20 Countries With the Most Military Firepower

It has been more than 18 months Russia’s army invaded Ukraine, and despite a number of major offensives and territories changing hands, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Many experts believed the war would be over in just a few weeks, noting that the Russia’s armed forces surpasses Ukraine’s in the number of weapons, personnel, and budget, many times over. (For reference, here are the latest Russian and Ukrainian vehicle losses, as of August.)

Those assumptions about the war ending quickly left out a few key factors. First, defenders usually have an advantage, both in motivation to fight and in knowledge of the terrain. Secondly, Ukraine isn’t fighting alone, as it has received significant support from its global allies, many of whom rank among the world’s leading military powers.

To determine the 20 countries with the strongest military might, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2023 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their PowerIndex, a composite of over 60 measures in categories such as military might, financials, logistical capability, and geography. The smaller the PowerIndex value the more powerful a nation’s theoretical conventional fighting capability is.  (These are the largest air forces in the world.)

Here is a look at the 20 countries with the strongest military might:

Click here to see our detailed methodology.

Sponsored: Tips for Investing

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.

Source: Read Full Article