These are the 15 most expensive armies in the world and that’s how many troops they have: Germany is catching up

March 21, 2022

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Soldiers from the Rapid Forces Division (DSK) 26th Parachute Regiment wait for a US Army C-47 Chinook helicopter to land to pick up the soldiers.

Last month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced that a one-off investment of €100 billion would be made in the Bundeswehr. In addition, annual defense spending is expected to increase. Because the war in Ukraine sheds new light on the need for defense in Europe, even compulsory military service in the form of a compulsory social year is again under discussion.

But is the new investment enough for the German military to keep up with the world’s most powerful armies? The strength of an army can be measured in different ways. It can be about defense spending or how many soldiers each country has. The Global Fire Power portal publishes a list for this every year and even creates its own power index.

Ukraine is not in the top 15, but it ranks 20th with a defense budget of $11.8 billion.

These Are The 15 Most Expensive Armies In The World, And That’s How Many Soldiers They Have

Soldiers with faces painted in camouflage colors march during a parade celebrating Brazil's independence. — Soldiers with faces painted in camouflage colors march during a parade celebrating Brazil’s independence.

15. Brazil

Budget: $18.8 billion

Troop strength: 360,000 (14th place)

population: 213.5 million

Sources as follows: Global Firepower (Budget, Number of Troops, Population)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defense Minister Anita Anand pose with Canadian soldiers.

14. Canada

budget: $23.6 billion

Troop strength: 70,000 (rank 54)

Population: 37.9 million

Emirati soldiers at the International Defense Conference and Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

13. United Arab Emirates

Budget: $25.3 billion

Troop strength: 65,000 (rank 56)

Population: 9.9 million

The Italian Armed Forces attend the swearing-in ceremony of the re-elected President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella in Piazza Venezia in front of the ‘Unknown Soldier’ monument.

12. Italy

Budget: $29.2 billion

Troop strength: 170,000 (31st place)

population: 62.1 million

The French öPatrulla de France' paints the colors of the French flag in the Dubai sky as Expo 2020 celebrates 'France National Day' celebrates — The French ‘Patrol de France’ paints the colors of the French flag in the Dubai sky as Expo 2020 celebrates ‘French National Day’.

11. France

budget: $40.9 billion

Troop strength: 205,000 (21st place)

Population: 68.1 million

Australian Army soldiers from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment conduct an airborne operation from an MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, Australia.

10. Australia

Budget: $44.6 billion

Troop strength: 59,000 (rank 60)

Population: 25.6 million

Saudi troops during the äNorthern Thunder military exercise in the Hafr Al Batin region of northern Saudi Arabia. — Saudi troops during the “Thunder from the North” military exercise in the Hafr Al Batin region of northern Saudi Arabia.

9. Saudi Arabia

Budget: $46 billion

troop strength: 225,000 (20th place)

Population: 34.8 million

South Korean military tanks take part in an exercise near the DMZ in Paju, South Korea.

8. South Korea

Budget: $46.3 billion

Troop strength: 555,000 (8th place)

Population: 51.7 million

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Bell-Boeing V-22 VTOL aircraft during its first action in a Japanese Army military exercise with US Marines at the Camp Fuji training area. — A Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Bell Boeing V-22 VTOL aircraft on its first mission in a Japanese Army military exercise with US Marines at the Camp Fuji training area.

7. Japan

Budget: $47.5 billion

Troop strength: 240,000 (19th place)

Population: 124.7 million

Young soldiers from the Rajput Regiment, India's oldest infantry regiment, take part in a Ümock up for the upcoming 73rd Republic Day Parade in Vijay Chowk, New Delhi. — Young soldiers from the Rajput Regiment, India’s oldest infantry regiment, take part in a drill for the upcoming 73rd Republic Day parade in Vijay Chowk, New Delhi.

6.India

Budget: $50.3 billion

Troop strength: 1,450,000 (2nd place)

Population: 1.339 billion

Soldiers from the Bundeswehr Guards Battalion march for military honors for the Prime Minister of Ireland in front of the Federal Chancellery. — Soldiers from the Bundeswehr Guards Battalion march for the military honors of the Prime Minister of Ireland in front of the Federal Chancellery.

5. Germany

Budget: $50.3 billion

Troop strength: 184,000 (26th place)

Population: 79.9 million

Members of the British Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan march to a reception outside Parliament on November 24, 2021 in London, England. — Members of the British Armed Forces who have served in Afghanistan march to a reception outside Parliament on November 24, 2021 in London, England.

4. Great Britain

Budget: $68 billion

Troop strength: 194,000 (25th place)

Population: 67.1 million

Honor guard at the funeral of Russian paratrooper Vladislav Razumov at the Badalykskoye cemetery in Krasnoyarsk.

3. Russia

Budget: $154 billion

Troop strength: 850,000 (fifth place)

Population: 142.3 million

Special forces soldiers take part in combat training in Baise city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. — Special forces soldiers take part in combat training in Baise city, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

2. Chinese

Budget: $250.2 billion

Troop strength: 2,000,000 (1st place)

Population: 1.398 billion

Members of the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division are preparing for deployment to Poland. — Members of the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division are preparing for deployment to Poland.

USA

Budget: $770 billion

Troop strength: 1,390,000 (3rd place)

Population: 335 million

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