10 Largest Armies In The World

About

Contact

O, PISH POSH!
Enter your search...

WORLD

10 Largest Armies In The World

In a perfect world, there would be no armies, no guns, no war. But the reality is that threats both abroad and domestic can place a countrys national security
at risk. Such reality compels nations to establish powerful military forces, in the form of armies, to serve as defense and combat mechanisms.
There are several outstanding armies that are widely known for the size and strength of their warfare systems. Check out the ten largest armies in the world
in terms of sheer numbers and why they belong to the list.

1. China

Chinese Army (Photo: Wikipedia)

The top spot in the worlds largest army listing is unsurprisingly claimed by the most populous country in the globe, the Peoples Republic of China. The
nation has been known not only for its vast territorial domains and enormous population number but for its huge military troops as well. Established in 1927,
Chinas Peoples Liberation Army is composed of the PLA Ground Force, PLA Navy, Second Artillery Corps, Armed Police, and the PLA Air Force. It was
recently said to employ approximately 2,285,000 active personnel.
Its manpower consists of citizens aged between 18 to 49 years old. While the Chinese government compels all men above the age of majority to serve in the
armed forces, there are actually those who chose to render their services voluntarily. Chinas well-trained army is also one of the strongest armies in the
world, with extensive weaponry and military resources. It is said to have 8,500 tanks, 61 submarines, 54 surface ships, and 4,000 fighter jets. China is indeed
all-out in spending for a well-equipped militia.

2. United States of America

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Largest Armies In The World

USA Army (Photo credit: USANAVYSEALS Blog)

This nation has come a long way since its armys founding in 1775. The United States currently has 1,447,896 active duty personnel and 1,458,500 in its
active reserve personnel. Its approximately 4,217,413 potential army entrants each year greatly contribute to its already enormous military population.
The United States not only has the the 2nd largest army in the world, it also the most highly trained troops and most powerful arsenal by far. Its land forces
alone utilize 8,325 tanks, 18,539 armored fighting vehicles, 1,934 self-propelled guns, 1,791 towed artillery pieces, and 1,330 rocket projectors. With its highly
advanced weaponry and nuclear power, this nation can surely combat any form of threat to its national security.

3. India

Indian Army (Photo: wallpaperswala.com)

Located in the Southern part of Asia, India is the worlds largest arms importer as of 2012. With its approximately 1,325,000-soldier count and heavy military
expenditure mainly incurred to establish an impregnable fortress against internal and external threats, Indias armed forces falls on one of the top spots of
the largest army in the world category. Aside from the foregoing facts, the Indian army boasts of missiles that have one of the longest distance hitting
capacities in the planet.

4. Russia

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Largest Armies In The World

Russian Army (Photo credit: allvoices.com)

Russias military, also known as the Ground Forces of Russian Federation, is among the worlds most highly experienced armies. The country requires its
citizens, from ages 18 to 27, to acquire military education or be involved in service. It has active frontline personnel of around 1,200,000 members and
another 754,000 soldiers who act as reserve military manpower. Its ground forces possess 2,867 tanks, 10,720 armored vehicles, 2,646 self-propelled guns,
and 2,155 towed artillery pieces.

5. North Korea

North Korean Army (Photo credit: satireworld.com)

A nation known to produce a formidable army, North Korea possesses a dynamic frontline military workforce with 1,106,000 members, and an active reserve
workforce with approximately 8,200,000 members as of 2011. It also is abundant in warfare resources, which includes 5,400 tanks, 2,580 armored fighting
vehicles, 1,600 self-propelled guns, 3,500 towed artillery pieces, 1,600 rocket projectors, and other powerful weaponry. The government has made it
compulsory for all of their capable male populace to render up to 10 years of full military service.
While North Koreas totalitarian regime has built a massive army, most of their military technology is considered outdated. Still, their nuclear arsenal and
close proximity to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, makes North Korea a major threat to world stability.

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Largest Armies In The World

6. South Korea

South Korean Army (Photo credit: cnn.com)

North Koreas neighboringbut alienatedcountry is the next on this list. However, unlike its highly militarized counterpart, South Korea only compels men
from ages 18 to 35 to render a 21-month period of service in the army.
Its armed forces are collectively known as the Republic of Korea Army. It consists of 506,000 troops, using both domestically produced and imported
military equipment. As of 2012, the militia utilizes 2,300 tanks, 2,600 armored vehicles, 30 missile systems, and 5,300 artillery pieces. Its ground
force population reaches approximately 1,240,000.

7. Pakistan

Pakistan Army (Photo credit: dw.de)

The army of Pakistan is a rightful addition to the biggest army in the world list. It is said to have an active frontline military personnel of about 617,000
members and reserve personnel of about 515,500 members as of a 2011 census.
Its ground force uses wide range of equipment: 3,490 tanks, 5,745 armored vehicles, 1,065 self-propelled guns, and 3,197 towed artillery pieces. Its air force
makes use of 1,531 aircrafts and 589 helicopters. No one can count out its naval force, which holds 11 frigates and 8 submarines. Pakistan may be a small
country by geographical dimensions, but it is undoubtedly one of the worlds colossal armies by size and warfare prowess.

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Largest Armies In The World

8. Iran

Iranian Army

Said to have the most powerful military among all the other countries in the Middle East, Iran is also known for its great troop strength. It has
approximately 545,000 active personnel, which is subdivided into 14 land divisions and 15 air force groups. Its army is equipped with 2,895 tanks, 1,500
armored vehicles, 310 self-propelled guns, 860 rocket projectors, 1,858 aircrafts, and 800 helicopters.

9. Turkey

Turkish Army (Photo: Wikipedia)

Turkey definitely maintains one of the largest military troops in the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Its government requires its men from 20 years of age to
enroll in military service. The conscription lasts for about 6 to 15 months, depending on the educational level of the trainees.
Its military headcount totals 1,041,900, comprising 612,900 members of the active frontline personnel and another 429,000 in the active reserve. Its army is
also well-equipped, holding 4,460 tanks, 1,500 self-propelled guns, 7,133 armored combat vehicles, 406 rocket projectors, 1,512 total aircraft and 570
helicopters.

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Largest Armies In The World

10.>Israel

Israel Army (Photo credit: abc.net.au)

The military force of the state of Israel is known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The government enforces conscription on men upon reaching the age of
18. Each year, the army can take around 121,722 men to serve in any of its military divisions. Currently, the IDF has active frontline personnel of around
187,000 members and active reserve manpower of around 565,000 members.
Added together, the IDFs troop strength totals approximately 752,000. All of them are equipped to defend the country with the use of 3,870 tanks, 1,775
armored vehicles, 706 self-propelled guns, 350 towed artillery pieces, and 48 rocket projectors.
Not all countries in the world need a large army for rock-solid protection. However, maintenance of peace and order would be difficult, if not impossible,
without a well-organized, properly-directed, and fully manned armed force to handle the possible worst case scenarios.

11
Tweet

146

submit

reddit

Submit

Like

RELATED POSTS

10 Largest, Most Extreme, All-Around Best

Aquariums In The World

10 Biggest, Largest Waterfalls In The World

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Most Explosive and Active Volcanoes In The

World

10 Largest Armies In The World

10 Longest Suspension Bridges In The World

LEAVE A COMMENT
Name *

Email *

Website

Submit

2 COMMENTS
rajiv
Ok if world war broke out. These are most likely combinations
From above rankings , its 2,3,6,9,10 VS 1,4,5 ,7,8.
Team good vs team evil. Now you do the math
APRIL 6, 2013 AT 2:30 AM

Reply

Wrong
Israel enforces conscription upon men AND women at the age of 18. Both genders make up the IDF.
APRIL 6, 2013 AT 5:25 PM

Reply

Find us on Facebook

Opishposh
Like Like
Like Like

You like this.

You and 656 others like Opishposh.656 people like

Opishposh.

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]

10 Largest Armies In The World

MOST POPULAR

MOST RECENT

Copyright 2012-2013 - Opishposh.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy policy

http://opishposh.com/10-largest-armies-in-the-world/[8/22/2013 8:14:20 AM]