For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails

       Please enter a valid email address

       Please enter a valid email address

       SIGN UP

       I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

       Thanks for signing up to the

       Breaking News email

       {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

       The US, Russia and China have the world’s most powerful militaries while the UK comes in seventh, according to annual rankings produced by a defence sector analyst.

       Global Firepower’s 2024 Military Strength Rankings evaluated 145 countries, assessing them based on their military capabilities.

       The US ranked first out of the 145 countries analysed, followed by Russia in second position and China in third. The US scored 0.0699 (the lower the better), with Russia following a close lead with 0.0702 and China at 0.0706, it said.

       India has the fourth most powerful military followed by South Korea, while the UK took seventh spot.

       The US boasts the highest military expenditure in the world at $876bn, and secured its position at the top of the index due to its dominance in a range of categories from finance to available resources.

       RECOMMENDED

       New Zealand MP resigns amid shoplifting allegations after CCTV footage emerges

       Undo

       Miss America 2024 crowns first US Air Force officer

       Undo

       Health Today

       When Neuropathy Hits, Try This (It's Genius!)Health Today| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Fitness Guide

       Cardiologists: Simple Trick For Overweight? Do This Before BedFitness Guide| Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola

       The country stood out as a major player in technological advancements, excelling in the medical, aerospace, and computer/telecom sectors.

       Promoted stories

       Vitaae

       Coughing and phlegm a hidden alert?Vitaae Watch Now

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       According to the report, the US possesses an impressive fleet of 13,300 aircraft, including 983 attack helicopters.

       In second spot, Russia was recognised for its advanced technology and global influence despite the losses its armed forces have suffered in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

       With military spending of an estimated $292bn, China has made significant strides in its naval, airpower and land warfare capabilities, benefitting from its impressive domestic resources.

       The least powerful country on the list was Bhutan with a power index of 6.3704, while Moldova also features in the bottom five.

       The US has 2,127,500 military personnel, significantly fewer than Russia and China. Russia has 3,570,000 personnel and China has 3,170,000, while India has the largest armed forces out of the top players with 5,137,550 personnel, according to the rankings.

       The index rankings are determined by assessing countries across various parameters, including military resources, natural resources, industry, geographical features, and available manpower.

       Global Firepower said it has released the ranking based on its “unique, in-house formula” that allows “smaller, more technologically advanced nations to compete with larger, lesser-developed powers, and special modifiers, in the form of bonuses and penalties, are applied to further refine the list, which is compiled annually”.

       More about Russia US

       Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

       Comments

       1/ 1The world’s most powerful militaries revealed

       The world’s most powerful militaries revealed

       Russian military hardware move along the Garden Ring road heading to Red Square for the Victory Day military parade rehearsal in central Moscow on 4 May 2023

       AFP via Getty Images

       Read More Comments

       Collapse Comments

       ？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

       Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

       Subscribe

       Already subscribed? Log in