This Asian Nation Has More Reserve Forces Than Almost All of NATO – and It’s Not China

The North Atlantic Trade Organization (NATO) is known as the most powerful military alliance on the planet. The sheer number of assets and forces held by NATO’s 32 member nations dwarves any other single nation. However, NATO remains comparatively weak in one area: its amount of reserve forces. Reserve forces, used to bolster current active-duty […] The post This Asian Nation Has More Reserve Forces Than Almost All of NATO – and It’s Not China appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Apr 11, 2025 - 14:31

This Asian Nation Has More Reserve Forces Than Almost All of NATO – and It’s Not China

The North Atlantic Trade Organization (NATO) is known as the most powerful military alliance on the planet. The sheer number of assets and forces held by NATO’s 32 member nations dwarves any other single nation. However, NATO remains comparatively weak in one area: its amount of reserve forces. Reserve forces, used to bolster current active-duty personnel, play an important role in any prolonged conflict. Countries maintain reserve forces (sometimes called reservists) for conflict preparedness, deterrence, and to reduce military costs during times of peace. While reserve forces can significantly support military efforts, these forces — in some cases — may also hinder efforts. For example, reserve forces in Israel, which recently resumed its war on the Gaza Strip, have refused to return to duty. Not only do reservists feel unmotivated but many cite moral and political conflicts regarding the rule of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. It’s uncertain how these reservists will change or influence Israel’s military approach moving forward. (If Iran and Israel went to war, who would be victorious?)

Key Points

Reserve forces help support active-duty troops in wartime scenarios, but otherwise keep military costs down.
One Asian nation has 5 million reserve troops.
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When it comes to reservists on the entire Asian continent, there is one Asian nation that dwarfs all NATO nations individually in this regard, and it is not Russia or China. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the armies of Asia to identify the Asian countries with the largest military reserve forces. We reviewed the 2025 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 reserve personnel. We included supplemental information regarding total personnel, active personnel, total population, fit-for-service, and overall military strength score. Countries without a reserve force were excluded.

This article was updated on April 11, 2025 to reflect new data from Global Firepower and to highlight how reserve forces can make or break conflict scenarios in places like Israel.

Why Are We Covering This?

Part of a world globe showing Southeast Asia

Understanding the military dynamics of Asia is important considering the region’s complex geopolitical landscape and its growing strategic significance. Historically, Asia has been shaped by internal conflicts, border disputes, and great power competition. Today, its military forces play an important role in determining regional stability. As tensions rise over territorial claims and political influence, military power is the law of the land, from disputes in the South China Sea to the contested borders in South Asia. More than that, as the world descends further into political turmoil, we may begin to see more reservists like those in Israel refusing to report for service. This could shift power one way or another in various territorial issues.

Take a look at the largest reserve forces in Asia:

35. Qatar

Reserves: 15,000
Active personnel: 66,550
Paramilitary forces: 5,500
Total military personnel: 87,050
Total population: 2,552,088
Fit-for-service: 490,001
Military strength score and world rank: 1.4307 – #72 out of 145

Qatar also has a total of 251 aircraft, 5,024 military vehicles (including 99 tanks and 16 MLRS units), as well as 115 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

34. Myanmar

Reserves: 20,000
Active personnel: 150,000
Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Total military personnel: 225,000
Total population: 57,527,139
Fit-for-service: 21,975,367
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6735 – #37 out of 145

Myanmar also has a total of 317 aircraft, 5,980 military vehicles (including 445 tanks and 180 MLRS units), as well as 232 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

33. Kuwait

Reserves: 24,000
Active personnel: 72,000
Paramilitary forces: 7,500
Total military personnel: 103,500
Total population: 3,138,355
Fit-for-service: 1,449,920
Military strength score and world rank: 1.6982 – #79 out of 145

Kuwait also has a total of 128 aircraft, 5,636 military vehicles (including 367 tanks and 27 MLRS units), as well as 123 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

32. Laos

Reserves: 30,000
Active personnel: 100,000
Paramilitary forces: 120,000
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

Laos also has a total of 33 aircraft and 4,380 military vehicles (including 160 tanks and 64 MLRS units) at its disposal.

31. Lebanon

Reserves: 35,000
Active personnel: 60,000
Paramilitary forces: 65,000
Total military personnel: 160,000
Total population: 5,364,482
Fit-for-service: 1,775,644
Military strength score and world rank: 2.5981 – #115 out of 145

Lebanon also has a total of 80 aircraft, 4,538 military vehicles (including 116 tanks and 11 MLRS units), as well as 64 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

30. Syria

Syria helicopter | Two flying army helicopters on sunset background

Reserves: 50,000
Active personnel: 170,000
Paramilitary forces: 50,000
Total military personnel: 270,000
Total population: 23,865,423
Fit-for-service: 13,245,310
Military strength score and world rank: 1.2771 – #64 out of 145

Syria also has a total of 207 aircraft, 11,148 military vehicles (including 365 tanks and 204 MLRS units), as well as 27 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

29. Malaysia

Reserves: 51,600
Active personnel: 113,000
Paramilitary forces: 100,000
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

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.

28. Japan

Reserves: 56,000
Active personnel: 247,150
Paramilitary forces: 25,000
Total military personnel: 328,150
Total population: 123,201,945
Fit-for-service: 42,874,277
Military strength score and world rank: 0.1839 – #8 out of 145

Japan also has a total of 1,443 aircraft, 31,964 military vehicles (including 521 tanks and 54 MLRS units), as well as 159 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

27. Jordan

Reserves: 65,000
Active personnel: 100,500
Paramilitary forces: 35,000
Total military personnel: 200,500
Total population: 11,174,024
Fit-for-service: 2,983,464
Military strength score and world rank: 1.6139 – #75 out of 145

Jordan also has a total of 274 aircraft, 16,624 military vehicles (including 1,458 tanks and 56 MLRS units), as well as 27 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

26. Sri Lanka

Reserves: 90,000
Active personnel: 346,000
Paramilitary forces: 0
Total military personnel: 436,000
Total population: 21,982,608
Fit-for-service: 8,551,235
Military strength score and world rank: 1.3941 – #69 out of 145

Sri Lanka also has a total of 85 aircraft, 3,190 military vehicles (including 44 tanks and 28 MLRS units), as well as 270 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

25. Oman

Reserves: 100,000
Active personnel: 42,600
Paramilitary forces: 10,000
Total military personnel: 152,600
Total population: 3,901,992
Fit-for-service: 1,291,559
Military strength score and world rank: 1.8047 – #82 out of 145

Oman also has a total of 128 aircraft, 4,084 military vehicles (including 150 tanks), as well as 22 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

24. Bahrain

Reserves: 110,000
Active personnel: 18,400
Paramilitary forces: 1,500
Total military personnel: 129,900
Total population: 1,566,888
Fit-for-service: 720,768
Military strength score and world rank: 1.7448 – #81 out of 145

Bahrain also has a total of 132 aircraft, 2,764 military vehicles (including 150 tanks and 17 MLRS units), as well as 64 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

23. United Arab Emirates

Reserves: 130,000
Active personnel: 65,000
Paramilitary forces: 12,000
Total military personnel: 207,000
Total population: 10,032,213
Fit-for-service: 4,945,881
Military strength score and world rank: 1.0186 – #54 out of 145

The United Arab Emirates also has a total of 551 aircraft, 8,707 military vehicles (including 354 tanks and 49 MLRS units), as well as 181 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

22. Mongolia

Reserves: 135,000
Active personnel: 35,000
Paramilitary forces: 50,000
Total military personnel: 220,000
Total population: 3,281,676
Fit-for-service: 1,552,233
Military strength score and world rank: 2.1135 – #98 out of 145

Mongolia also has a total of 7 aircraft and 2,560 military vehicles (including 420 tanks and 130 MLRS units) at its disposal.

21. Kazakhstan

Reserves: 135,000
Active personnel: 110,000
Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Total military personnel: 300,000
Total population: 20,260,006
Fit-for-service: 6,928,922
Military strength score and world rank: 1.1016 – #57 out of 145

Kazakhstan also has a total of 198 aircraft, 7,736 military vehicles (including 350 tanks and 287 MLRS units), as well as 26 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

20. Georgia

Reserves: 152,500
Active personnel: 55,000
Paramilitary forces: 0
Total military personnel: 207,500
Total population: 4,900,961
Fit-for-service: 2,225,036
Military strength score and world rank: 2.0695 – #94 out of 145

Georgia also has a total of 61 aircraft, 3,392 military vehicles (including 123 tanks and 42 MLRS units), as well as 19 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

19. Thailand

Reserves: 200,000
Active personnel: 360,850
Paramilitary forces: 25,000
Total military personnel: 585,850
Total population: 69,920,998
Fit-for-service: 27,968,399
Military strength score and world rank: 0.4536 – #25 out of 145

Thailand also has a total of 493 aircraft, 16,935 military vehicles (including 635 tanks and 26 MLRS units), as well as 293 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

18. Armenia

Reserves: 210,000
Active personnel: 57,500
Paramilitary forces: 5,000
Total military personnel: 272,500
Total population: 2,976,765
Fit-for-service: 1,366,335
Military strength score and world rank: 2.0373 – #90 out of 145

Armenia also has a total of 71 aircraft and 1,306 military vehicles (including 109 tanks and 100 MLRS units) at its disposal.

17. Singapore

Reserves: 252,500
Active personnel: 51,000
Paramilitary forces: 12,000
Total military personnel: 315,500
Total population: 6,028,459
Fit-for-service: 2,628,408
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5271 – #29 out of 145

Singapore also has a total of 230 aircraft, 8,998 military vehicles (including 170 tanks and 24 MLRS units), as well as 50 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

16. Kyrgyzstan

Reserves: 300,000
Active personnel: 23,000
Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Total military personnel: 378,000
Total population: 6,172,101
Fit-for-service: 2,487,357
Military strength score and world rank: 2.2543 – #105 out of 145

Kyrgyzstan also has a total of 7 aircraft and 2,686 military vehicles (including 215 tanks and 21 MLRS units) at its disposal.

15. Azerbaijan

Reserves: 300,000
Active personnel: 126,400
Paramilitary forces: 15,000
Total military personnel: 441,400
Total population: 10,650,239
Fit-for-service: 3,908,638
Military strength score and world rank: 1.2531 – #60 out of 145

Azerbaijan also has a total of 154 aircraft, 7,642 military vehicles (including 497 tanks and 268 MLRS units), as well as 38 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

14. Iran

Reserves: 350,000
Active personnel: 610,000
Paramilitary forces: 220,000
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

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.

13. Turkey

Reserves: 378,700
Active personnel: 355,200
Paramilitary forces: 150,000
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

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.

12. Indonesia

Reserves: 400,000
Active personnel: 400,000
Paramilitary forces: 250,000
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

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.

11. Israel

Reserves: 465,000
Active personnel: 170,000
Paramilitary forces: 35,000
Total military personnel: 670,000
Total population: 9,402,617
Fit-for-service: 3,281,513
Military strength score and world rank: 0.2661 – #15 out of 145

Israel also has a total of 611 aircraft, 35,985 military vehicles (including 1,300 tanks and 183 MLRS units), as well as 62 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

10. China

Reserves: 510,000
Active personnel: 2,035,000
Paramilitary forces: 625,000
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

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.

9. Pakistan

Reserves: 550,000
Active personnel: 654,000
Paramilitary forces: 500,000
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

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.

8. North Korea

North Korea artillery | Missiles on the background of the North Korean flag

Reserves: 560,000
Active personnel: 1,320,000
Paramilitary forces: 100,000
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

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.

7. Tajikistan

Reserves: 600,000
Active personnel: 9,500
Paramilitary forces: 20,000
Total military personnel: 629,500
Total population: 10,394,063
Fit-for-service: 3,773,045
Military strength score and world rank: 2.3049 – #108 out of 145

Tajikistan also has a total of 25 aircraft and 1,240 military vehicles (including 38 tanks and 20 MLRS units) at its disposal.

6. India

Reserves: 1,155,000
Active personnel: 1,455,550
Paramilitary forces: 2,527,000
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

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.

5. Philippines

Reserves: 1,200,000
Active personnel: 150,000
Paramilitary forces: 35,000
Total military personnel: 1,385,000
Total population: 118,277,063
Fit-for-service: 41,751,803
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6987 – #41 out of 145

The Philippines also has a total of 202 aircraft, 11,878 military vehicles (including 10 tanks), as well as 113 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

4. Russia

Reserves: 2,000,000
Active personnel: 1,320,000
Paramilitary forces: 250,000
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

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.

3. Taiwan

Reserves: 2,310,000
Active personnel: 215,000
Paramilitary forces: 55,000
Total military personnel: 2,580,000
Total population: 23,595,274
Fit-for-service: 1,061,787
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3988 – #22 out of 145

Taiwan also has a total of 761 aircraft, 19,921 military vehicles (including 888 tanks and 234 MLRS units), as well as 97 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.

2. South Korea

Reserves: 3,100,000
Active personnel: 600,000
Paramilitary forces: 120,000
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

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.

1. Vietnam

Vietnam flag on sky and cloud background. National symbols of Vietnam. Flag of Vietnam.

Reserves: 5,000,000
Active personnel: 600,000
Paramilitary forces: 250,000
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 – #23 out of 145

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.

The post This Asian Nation Has More Reserve Forces Than Almost All of NATO – and It’s Not China appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..