The United States Armed Forces have once again been named the most powerful army in the world according to the 2024 Global Firepower Index (GFI). The ranking, which evaluates military capacity based on factors such as arsenal, technology, training, and logistics, placed the United States at the top with a combat power index of 0.0699. In a close second, the Russian Armed Forces were ranked with an index of 0.0702.
In addition to the United States and Russia, the top five strongest armies in the world included China, India, and South Korea. The United Kingdom followed in sixth place, while Ukraine fell to the eighteenth position compared to the previous year.
The United States military maintains a significant presence globally with data from the American University of Washington in 2021 indicating the operation of 800 military bases in over 70 countries. However, other sources like Conflict Management and Peace Science estimate that there are 254 military bases with a deployment of 173 thousand American troops worldwide. The lack of transparency surrounding these bases makes it challenging to obtain precise figures.
These military installations play a crucial role in logistics, command and control, and support for various operations around the world, strategically positioned to ensure a rapid response to potential threats. The intricate network of US military bases underscores the country’s immense military expenditure, valued at approximately US$777 billion, and its position as the leading global military power.