Military
This Asian Nation Has More Reserve Forces Than Almost All of NATO – and It’s Not China
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is known as the most powerful military alliance on the planet. The sheer number of assets and forces they have at the ready dwarf any single other nation, but there is one area where the alliance is comparatively weak. Reserve forces, used to bolster current active-duty personnel, play an important role in any prolonged conflict. There is one Asian nation that dwarfs all NATO nations individually in this regard, and it is not Russia or China.
24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the armies of Asia to identify the Asian countries with the largest military reserve forces. We 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 reserve personnel. We included supplemental information regarding total personnel, active personnel, total population, fit-for-service, and overall military strength score. Countries without a reserve force were excluded.
Here is a look at the largest reserve forces in Asia:
Why Are We Covering This?
Understanding the military dynamics of Asia is important considering the region’s complex geopolitical landscape and its growing strategic significance. Historically, Asia has been shaped by internal conflicts, border disputes, and great power competition. Today, its military forces play an important role in determining regional stability. As tensions rise over territorial claims and political influence, military power is the law of the land, from disputes in the South China Sea to the contested borders in South Asia.
35. Qatar
- Reserves: 15,000
- Active personnel: 66,550
- Paramilitary forces: 5,500
- Total military personnel: 87,050
- Total population: 2,532,104
- Fit-for-service: 486,164
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.0789 – #63 out of 145
Qatar also has a total of 228 aircraft, 5,544 military vehicles (including 99 tanks and 16 MLRS units), as well as 123 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
34. Myanmar
- Reserves: 20,000
- Active personnel: 150,000
- Paramilitary forces: 55,000
- Total military personnel: 225,000
- Total population: 57,970,293
- Fit-for-service: 22,144,652
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.5251 – #35 out of 145
Myanmar also has a total of 293 aircraft, 8,139 military vehicles (including 705 tanks and 586 MLRS units), as well as 227 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
33. Kuwait
- Reserves: 24,000
- Active personnel: 72,000
- Paramilitary forces: 7,500
- Total military personnel: 103,500
- Total population: 3,103,580
- Fit-for-service: 1,433,854
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.4261 – #77 out of 145
Kuwait also has a total of 144 aircraft, 4,409 military vehicles (including 367 tanks and 27 MLRS units), as well as 123 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
32. Laos
- Reserves: 30,000
- Active personnel: 100,000
- Paramilitary forces: 120,000
- Total military personnel: 250,000
- Total population: 7,852,377
- Fit-for-service: 2,489,204
- Military strength score and world rank: 2.2071 – #112 out of 145
Laos also has a total of 34 aircraft and 1,880 military vehicles (including 130 tanks and 64 MLRS units) at its disposal.
31. Lebanon
- Reserves: 35,000
- Active personnel: 60,000
- Paramilitary forces: 65,000
- Total military personnel: 160,000
- Total population: 5,331,203
- Fit-for-service: 1,764,628
- Military strength score and world rank: 2.4283 – #118 out of 145
Lebanon also has a total of 81 aircraft, 4,522 military vehicles (including 204 tanks and 30 MLRS units), as well as 69 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
30. Syria
- Reserves: 50,000
- Active personnel: 170,000
- Paramilitary forces: 50,000
- Total military personnel: 270,000
- Total population: 22,933,531
- Fit-for-service: 12,728,110
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.0026 – #60 out of 145
Syria also has a total of 452 aircraft, 14,550 military vehicles (including 2,720 tanks and 614 MLRS units), as well as 47 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
29. Malaysia
- Reserves: 51,600
- Active personnel: 113,000
- Paramilitary forces: 100,000
- Total military personnel: 264,600
- Total population: 34,219,975
- Fit-for-service: 13,345,790
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.5992 – #42 out of 145
Malaysia also has a total of 143 aircraft, 13,965 military vehicles (including 48 tanks and 36 MLRS units), as well as 101 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
28. Japan
- Reserves: 56,000
- Active personnel: 247,150
- Paramilitary forces: 25,000
- Total military personnel: 328,150
- Total population: 123,719,238
- Fit-for-service: 43,054,295
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1601 – #7 out of 145
Japan also has a total of 1,459 aircraft, 37,662 military vehicles (including 518 tanks and 54 MLRS units), as well as 155 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
27. Jordan
- Reserves: 65,000
- Active personnel: 100,500
- Paramilitary forces: 35,000
- Total military personnel: 200,500
- Total population: 11,086,716
- Fit-for-service: 2,960,153
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.4651 – #80 out of 145
Jordan also has a total of 265 aircraft, 24,148 military vehicles (including 1,365 tanks and 88 MLRS units), as well as 27 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
26. Sri Lanka
- Reserves: 90,000
- Active personnel: 346,000
- Paramilitary forces: 0
- Total military personnel: 436,000
- Total population: 23,588,613
- Fit-for-service: 9,175,970
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.3459 – #75 out of 145
Sri Lanka also has a total of 86 aircraft, 3,708 military vehicles (including 182 tanks and 32 MLRS units), as well as 270 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
25. Oman
- Reserves: 100,000
- Active personnel: 42,600
- Paramilitary forces: 10,000
- Total military personnel: 152,600
- Total population: 3,833,465
- Fit-for-service: 1,268,877
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.4448 – #78 out of 145
Oman also has a total of 128 aircraft, 5,019 military vehicles (including 154 tanks), as well as 22 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
24. Bahrain
- Reserves: 110,000
- Active personnel: 18,400
- Paramilitary forces: 1,500
- Total military personnel: 129,900
- Total population: 1,553,886
- Fit-for-service: 714,788
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.7163 – #86 out of 145
Bahrain also has a total of 120 aircraft, 2,598 military vehicles (including 180 tanks and 17 MLRS units), as well as 58 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
23. United Arab Emirates
- Reserves: 130,000
- Active personnel: 65,000
- Paramilitary forces: 12,000
- Total military personnel: 207,000
- Total population: 9,973,449
- Fit-for-service: 4,916,910
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.8083 – #51 out of 145
The United Arab Emirates also has a total of 560 aircraft, 12,253 military vehicles (including 354 tanks and 162 MLRS units), as well as 79 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
22. Mongolia
- Reserves: 135,000
- Active personnel: 35,000
- Paramilitary forces: 50,000
- Total military personnel: 220,000
- Total population: 3,255,468
- Fit-for-service: 1,539,836
- Military strength score and world rank: 2.1079 – #105 out of 145
Mongolia also has a total of 11 aircraft and 3,600 military vehicles (including 470 tanks and 120 MLRS units) at its disposal.
21. Kazakhstan
- Reserves: 135,000
- Active personnel: 110,000
- Paramilitary forces: 55,000
- Total military personnel: 300,000
- Total population: 19,543,464
- Fit-for-service: 6,683,865
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.9495 – #58 out of 145
Kazakhstan also has a total of 243 aircraft, 6,012 military vehicles (including 300 tanks and 407 MLRS units), as well as 18 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
20. Georgia
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- Reserves: 152,500
- Active personnel: 55,000
- Paramilitary forces: 0
- Total military personnel: 207,500
- Total population: 4,936,390
- Fit-for-service: 2,241,121
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.6969 – #84 out of 145
Georgia also has a total of 52 aircraft, 5,256 military vehicles (including 235 tanks and 82 MLRS units), as well as 19 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
19. Thailand
- Reserves: 200,000
- Active personnel: 360,850
- Paramilitary forces: 25,000
- Total military personnel: 585,850
- Total population: 69,794,997
- Fit-for-service: 27,917,999
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.3389 – #25 out of 145
Thailand also has a total of 501 aircraft, 14,040 military vehicles (including 648 tanks and 26 MLRS units), as well as 293 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
18. Armenia
- Reserves: 210,000
- Active personnel: 57,500
- Paramilitary forces: 5,000
- Total military personnel: 272,500
- Total population: 2,989,091
- Fit-for-service: 1,371,993
- Military strength score and world rank: 2.0583 – #102 out of 145
Armenia also has a total of 64 aircraft and 736 military vehicles (including 221 tanks and 100 MLRS units) at its disposal.
17. Singapore
- Reserves: 252,500
- Active personnel: 51,000
- Paramilitary forces: 12,000
- Total military personnel: 315,500
- Total population: 5,975,383
- Fit-for-service: 2,605,267
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.4087 – #30 out of 145
Singapore also has a total of 247 aircraft, 8,318 military vehicles (including 170 tanks and 24 MLRS units), as well as 43 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
16. Kyrgyzstan
- Reserves: 300,000
- Active personnel: 23,000
- Paramilitary forces: 55,000
- Total military personnel: 378,000
- Total population: 6,122,781
- Fit-for-service: 2,467,481
- Military strength score and world rank: 2.0057 – #100 out of 145
Kyrgyzstan also has a total of 6 aircraft and 2,772 military vehicles (including 215 tanks and 36 MLRS units) at its disposal.
15. Azerbaijan
- Reserves: 300,000
- Active personnel: 126,400
- Paramilitary forces: 15,000
- Total military personnel: 441,400
- Total population: 10,420,515
- Fit-for-service: 3,824,329
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.9934 – #59 out of 145
Azerbaijan also has a total of 144 aircraft, 29,312 military vehicles (including 920 tanks and 218 MLRS units), as well as 24 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
14. Iran
- Reserves: 350,000
- Active personnel: 610,000
- Paramilitary forces: 220,000
- Total military personnel: 1,180,000
- Total population: 87,590,873
- Fit-for-service: 41,167,710
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2269 – #14 out of 145
Iran also has a total of 551 aircraft, 65,765 military vehicles (including 1,996 tanks and 775 MLRS units), as well as 101 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
13. Turkey
- Reserves: 378,700
- Active personnel: 355,200
- Paramilitary forces: 150,000
- Total military personnel: 883,900
- Total population: 83,593,483
- Fit-for-service: 3,561,604
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1697 – #8 out of 145
Turkey also has a total of 1,069 aircraft, 55,104 military vehicles (including 2,231 tanks and 286 MLRS units), as well as 186 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
12. Indonesia
- Reserves: 400,000
- Active personnel: 400,000
- Paramilitary forces: 250,000
- Total military personnel: 1,050,000
- Total population: 279,476,346
- Fit-for-service: 113,746,873
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2251 – #13 out of 145
Indonesia also has a total of 474 aircraft, 11,604 military vehicles (including 313 tanks and 63 MLRS units), as well as 333 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
11. Israel
- Reserves: 465,000
- Active personnel: 170,000
- Paramilitary forces: 35,000
- Total military personnel: 670,000
- Total population: 9,043,387
- Fit-for-service: 3,156,142
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2596 – #17 out of 145
Israel also has a total of 612 aircraft, 43,407 military vehicles (including 1,370 tanks and 150 MLRS units), as well as 67 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
10. China
- Reserves: 510,000
- Active personnel: 2,035,000
- Paramilitary forces: 625,000
- Total military personnel: 3,170,000
- Total population: 1,413,142,846
- Fit-for-service: 626,022,281
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.0706 – #3 out of 145
China also has a total of 3,304 aircraft, 174,300 military vehicles (including 5,000 tanks and 3,180 MLRS units), as well as 730 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
9. Pakistan
- Reserves: 550,000
- Active personnel: 654,000
- Paramilitary forces: 500,000
- Total military personnel: 1,704,000
- Total population: 247,653,551
- Fit-for-service: 84,202,207
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1711 – #9 out of 145
Pakistan also has a total of 1,434 aircraft, 50,523 military vehicles (including 3,742 tanks and 602 MLRS units), as well as 114 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
8. North Korea
- Reserves: 560,000
- Active personnel: 1,320,000
- Paramilitary forces: 100,000
- Total military personnel: 1,980,000
- Total population: 26,072,217
- Fit-for-service: 5,266,588
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.5313 – #36 out of 145
North Korea also has a total of 951 aircraft, 24,696 military vehicles (including 5,845 tanks and 2,920 MLRS units), as well as 505 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
7. Tajikistan
- Reserves: 600,000
- Active personnel: 9,500
- Paramilitary forces: 20,000
- Total military personnel: 629,500
- Total population: 9,245,937
- Fit-for-service: 3,356,275
- Military strength score and world rank: 2.1265 – #107 out of 145
Tajikistan also has a total of 25 aircraft, 4,650 military vehicles (including 80 tanks and 45 MLRS units) at its disposal.
6. India
- Reserves: 1,155,000
- Active personnel: 1,455,550
- Paramilitary forces: 2,527,000
- Total military personnel: 5,137,550
- Total population: 1,399,179,585
- Fit-for-service: 519,095,626
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1023 – #4 out of 145
India also has a total of 2,296 aircraft, 151,248 military vehicles (including 4,614 tanks and 702 MLRS units), as well as 294 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
5. Philippines
- Reserves: 1,200,000
- Active personnel: 150,000
- Paramilitary forces: 35,000
- Total military personnel: 1,385,000
- Total population: 116,434,200
- Fit-for-service: 41,101,273
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.4691 – #34 out of 145
The Philippines also has a total of 195 aircraft, 7,562 military vehicles (including 10 tanks and 0 MLRS units), as well as 111 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
4. Russia
- Reserves: 2,000,000
- Active personnel: 1,320,000
- Paramilitary forces: 250,000
- Total military personnel: 3,570,000
- Total population: 141,698,923
- Fit-for-service: 46,477,247
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.0702 – #2 out of 145
Russia also has a total of 4,255 aircraft, 161,382 military vehicles (including 14,777 tanks and 3,065 MLRS units), as well as 781 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
3. Taiwan
- Reserves: 2,310,000
- Active personnel: 215,000
- Paramilitary forces: 55,000
- Total military personnel: 2,580,000
- Total population: 23,588,613
- Fit-for-service: 1,061,488
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.3302 – #24 out of 145
Taiwan also has a total of 750 aircraft, 19,868 military vehicles (including 1,010 tanks and 223 MLRS units), as well as 93 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
2. South Korea
- Reserves: 3,100,000
- Active personnel: 600,000
- Paramilitary forces: 120,000
- Total military personnel: 3,820,000
- Total population: 51,966,948
- Fit-for-service: 21,306,449
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1416 – #5 out of 145
South Korea also has a total of 1,576 aircraft, 66,492 military vehicles (including 2,501 tanks and 581 MLRS units), as well as 200 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
1. Vietnam
- Reserves: 5,000,000
- Active personnel: 600,000
- Paramilitary forces: 250,000
- Total military personnel: 5,850,000
- Total population: 104,799,174
- Fit-for-service: 44,644,448
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.3158 – #22 out of 145
Vietnam also has a total of 226 aircraft, 18,578 military vehicles (including 2,029 tanks and 450 MLRS units), as well as 97 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
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