Global defense spending has recently shot up (Image: Getty)
As global tensions remain heightened whilst wars in Iran and Ukraine continue, attention is turning to which nation possesses the most formidable military. Not all armed forces would be prepared to engage in combat if required to go to war abruptly, whilst some appear to have been readying themselves for the improbable scenario for decades.
As nations reject President Donald Trump‘s appeal to help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated on Sunday that he stands ready for further trilateral peace talks designed to end Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
As both conflicts persist, a former NATO commander recently told The Week that Trump and Netanyahu’s strikes on Iran are the “final catalyst for a third world war.” The alarming possibility of another world war means numerous countries have already boosted their defence spending, and global defence budgets have increased substantially.
In a recent feature originally published by Bloomberg, 25 of the world’s strongest militaries were ranked by manpower and budget, and but where on Earth is the UK?
25. Iraq
It is estimated that the Iraqi Ground Forces had 193,000 active-duty members in 2025 and a defence budget of $12.7 billion.
24. Morocco
The Royal Moroccan Army is estimated to have 196,000 active armed personnel. Its defence budget stands at $7.5 billion
23. France
NATO member France’s active armed forces currently stand at 204,000, with a defence budget of $70 billion 22. Japan
The Japan Self-Defense Forces boast an estimated 247,000 active service members, with a defence budget of $58.9 billion.
21. Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces command a defence budget of $72.5 billion and a total of 257,000 active personnel.
America has one of the most powerful army’s in the world, but is it the best? (Image: Getty)
20. Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have an estimated 260,000 active service members, supported by a defence budget of $1.4 billion.
19. Colombia
The Military Forces of Colombia’s active armed forces number at 285,000, with their defence budget standing at $8.3 billion.
18. Mexico
The Mexican Armed Forces are estimated to have 301,000 active servicemembers, backed by a defence budget of $11.4 billion.
17. Eritrea
Eritrea commands an active armed force of 302,000, and the country maintains a defence budget, though the amount is undisclosed.
16. Turkey
The Turkish Armed Forces are projected to have an estimated 379,000 reservists by 2025, with a defence budget of $21.5 billion.
15. Thailand
The Royal Thai Armed Forces rely on an estimated 361,000 active servicemembers, and had a defence budget of $5.8 billion.
14. Brazil
Recent estimates suggest that the Brazilian Armed Forces will have 125,000 reservists by 2025. Additionally, the country commands a defence budget of $24.2 billion.
13. Indonesia
The Indonesian National Armed Forces maintain 434,000 active servicemembers and a defence budget of $15 billion.
12. Egypt
The Egyptian Armed Forces are estimated to have 479,000 reserve servicemembers, operating on a budget of $2.3 billion.
11. Vietnam
The Vietnam People’s Army boasts the world’s largest number of reservists, with approximately 5 million, and a defence budget of $8.4 billion.
10. South Korea
The South Korean Army, known as the Republic of Korea Army, has the second-largest reserve force, with approximately 3.1 million reservists. Its defence budget is $43.8 billion.
9. Ethiopia
In East Africa, the Ethiopian National Defence Force has 503,000 active servicemembers, with a defence budget of $484 million.
8. Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran Army has about 350,000 reserve servicemembers and a budget of $6.1 billion.
7. Pakistan
In Pakistan, the army has about 291,000 gendarmerie and paramilitary members, and a defence budget of $10 billion.
6. Ukraine
Ukraine’s forces have grown to 677,000 since the Russian invasion launched in 2022, and their defence budget is $44.4 billion.
5. Russia
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have about 1.5 million reservists and a colossal defence budget of $161.2 billion.
4. North Korea
North Korea is a small country of about 25 million, yet it has an active force equivalent in size to the U.S., which is 13 times more populous. Its defence budget is unknown.
3. United States
The U.S. has the world’s largest defence budget, which as of 2025 was $921 billion, and has active service members of 1,340,000.
2. India
The Indian Armed Forces have the world’s second-largest number of active servicemembers, at 1,501,000. Its defence budget it $78.3 billion.
1. China
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army boasts the world’s most active servicemembers and the second-largest defence budget at $251 billion. Its active armed service members total 2,035,000.
That’s right, Great Britain does not even feature in the the top 25 global militayr power list.
As the Express has reported consistently over the years, decades of Tory and Labour defence cuts have left the once proud British military hallowed out, and our nation shockingly vulnerable to a world that looks more hostile by the day. Even France beats us, making number 23.
For completeness, here’s how we stack up.
Not on the list: Great Britain
The UK spent £60.3 billion on defence (approximately 2.3% of GDP), a figure set to rise to £62.2 billion for 2025/26. As of October 2025, the UK Armed Forces have a total strength of 182,000 personnel, which includes 137,000 regular forces and almost 32,000 volunteer reserves. The remainder are made up of Nepalese Gurkas and other forces.
