Global firepower military ranking 2014

[Skybird]

For number-fetishists.

http://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.asp

[Jimbuna]

I'm surprised Israel only rank 11th.

[Skybird]

Good, but small.

[BossMark]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I'm surprised Israel only rank 11th.

And I am even more shocked that we are ranked 5th..............

[mapuc]

One thing is how strong military and how much of the stuff you have a whole other thing is....effectiveness

What I understand or have heard is that Israel is a clean number 1 when it comes to that.

Markus

[Rhodes]

#53, uhhuuuuu!

[TarJak]

I'm surprised we are even on the list,let alone ranked at 20.

[Herr-Berbunch]

I'm amazed the UK has only four fewer serviceable airfields than France.

[mapuc]

I toke a close look at my homecountry Sweden and was looking at Logistical

serviceable airports 231. Don't know what they mean by that

Now in peace time we have only a few military airport in action and in wartime we have hundreds if not thousands.

Markus

[Betonov]

We're on the list

Originally Posted by Betonov

We're on the list

We're not

[CCIP]

Very neat!

And as for Israel etc., I think it's only the obvious - it's not the firepower, it's how you use it (and against what). In Israel's case, you have to consider who they're fighting. Their traditional enemies all rank well below them, with the exception of Egypt - though many would argue that if Israel and Egypt were to have a full-blown war today, it might not end that well for the Israelis. Even Lebanon in 2006 proved more than they could effectively crack. Even then, of course, they've stood up to some pretty overwhelming odds, but try to picture Israel going up against one of the top powers in the list in an all-out prolonged war, and yeah... doesn't look so good, does it.

I think Turkey, Japan and South Korea are the most interesting three in the top 10. People often underestimate just how large and capable those countries' militaries are.

Another observation is about the role of military in the politics of Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan. Their political fortunes seem to come and go, but there's little wonder those three countries seem to flip-flop between military dictatorships and periods when they're pushed out of power but stay firmly in the background. Their military bureaucracies are really deeply ingrained, even despite the massive social instability.

Another observation is the chest-puffing of Iran and North Korea. Look where they are compared to the Ukraine, and look at how well Ukraine is able to deal with with even so much as a threat from a first-rate power, even where they are not isolated internationally. Ouch. Even without involvement of first-rate powers, it's interesting to see just how poorly those two "rogue states" fare against their regional opponents (Japan and South Korea in DPRK's case, Israel and Saudi Arabia and arguably Turkey in Iran's).

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

We're not

Buahahahahhahaahahahaha

Good for you I guess. Less means less maintenance, less money wasted.

[TarJak]

The fact that Israel has been regularly using its defence force in active defence of I rs territory is one reason they are so effective.

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Well it certainly makes you a ginger ninja

Better than being a ginger minger.