Syria is often spotlighted for its protracted conflicts, like much of what is going on now. Rebel forces in the country have forced Bashar al-Assad from power and are reclaiming the country for themselves. While there is international interest for the outcome of this conflict coming from Russia, the United States, and Israel, the Syrian people will ultimately have to figure out what they want to do with the nation, and what comes with it.
Throughout this region of the Middle East, and the world in general, Syria has been one of the rising military powers. The ongoing civil war led to build-up of military assets and armaments, much of which has contributed to this rise to power. Chief among these assets are Syria’s tanks. (This Army tank is fast enough to win a Greyhound race.)
Out of the rising military powers in the world, Syria stands above the others in regard to its tank arsenal. Syria has more than 2,700 tanks, which is more than what most NATO nations can say. While what the future holds for Syria is still up for debate, the country will still be very well armed.
To identify the “Powers on the Rise” countries with the most tanks, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 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 military vehicles, artillery and MLRS units, as well as each country’s overall military strength score. We specifically reviewed countries that are considered “Powers on the Rise” meaning these are the countries that have gained the most military strength in the last year.
Here is a look at the “Powers on the Rise” countries with the largest tank armies:
Why Are We Covering This?
Understanding global military dynamics is incredibly important due to the interconnected nature of international relations and conflicts. As long as civilization has existed, the world has witnessed shifting power balances and alliances which have ultimately shaped the current geopolitical landscape. While key players like the United States, China, and Russia are easily the global powers, there are a number of emerging military powers that have their own spheres of influence and give shape to geopolitical relations in their own unique way.
28. Paraguay
- Total number of tanks: 10
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 28
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 1,936
- Active duty military personnel: 15,650
- Military strength score: 1.7053 – #85 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Paraguay has 41 military aircraft (including 14 helicopters). Paraguay has 15,650 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 7.4 million.
27. Portugal
.jpg "Portugal tank by Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum")
- Total number of tanks: 34
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 106
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,173
- Active duty military personnel: 24,000
- Military strength score: 0.5609 – #38 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Portugal has 117 military aircraft (including 28 fighter aircraft and 38 helicopters). Portugal has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.5 million.
26. Denmark
- Total number of tanks: 44
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 19
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 4,056
- Active duty military personnel: 20,000
- Military strength score: 0.7743 – #48 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Denmark has 119 military aircraft (including 4 attack aircraft, 33 fighter aircraft, and 34 helicopters). Denmark has 20,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.9 million.
25. Austria
.jpg "Austria Tanks by 7th Army Training Command")
- Total number of tanks: 58
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 53
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 848
- Active duty military personnel: 16,000
- Military strength score: 1.2351 – #71 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Austria has 104 military aircraft (including 15 fighter aircraft and 66 helicopters). Austria has 16,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 8.9 million.
24. Czechia
- Total number of tanks: 65
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 53
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 6,757
- Active duty military personnel: 28,000
- Military strength score: 0.7706 – #46 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Czechia has 88 military aircraft (including 16 attack aircraft, 12 fighter aircraft, and 33 helicopters). Czechia has 28,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.7 million.
23. Croatia
- Total number of tanks: 75
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 181
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 105
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 3,076
- Active duty military personnel: 14,325
- Military strength score: 1.1333 – #66 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Croatia has 81 military aircraft (including 11 fighter aircraft and 52 helicopters). Croatia has 14,325 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 4.2 million.
22. Qatar
- Total number of tanks: 99
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 58
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 16
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 5,544
- Active duty military personnel: 66,550
- Military strength score: 1.0789 – #63 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Qatar has 228 military aircraft (including 6 attack aircraft, 92 fighter aircraft, and 67 helicopters). Qatar has 66,550 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 2.5 million.
21. Sweden
- Total number of tanks: 120
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 26
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 7,958
- Active duty military personnel: 24,400
- Military strength score: 0.4009 – #29 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Sweden has 212 military aircraft (including 71 fighter aircraft and 53 helicopters). Sweden has 24,400 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.5 million.
20. Switzerland
_Birmenstorf,_Switzerland_(Ank_Kumar,_Infosys_Limited)_04.jpg "Switzerland tank by Ank Kumar")
- Total number of tanks: 134
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 133
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 4,304
- Active duty military personnel: 101,584
- Military strength score: 0.6097 – #43 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Switzerland has 147 military aircraft (including 43 fighter aircraft and 41 helicopters). Switzerland has 101,584 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 8.6 million.
19. Finland
- Total number of tanks: 200
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 792
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 76
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,716
- Active duty military personnel: 24,000
- Military strength score: 0.7967 – #50 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Finland has 164 military aircraft (including 55 fighter aircraft and 27 helicopters). Finland has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.6 million.
18. Georgia
- Total number of tanks: 235
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 267
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 82
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 5,256
- Active duty military personnel: 55,000
- Military strength score: 1.6969 – #84 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Georgia has 52 military aircraft (including 42 helicopters). Georgia has 55,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 4.9 million.
17. Serbia
- Total number of tanks: 262
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 162
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 82
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 3,954
- Active duty military personnel: 25,000
- Military strength score: 0.9038 – #56 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Serbia has 112 military aircraft (including 17 attack aircraft, 11 fighter aircraft, and 44 helicopters). Serbia has 25,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 6.7 million.
16. Germany
- Total number of tanks: 295
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 134
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 33
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 79,317
- Active duty military personnel: 181,600
- Military strength score: 0.2847 – #19 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Germany has 618 military aircraft (including 76 attack aircraft, 133 fighter aircraft, and 318 helicopters). Germany has 181,600 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 84.2 million.
15. Kazakhstan
- Total number of tanks: 300
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 696
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 407
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 6,012
- Active duty military personnel: 110,000
- Military strength score: 0.9495 – #58 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Kazakhstan has 243 military aircraft (including 38 attack aircraft, 81 fighter aircraft, and 75 helicopters). Kazakhstan has 110,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 19.5 million.
14. Libya
- Total number of tanks: 300
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 75
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 55
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 2,890
- Active duty military personnel: 32,000
- Military strength score: 1.4449 – #79 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Libya has 132 military aircraft (including 3 attack aircraft, 17 fighter aircraft, and 32 helicopters). Libya has 32,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 7.2 million.
13. Bangladesh
- Total number of tanks: 320
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 464
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 71
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 13,100
- Active duty military personnel: 163,000
- Military strength score: 0.5419 – #37 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Bangladesh has 216 military aircraft (including 44 fighter aircraft and 73 helicopters). Bangladesh has 163,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 167.2 million.
12. Spain
- Total number of tanks: 327
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 236
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 0
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 15,046
- Active duty military personnel: 133,282
- Military strength score: 0.2882 – #20 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Spain has 513 military aircraft (including 12 attack aircraft, 139 fighter aircraft, and 121 helicopters). Spain has 133,282 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 47.2 million.
11. United Arab Emirates
- Total number of tanks: 354
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 282
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 162
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 12,253
- Active duty military personnel: 65,000
- Military strength score: 0.8083 – #51 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, the United Arab Emirates has 560 military aircraft (including 18 attack aircraft, 99 fighter aircraft, and 246 helicopters). The United Arab Emirates has 65,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.0 million.
10. Kuwait
- Total number of tanks: 367
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 74
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 27
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 4,409
- Active duty military personnel: 72,000
- Military strength score: 1.4261 – #77 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Kuwait has 144 military aircraft (including 36 fighter aircraft and 60 helicopters). Kuwait has 72,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 3.1 million.
9. Japan
- Total number of tanks: 518
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 653
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 54
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 37,662
- Active duty military personnel: 247,150
- Military strength score: 0.1601 – #7 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Japan has 1,459 military aircraft (including 36 attack aircraft, 217 fighter aircraft, and 577 helicopters). Japan has 247,150 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 123.7 million.
8. Poland
- Total number of tanks: 612
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 525
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 211
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 13,956
- Active duty military personnel: 202,100
- Military strength score: 0.2917 – #21 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Poland has 468 military aircraft (including 34 attack aircraft, 59 fighter aircraft, and 215 helicopters). Poland has 202,100 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 38.0 million.
7. Myanmar
- Total number of tanks: 705
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,083
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 586
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 8,139
- Active duty military personnel: 150,000
- Military strength score: 0.5251 – #35 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Myanmar has 293 military aircraft (including 26 attack aircraft, 58 fighter aircraft, and 80 helicopters). Myanmar has 150,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 58.0 million.
6. Jordan
- Total number of tanks: 1,365
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 283
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 88
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 24,148
- Active duty military personnel: 100,500
- Military strength score: 1.4651 – #80 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Jordan has 265 military aircraft (including 6 attack aircraft, 44 fighter aircraft, and 148 helicopters). Jordan has 100,500 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 11.1 million.
5. Israel
- Total number of tanks: 1,370
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 950
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 150
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 43,407
- Active duty military personnel: 170,000
- Military strength score: 0.2596 – #17 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Israel has 612 military aircraft (including 39 attack aircraft, 241 fighter aircraft, and 146 helicopters). Israel has 170,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 9.0 million.
4. Iran
- Total number of tanks: 1,996
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,630
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 775
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 65,765
- Active duty military personnel: 610,000
- Military strength score: 0.2269 – #14 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Iran has 551 military aircraft (including 23 attack aircraft, 186 fighter aircraft, and 129 helicopters). Iran has 610,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 87.6 million.
3. Turkey
- Total number of tanks: 2,231
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,785
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 286
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 55,104
- Active duty military personnel: 355,200
- Military strength score: 0.1697 – #8 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Turkey has 1,069 military aircraft (including 205 fighter aircraft and 502 helicopters). Turkey has 355,200 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 83.6 million.
2. South Korea
- Total number of tanks: 2,501
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 8,052
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 581
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 66,492
- Active duty military personnel: 600,000
- Military strength score: 0.1416 – #5 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, South Korea has 1,576 military aircraft (including 98 attack aircraft, 354 fighter aircraft, and 758 helicopters). South Korea has 600,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 52.0 million.
1. Syria
- Total number of tanks: 2,720
- Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,695
- Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 614
- Total military vehicles currently in active service: 14,550
- Active duty military personnel: 170,000
- Military strength score: 1.0026 – #60 out of 145
Apart from the ground forces, Syria has 452 military aircraft (including 57 attack aircraft, 168 fighter aircraft, and 153 helicopters). Syria has 170,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 22.9 million.
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