This is a list of countries by level of military equipment, including naval ships, fighter aircraft and nuclear weapons. This list is indicative only, as strict comparisons cannot accurately be made.
List
States marked 'TC' are widely considered technologically capable of wielding, operating or developing nuclear weapons, however are signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and are not known to possess any at the current moment. Japan, South Korea and Poland [citation needed] are generally considered de facto nuclear states due to their believed ability to wield nuclear weapons within 1 to 3 years.[17][18][19] South Africa produced six nuclear weapons in the 1980s, but dismantled them in the early 1990s. South Africa signed the NPT in 1991.[20][21]
Combat aircraft by country
Figures sourced from the Center for Strategic and International Studies[22][23] and Flightglobal.com,[24] unless otherwise noted.
| Rank | Country | Fighters | Bombers | Attack | Total | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States (USAF, US Navy) | 5,209 | 162 | 343 | 5,714 | |
| 2 | Russia (Russian Air Force, Russian Naval Aviation) | 862 | 181 | 548 | 1,591 | |
| 3 | China (PLAAF, PLANAF) | 922 | 160 | 276 | 1,358 | |
| 4 | India (Indian Air Force, Indian Naval Air Arm) | 646 | 227 | 873 | ||
| 5 | North Korea | 484 | 40 | 154 | 678 | |
| 6 | Pakistan | 447 | 136 | 583 | [25] | |
| 7 | Egypt | 338 | 26 | 496 | [25] | |
| 8 | South Korea | 468 | 488 | |||
| 9 | Israel | 426 | 426 | |||
| 10 | Japan | 380 | 380 |
See also
Notes
References
Bibliography
- "Complex crises call for adaptable and durable capabilities". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 5–8. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996334. ISSN 0459-7222.
- "Chapter Three: North America". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 29–56. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996344. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219626006.
- "Chapter Four: Europe". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 57–158. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996348. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219628714.
- "Chapter Five: Russia and Eurasia". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 159–206. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996357. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219626710.
- "Chapter Six: Asia". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 207–302. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996361. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219627108.
- "Chapter Seven: Middle East and North Africa". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 303–362. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996362. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219625386.
- "Chapter Eight: Latin America and the Caribbean". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 363–420. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996364. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219622733.
- "Chapter Nine: Sub-Saharan Africa". The Military Balance. 115 (1). Routledge: 421–480. February 10, 2015. doi:10.1080/04597222.2015.996365. ISSN 0459-7222. S2CID 219622458.
- Cordesman, Anthony H. (January 23, 2002). "Western Military Balance and Defense Efforts" (PDF). Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2005.
- Cordesman, Anthony H. (March 25, 2005). "The Middle East Military Balance: Definition, Regional Developments and Trends" (PDF). Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2005.
- Smith, Larry J., ed. (July 25, 2006). Condensed World Paramilitary Forces 2006 (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2009.
- "SIPRI Military Expenditure Database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
- South African Navy official website
Further reading
- Cordesman, A. H. (January 2001). The Balance of Western Conventional Forces: A Comparative Summary of Military Expenditures; Manpower; Land, Air, Naval Forces; and National Force Trends (PDF) (Report). CSIS. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
External links
