This Country’s Tank Arsenal Has Everybody Worried – and for Good Reason

In 2023, the European Commission chose to fund an initiative known as FMBTech — Technologies for Existing and Future Main Battle Tanks (FMBTech) — for €19 million (approximately $21.6 million). This collaboration, which “incorporates a network of 26 entities from 14 nations, including 13 European Union (EU) members and Norway,” plans to upgrade main battle tanks and prepare them for more contemporary combat needs. Through this upgrade, main battle tanks should become more agile, adaptable, secure, and technologically advanced — and, of course, these tanks will also become more operationally efficient. Although the funding came in 2023, the initiative has just started. We’re not sure exactly when these upgraded fifth-generation main battle tanks will be ready. But regardless, it shows that the European Union is prioritizing a more defense-heavy and defense-ready focus. (Just how strong are Europe’s military forces?)

As beneficial as tanks are in defense, tanks can also be extremely helpful in combat scenarios. These armored vehicles provide heavy firepower, allow troops to penetrate farther into enemy territory, and are designed for various terrains. Here, 24/7 Wall St. decided to identify the largest tank militaries operating around the world. We sourced our data on current military vehicle holdings (tanks, artillery, and MLRS units) from Global Firepower’s 2025 Military Strength Ranking. Global Firepower’s comprehensive list evaluates 145 nations on a variety of factors ranging from air and landpower to finances and resources, using this to rank the nations on overall military power. The closer the strength ranking is to a perfect zero, the more powerful the military. In this case, we ranked each country on the total number of tanks. We also provided additional information, such as airpower and active-duty military personnel, sourced from Global Firepower.

This previously published article was updated in April 2025 to adjust Global Firepower rankings and to give an overview of current efforts to improve tank militaries across Europe. 

Why Are We Covering This?

Tanks have heavily influenced military doctrine since these armored vehicles were first introduced. Although tanks were less effective during World War I, World War II saw rapid tank development and heavy deployment. Countries like Russia made incredible use of their tanks marching west across Europe in World War II. The Allies used hundreds of M4 Sherman tanks to wage war successfully against German forces. Even Nazi Germany made full use of their tanks in North Africa during this time, developing many of the tactics that are seen in today’s tank warfare.

Tanks continue to be upgraded today, with several countries vying for supremacy in the armored vehicle field. Outside of the European Union’s efforts, the United Kingdom is working to upgrade its Challenger 2 main battle tanks “to the significantly improved Challenger 3 standard,” which may include enhanced armor, a laser warning system, and a Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore gun. As countries continue to prioritize upgrading and enhancing military vehicle fleets, knowing which countries are focusing on expanding their tank militaries specifically gives you an understanding of which countries are best positioned for conflict — and, possibly, which defense stocks you should be investing in.

These countries have the largest tank militaries in the world: 

27. Azerbaijan

• Total number of tanks: 497
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 848
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 268
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 7,642
• Active duty military personnel: 126,400 out of a total population of 10,650,239
• Total military aircraft: 154 (including 18 attack aircraft, 12 fighter aircraft, and 86 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 1.2531 – #60 out of 145

26. Belarus

• Total number of tanks: 507
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 572
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 206
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 6,916
• Active duty military personnel: 63,000 out fo a total population of 9,501,451
• Total military aircraft: 185 (including 50 attack aircraft, 36 fighter aircraft, and 68 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 1.3954 – #70 out of 145

25. Japan

• Total number of tanks: 521
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 629
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 54
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 31,964
• Active duty military personnel: 247,150 out of a total population of 123,201,945
• Total military aircraft: 1,443 (including 38 attack aircraft, 217 fighter aircraft, and 596 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.1839 – #8 out of 145

24. Poland

• Total number of tanks: 614
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 677
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 196
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 23,138
• Active duty military personnel: 202,100 out of a total population of 38,746,310
• Total military aircraft: 479 (including 44 attack aircraft, 59 fighter aircraft, and 216 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.3776 – #21 out of 145

23. Thailand

• Total number of tanks: 635
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 639
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 26
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 16,935
• Active duty military personnel: 360,850 out of a total population of 69,920,998
• Total military aircraft: 493 (including 20 attack aircraft, 72 fighter aircraft, and 258 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.4536 – #25 out of 145

22. Cambodia

• Total number of tanks: 644
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 460
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 463
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 3,627
• Active duty military personnel: 221,000 out of a total population of 17,063,669
• Total military aircraft: 25 (including 21 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 2.0752 – #95 out of 145

21. Turkmenistan

• Total number of tanks: 654
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 523
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 164
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 5,016
• Active duty military personnel: 36,500 out of a total population of 5,744,151
• Total military aircraft: 91 (including 27 attack aircraft, 24 fighter aircraft, and 26 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 1.6512 – #77 out of 145

20. Saudi Arabia

• Total number of tanks: 840
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 799
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 321
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 19,040
• Active duty military personnel: 257,000 out of a total population of 366,544,431
• Total military aircraft: 917 (including 81 attack aircraft, 283 fighter aircraft, and 264 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.4201 – #24 out of 145

19. Taiwan

• Total number of tanks: 888
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 1,848
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 234
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 19,921
• Active duty military personnel: 215,000 out of a total population of 23,595,274
• Total military aircraft: 761 (including 285 fighter aircraft and 236 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.3988 – #22 out of 145

18. Morocco

• Total number of tanks: 903
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 549
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 129
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 7,877
• Active duty military personnel: 195,800 out of a total population of 37,387,585
• Total military aircraft: 260 (including 83 fighter aircraft and 78 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 1.1273 – #59 out of 145

17. Iraq

• Total number of tanks: 1,025
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 1044
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 572
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 37,288
• Active duty military personnel: 193,000 out of a total population of 42,083,436
• Total military aircraft: 391 (including 36 attack aircraft, 26 fighter aircraft, and 197 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.7738 – #43 out of 145

16. Ukraine

• Total number of tanks: 1,114
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 1273
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 279
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 18,920
• Active duty military personnel: 900,000 out of a total population of 35,661,826
• Total military aircraft: 324 (including 36 attack aircraft, 70 fighter aircraft, and 136 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.3755 – #20 out of 145

15. Israel

• Total number of tanks: 1,300
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 523
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 183
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 35,985
• Active duty military personnel: 170,000 out of a total population of 9,402,617
• Total military aircraft: 611 (including 38 attack aircraft, 240 fighter aircraft, and 147 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.2661 – #15 out of 145

14. Greece

• Total number of tanks: 1,344
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 1287
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 152
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 61,888
• Active duty military personnel: 142,700 out of a total population of 10,461,091
• Total military aircraft: 558 (including 178 fighter aircraft and 293 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.5337 – #30 out of 145

13. Vietnam

• Total number of tanks: 1,374
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 575
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 474
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 11,912
• Active duty military personnel: 600,000 out of a total population of 105,758,975
• Total military aircraft: 246 (including 32 attack aircraft, 41 fighter aircraft, and 101 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.4024 – #23 out of 145

12. Jordan

• Total number of tanks: 1,458
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 438
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 56
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 16,624
• Active duty military personnel: 100,500 out of a total population of 11,174,024
• Total military aircraft: 274 (including 6 attack aircraft, 44 fighter aircraft, and 155 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 1.6139 – #75 out of 145

11. Algeria

• Total number of tanks: 1,485
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 707
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 266
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 26,000
• Active duty military personnel: 325,000 out of a total population of 47,022,473
• Total military aircraft: 608 (including 42 attack aircraft, 102 fighter aircraft, and 299 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.3589 – #26 out of 145

10. Iran

• Total number of tanks: 1,713
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,462
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 1,517
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 65,825
• Active duty military personnel: 610,000 out of a total population of 88,386,937
• Total military aircraft: 551 (including 21 attack aircraft, 188 fighter aircraft, and 128 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.3048 – #16 out of 145

9. South Korea

• Total number of tanks: 2,236
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 7,670
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 426
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 58,880
• Active duty military personnel: 600,000 out of a total population of 52,081,799
• Total military aircraft: 1,592 (including 98 attack aircraft, 315 fighter aircraft, and 807 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.1656 – #5 out of 145

8. Turkiye

• Total number of tanks: 2,238
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,745
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 296
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 61,173
• Active duty military personnel: 355,200 out of a total population of 84,119,531
• Total military aircraft: 1,083 (including 201 fighter aircraft and 508 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.1902 – #9 out of 145

7. Pakistan

• Total number of tanks: 2,627
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 3,291
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 600
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 17,516
• Active duty military personnel: 654,000 out of a total population of 252,363,571
• Total military aircraft: 1,399 (including 90 attack aircraft, 328 fighter aircraft, and 373 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.2513 – #12 out of 145

6. Egypt

• Total number of tanks: 3,620
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,018
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 528
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 41,012
• Active duty military personnel: 440,000 out of a total population of 111,247,248
• Total military aircraft: 1,093 (including 90 attack aircraft, 238 fighter aircraft, and 348 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.3427 – #19 out of 145

5. India

• Total number of tanks: 4,201
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 4,075
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 264
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 148,594
• Active duty military personnel: 1,455,550 out of a total population of 1,409,128,296
• Total military aircraft: 2,229 (including 130 attack aircraft, 513 fighter aircraft, and 899 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.1184 – #4 out of 145

4. North Korea

• Total number of tanks: 4,344
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 2,000
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 1,500
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 18,288
• Active duty military personnel: 1,320,000 out of a total population of 26,298,666
• Total military aircraft: 861 (including 114 attack aircraft, 368 fighter aircraft, and 205 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.6016 – #34 out of 145

3. United States

• Total number of tanks: 4,640
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 1,883
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 641
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 391,963
• Active duty military personnel: 1,328,000 out of a total population of 341,963,408
• Total military aircraft: 13,043 (including 889 attack aircraft, 1,790 fighter aircraft, and 5,843 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.0744 – #1 out of 145

2. Russia

• Total number of tanks: 5,750
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 13,673
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 3,005
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 131,527
• Active duty military personnel: 1,320,000 out of a total population of 140,820,810
• Total military aircraft: 4,292 (including 689 attack aircraft, 833 fighter aircraft, and 1,651 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.0788 – #2 out of 145

1. China

• Total number of tanks: 6,800
• Total count of artillery (self propelled and towed): 4,490
• Total inventory of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS): 2,750
• Total military vehicles currently in active service: 144,017
• Active duty military personnel: 2,035,000 out of a total population of 1,415,043,270
• Total military aircraft: 3,309 (including 371 attack aircraft, 1,212 fighter aircraft, and 913 helicopters)
• Military strength score: 0.0788 – #3 out of 145

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