The latest Global Firepower Military Index for 2026 has been released, providing an assessment of the military strength of 145 nations worldwide. This comprehensive ranking considers over 60 factors, including the number of troops, tanks, fighter jets, naval assets, and defense budgets of each country.
India maintains its strong position, ranking as the fourth most powerful military force globally in the 2026 index.
Notable Shifts in Military Rankings
Significant changes were observed in the 2026 Global Firepower Military Index, particularly concerning Germany and Pakistan. Germany, identified as an adversary of Moscow, demonstrated a substantial improvement, ascending to the 12th position. This marks a notable climb from its 19th rank in 2024 and 18th in 2025.
Conversely, Pakistan’s military standing has declined further. The nation, which was ranked 9th in 2024 and 12th in 2025, now stands at the 14th position. This deterioration in ranking is attributed to “Operation Sindoor,” launched by India, which involved missile and air strikes against Pakistan’s air defense systems and bases, resulting in damage and a subsequent drop in its global standing.
Russia remains consistently strong, securing the second position in the 2026 index, despite ongoing conflicts.
Global Top Military Powers and Other Movements
The Global Firepower Military Index 2026 reaffirms the United States as the world’s leading military power. Following the US, Russia holds the second spot, and China secures the third position, largely due to its ongoing military modernization efforts. India and South Korea complete the top five.
The top 10 military powers according to the 2026 index are:
- 1. United States
- 2. Russia
- 3. China
- 4. India
- 5. South Korea
- 6. France
- 7. Japan
- 8. United Kingdom
- 9. Turkey
- 10. Italy
Further analysis of the rankings shows France’s improved standing, moving to sixth place in 2026 from seventh in 2025 and eleventh in 2024. Japan also advanced by one position, now ranked seventh. The United Kingdom experienced a decline, dropping to eighth place, a decrease from its sixth position two years prior.
