India has again secured its fourth position as the powerful military force around the globe, according to Global Firepower Index 2025. This ranking depicts the growing strength of the country's Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting its continuous modernization and self-reliance in defence production.
Although India has maintained its fourth position for the consecutive sixth year, Pakistan at its border saw a decline. It fell from ninth place in 2024 to twelfth this year and dropped in the military ranking of the world.
The Global Firepower Index assesses military power with more than 60 different parameters, such as defence technology, financial resources, logistics, and strategic positioning. The United States is the leading military force, followed by Russia in second position and China at third.
A closer look into the Indian military strength
India hosts the world's second-largest active force, totaling 1,455,550 active personnel; aside from that, the reserve strength is 1,155,000 personnel, thereby making a great addition to its defense systems.
India has greatly improved its armory. The country has T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks, BrahMos missiles, and the Pinaka rocket system. The Indian Air Force has also increased to 2,229 aircraft, comprising 600 fighter jets, 899 helicopters, and 831 support aircraft. The Indian Navy is also growing, with 142,251 personnel and a fleet of 150 warships and submarines.
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How does Pakistan compare
Despite being ranked outside the top 10, Pakistan crosses India in two categories: land power and geography. However, in other key areas, India holds a clear advantage. Pakistan’s military consists of 654,000 active soldiers, fewer than India’s.
For the air power, Pakistan has 1,399 aircraft, comprising 328 fighter jets, less than half that of India's. In the naval strength aspect, the contrast is even wider. India boasts of an aircraft carrier, while Pakistan does not have one presently. India has 18 submarines compared to eight by Pakistan. This shows an edge in terms of naval prowess.
Top 10 most powerful armies in 2025
- United States
- Russia
- China
- India
- South Korea
- United Kingdom
- France
- Japan
- Turkey
- Italy
India is well-set to continue being one of the world's top militaries.
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