India in Global Firepower Index 2025: India has reached a major milestone by securing the 4th position in the Global Firepower Index 2025, proving its strong military power. This index ranks countries based on over 60 factors which includes land, sea, and air capabilities. It measures how prepared a country is for war using conventional methods.
The US continues to hold the top spot, followed by Russia and China, with India just behind them in 4th place. Pakistan, which was ranked 9th in 2024, has now fallen to 12th place, showing a decline in its military strength as well as the development of the country.
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Top 10 Strongest Militaries in the World
- United States
- Russia
- China
- India
- South Korea
- United Kingdom
- France
- Japan
- Turkey
- Italy
India’s ranking highlights its progress in defense, as the country has been focusing on modernizing its military and increasing self-sufficiency in weapons production. Over the past year, India has made significant strides in strengthening its army, air force, and navy. The country has not only improved its firepower but has also built stronger international partnerships.
Achievements of India in defence domain
In 2024, India saw major advancements in defense, including the production and export of locally made military equipment, important agreements for advanced drones, and the launch of new surveillance satellites. It also strengthened military ties with the US, France, and Spain. Several new warships and aircraft were added to the forces, further boosting India’s defense capabilities.
India’s army remains one of the largest in the world, with 1.45 million active soldiers, 1.15 million reserve troops, and over 2.5 million paramilitary forces. The army is well-equipped with powerful weapons, including T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks, BrahMos missiles, and the Pinaka rocket system.
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The Indian Air Force is also one of the strongest, with a total of 2,229 aircraft. This includes 600 fighter jets like the Rafale and Su-30MKI, 899 helicopters, and 831 other support aircraft. The air force has also introduced new missile systems such as Astra, Rudram, Nirbhay, and BrahMos, increasing its ability to respond to threats.
The Indian Navy is growing rapidly, with 142,251 personnel and a fleet of 150 warships and submarines. It operates powerful aircraft carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, nuclear submarines, and P-8i maritime surveillance aircraft. More than 50 new naval vessels are currently under construction to further strengthen the navy.
According to Forbes, India was ranked 12th in most powerful countries in the world
Apart from military strength, India is also one of the world’s strongest economies. It ranks 5th in global GDP, behind the US, China, Germany, and Japan. With these continuous improvements, India is proving itself as a military and economic powerhouse,
