Offering security and defense against the external forces is the
prime motive of a country’s military. Borderline as well as internal
security is the demand of every country these days and for this purpose
the power army is established. Not to forget the factor of nuclear power
energy and the presence of nuclear power plants. It is quite
substantiated that the nuclear capabilities merged with the intelligence
strategies come to strengthen the country in these times of high
defensive uncertainties. Not to forget that the recent global scenario
has forced the countries to take into account new security challenges
which are now being posed by the growing terrorist organizations. The
new breed of counter terrorism, supported by many of the countries
these days, has indeed raised a great concern among all the members of
the global community, as the terrorist these days have a power of
inflicting a great damage simultaneously to a wide and diverse range of
targets. The use of intelligence and anti terrorism tactics has always
been visible in all the strategies and tactics through the course of a
country’s history. In addition, the intelligence also plays an important
role in the success of the various military functions. Today, having a
strong and powerful military has become more crucial, as the faces of
threat have now changed into a more complex form. Let us take a look at
the top 10 most powerful and largest armies in the world which has been
formulated keeping view the size of the armies plus their defense
capabilities. Take a look at these best armies.
10. Myanmar (406,000)
With a military strength of nearly 406,000 active military personnel,
at number 10 we have the Myanmar Army. Considered to be the second
largest army in the region of South East Asia, the Myanmar Army is
marked by some of the most effective military equipment including tanks,
artillery vehicles, ballistic missiles, and much more. In the year
2011, the government of Myanmar had passed a law which bound all the
male citizens between the ages of 18 to 35 years and females between the
ages of 18 to 27 to be drafted into the armed forces in times of
serious emergencies. Myanmar these days is making some huge investments
in its defense sector which was revealed in the report that was
published in the year 2011 stating that the government had allocated
nearly $ 2 billion for the defense purposes.
9. Vietnam (455,000)
With nearly 455,000 active military personnel, Vietnam has made it to our number 9
th
spot. The army of the country is known by the name of Vietnam’s
People’s army. There is no doubt in saying that this army is quite
strong and courageous and this fact can be better understood by having
some knowledge of the Vietnam War which it had fought against the United
States of America. The army was established in the year 1944 with the
purpose of kicking out the Japanese and other military personnel from
their country. In the initial days of its establishment, the army had
only 1000 soldiers, but at the time of Vietnam War they had gained
enough potential to force the United States to leave the country. It has
been recently estimated that the government is spending more than $ 2.5
billion in its defense sector each year.
8. Iran (523,000)
At number 8
th we have the Iranian Army with nearly 523,000
active military personnel. General John Abizaid had regarded the
Iranian army in very high terms by saying that Iranian Army is indeed
the most powerful army in the entire Middle East. With nearly 14 land
divisions and more than 15 air force squadrons, it is also being
speculated that soon Iran will also step in the race of nuclear
technology. Under the supreme commandership of Ali Khamenei, Iran has
now established itself as one of the most strategic and powerful
militaries in the world. According to the reports published by Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute, the military expenditures and
budget of Iran was nearly $ 9.174 billion in the year 2008. The recent
estimates are expected to be much higher. Despite of various sanctions
imposed on Iran from the side of United States of America and other
followers, Iran has still managed to strengthen its defense equipment
and weapons manufacturing units.
7. Turkey (666,576)
The Turkish Army has made it our number 7
th spot with
nearly 666,576 active personnel. In the days of the Korean War, the
Turkish Army had truly exhibited the kind of strength and defensive
capabilities they possess. Turkey had also been an active participant in
the year 2001 when Al-Qaeda had been proved to be responsible for the
bombings in Istanbul. Most of the forces which turkey has were inherited
after the fall of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War.
In the past 2 years the Turkish Army has recruited nearly 200,000 more
individuals, thus making it one of the largest armies in the world. In
addition, the government had also spent nearly $ 160 billion in various
projects of manufacturing tanks, helicopters, missiles, warships and
much more. Currently, Turkey has one of the most sophisticated weaponry
systems, thus making it the 7
th largest as well as strongest army in the world.
6. Pakistan (617,000)
Although the active personnel of the Pakistani Armed Forces are less
than that of Turkey, but as I have mentioned earlier, this list has been
made keeping in view the factor of size plus defense capabilities.
Keeping in view these factors the Pakistani Army has made it to our
number 6
th spot. According to the report which was published
in the year 2010 by The International Institute of Strategic Studies,
Pakistan had nearly 700,000 active personnel at that time. Some other
reports have stated that the number is much more than the reported
figures. Pakistan has always been an active participant in peace keeping
missions and has always co-operated with the United Nations. But still
all the first world countries look at the armed forces of Pakistan with a
great deal of concern, primarily because of the fact that the Nuclear
Technology of Pakistan is one of the most effective and sophisticated in
the world. Through the course of its history, the Pakistani Army has
also remained engaged in a number of wars.
5. India (1,325,000)
With nearly 1,325,000 active military personnel, India has made it our number 5
th
spot. Each year the government allocated a great sum of money for the
purpose of advancements in nuclear technology and for other defensive
motives. The exact figures cannot be stated with great efficacy, but
still it has been reported that each year the government invests more
than $ 45 billion in this sector. In terms of defense budget, India is
at the number 8
th spot. The Indian army is one of the most
experienced and trained armies in Asia. Not to forget the nuclear
capabilities of the country, as it is one of the seven nuclear power
nations in the world. India also leads most of the Asian Nations in
terms of tanks, jet planes, helicopters, naval vessels and much more.
4. North Korea (1,106,000)
The army of North Korea is known by the name of the Korean People’s
Army, although it does not include the whole of Korea. It was founded in
the year 1932 and till now has been considered to be one of the most
militarized nations in the world. Due to their advanced civil equipment,
chemical weapons, hidden nuclear capabilities, nearly 7,700,000 reserve
personnel, strong air force and with some of the most dangerous
missiles in the world, North Korea rightly deserves the number 4
th
spot. The armed forces of this country have indeed posed numerous
challenges for the some of the strongest countries in the world like
that of United States of America, China, U.K, India and others. No one
knows the exact amounts which the country spends towards its defense
sectors, but it has been speculated the nearly 40 % of the budget are
dedicated towards this sector.
3. Russia (1,027,000)
At number 3 we have the former super power nation of the world and
probably the biggest weapons manufacturing country, Russia. The active
personnel of the country have been reported to be nearly 1,027,000. In
the year 2010 the International Institute of Strategic Studies had
reported that the numbers of active personnel slightly more than the
reported figures, but at the same time they had also mentioned that
these numbers would be reduced after the introduction of some new
military reforms in the country. The stockpile of Nuclear weapons and
equipment of Russia has been estimated to be the largest in the world.
Same is the case with the nuclear war head sites which is no doubt the
largest in the world. In terms of deployed nuclear weapons, Russia is
behind the United States of America.
2. China (2,285,000)
The Chinese army is most commonly known by the name of the People’s
Liberation Army which was founded in the year 1927 and is also the
world’s largest army. With nearly 2,285,000 military personnel and with
one of the most well equipped nuclear missile systems, China rightly
deserves the 2
nd spot in the list. The Liberation Army also
leads most of the countries in the nuclear war heads, cruise missile,
tanks, helicopters, naval vessels, chemical weapons and hyper sonic
vehicles. The budget which the government spends on the defense sector
has been estimated to be more than $ 100 billion, which also takes it to
the number 2
nd spot in terms of the defense budget. In its history China has fought many wars in which it has always emerged successful.
1. United States of America (1,458,219)
With nearly 1,458,219 active military personnel and with the most
advanced and devastating nuclear weapons, The United States of America
deserves the number 1 spot. In the year 2011, the government had spent
more than $ 600 billion in the defense sector which indeed takes it to
the number 1 spot in terms of defense expenditures. Not to forget that
the United States armed forces have been alleged for using nuclear
weapons against Japan. In terms of deployed nuclear weapons all around
the world, America also leads all other nations. The development of
nuclear weapons in America had started during the times of the 2
nd
World War under the orders of President Roosevelt. In the year 1998, as
asserted by numerous official reports the country had spent billions of
dollars in the development of nuclear weapons, so you can estimate the
amounts which the United States is spending these days. America is still
the most powerful army in the world.