Which Country Possesses Over 360,000 Armored Fighting Vehicles?

By Jennifer Geer Published Sep 3, 11:10AM EDT

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Which Country Possesses Over 360,000 Armored Fighting Vehicles? — © Desert tan US Military armored High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) often used in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq parked in a gravel lot with a blue sky and green grass in the background. (Shutterstock.com) by Ryanzo W. Perez

24/7 Wall St. Insights

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower to identify the countries with the most armored fighting vehicles.
Armored fighting vehicles can include main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, armored cars, and infantry fighting vehicles.
The following list includes supplemental information regarding the total tanks, artillery, and MLRS units, as well as each country’s overall military strength score.
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Armored fighting vehicles are both armed and armored, combining movability with firepower. These vehicles can include tanks, but there are many other types of armored fighting vehicles that are not tanks, such as armored personnel carriers, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, armored cars, and infantry fighting vehicles. Tanks are distinct in that they have tracks rather than wheels, a main gun mounted on a turret, and enough armor to withstand almost any attack. Both tanks and other types of armored fighting vehicles have their roles to play in today’s modern militaries. (These are revolutionary army vehicles that transformed warfare.)

To identify the countries with the most armored fighting vehicles, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Countries were ranked on the total number of tanks in their arsenal. We included supplemental information regarding the total tanks, artillery, and MLRS units, as well as each country’s overall military strength score.

In the U.S., a major portion of the defense budget is directed toward upgrading and maintaining an impressive arsenal of armored fighting vehicles. For example, the U.S. military uses the iconic M1 Abrams main battle tank as well as the family of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. (These are the most expensive vehicles in the U.S. Army.) Russia ranks near the top of our list as well and possesses one of the largest tank armies around the globe. Although many were inherited from the Soviet era, there are some new additions, such as the T-14 Armata tanks which sport unmanned turrets and advanced defensive systems.

Many other national militaries are home to a significant number of these armored fighting vehicles as well. These vehicles are a key component in the ground game for any of these given militaries.

Here is a look at the countries with the most armored fighting vehicles:

Why Are We Covering This?

Armored fighting vehicles are important assets for modern militaries. They offer mobility, protection, and firepower for troops on the battlefield, and transport for logistics in other scenarios. Understanding which countries have the most of these armored fighting vehicles gives context to their operational strategies in the field and a look into their resource management.