This Country's Paramilitary Force Is Way Bigger Than the US Military - and It Costs Way Less

Military

Published: February 27, 2025 9:11 am

Operating in the shadows of regular military structures, paramilitary forces can occupy a few different roles that conventional forces need not apply. These roles are typically relegated to riot control, counterinsurgency, and emergency response, but it should be noted that they can play a much wider range of roles than just these. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is exploring the countries with the largest paramilitary forces in the world.

To identify the countries with the most paramilitary personnel in the world, 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 paramilitary personnel. We included supplemental information regarding total personnel, active personnel, reserves, total population, fit-for-service, and overall military strength score.

For some quick background and to further expand, paramilitary forces play an important role in the security systems of nations around the world, mainly acting as a bridge between the military and law enforcement. In some nations, these forces are used in handling internal conflicts and even contributing a lot to national security. (These are the world’s 30 strongest military powers – which nations are gaining on America?)

Although these paramilitary forces are normally only used for internal operations, they can be thought of as a reserve force for a country’s military at large. The training, structure and discipline is generally similar between these groups and a nation’s military.

It should also be noted that the roles of these forces can vary widely from country to country. While Colombia’s paramilitary forces might be focused heavily on policing drug trafficking and dealing with gangs, China’s could be tasked with dealing with internal security or even firefighting.

Here is a look at the countries with the largest paramilitary forces in the world:

Why Are We Covering This?

Silhouette of a military man in headphones at a laptop against the background of a digital globe of the earth, contour lighting. Concept: collection of confidential information, surveillance.

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 considered the strongest military powers in the world, there are a number of other nations with their own spheres of influence and strengths that impact global relations from a military perspective.

30. Spain

Paramilitary forces: 78,470
Active personnel: 133,282
Reserves: 15,150
Total military personnel: 226,902
Total population: 47,280,433
Fit-for-service: 17,635,602
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3242 – #17 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Spain also has a total of 461 aircraft, 17,626 military vehicles (including 317 tanks), as well as 152 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

29. Panama

Paramilitary forces: 80,000
Active personnel: 0
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 80,000
Total population: 4,470,241
Fit-for-service: 1,206,965
Military strength score and world rank: 3.6575 – #136 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Panama also has a total of 38 aircraft, 262 military vehicles, as well as 30 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

28. Afghanistan

A U.S. Army soldier fires a Barrett M82A1 rifle on a firing range in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

Paramilitary forces: 80,000
Active personnel: 0
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 80,000
Total population: 40,121,552
Fit-for-service: 8,826,741
Military strength score and world rank: 2.6442 – #118 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Afghanistan also has a total of 9 aircraft and 5,202 military vehicles at its disposal. Afghanistan has no naval force to speak of.

27. Libya

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 32,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 132,000
Total population: 7,361,263
Fit-for-service: 3,290,485
Military strength score and world rank: 1.4449 – #73 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Libya also has a total of 143 aircraft, 1,816 military vehicles (including 43 tanks and 25 MLRS units), as well as 5 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

26. Iraq

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 193,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 293,000
Total population: 42,083,436
Fit-for-service: 14,308,368
Military strength score and world rank: 0.7738 – #43 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Iraq also has a total of 391 aircraft, 37,288 military vehicles (including 1,025 tanks and 572 MLRS units), as well as 68 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

25. Malaysia

Malaysia Navy (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Rizuan

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 113,000
Reserves: 51,600
Total military personnel: 264,600
Total population: 34,564,810
Fit-for-service: 13,480,276
Military strength score and world rank: 0.7429 – #42 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Malaysia also has a total of 135 aircraft, 13,506 military vehicles (including 48 tanks and 36 MLRS units), as well as 100 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

24. North Korea

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 1,320,000
Reserves: 560,000
Total military personnel: 1,980,000
Total population: 26,298,666
Fit-for-service: 5,312,331
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6016 – #34 out of 145

Outside of its troops, North Korea also has a total of 861 aircraft, 18,288 military vehicles (including 4,344 tanks and 1,500 MLRS units), as well as 207 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

23. Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in hoisting the State Flag of Ukraine in liberated Kherson. by President Of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in hoisting the State Flag of Ukraine in liberated Kherson. (CC0 1.0) by President Of Ukraine

Paramilitary forces: 100,000
Active personnel: 900,000
Reserves: 1,200,000
Total military personnel: 2,200,000
Total population: 35,661,826
Fit-for-service: 12,731,272
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3755 – #21 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Ukraine also has a total of 324 aircraft, 18,920 military vehicles (including 1,114 tanks and 279 MLRS units), as well as 89 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

22. Italy

Paramilitary forces: 105,000
Active personnel: 165,500
Reserves: 18,500
Total military personnel: 289,000
Total population: 60,964,931
Fit-for-service: 22,191,235
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2164 – #10 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Italy also has a total of 729 aircraft, 73,480 military vehicles (including 200 tanks and 21 MLRS units), as well as 196 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

21. Laos

Paramilitary forces: 120,000
Active personnel: 100,000
Reserves: 30,000
Total military personnel: 250,000
Total population: 7,953,556
Fit-for-service: 2,521,277
Military strength score and world rank: 2.2663 – #106 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Laos also has a total of 33 aircraft and 4,380 military vehicles (including 160 tanks and 64 MLRS units) at its disposal. Laos has no naval force as the country is landlocked.

20. Mexico

Paramilitary forces: 120,000
Active personnel: 412,000
Reserves: 98,655
Total military personnel: 630,655
Total population: 130,739,927
Fit-for-service: 49,811,912
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5965 – #32 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Mexico also has a total of 433 aircraft, 19,658 military vehicles, as well as 167 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

19. South Korea

Flag of South Korea on soldiers arm. Flag of South Korea on military uniforms (collage). by Bumble Dee

Flag of South Korea on soldiers arm. Flag of South Korea on military uniforms (collage). (Shutterstock.com) by Bumble Dee

Paramilitary forces: 120,000
Active personnel: 600,000
Reserves: 3,100,000
Total military personnel: 3,820,000
Total population: 52,081,799
Fit-for-service: 21,353,538
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1656 – #5 out of 145

Outside of its troops, South Korea also has a total of 1,592 aircraft, 58,880 military vehicles (including 2,236 tanks and 426 MLRS units), as well as 227 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

18. Colombia

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 293,200
Reserves: 35,000
Total military personnel: 478,200
Total population: 49,588,357
Fit-for-service: 19,190,694
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8353 – #46 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Colombia also has a total of 436 aircraft, 3,460 military vehicles, as well as 233 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

17. Saudi Arabia

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 257,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 407,000
Total population: 36,544,431
Fit-for-service: 17,468,238
Military strength score and world rank: 0.4201 – #25 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Saudi Arabia also has a total of 917 aircraft, 19,040 military vehicles (including 840 tanks and 321 MLRS units), as well as 32 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

16. Algeria

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 325,000
Reserves: 135,000
Total military personnel: 610,000
Total population: 47,022,473
Fit-for-service: 19,185,169
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3589 – #20 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Algeria also has a total of 608 aircraft, 26,000 military vehicles (including 1,485 tanks and 266 MLRS units), as well as 110 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

15. Turkey

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 355,200
Reserves: 378,700
Total military personnel: 883,900
Total population: 84,119,531
Fit-for-service: 36,087,279
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1902 – #9 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Turkey also has a total of 1,083 aircraft, 61,173 military vehicles (including 2,238 tanks and 296 MLRS units), as well as 182 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

14. France

Flag of France on military uniform. Army, troops, soldier (collage).

Paramilitary forces: 150,000
Active personnel: 200,000
Reserves: 26,000
Total military personnel: 376,000
Total population: 68,374,591
Fit-for-service: 23,794,358
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1878 – #8 out of 145

Outside of its troops, France also has a total of 976 aircraft, 110,932 military vehicles (including 215 tanks and 9 MLRS units), as well as 129 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

13. Brazil

Paramilitary forces: 200,000
Active personnel: 360,000
Reserves: 340,000
Total military personnel: 900,000
Total population: 220,051,512
Fit-for-service: 88,680,759
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2415 – #11 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Brazil also has a total of 513 aircraft, 22,464 military vehicles (including 294 tanks and 38 MLRS units), as well as 64 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

12. Venezuela

Paramilitary forces: 220,000
Active personnel: 109,000
Reserves: 8,000
Total military personnel: 337,000
Total population: 31,250,306
Fit-for-service: 12,812,625
Military strength score and world rank: 0.8882 – #50 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Venezuela also has a total of 229 aircraft, 8,802 military vehicles (including 172 tanks and 36 MLRS units), as well as 34 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

11. Iran

Paramilitary forces: 220,000
Active personnel: 610,000
Reserves: 350,000
Total military personnel: 1,180,000
Total population: 88,386,937
Fit-for-service: 41,541,860
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3048 – #16 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Iran also has a total of 551 aircraft, 65,825 military vehicles (including 1,713 tanks and 1,517 MLRS units), as well as 107 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

10. Vietnam

Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Active personnel: 600,000
Reserves: 5,000,000
Total military personnel: 5,850,000
Total population: 105,758,975
Fit-for-service: 45,053,323
Military strength score and world rank: 0.4024 – #24 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Vietnam also has a total of 246 aircraft, 11,912 military vehicles (including 1,374 tanks and 474 MLRS units), as well as 110 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

9. Indonesia

Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Active personnel: 400,000
Reserves: 400,000
Total military personnel: 1,050,000
Total population: 281,562,465
Fit-for-service: 114,595,923
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2557 – #13 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Indonesia also has a total of 459 aircraft, 20,440 military vehicles (including 331 tanks and 63 MLRS units), as well as 331 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

8. Russia

Russia military | Close up hands russian soldier man dressed military camouflage uniform holds weapon in woodland at soldiers background. Male border guard in country border holding machine gun on war. Copy text space

Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Active personnel: 1,320,000
Reserves: 2,000,000
Total military personnel: 3,570,000
Total population: 140,820,810
Fit-for-service: 46,189,226
Military strength score and world rank: 0.0788 – #2 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Russia also has a total of 4,292 aircraft, 131,527 military vehicles (including 5,750 tanks and 3,005 MLRS units), as well as 419 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

7. Egypt

Paramilitary forces: 300,000
Active personnel: 440,000
Reserves: 480,000
Total military personnel: 1,220,000
Total population: 111,247,248
Fit-for-service: 38,269,053
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3427 – #19 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Egypt also has a total of 1,093 aircraft, 41,012 military vehicles (including 3,620 tanks and 528 MLRS units), as well as 150 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

6. Pakistan

Pakistan military tank by Ahmed Bin Mazhar

Pakistan military tank (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Ahmed Bin Mazhar

Paramilitary forces: 500,000
Active personnel: 654,000
Reserves: 550,000
Total military personnel: 1,704,000
Total population: 252,363,571
Fit-for-service: 85,803,614
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2513 – #12 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Pakistan also has a total of 1,399 aircraft, 17,516 military vehicles (including 2,627 tanks and 600 MLRS units), as well as 121 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

5. Serbia

Paramilitary forces: 600,000
Active personnel: 25,000
Reserves: 2,000
Total military personnel: 627,000
Total population: 6,652,212
Fit-for-service: 2,574,406
Military strength score and world rank: 1.2576 – #63 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Serbia also has a total of 110 aircraft and 3,683 military vehicles (including 262 tanks and 98 MLRS units) at its disposal. Serbia has no naval force to speak of.

4. China

Flag of China on military uniform. Army, troops, soldiers. Collage.

Paramilitary forces: 625,000
Active personnel: 2,035,000
Reserves: 510,000
Total military personnel: 3,170,000
Total population: 1,415,043,270
Fit-for-service: 626,864,169
Military strength score and world rank: 0.0788 – #3 out of 145

Outside of its troops, China also has a total of 3,309 aircraft, 144,017 military vehicles (including 6,800 tanks and 2,750 MLRS units), as well as 754 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

3. Cuba

Paramilitary forces: 1,145,000
Active personnel: 45,500
Reserves: 40,000
Total military personnel: 1,230,500
Total population: 10,966,038
Fit-for-service: 4,737,328
Military strength score and world rank: 1.3286 – #67 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Cuba also has a total of 31 aircraft, 6,864 military vehicles (including 113 tanks and 15 MLRS units), as well as 19 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

2. India

Paramilitary forces: 2,527,000
Active personnel: 1,455,550
Reserves: 1,155,000
Total military personnel: 5,137,550
Total population: 1,409,128,296
Fit-for-service: 522,786,598
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1184 – #4 out of 145

Outside of its troops, India also has a total of 2,229 aircraft, 148,594 military vehicles (including 4,201 tanks and 264 MLRS units), as well as 293 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

1. Bangladesh

Paramilitary forces: 6,800,000
Active personnel: 163,000
Reserves: 0
Total military personnel: 6,963,000
Total population: 168,697,184
Fit-for-service: 66,129,296
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6062 – #35 out of 145

Outside of its troops, Bangladesh also has a total of 214 aircraft, 11,584 military vehicles (including 320 tanks and 110 MLRS units), as well as 118 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

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