United States vs Russia: Which Superpower Is Really More Dominant?

Comparing the military might of the United States and Russia has long been a topic of serious speculation, with each nation possessing some of the largest and most advanced armed forces in the world. Both are known for having the largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons and the most advanced aircraft in the world. These are […] The post United States vs Russia: Which Superpower Is Really More Dominant? appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Mar 29, 2025 - 13:49

United States vs Russia: Which Superpower Is Really More Dominant?

Comparing the military might of the United States and Russia has long been a topic of serious speculation, with each nation possessing some of the largest and most advanced armed forces in the world. Both are known for having the largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons and the most advanced aircraft in the world. These are just a couple of ways that these two nations compare on the military front. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at how these countries match up across multiple sectors ranging from military prowess to economic strength.

To compare the United States and Russia, 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 included multiple factors in the comparison across different fields ranging from economics, land power, air power, and naval power, as well as a few others to give a full picture to how these countries measure up.

Here is a look at how the United States and Russia compare on these fronts:

Why Are We Covering This?

Arkansas+military | Good morning [Image 6 of 8]

In this rapidly evolving world, the comparison of military power between countries serves as a measure of global stability. This analysis is important not just for understanding each nation’s defense capabilities, but also should an offensive conflict arise. While superpowers like the United States, China, and Russia dominate headlines with their military resources, other nations also play important roles in regional security dynamics and geopolitical relations. This analysis seeks to understand these countries from a base level of assets, resources, manpower, and economics.

United States Military Strength

>Strength score: 0.0744
Global strength rank: #1 out of 145

Russia Military Strength

Russia military | Close up hands russian soldier man dressed military camouflage uniform holds weapon in woodland at soldiers background. Male border guard in country border holding machine gun on war. Copy text space

>Strength score: 0.0788
Global strength rank: #2 out of 145

United States Financials

Purchasing power parity: $24,662,000,000,000
Foreign exchange reserves and gold: $773,426,000,000
Defense budget: $895,000,000,000 – #1 out of 145
External debt: 22,303,546,100,000

Russia Financials

Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier in Tver Oblast, Portrait from Russia 100 Roubles 2022 Banknotes.

Purchasing power parity: $5,816,000,000,000
Foreign exchange reserves and gold: $597,217,000,000
Defense budget: $126,000,000,000 – #3 out of 145
External debt: 317,650,500,000

United States Population

American flag blended with the United States Constitution for use as a symbol of laws, freedom and separation of government powers.

Total population: 341,963,408
Population reaching military age: 4,445,524
Population fit-for-service: 124,816,644

Russia Population

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia

Total population: 140,820,810
Population reaching military age: 1,267,387
Population fit-for-service: 46,189,226

United States Manpower

Active personnel: 1,328,000
Air Force personnel: 701,319
Army personnel: 1,403,200
Navy personnel: 667,108
Reserve personnel: 799,500
Paramilitary forces: 0
Total military personnel: 2,127,500

Russia Manpower

Active personnel: 1,320,000
Air Force personnel: 165,000
Army personnel: 550,000
Navy personnel: 160,000
Reserve personnel: 2,000,000
Paramilitary forces: 250,000
Total military personnel: 3,570,000

United States Air Power

Total aircraft: 13,043
Fighter aircraft: 1,790
Attack aircraft: 889
Transport aircraft: 918
Special-mission aircraft: 647
Tanker aircraft: 605
Trainer aircraft: 2,647
Helicopters: 5,843
Attack helicopters: 1,002

Russia Air Power

Total aircraft: 4,292
Fighter aircraft: 833
Attack aircraft: 689
Transport aircraft: 456
Special-mission aircraft: 141
Tanker aircraft: 19
Trainer aircraft: 611
Helicopters: 1,651
Attack helicopters: 557

United States Land Forces

Total military vehicles: 391,963
Tanks: 4,640
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 641
Self-propelled artillery: 671
Towed artillery: 1,212
Total artillery: 1,883

Russia Land Forces

Total military vehicles: 131,527
Tanks: 5,750
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 3,005
Self-propelled artillery: 5,168
Towed artillery: 8,505
Total artillery: 13,673

United States Naval Forces

Moored warships on the background of the American flag. American fleet. Naval forces of the United States. The Navy of America. Equipment of the American army. Protecting America's water borders.