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Which would be the 5 most powerful militaries in the world?

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regardless, my pick of the top 5:

1. US
2. Russia
3. China
4. UK
5. Israel

some of the smaller countries need to be feared, b/c they don't seem to have any problems doing really nasty things, which can be quite demoralizing for an organized fighting force.
 
Originally posted by: XZeroII
I know that Iraq used to have the 3rd best military in the world back before Desert Storm.

I think you mean 3rd largest. They might have even been a problem if the U.S. dusted off all its surplus equipment from 1965 and then went to war with it.
 
Originally posted by: bsmithy
the UK SAS train the US Navy SEALS

says a lot 😉

"Says a lot"?....well, not really.

SEALS as well as other elite forces get training from MANY, MANY sources. Hand-to-hand martial arts instructors are even employed to supplement training. Still outside instruction is only a relative TOKEN amount compared with in-house training, which is already world class.

Training by various sources ensures the elite American forces stay on top as the most best specialty forces in the world.

 
Originally posted by: bernse
Originally posted by: bsmithy
the UK SAS train the US Navy SEALS

says a lot 😉

Bull. Navy SEALS train SEALS. There may be instructors from other forces (foreign or other branch) for some specialized training, but thats it. Everybody does that.

You're grossly overgeneralizing.
😕

read
 
Originally posted by: dr150
Originally posted by: bsmithy
the UK SAS train the US Navy SEALS

says a lot 😉

"Says a lot"?....well, not really.

SEALS as well as other elite forces get training from MANY, MANY sources. Hand-to-hand martial arts instructors are even employed to supplement training. Still outside instruction is only a relative TOKEN amount compared with in-house training, which is already world class.

Training by various sources ensures the elite American forces stay on top as the most best specialty forces in the world.

lol 😀
 
From reading that info it sounds like a different SAS (Special Activities Staff) that is a division of the CIA, not the British SAS.

Unless I am missing something.
 
1. United States of America

The US military is undoubtedly the most useful military institution. It is expansive, dominant, precise, powerful, and capable of projecting power globally, on multiple fronts. It is incredibly effective at compelling foreign polities to be more friendly and useful to the United States, and protects the American economy through global stability, and stability within key extraterritorial regions. Not only that, but it allows America to vanquish its adversaries without major casualties, enabling military intervention in extraterritorial, "detached," conflicts (Republicanism and Democracy are intrinsically opposed to the use of military force). Essentially, America can eliminate whoever it wants to, wherever it wants to, and without perilous attrition. The United States military is an institution that is instrumental in executing American interests.

2. Israel

The Israeli military is also a very beneficial institution. In fact, it is the single most beneficial Israeli institution, and the one organization that enables Israel to exist. It has proven itself, through multiple wars against superior opponents, to be among the most effective and efficient militaries. Its success and capabilities have resulted in formal recognition of Israel throughout the Arab world, and deter Arab aggression and invasion. Israel's military continues to provide an extensive array of services that (both actively and passively) it uses to advance its national interests - it's military is much more effective in this regard than any other country (except, perhaps, for America).

3. China

Although I list China here, it is more of a future tool than a current one. However, due to its ongoing reformation, and the extremely pragmatic goals it aims to achieve, it will probably become one of the most effective guardians of any nation's strategic interests. China is aiming to amass enough force by Taiwan to put serious pressure on the island, and in the future may have some success in utilizing it to benefit China. China has also recognized its future threats and competitors, and is shaping its military to counteract them. More specifically, it recognizes that the US will be a serious competitor, and potential adversary, in the future. In response, it is building an arsenal that includes many systems tailored towards penetrating American weak spots. China is building and reforming its military so that, in the near future, it will be an extremely effective tool for use in advancing the PRC's national interests.

4. Japan

The JSDF is the dark horse of the international military stage. It does not draw attention to itself, and yet is one of the most well equipped and well funded armed institutions in the world. It has a military outfitted with proven equipment that has been upgraded to be superior. It is well trained, and is extremely proficient at territorial defense. Existing in a region that is only tentatively stable (with China, America, and radical Islamism all fighting for supremacy, and the last vestige of militarist communism making ever bellicose threats) demands a strong military, which Japan has. But not only is Japan virtually impregnable (worthy alone to be on the list), but it has also begun to show a willingness to use its forces abroad, and become proactive on a global scale. This will surely translate into more martial use in promoting its national interests.

5. Iran

Iran has an often ignored defense establishment, so one may wonder why it deserves such major mention. Iran is a major sponsor of terrorism against the US, an "official" enemy of the US, and is engaged in war against America. It subverts American interests at every junction, and is one of the biggest impediments to the realization of American domestic and foreign security. Logically, it follows, America should eliminate Iran. However, Iran has a very impressive military for defending itself (and it's a very hard target to hit). Iran's military strength protects it from American invasion and heavy military retaliation. It's military, like Israel's, realizes the nation's ultimate moral purpose: advancing the interests of its citizens. However, unlike Israel's, it is not as proactive. Ergo, it is number five, and the IDF is number two. Regardless, Iran's military is one of the finest at advancing its national interests.

6. Britain

Britain has a well balanced, well funded, powerful military. It is capable of deploying force and projecting power to advance London's interests, and is more powerful than any force it will likely face. That said, it is certainly not the world's powerful. So why put it at number six? For political reasons. Because London is willing to employ the British military to advance its strategic interests, it makes the military that much more useful. The royal armed forces can be and are employed in defense of Britain, in offense against Britain's enemies, and to advance its national interests.

7. Australia

See above.

8. Singapore

Singapore is a small nation with a small military, true. However, they take their defense very seriously. See the comments about Japan to understand the gravity of their situation. Therefore, since they take defense so seriously, their military is very effective in promoting their national interests. It is efficient, well trained, and very capable of defending Singapore. This combination of efficiency and employment give it such a high spot - rightly or wrongly, Singapore believes that they need a (relatively) powerful military to defend their city-state, and it is extremely effective at doing so.

9. Pakistan

Pakistan has a powerful military, which they use (along with the ISI) to effectively control the region. Pakistan's military has been employed to good effect to advance its national interests, and thus earns a high spot.

10. Republic of Korea

The RoK has a strong military that is built around their most compelling national interest - to defeat a potential DPRK attack. Because the military satisfies this condition fairly well, they earn a spot on this list. However, due to political sentiments (that have begun to appear) that are apprehensive and opposed to using the military as a tool of advancing their national interests, South Korea's military is relegated to tenth.
 
Originally posted by: bsmithy
Originally posted by: bernse
Originally posted by: bsmithy
the UK SAS train the US Navy SEALS

says a lot 😉

Bull. Navy SEALS train SEALS. There may be instructors from other forces (foreign or other branch) for some specialized training, but thats it. Everybody does that.

You're grossly overgeneralizing.
😕

read
Um, did you even read what you linked?


It isn't the British SAS it's talking about genius.
 
Israel has an incredible Air Force, regardless of how mundane their ground units are. I would say that they would be #5 over France.
 
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Israel has an incredible Air Force, regardless of how mundane their ground units are. I would say that they would be #5 over France.

Given their level of training, and battle experience, I would put them well above france.
 
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Israel has an incredible Air Force, regardless of how mundane their ground units are. I would say that they would be #5 over France.

Frances Air Force > Israels


And that's saying something. Their Aircarft Industry is very healthy and makes some fantastic designs.
 
considering Israel has some 6 million people, France has a little over 60 million, Israel isn't doing too bad. 🙂 or maybe, the US isn't doing too bad for Israel.
 
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Israel has an incredible Air Force, regardless of how mundane their ground units are. I would say that they would be #5 over France.

I would say that France should easily be over Israel.

Israel may have better overall quality in some aspects, but France's overall quality and quantity would make them much more powerful, IMO.

Of course I have no facts or anything and could be completely wrong.
 
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Israel has an incredible Air Force, regardless of how mundane their ground units are. I would say that they would be #5 over France.

I would say that France should easily be over Israel.

Israel may have better overall quality in some aspects, but France's overall quality and quantity would make them much more powerful, IMO.

Of course I have no facts or anything and could be completely wrong.


In a drawn out war against Israel, France would win, if it threw itself into the "war machine" mode. Seeing as its GDP was $1.5 trillion last year, compared to Israel's $150 billion. In the long run there is no way Israel could compete w/o outside help.
 
ummm I can't believe how many people left out North Korea
North Korea > USA in terms of numbers.
 
Originally posted by: bernse
Originally posted by: DWW

North Korea > USA in terms of numbers.

USA is a monster compared to N. Korea in sheer numbers.

*edit*
Took out rude comment

Are you joking? Maybe in population but not comparatively in forces.
 
N Korea would get it ass kicked by the USA along as china didn't send in a couple billion people to get killed. N korea would be unable to supply it self in a war. They would lose air support in about 10 minutes and then the roads would be gone in another 24 hours.

A signal US carryer group could shutdown all NK military.
 
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