The Strongest militaries in the Muslim world

Everyone, hold your hookah pipes!

Pakistan IS #1. Duck.AI says so:

User prompt 2 of 2 - 6/25/2025, 7:13:49 PM:
What are the top 5 Muslim militaries by country?

GPT-4o mini:
As of 2025, the top five Muslim militaries by country, based on their military strength and capabilities, are:

1. **Pakistan**
- **Global Rank**: 12th
- **Military Personnel**: Approximately 1.7 million (active and reserve)
- **Notable Features**: Pakistan has the largest military in the Muslim world and is a nuclear power, which significantly enhances its military standing.

2. **Turkey (Türkiye)**
- **Global Rank**: 9th
- **Military Personnel**: Around 600,000 active personnel
- **Notable Features**: Turkey has a highly advanced military and plays a crucial role in NATO, contributing to its strategic military capabilities.

3. **Indonesia**
- **Global Rank**: 13th
- **Military Personnel**: Approximately 1.05 million (active and reserve)
- **Notable Features**: Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country and has a significant military presence in Southeast Asia.

4. **Iran**
- **Global Rank**: 14th
- **Military Personnel**: Estimated at around 1.5 million (including active and reserve)
- **Notable Features**: Iran has a robust military infrastructure and is known for its regional influence and capabilities.

5. **Egypt**
- **Global Rank**: 15th
- **Military Personnel**: Approximately 1.3 million (active and reserve)
- **Notable Features**: Egypt has a long-standing military tradition and is a key player in North Africa and the Middle East.

These rankings reflect a combination of factors, including the size of the military, technological advancements, and strategic capabilities.
 
tower9 said:
In this thread we give our ranking of the strongest Muslim militaries. My top 10.

1. Pakistan - By far. Not even contested.

2. Turkey

3. Iran

4. Egypt

5. KSA

6. Indonesia

7. Azerbaijan

8. UAE

9. Yemen

10. Malaysia
Click to expand...

Turkey 1st if exclude nuclear.

Turkey is much ahead overall in conventional military power, technology, and defense autonomy compared to Pakistan and others
 
You can't discount the ultra high technology based Saudi and massive wealth in top.three

And some Pakistanis won't like this but economic and financially Pakistan cannot fight a conventional war beyond ten to 14 days without massive chinease aid
Saudi can pour billions monthly endlessly
This matters but they lack Man power were Pakistan is king
 
harpy1 said:
You can't discount the ultra high technology based Saudi and massive wealth in top.three

And some Pakistanis won't like this but economic and financially Pakistan cannot fight a conventional war beyond ten to 14 days without massive chinease aid
Saudi can pour billions monthly endlessly
This matters but they lack Man power were Pakistan is king
Click to expand...
Saudi isn’t anywhere because their own population has got used to life of luxury and disproportionate salary to work ratio.

There is a saying that “the heaviest thing a Saudi soldier lifts is his paycheque”, says it all about the mindset they might have.
 
I have question as lots of you ranking Pakistan and second to Turkey and they are much better equipped conventionally and western NATO trained

My question is would Pakistan have done better against Israel and USA if they are in same position

Gangsta thinks India is poor military not well trained and poor bench mark yet these Indiand hit ten air bases with ease

Now the Israelis in particular would find it cake walk surely

So Iran did well imo and used their own arsenal of weapons not Chinese or imports surely that ranks Iran very high too
 
Although this thread is about Ranking of only Muslim nations, DeepSeek has this to say about overall rankings. Pakistan and Turkey are mentioned as potential contenders but Pakistan looses out due to economic reasons.

**. Below is a refined breakdown with additional insights and corrections where necessary:

### **Top 10 Military Powers in 2025 (Based on GFP PowerIndex)**
*(Lower PowerIndex = Stronger Military)*

#### **1. United States (PowerIndex: 0.0712)**
- **Strengths:**
- **Largest defense budget** (~$849B in 2025), funding **cutting-edge tech** (6th-gen fighters, AI-driven warfare, hypersonic missiles).
- **Global force projection**: 11 aircraft carriers (more than all other nations combined), 750+ overseas bases.
- **Dominance in all domains**: Air (F-35, B-21 Raider), Space (Space Force), Cyber (USCYBERCOM), and Naval (Virginia-class subs, Ford-class carriers).
- **Nuclear triad** (ICBMs, bombers, submarines) with **5,550 warheads** (second-largest stockpile).

#### **2. Russia (PowerIndex: 0.0788)**
- **Strengths:**
- **Largest nuclear arsenal** (~5,977 warheads), including **hypersonic missiles** (Avangard, Kinzhal).
- **Massive armored forces**: 12,000+ tanks (T-14 Armata), 30,000+ armored vehicles.
- **Expanding influence**: Wagner Group operations in Africa, Arctic militarization, and electronic warfare prowess.
- **Weaknesses:**
- **Sanctions impact**: Limited budget (~$86B) restricts modernization; heavy losses in Ukraine.

#### **3. China (PowerIndex: 0.0788 – tied with Russia)**
- **Strengths:**
- **World’s largest navy** (777 ships, including Type 055 destroyers, 3rd aircraft carrier).
- **Hypersonic & AI advancements**: DF-17, J-20 stealth fighters, and growing space capabilities.
- **Expanding global bases** (Djibouti, potential in Solomon Islands).
- **Weaknesses:**
- **Lack of combat experience** vs. US/NATO.
- **Taiwan contingency risks** overextension.

#### **4. India (PowerIndex: 0.1025)**
- **Strengths:**
- **2nd-largest active army** (1.45M troops) + **nuclear triad** (Agni-V ICBMs, Arihant-class subs).
- **Indigenous production**: Tejas jets, Vikrant carrier, BrahMos missiles.
- **Strategic location**: Dominates Indian Ocean with Andaman & Nicobar bases.
- **Weaknesses:**
- **Dependence on imports** (Russia, Israel, France).
- **Budget constraints** (~$75B) vs. China.

#### **5. South Korea (PowerIndex: ~0.1505)**
- **Strengths:**
- **High-tech military**: KF-21 stealth fighters, THAAD missile defense.
- **Massive artillery & reserves** (3M personnel) for North Korea deterrence.
- **US alliance**: Joint drills, intel-sharing.

#### **6. United Kingdom (PowerIndex: ~0.1435)**
- **Strengths:**
- **Power projection**: Queen Elizabeth-class carriers + F-35Bs.
- **Nuclear deterrent**: Trident submarines.
- **Elite special forces** (SAS) and cyber warfare (GCHQ).

#### **7. France (PowerIndex: ~0.1848)**
- **Strengths:**
- **Expeditionary force**: Rafale jets, Charles de Gaulle carrier.
- **Nuclear arsenal** (~290 warheads).
- **African influence** (Barkhane ops, Sahel counterterrorism).

#### **8. Japan (PowerIndex: ~0.1711)**
- **Strengths:**
- **Modern navy** (Izumo-class "helicopter destroyers," Aegis ships).
- **US-backed missile defense** vs. China/North Korea.
- **Increasing budget** (~$55B) for counterstrike capabilities.

#### **9. Germany (PowerIndex: ~0.1900)**
- **Strengths:**
- **NATO’s European backbone**: Leopard 2 tanks, Eurofighter jets.
- **Cyber/space investments**.
- **Weaknesses:**
- **Historical underfunding** (now increasing post-Ukraine war).

#### **10. Italy (PowerIndex: ~0.1973)**
- **Strengths:**
- **Navy power**: Cavour carrier, F-35Bs.
- **EU/NATO contributor** (peacekeeping, Mediterranean security).

---

### **Key Observations for 2025:**
1. **US Dominance Unmatched**: Even with China/Russia closing gaps in hypersonics and nukes, US **alliances (NATO, Quad, AUKUS)** and **tech edge** keep it #1.
2. **China’s Asymmetric Rise**: Focus on **anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD)** to counter US in the Pacific.
3. **India’s Growth**: Overtaking UK/France due to **sheer manpower** and **local production**.
4. **Wildcards**:
- **Turkey** (not in top 10 but rising with drone warfare, Bayraktar TB2).
- **Pakistan** (nuclear-armed but economic crises limit conventional strength).

### **Debatable Points:**
- **Russia’s Ranking**: Heavy losses in Ukraine may drop it below China by 2025.
- **South Korea vs. UK/France**: GFP prioritizes readiness, giving SK an edge over European powers with smaller active forces.

This list reflects **conventional warfare capacity**. If **nuclear capabilities** were weighted more heavily, Russia might tie the US for #1. However, GFP’s holistic approach keeps the US firmly on top.
 
PAK is #1 for sure, both nukes and conventional.

Regards
 
Pointless analysis, fit for tik tok shorts for kids, as someone already stated.

Firstly, these militaries have non-muslims in them and secondly, none of them represent a "Muslim nation" because no such nation state exists.

For example, in Pakistan, as per the vision of Quaid e Azam, we will gladly protect Pakistani hindus from any nefarious designs of Indian muslims, by all means necessary. That tells you all that you need to know.
 
tower9 said:
In this thread we give our ranking of the strongest Muslim militaries. My top 10.

1. Pakistan - By far. Not even contested.

2. Turkey

3. Iran

4. Egypt

5. KSA

6. Indonesia

7. Azerbaijan

8. UAE

9. Yemen

10. Malaysia
Click to expand...
There is only two Islamic militaries
Afghanistan
Yemen
Rest are secular.
 
tower9 said:
Iran has slid down the rankings. Two years ago they would’ve been a solid number two but since then their proxies have been destroyed and now they have been bloodied by this conflict. Their airforce is also non existent. But they do have a powerful missile force.
Click to expand...

One thing that should be taken into account is national resilience, which countries have greater resources to sustain itself in a long drawn war. From that respect Iran and Indonesia should be ahead of Pakistan and Turkey.
 
Last edited:
Blain2 said:
Turkey needs its own nuclear wherewithal. If they haven't seen the writing on the wall, it spells disaster for them. Reliance on NATO is a joke. This alliance will never show up for Turkey. Turkey will never fight Russia or China (the alliance is now being primed for use against China).
More realistically, imagine things getting hot between Turkey and Israel over Syria. Where will the no-shows from NATO stand? On Israel's side (a non-NATO member) without a doubt.
Click to expand...

NATO won't even show up in a war between Turkey and Israel for sure. Question is how will Turkey reject fighting on NATO's side to fight against Russia or China, they are treat bound.
 
Pakistan Space Agency said:
Where does that massive Saudi defence budget of around $80 billion a year go? They have no nuclear weapons program, no ballistic missiles arsenal and I don't know know whether they even have a navy.
Click to expand...

Salaries and benefits maybe, a Royal family always needs to keep the military happy. Also huge amounts of super expensive weapons.
 
Psyko70 said:
Guys
  1. Pakistan
  2. Turkey
  3. Egypt
  4. Algeria
  5. KSA
  6. Uae

Dont know much others.

Algeria was a shock to me when I checked there army and navy. 21 billion dollars military budget. Algeria is stealth army no one knows much about it until you check it.

They have

  1. 6 submarines
  2. 9 frigates
  3. missile boats.
  4. 9000 ton amphibious assault ship for heli and drones in future

  1. In army 300 bmp terminator 2s
  2. 600 t90s
  3. other tanks in 100s. T72 m2
  4. Pantsir s1 more than 100s

  1. Mig29 35
  2. 80 su 30mki and su 35 combined 😲
  3. Su 57e rumored order
  4. 140 mi 17 helis
  5. 35 mi 24s
  6. 40 mi 28

  1. 9 regiments of s400
  2. 9 regiments of s300
  3. 8 systems of hq9b
  4. Bum system
  5. Tor system
Click to expand...

Yeah, they are strong. Except that all their russian fighter jets are useless.
 
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