1) United States
Budget: $601 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 1,400,000
Tanks: 8,848
Total aircraft: 13,892
Submarines: 72
Despite sequestration and other spending cuts, the United States spends more money — $601 billion — on defense than the next nine countries on Credit Suisse’s index combined.
America’s biggest conventional military advantage is its fleet of 10 aircraft carriers. In comparison, India, which is constructing its third carrier, has the second-most carriers in the world.
The US also has by far the most aircraft of any country, cutting-edge technology like the Navy’s new railgun, a vast and well-trained human force — and that’s not even counting the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal.
2) Russia
Budget: $84.5 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 766,055
Tanks: 15,398
Total aircraft: 3,429
Submarines: 55
The Russian armed forces are the unquestioned second strongest military power in the world. Russia has the world’s largest tank fleet, the second largest aircraft fleet behind the US, and the third largest submarine fleet behind the US and China.
The Kremlin’s military spending has increased by almost a third since 2008 and is expected to grow 44% more in the next three years. Russia has also demonstrated its ability to project force abroad with its deployment of soldiers to Syria.
3) China
Budget: $216 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 2,333,000
Tanks: 9,150
Total aircraft: 2,860
Submarines: 67
The Chinese military has grown rapidly regarding both size and capability in the past few decades. Regarding raw human resources, it’s the largest military in the world. It also has the second largest tank fleet behind Russia and the second largest submarine fleet behind the US.
China has also made rapid strides in its military modernization program, now developing a range of potentially game-changing military technologies including ballistic missiles and fifth-generation aircraft.
4) Japan
Budget: $41.6 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 247,173
Tanks: 678
Total aircraft: 1,613
Submarines: 16
In absolute terms, the Japanese military is relatively small. Nonetheless, the country is extremely well equipped.
According to Credit Suisse, it has the fourth largest submarine fleet in the list. Japan also has four aircraft carriers, although these vessels are only equipped with helicopter fleets.
Japan also has the fourth largest attack helicopter fleet behind China, Russia, and the US.
5) India
Budget: $50 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 1,325,000
Tanks: 6,464
Total aircraft: 1,905
Submarines: 15
India is one of the largest military powers on the planet. It has the most active manpower of any country aside from China and the US, in addition to the most tanks and aircraft of any country besides the US, China, or Russia.
India also has access to nuclear weapons. It’s expected to become the fourth highest military spender on earth by 2020.
6) France
Budget: $62.3 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 202,761
Tanks: 423
Total aircraft: 1,264
Submarines: 10
The French military is relatively small but highly trained, professional, and capable of force projection.
The country has the nearly new aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle, and France routinely engages in military deployments throughout Africa to help stabilize governments and fight against extremism.
7) South Korea
Budget: $62.3 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 624,465
Tanks: 2,381
Total aircraft: 1,412
Submarines: 13
South Korea has been left with little choice but to have a vast and capable military in the face of potential North Korean aggression. With those realities in mind, South Korea has some submarines, attack helicopters, and active personnel.
The country also has many tanks and the sixth largest air force in the world.
8) Italy
Budget: $34 billion
Active Frontline Personnel: 320,000
Tanks: 586
Total aircraft: 760
Submarines: 6
The Italian military placed highly on Credit Suisse’s report due to the country’s possession of two active aircraft carriers. These carriers, in addition to the country’s relatively large submarine and attack helicopter fleets, drastically boosted Italy’s ranking.