This Nation Is Spending Massive Amounts of Cash For Its Huge Artillery Army

Military

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Published: March 16, 2025 8:52 am

On the ground, artillery represents a significant investment for countries looking to advance their land warfare capabilities. These big guns did not come cheap, but they are well worth the cost. The sizable arsenals that countries like Russia or the United States have taken years and billions to build up to what they are now. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at the countries with the largest towed artillery forces.

To determine the countries with the most towed artillery in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2025 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their PowerIndex, a composite of over 60 measures in categories such as military might, financials, logistical capability, and geography. The smaller the PowerIndex value the more powerful a nation’s theoretical conventional fighting capability is. We ranked these countries based on towed artillery units. We also included supplemental information regarding military vehicles, tanks, MLRS, as well as the overall strength score and defense budget.

Here is a look at the countries with the most towed artillery 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. Brazil

Total towed artillery: 412
Total self-propelled artillery: 109
Total artillery count: 521
Total number of tanks: 294
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 38
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 22,464
Military strength score: 0.2415 – #11 out of 145
Military defense budget: $26,157,300,000 – #19 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Brazil has 513 military aircraft (including 38 attack aircraft, 43 fighter aircraft, and 191 helicopters). Brazil has 360,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 220.05 million.

29. Cambodia

Total towed artillery: 430
Total self-propelled artillery: 30
Total artillery count: 460
Total number of tanks: 644
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 463
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 3,627
Military strength score: 2.0752 – #95 out of 145
Military defense budget: $860,000,000 – #92 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Cambodia has 25 military aircraft (including 21 helicopters). Cambodia has 221,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 17.06 million.

28. Turkmenistan

Total towed artillery: 450
Total self-propelled artillery: 73
Total artillery count: 523
Total number of tanks: 654
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 164
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 5,016
Military strength score: 1.6512 – #77 out of 145
Military defense budget: $1,078,020,000 – #86 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Turkmenistan has 91 military aircraft (including 27 attack aircraft, 24 fighter aircraft, and 26 helicopters). Turkmenistan has 36,500 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.744 million.

27. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Total towed artillery: 457
Total self-propelled artillery: 0
Total artillery count: 457
Total number of tanks: 45
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 79
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 720
Military strength score: 3.0799 – #131 out of 145
Military defense budget: $216,400,000 – #131 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Bosnia and Herzegovina has 22 military aircraft (including 22 helicopters). Bosnia and Herzegovina has 12,770 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 3.799 million.

26. Saudi Arabia

Saudi+Arabia+artillery | Operation Desert Storm

Total towed artillery: 467
Total self-propelled artillery: 332
Total artillery count: 799
Total number of tanks: 840
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 321
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 19,040
Military strength score: 0.4201 – #25 out of 145
Military defense budget: $74,760,000,000 – #5 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Saudi Arabia has 917 military aircraft (including 81 attack aircraft, 283 fighter aircraft, and 264 helicopters). Saudi Arabia has 257,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 36.54 million.

25. Japan

Total towed artillery: 480
Total self-propelled artillery: 149
Total artillery count: 629
Total number of tanks: 521
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 54
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 31,964
Military strength score: 0.1839 – #7 out of 145
Military defense budget: $57,000,000,000 – #7 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Japan has 1,443 military aircraft (including 38 attack aircraft, 217 fighter aircraft, and 596 helicopters). Japan has 247,150 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 123.2 million.

24. Algeria

Total towed artillery: 483
Total self-propelled artillery: 224
Total artillery count: 707
Total number of tanks: 1,485
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 266
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 26,000
Military strength score: 0.3589 – #20 out of 145
Military defense budget: $25,000,000,000 – #21 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Algeria has 608 military aircraft (including 42 attack aircraft, 102 fighter aircraft, and 299 helicopters). Algeria has 325,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 47.02 million.

23. Mongolia

Total towed artillery: 500
Total self-propelled artillery: 0
Total artillery count: 500
Total number of tanks: 420
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 130
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 2,560
Military strength score: 2.1135 – #98 out of 145
Military defense budget: $165,110,000 – #135 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Mongolia has 7 military aircraft (including 2 helicopters). Mongolia has 35,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 3.282 million.

22. Vietnam

Tank (CC BY 2.0) by Chris Feser

Total towed artillery: 535
Total self-propelled artillery: 40
Total artillery count: 575
Total number of tanks: 1,374
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 474
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,912
Military strength score: 0.4024 – #24 out of 145
Military defense budget: $8,594,000,000 – #35 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Vietnam has 246 military aircraft (including 32 attack aircraft, 41 fighter aircraft, and 101 helicopters). Vietnam has 600,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 105.76 million.

21. Bangladesh

Total towed artillery: 546
Total self-propelled artillery: 56
Total artillery count: 602
Total number of tanks: 320
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 110
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,584
Military strength score: 0.6062 – #35 out of 145
Military defense budget: $4,374,000,000 – #56 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Bangladesh has 214 military aircraft (including 42 fighter aircraft and 65 helicopters). Bangladesh has 163,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 168.70 million.

20. Angola

Angola military | Angolan military force, army or war concept. 3D rendering isolated on white background

Total towed artillery: 575
Total self-propelled artillery: 25
Total artillery count: 600
Total number of tanks: 309
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 113
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 5,500
Military strength score: 1.0961 – #56 out of 145
Military defense budget: $1,101,360,000 – #85 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Angola has 298 military aircraft (including 12 attack aircraft, 71 fighter aircraft, and 116 helicopters). Angola has 107,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 37.20 million.

19. Thailand

2006.09.20-DSC_0484 (CC BY 2.0) by John Berns

Total towed artillery: 589
Total self-propelled artillery: 50
Total artillery count: 639
Total number of tanks: 635
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 26
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 16,935
Military strength score: 0.4536 – #26 out of 145
Military defense budget: $5,887,883,500 – #45 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Thailand has 493 military aircraft (including 20 attack aircraft, 72 fighter aircraft, and 258 helicopters). Thailand has 360,850 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 69.92 million.

18. Iraq

Total towed artillery: 610
Total self-propelled artillery: 434
Total artillery count: 1044
Total number of tanks: 1,025
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 572
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 37,288
Military strength score: 0.7738 – #43 out of 145
Military defense budget: $7,923,000,000 – #37 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Iraq has 391 military aircraft (including 36 attack aircraft, 26 fighter aircraft, and 197 helicopters). Iraq has 193,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 42.08 million.

17. Ukraine

Czechia+artillery | 2022_07_18_Ukraine_Shield_of_Europe_exhibition_2_T-90A_main_battle_tank_020

Total towed artillery: 615
Total self-propelled artillery: 658
Total artillery count: 1273
Total number of tanks: 1,114
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 279
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 18,920
Military strength score: 0.3755 – #21 out of 145
Military defense budget: $53,700,000,000 – #10 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Ukraine has 324 military aircraft (including 36 attack aircraft, 70 fighter aircraft, and 136 helicopters). Ukraine has 900,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 35.66 million.

16. Syria

Total towed artillery: 641
Total self-propelled artillery: 90
Total artillery count: 731
Total number of tanks: 365
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 204
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,148
Military strength score: 1.2771 – #64 out of 145
Military defense budget: $291,850,000 – #124 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Syria has 207 military aircraft (including 9 attack aircraft, 104 fighter aircraft, and 77 helicopters). Syria has 170,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 23.87 million.

15. Azerbaijan

Exercise Saber Guardian 2016 by U.S. Army Europe

Exercise Saber Guardian 2016 (Public Domain) by U.S. Army Europe

Total towed artillery: 650
Total self-propelled artillery: 198
Total artillery count: 848
Total number of tanks: 497
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 268
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 7,642
Military strength score: 1.2531 – #60 out of 145
Military defense budget: $5,000,000,000 – #49 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Azerbaijan has 154 military aircraft (including 18 attack aircraft, 12 fighter aircraft, and 86 helicopters). Azerbaijan has 126,400 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.65 million.

14. Finland

Finland artillery | Missile system on the background of the Finnish flag

Total towed artillery: 667
Total self-propelled artillery: 107
Total artillery count: 774
Total number of tanks: 200
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 76
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,704
Military strength score: 0.8437 – #48 out of 145
Military defense budget: $6,779,661,000 – #42 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Finland has 163 military aircraft (including 54 fighter aircraft and 27 helicopters). Finland has 24,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 5.626 million.

13. Greece

Leopard 2 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by George E. Koronaios

Total towed artillery: 698
Total self-propelled artillery: 589
Total artillery count: 1287
Total number of tanks: 1,344
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 152
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 61,888
Military strength score: 0.5337 – #30 out of 145
Military defense budget: $6,500,000,000 – #44 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Greece has 558 military aircraft (including 178 fighter aircraft and 293 helicopters). Greece has 142,700 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 10.46 million.

12. North Korea

SC 348900 - General Patton M46 tank passes through village of Kumko on way to Naktong River in offensive launched against the North Korean forces in that area. 20 September, 1950 (Public Domain) by Signal Corps Archive

Total towed artillery: 700
Total self-propelled artillery: 1,300
Total artillery count: 2,000
Total number of tanks: 4,344
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 1,500
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 18,288
Military strength score: 0.6016 – #34 out of 145
Military defense budget: $4,736,000,000 – #51 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, North Korea has 861 military aircraft (including 114 attack aircraft, 368 fighter aircraft, and 205 helicopters). North Korea has 1,320,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 26.30 million.

11. Romania

Total towed artillery: 720
Total self-propelled artillery: 0
Total artillery count: 720
Total number of tanks: 328
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 243
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 10,774
Military strength score: 0.8984 – #51 out of 145
Military defense budget: $9,700,000,000 – #33 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Romania has 140 military aircraft (including 21 fighter aircraft and 65 helicopters). Romania has 81,300 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 18.15 million.

10. Egypt

100-mm anti-aircraft gun KS-19 in Saint Petersburg Artillery museum

Total towed artillery: 962
Total self-propelled artillery: 1,056
Total artillery count: 2,018
Total number of tanks: 3,620
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 528
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 41,012
Military strength score: 0.3427 – #19 out of 145
Military defense budget: $5,879,500,000 – #46 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Egypt has 1,093 military aircraft (including 90 attack aircraft, 238 fighter aircraft, and 348 helicopters). Egypt has 440,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 111.25 million.

9. China

China artillery | Armored tank and combat drone on the background of the Chinese flag

Total towed artillery: 1,000
Total self-propelled artillery: 3,490
Total artillery count: 4,490
Total number of tanks: 6,800
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 2,750
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 144,017
Military strength score: 0.0788 – #3 out of 145
Military defense budget: $266,850,000,000 – #2 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, China has 3,309 military aircraft (including 371 attack aircraft, 1,212 fighter aircraft, and 913 helicopters). China has 2,035,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 1.415 billion.

8. United States

Total towed artillery: 1,212
Total self-propelled artillery: 671
Total artillery count: 1,883
Total number of tanks: 4,640
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 641
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 391,963
Military strength score: 0.0744 – #1 out of 145
Military defense budget: $895,000,000,000 – #1 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, the United States has 13,043 military aircraft (including 889 attack aircraft, 1,790 fighter aircraft, and 5,843 helicopters). The United States has 1,328,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 341.96 million.

7. Taiwan

Taiwan national flag waving in beautiful sky.

Total towed artillery: 1,360
Total self-propelled artillery: 488
Total artillery count: 1,848
Total number of tanks: 888
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 234
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 19,921
Military strength score: 0.3988 – #23 out of 145
Military defense budget: $19,740,000,000 – #23 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Taiwan has 761 military aircraft (including 285 fighter aircraft and 236 helicopters). Taiwan has 215,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 23.60 million.

6. Turkey

Total towed artillery: 1,707
Total self-propelled artillery: 1,038
Total artillery count: 2,745
Total number of tanks: 2,238
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 296
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 61,173
Military strength score: 0.1902 – #9 out of 145
Military defense budget: $47,000,000,000 – #13 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Turkey has 1,083 military aircraft (including 201 fighter aircraft and 508 helicopters). Turkey has 355,200 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 84.12 million.

5. Iran

Iran artillery | Rusty cannon gun remained from the war between Iran and Iraq

Total towed artillery: 2,070
Total self-propelled artillery: 392
Total artillery count: 2,462
Total number of tanks: 1,713
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 1,517
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 65,825
Military strength score: 0.3048 – #16 out of 145
Military defense budget: $15,450,000,000 – #25 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Iran has 551 military aircraft (including 21 attack aircraft, 188 fighter aircraft, and 128 helicopters). Iran has 610,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 88.39 million.

4. Pakistan

Pakistan military tank by Ahmed Bin Mazhar

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

Total towed artillery: 2,629
Total self-propelled artillery: 662
Total artillery count: 3,291
Total number of tanks: 2,627
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 600
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 17,516
Military strength score: 0.2513 – #12 out of 145
Military defense budget: $7,640,000,000 – #38 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Pakistan has 1,399 military aircraft (including 90 attack aircraft, 328 fighter aircraft, and 373 helicopters). Pakistan has 654,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 252.36 million.

3. India

Total towed artillery: 3,975
Total self-propelled artillery: 100
Total artillery count: 4,075
Total number of tanks: 4,201
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 264
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 148,594
Military strength score: 0.1184 – #4 out of 145
Military defense budget: $75,000,000,000 – #4 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, India has 2,229 military aircraft (including 130 attack aircraft, 513 fighter aircraft, and 899 helicopters). India has 1,455,550 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 1.409 billion.

2. South Korea

South+Korea+artillery | M115 8-Inch Howitzer (USA)

Total towed artillery: 4,400
Total self-propelled artillery: 3,270
Total artillery count: 7,670
Total number of tanks: 2,236
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 426
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 58,880
Military strength score: 0.1656 – #5 out of 145
Military defense budget: $46,300,000,000 – #14 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, South Korea has 1,592 military aircraft (including 98 attack aircraft, 315 fighter aircraft, and 807 helicopters). South Korea has 600,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 52.08 million.

1. Russia

Total towed artillery: 8,505
Total self-propelled artillery: 5,168
Total artillery count: 13,673
Total number of tanks: 5,750
Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 3,005
Total military vehicles currently in active service: 131,527
Military strength score: 0.0788 – #2 out of 145
Military defense budget: $126,000,000,000 – #3 out of 145

Apart from the ground forces, Russia has 4,292 military aircraft (including 689 attack aircraft, 833 fighter aircraft, and 1,651 helicopters). Russia has 1,320,000 active-duty personnel out of a total population of 140.82 million.

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