The Top 10 Most Powerful Armies in the World

The Top 10 Most Powerful Armies in the World: According to Global Firepower's ranking of the world's militaries, these are the most powerful armies in the world.

No. 1: United States

The United States of America spends more on its military than any other country. According to this 2015 estimate, for every dollar spent by China on defense, the US government spends $1.57. Similarly, for every euro spent by Russia on its military, the US government will spend $1.44.

No. 2: China

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has 1.7 million active personnel and is one of the largest standing military forces in the world. Recently, it was announced that a quarter of all officers were sacked for corruption. China spends more on its military than any other country at $146 billion, but is still only number two on this list.

No. 3: Russia

Russia is no. 3 on the list and has an army of over 800,000 active troops. This military has a number of high-tech weapons and instruments, such as tanks and ICBMs. What’s more is that Russia’s Armed Forces receives new pieces of equipment on a regular basis from its state-owned factories like Kalashnikov Concern or Tula Arms Plant.

No. 4: India

Indian troops were among those deployed as part of United Nations peacekeeping operations from 1948 onwards, with notable actions in Korea and Congo. Indian troops took part in

No. 5: Japan

Japan has a Self-Defense Force that dates back to 1878, and its overall military readiness is often cited as one of the highest in the world. Japanese citizens are not allowed to serve their country on combat missions, but an exception is made for volunteers who enlist with other countries' militaries.

No. 6: South Korea

Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia. The name Korea derives from Goryeo, a dynasty that ruled most of the Korean Peninsula from until Korea was divided into North and South following its liberation from Japan's 35-year colonial rule by Allied Forces at the end of World War II.

Seoul is both South Korea's capital as well as its largest city. It is an international hub for transportation, telecommunications, trade and finance.

No. 7: France

The seventh most powerful army in the world belongs to France. Established in 1789, they are one of two permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO. With a military expenditure of approximately 60 billion USD per year, France is one of the largest armed forces on Earth. They've been among military interventions in many countries such as Mali, Libya, Iraq and Syria.

No. 8: Turkey

Turkey's armed forces have seen their presence increase, especially along its border with Syria. As of 2014, it has been estimated that there are more than 100,000 Turkish soldiers stationed along the border with Syria alone. That number is set to grow even higher soon. Turkey recently agreed to allow other countries' fighter jets and aircraft carrier groups to use Turkish territory as a launch pad for combat operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

No. 9: Germany

Germany's armed forces are known as Bundeswehr, which consists of the Heer (army), Navy, and Air Force. They maintain significant NATO deployments, but also a very strong contingent to defend its own territory.

No. 10 : Israel

Ranked at number ten on this list is Israel. The Israeli army consists of six hundred thousand active personnel. In addition, Israel has a voluntary military service program which conscripts every Jewish man and woman who turns 18 years old. Overall, this particular army is ranked at number ten because of its low size as well as its numbers which do not reflect the actual manpower pool that they have to draw from due to conscription laws.