It was twice in forty years when Europe became a flashpoint and the entire world went to
war.
In both World War I and World War II, the majority of the world’s armies picked a
side and pitted superpower against superpower.
In the aftermath of the carnage, the world determined that this must never happen again,
and military conflicts since then have been much smaller scale - mostly pitting one country
against each other in localized conflicts.
But what if it happened again?
If another World War broke out, it would be happening on a very different playing field
than the early 20th century.
Countries that were powerhouses have scaled back their armies, and bit players and neutral
powers in the World Wars have become massive military players.
In today’s world, who would be the countries that could tilt the balance of a massive global
conflict?
Who are the top ten most powerful militaries in 2020?
#10.
Brazil
Brazil isn’t where you’d think to look for a military powerhouse, as South America
is not typically the site of major military conflicts.
But Brazil is the 6th largest country by population in the world, and the fast-growing and diverse
nation is home to the Amazon rainforest, one of the world’s most unique biospheres.
That means they need a good military to manage a complex set of affairs - and to fend off
any criminal elements or foreign invaders looking to profit off their unique resources.
With an Army, Navy, and Air Force, their armed forces are the second-largest in the Americas
and have over 334,000 active-duty members.
But what’s the secret to Brazil’s recruitment efforts?
They don’t have to recruit!
Brazil is one of several countries on this list with conscription, and every 18-45 year
old male in the country has to do ten to twelve months of national service.
That means they have over 1.3 million reserve members, because discharged conscripts who
underwent the training can be called up to defend the country in a crisis.
But Brazil’s military has one of the more eclectic missions of any country on this list,
frequently being deployed to handle civic action programs like construction.
They’re also sent abroad on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, and to protect
the Amazon rainforest from hazards.
Brazil’s military is growing fast - but not quite as fast as the next country on the
list.
#9.
Egypt
Egypt has always been one of the most powerful and modern countries in the Middle East, but
their military didn’t always have the best record.
They were involved in four wars against the new nation of Israel from the 1940s to the
1970s - and lost all four!
But a 1978 peace treaty turned that page, and since then Egypt has made the most of
their military strength.
With a state military organization under the command of the President - who has been a
military dictator for most of the last few decades - they have four divisions ready for
combat.
An Army, Navy, and Air Force are joined by a special Air Defense Forces designed to protect
Egypt from air-based attacks.
As the only Arab state with a reconnaissance satellite, they’re considered to have a
state-of-the-art military ready to repel any sneak attacks.
With a standing military of 468,000 and over 500,000 reserves, Egypt maintains a one to
three-year conscription term for all men 18 to 49.
They’re not hurting for manpower, but their biggest advantage is their good diplomatic
relations with the rest of the world.
They used to rely on outdated Soviet weaponry from their cold war alliance, but now they
get the best hardware through deals with the United States, the United Kingdom, and China.
And they need it - the Middle East is a flashpoint, and the Egyptian military has been key in
hunting down and ending the threat of groups like ISIS.
Egypt’s army is rising fast, but the next military on this list is one of the oldest
- and still going strong.
#8.
United Kingdom
Rule Britannia!
The United Kingdom is no stranger to a strong military, as they ruled much of the world
at the height of the British empire.
Sure, there was that unfortunate business with the colonies, but the British Armed Forces
came out on top in both World Wars, and the military that’s been going strong since
1707 is advancing with the times.
Composed of the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Marines, and the Royal Air Force,
the British Armed Forces have about 150,000 active-duty members and 45,000 reserve members.
One of the smallest militaries on the list, but the United Kingdom is an entirely volunteer
force.
Their focus is on elite soldiers, not massive manpower - and it’s not hard to see why
when you see their hardware.
A founding member of the NATO military alliance, the British Armed Forces are on guard to step
in should any member be invaded.
With military bases around the world, their Navy has 77 commissioned ships including destroyers
and frigates.
And while the British Armed Forces are mainly a defensive force now, they are ready for
another massive conflict - including a nuclear one.
Trident, the UK’s nuclear defense system, has an arsenal of 120 usable warheads that
can be launched either from bases or from ships.
The British Armed Forces aren’t the world’s most powerful anymore, but the island nation
is still well guarded.
But they may just be looking enviously right across the English Channel.
7.
France
Wait, France?
The country known for fine wine and art museums may not be first on everyone’s mind as a
military powerhouse, but they actually have the largest armed forces in the European Union.
With 203,000 active duty members, this all-volunteer military is divided into five divisions - the
French Army, French Navy, French Air Force, National Guard, and the National Gendarmerie,
a national police force.
All answer to the President of France, and there are currently 11,000 French military
personnel deployed worldwide.
A charter member of NATO, the French military is focused on national independence and self-sufficiency
in the post-Cold War era - but that doesn’t mean its military arsenal is to be trifled
with.
One of the five “Nuclear Weapons States” under the initial non-proliferation treaty,
France has had nuclear weapons since the 1950s.
Believed to have up to 300 nuclear warheads with 280 in usable condition, the French military
focuses its nuclear arsenal on deterrence.
The country rarely gets into military skirmishes independently, but has helped allies in Europe
and beyond in military operations.
After the brutal occupation of France by Nazi Germany during World War II, France has followed
the advice of an American President - it speaks softly and carries a big nuclear stick to
deter future invasions.
But the next country on the list is no stranger to occupation and invasion either - and it’s
always on a war footing.
#6.
South Korea
When’s the last time you traveled to another state or city?
Imagine if the distance of that drive would take you not to a nice day trip, but to a
hostile enemy nation.
That’s the situation South Korea has lived in for decades ever since the Korean War ended.
With the constant threat of attack or invasion from North Korea lurking over their head,
it’s not a surprise they have one of the largest armed forces in the world - almost
600,000 active soldiers and 3 million reserve members.
As a country that has to be on a war footing at all times, it’s no surprise that South
Korea has universal conscription for all male citizens, with everyone doing 18 to 22 months
of service.
With an Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps under the command of a Joint Chiefs
of Staff, South Korea spends 2.7% of their GDP on military spending.
Despite a nuclear threat from their neighbors to the north, South Korea has a strict policy
of non-proliferation and has not developed nuclear weapons - but that doesn’t mean
their military isn’t to be feared.
Thanks to a strong alliance with Japan, Israel, and the United States, they have one of the
most technologically advanced militaries and their anti-missile technology is state-of-the-art.
South Korea is a large army focused on one constant threat, but their military is deployed
in 13 countries around the world.
The next country’s military might have a dark history, but today’s Army looks very
different.
#5.
Japan
The newest military on this list, the Japan Self-Defense Forces were formed in the aftermath
of World War II.
When Japan was defeated along with the rest of the Axis powers, their military was disbanded.
In 1954, they were allowed to found a new Armed Forces based around self-defense and
peacekeeping.
Despite being one of the smallest armed forces on the list at only 300,000 active personnel,
their strength isn’t in numbers.
They’re open to all residents 18-32 for voluntary enlistment, but the reason they’re
a top military power is because of their elite technology.
Divided between ground, maritime, and air units, all are among the most state-of-the
art forces in the world.
Japan’s thriving technology sector specializes in anti-ballistic missile deployment, amphibious
technology to make it easier for soldiers to function in the water, and an unarmed combat
training system that makes every soldier an elite fighter even when disarmed.
Their technology and training make Japan a highly sought-after ally, and they have tight
military links to South Korea and the United States.
The growing threat of North Korea has made some hawkish elements in Japan say the country
should move towards a more aggressive stance, but right now the Japan Self-Defense Forces
are a powerhouse military content to stay put, only aiding in peacekeeping missions.
Japan is a small island nation, but the next militaries on this list are protecting some
of the biggest countries in the world.
#4.
India
One of the fastest-growing countries in the world, India is second in population and is
wasting no time joining the world’s military elites.
They’re in a tricky military position, with border conflicts aplenty - mostly with long-time
rival Pakistan, which was partitioned from them in the 1940s when they gained independence.
But in recent years, China has also made aggressive moves on Indian border areas, so it’s no
surprise India’s standing army is large and strong.
With 1.4 million active duty personnel and over two million reserves, it’s one of the
largest non-conscripted militaries in the world - and their military budget is the third-largest
in the world.
The Indian military is diversified, with a traditional Army, Navy, and Military.
But it also encompasses multiple paramilitary divisions including a Coast Guard and specialized
forces handling border and railway security.
Their Navy has a fully equipped aircraft carrier and a fleet of submarines, but the country’s
biggest leap forward came when they officially joined the nuclear weapons club.
Both India and Pakistan are believed to have over 150 nuclear weapons, keeping each other
at bay long-term.
But India’s nuclear deterrent may be aimed at another neighbor as well.
#3.
China
No country’s army is growing faster and making more aggressive moves than the People’s
Liberation Army of China.
Divided into the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force,
it’s the biggest active-duty military force in the world with over two million active
members and half a million reserves.
And in case the world’s most populated country needs more soldiers in a hurry, their universal
conscription law has been in effect since the days of Mao Zedong, but it hasn’t been
enforced in decades.
The army of the People’s Republic of China is shrouded in secrecy, but their biggest
weapon isn’t their manpower - it’s their strategic warfare.
China has gained a reputation for being the most aggressive military for cyberwarfare,
as a well-placed hacking attack can easily destabilize a country or reveal its biggest
secrets.
They officially founded a cyber security squad in 2011.
Their satellites are among the most advanced in the world, making them a major power as
the race to space becomes the next military frontier.
While most of China’s military conflicts in recent years have been border skirmishes,
they’re well-equipped for a larger conflict - with over 240 nuclear warheads in usable
shape.
China might be rising, but while the next country’s biggest days are behind it, it
shouldn’t be underestimated.
#2.
Russia
At the height of the Cold War, Russia and the United States were constantly boosting
their military and weapons to try to keep pace with the other.
While that conflict has been on the back burner for a long time, Russia remains one of the
biggest military powers in the world.
With 900,000 active military personnel and two million reserves, it’s still one of
the largest standing militaries - primarily due to their strict conscription law, which
requires every Russian male age 18-27 to serve 12 months in the services.
At 3.9% of their GDP, Russia also has one of the largest per capita spending of any
country - and it shows in their massive arsenal.
During the Cold War, Russia and the United States kept each other at bay with mutually
assured destruction - having such a powerful arsenal of nuclear weapons that neither side
could survive all-out war.
Those weapons were never used, and Russia now has over 6,000 nuclear weapons - although
over 2,500 of them are no longer usable.
Their Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, and Navy are backed up by multiple special and
logistical divisions, and while Russia’s technology and weapons may trend older, it
hasn’t stopped them from aggressive moves in Eastern Europe like the recent annexation
of Crimea.
But there’s one military they’ve never been able to catch.
#1.
United States of America
The Army.
The Navy.
The Marines.
The Air Force.
The Coast Guard.
And we can’t forget the newest division - Space Force.
They come together into the United States Armed Forces, a powerhouse military with 1.3
million active members and almost 900,000 reserve members.
While the United States has had a draft during many major wars, they’re an all-volunteer
force for now - although it’s required for all men 18-25 to register for Selective Service
in case conscription is needed.
The USA may not have the biggest army in the world, but their spending of 721 billion annually
puts them at #1 - and it shows in a massive technologically advanced military that’s
deployed around the world.
Every division of the US military is the largest of its kind in the world, and the country
has 170,000 soldiers deployed worldwide in peacetime.
Stationed in over 100 countries, the military is presided over by the Joint Chiefs of Staff
under the command of the Commander in Chief - the President.
While the US is modernizing its military by the year and shares technology with close
allies like Japan, South Korea, and Israel, a big part of its power is from the Cold War
- its nuclear arsenal is over 6,000 warheads, although more than a third are retired and
awaiting dismantlement.
The United States played a big role in both World Wars, and it hasn’t surrendered its
superpower status since.
What would happen if the world’s two biggest militaries went head to head?
Check out “United States Vs. Russia - Who Would Win?
Military/Army Comparison” for all the details, or check out this video instead.