These Are The Countries With The Most Main Battle Tanks Today

Since the advent of mechanized warfare in World War I, tanks have become a pivotal element in modern warfare. As per a 2020 evaluation by British military consultant Nicholas Drummond, the global tank count stands at approximately 73,000, encompassing 20,000 in storage and 10,000 that underwent modernization post-2010.

To identify nations with the most substantial tank presence, data has been analyzed from the defense statistics site GlobalFirepower’s Combat Tank Fleet Strength by Country (2023) dataset, covering information on military forces from 145 countries. The ranking focused on countries boasting a minimum of 1,000 tanks in service.

Russia currently holds the largest tank fleet, boasting nearly 12,600 tanks, a stark contrast to Ukraine’s modest inventory of 1,890 tanks.  Other major tank arsenals include North Korea, with 6,645 tanks, the United States, with 5,500 tanks, and China, with 4,950 tanks.

Despite not having the most extensive tank fleet, the U.S. claims the world’s largest air force. While advanced battle tanks exhibit superior capabilities, the sustained threat posed by a significant number of older tanks, such as the T-72, remains evident, exemplified by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Here are the countries with their respective tank statistics:

1. Russia
   Number of tanks: 12,566
   Examples of tanks used: T-72, T-80, T-90
   Active-duty military personnel: 830,900
   Military spending, 2021: $65,908 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 4.1%

2. North Korea
   Number of tanks: 6,645
   Examples of tanks used: M2020, Songun-915
   Active-duty military personnel: 1,200,000
   Military spending, 2021: N/A
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: N/A

3. United States
   Number of tanks: 5,500
   Examples of tanks used: M1 Abrams
   Active-duty military personnel: 1,390,000
   Military spending, 2021: $800,672 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 3.5%

4. China
   Number of tanks: 4,950
   Examples of tanks used: Type 99, Type 96, Type 90
   Active-duty military personnel: 2,000,000
   Military spending, 2021: $293,352 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 1.7%

5. Egypt
   Number of tanks: 4,664
   Examples of tanks used: Ramses II, M1A1, T-90MS
   Active-duty military personnel: 440,000
   Military spending, 2021: $5,165 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 1.3%

6. India
   Number of tanks: 4,614
   Examples of tanks used: T-72, T-90, Arjun
   Active-duty military personnel: 1,450,000
   Military spending, 2021: $76,598 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 2.7%

7. Iran
   Number of tanks: 4,071
   Examples of tanks used: The Karrar, Zulfiqar MBT 3, Mobarez
   Active-duty military personnel: 575,000
   Military spending, 2021: $24,589 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 2.3%

8. Pakistan
   Number of tanks: 3,742
   Examples of tanks used: Al-Khalid, Al Zarrar, T-80, Type 85
   Active-duty military personnel: 654,000
   Military spending, 2021: $11,305 billion
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 3.8%

9. Syria
   Number of tanks: 2,616
   Examples of tanks used: T-62, T-72, T-55, T-90
   Active-duty military personnel: 100,000
   Military spending, 2021: N/A
   Military spending as a percentage of GDP: N/A

10. South Korea
    Number of tanks: 2,331
    Examples of tanks used: M48 Patton, K1, K1A1
    Active-duty military personnel: 555,000
    Military spending, 2021: $50,227 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 2.8%
11. Turkey
    Number of tanks: 2,229
    Examples of tanks used: Altay, Leopard 1, Leopard 2, M60 Patton
    Active-duty military personnel: 425,000
    Military spending, 2021: $15,479 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 2.1%
12. Israel
    Number of tanks: 2,200
    Examples of tanks used: Magach, M4 Sherman, AMX-13
    Active-duty military personnel: 173,000
    Military spending, 2021: $24,341 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 5.2%
13. Ukraine
    Number of tanks: 1,890
    Examples of tanks used: T-72, Leopard 2, M1 Abrams
    Active-duty military personnel: 200,000
    Military spending, 2021: $5,943 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 3.2%
14. Vietnam
    Number of tanks: 1,829
    Examples of tanks used: T-72, T-62
    Active-duty military personnel: 470,000
    Military spending, 2021: N/A
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: N/A
15. Morocco
    Number of tanks: 1,761
    Examples of tanks used: T-72B, M1A2, M60 Patton
    Active-duty military personnel: 200,000
    Military spending, 2021: $5,378 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 4.2%
16. Eritrea
    Number of tanks: 1,756
    Examples of tanks used: T-55A/AM2, T-62
    Active-duty military personnel: 175,000
    Military spending, 2021: N/A
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: N/A
17. Algeria
    Number of tanks: 1,700
    Examples of tanks used: T-90, T-72
    Active-duty military personnel: 130,000
    Military spending, 2021: $9,112 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 5.6%
18. Jordan
    Number of tanks: 1,588
    Examples of tanks used: Leclerc, M60A3 Patton
    Active-duty military personnel: 90,000
    Military spending, 2021: $2,177 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 5.0%
19. Greece
    Number of tanks: 1,365
    Examples of tanks used: Leopard 1, Leopard 2
    Active-duty military personnel: 130,000
    Military spending, 2021: $8,080 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 3.9%
20. Saudi Arabia
    Number of tanks: 1,273
    Examples of tanks used: M1A2, AMX-30, M60A3
    Active-duty military personnel: 225,000
    Military spending, 2021: $55,564 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 6.6%
21. Cuba
    Number of tanks: 1,230
    Examples of tanks used: T-55M, T-62M
    Active-duty military personnel: 50,000
    Military spending, 2021: N/A
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: N/A
22. Taiwan
    Number of tanks: 1,012
    Examples of tanks used: CM-32, CM-11 Brave Tiger
    Active-duty military personnel: 170,000
    Military spending, 2021: $12,958 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 1.7%
23. Japan
    Number of tanks: 1,004
    Examples of tanks used: Type 90 Tank, Type 10 Tank
    Active-duty military personnel: 240,000
    Military spending, 2021: $54,124 billion
    Military spending as a percentage of GDP: 1.1%

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