a continental country, is obliged to develop ground forces, but also remember about strategic weapons.
USA
The United States closes the list of the most powerful armies in the world, with 1 million 361 thousand troops and an annual budget of $ 612 billion. This is more than the military budgets of the next three states following the Americans.
It is such a large funding that allows us to acquire the latest technology and weapons. The United States has the largest and most efficient fleet, which has been constantly participating in local conflicts around the world since World War II.
Americans are the undisputed leaders in the development and implementation of the latest models of military equipment.
Here is the ranking of the best armies of the world in 2017, and as you can see, the leading world leaders support the combat effectiveness of their armed forces, constantly re-equipping and developing new weapons.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that our ranking of the best did not take into account the nuclear potential that some of the represented states possess, and also did not take into account the funds allocated by states for conducting military operations outside the country.
Article author: Valery Skiba