2023 Taiwan Military Strength (2024)

For 2023, Taiwan is ranked 23 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.3639 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). This entry last reviewed on 04/23/2023.

*PwrIndx: Each nation is assessed on individual and collective values processed through an in-house formula to generate its 'PwrIndx' (Power Index) score. Some values are estimated when official numbers are not available. View the NOTES tab below for a detailed breakdown of other assessments.

Notes:
The national security of Taiwan will depend heavily on the reaction of the United States should China move militarily on the island nation. View the inventory breakdown of Taiwan at Warpower:Taiwan.

Breakdown

NOTES:
The polar area chart above is intended to show relative inherent strengths and weakness at-a-glance; balance is prefered though not always achievable.
1) Manpower encompasses Active, Reserve, and any official Paramilitary forces identified for the nation; personnel from each branch of service is included.
2) Airpower includes war-making aerial systems, excluding trainers and drones.
3) Land Power includes motorized / mechanized vehicular elements as well as towed artillery and mechanized / towed MLRS systems.
4) Naval Power includes commissioned hulls ranging from Blue Water warships and submarines to Brown Water patrol assets (excluded for land-locked powers).
5) Financials average current financial health on the world stage.
6) Scores are an average of related categories in the GFP annual ranking.

Taiwan is ranked 23 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual Global Firepower review. The nation holds a Power Index score of 0.3639 with a score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional in the GFP assessment.

This country is a Top 10 financial power according to its global standing in key categories.

Lacking shared borders with any regional neighbor, this country is considered an island nation.

Population
57/ 145

Avail.Manpwr
49/ 145

Fit-for-Serv
129/ 145

Mil.Age.Annu
65/ 145

Active Persn
31/ 145

Rez.Persn
1/ 145

Paramil.Persn
44/ 145

Aircraft
14/ 145

Fighters
8/ 145

Attack Types
145/ 145

Transports
32/ 145

Trainers
12/ 145

Spl.Mission
17/ 145

Tankers
145/ 145

Helicopters
20/ 145

Attack Helos
8/ 145

Tanks
22/ 145

Vehicles
23/ 145

Artillery (SP)
22/ 145

Art.(Towed)
11/ 145

MLRS
35/ 145

Ships
27/ 145

AC Carriers
145/ 145

Helo.Carriers
145/ 145

Destroyers
10/ 145

Frigates
2/ 145

Corvettes
13/ 145

Submarines
17/ 145

Offsh.Patrol
20/ 145

Mine Warfare
8/ 145

Oil Prod
85/ 145

Oil Consump
94/ 145

Oil Rez.Proven
78/ 145

Nat.Gas Prod
72/ 145

NatGas Cons
73/ 145

NatGas Rez
78/ 145

Coal Prod
34/ 145

Coal Consump
101/ 145

Coal Rez.Prvn
77/ 145

Labor Force
47/ 145

Merch.Marines
37/ 145

Major Ports
15/ 145

Roadways
87/ 145

Railways
82/ 145

Airports
88/ 145

Def.Budget
20/ 145

Ext.Debt
81/ 145

Foreign Rez
5/ 145

Purch.Power
22/ 145

Sq.Land Area
128/ 145

Coastline
51/ 145

Waterways
29/ 145

Excellent

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

GENERAL CAPABILITIES
Theoretical, automatically generated based on supplied values.

National Defense

Guerilla/Asymmetric Warfare

Airspace Defense

Tactical Reach

Battlefield Support

Anti-Armor

Armored Warfare

Internal Security

Land Convoy Protection

Indirect Fire Support

Naval Warfare

Naval Convoy Protection

Waterway Denial

Submarine Hunting

Global Trade

Capital City: Taipei

Population: 2,754,000

AVERAGE TEMPS / PRECIPITATION

JAN
62F

FEB
63F

MAR
66F

APR
73F

MAY
78F

JUN
83F

JUL
86F

AUG
85F

SEP
82F

OCT
77F

NOV
71F

DEC
65F

Showcased as average temperatures (F) found across a given country's capital city over a twelve-month calendar period (January-December). Colors represent cooler-to-warmer temperatures depending on time of year. Average monthly precipitation chances (0% to 100%) are show as green stripes under temperature values (brighter green = higher chance of precipitation).

The act of waging (and sustaining) a prolonged conflict requires a massive financial commitment from all parties involved. As such, GFP focuses on a select group of financially-related categories showcased below.

22/145

Purchasing Power Parity:
$1,145,277,000,000 USD

5/145

Foreign Exchange/Gold:
$456,700,000,000 USD

20/145

Defense Budget:
$18,310,000,000 USD

81/145

External Debt:
$190,000,000,000 USD

All monetary values presented in United States Dollar (USD$).

Total Assets:
117

145/145

Aircraft Carriers:
0

145/145

Helicopter Carriers:
0

10/145

Destroyers:
4

2/145

Frigates:
22

13/145

Corvettes:
2

17/145

Submarines:
4

20/145

Patrol Vessels:
43

8/145

Mine Warfare:
14

Inventory Composition:
Hover over the pie slices in the chart below for more details.

For an in-depth overview of current leading naval powers of the world, including active inventories and strengths, consult the World Directory of Modern Military Warships (www.WDMMW.org).

GFP Hull Classifications:
GlobalFirepower.com (GFP) takes a rather conventional approach to hull classifications regarding per-country naval assets. Below are descriptions of each type considered:

Aircraft Carriers
These are either conventional- or nuclear-powered forms showcasing an expansive flight deck with hangar elevators for access. This surface is used for the launching and retrieval of fixed-wing aircraft (as a primary function) and rotorcraft (as a secondary function). In modern navies, Aircraft Carriers represent the flagship of the fleet, making them vital assets. Only a few select nations maintain an aircraft carrier as part of their surface fleet.

Helicopter Carriers
The Helicopter Carrier primarily supports rotorcraft and may offer facilities for the operation of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) fixed-wing aircraft such as the F-35 and AV-8B 'jump jets'. These vessels are typically dimensionally smaller when compared to their Aircraft Carrier brethren. Provision for operating UAVs may also be seen in these vessel types.

Destroyers
Destroyers are the largest named, non-carrier ship type in modern fleets (not including Cruisers which are used by only a few powers). They are powerful, multi-mission oriented hulls with a broad array of sensors, processing systems, and weaponry and can support one or more rotorcraft from their included flight deck. Some forms are mission-specific, focusing on airspace deterrence or submarine hunting as primary roles.

Frigates
Frigates are the economical answer to the Destroyer, given roughly the same Blue Water / deep water capabilities and broad weapons / mission set. Similarly, they can support rotorcraft and operate independently or as part of the main fighting fleet. Their hull design bridges the gap between the dimensionally larger Destroyer and the smaller Corvette.

Corvettes
Corvettes typically represent the 'smallest' named vessels of the fleet. These are relatively compact hulls capable of operating in Blue Water environments as well as close-to-shore depending on draught depth. Corvettes can prove to be an economical measure for specific powers finding Frigate types out-of-scope and can also serve well those nations showcasing long-running coastlines.

Submarines
Conventionally- (diesel-electric) and nuclear-powered submersible hull designs are grouped together in the GFP analysis. Additionally, there is no distinction made between dedicated-attack, ballistic missile, and nuclear-attack types. Compact 'midget' submarines are also included as they still form portions of some fleets (as is the case for North Korea and Iran).

Patrol Vessels
The Patrol Vessel category is purposely broad and includes Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) types as well as gunboats, missile boats, fast-attack craft, and - in some cases - riverine assets. These boats are given shallow draughts for their specific operating environments and will typically serve as deterrent and enforcement assets in the grand scheme of the surface fleet.

Mine Warfare
Mine Warfare and Mine / Countermine assets are a generally overlooked portion of any surface fleet but prove just as critical as other designs particularly in times of war where their capabilities allow for denial of strategic waterways or participation in 'siege tactics' against harbors and ports. The GFP analysis reflects their importance in modern naval warfare.

End-use products reflect a given nation's ability to produce products through manufacturing, industry, and / or agriculture.

APPLES

CABBAGE

CEMENT

CHEMICLS

CIRCUITS

COMMS

EGGS

ELCTRNCS

FARMMACH

FOODPROC

IRON

MILK

PHARMA

PINEAPPL

PORK

POULTRY

PETROLM

RICE

STEEL

SGRCANE

TEXTILES

VEGTBLES

The GFP index tracks crude Oil (petroleum) and (new as of 2023) Natural Gas and Coal usage / reserves / stock for each country. Natural resources are critical to a nation in both war and peace time, in some cases forming the lifeblood of a given world power. 2022 showed just how natural resources can be 'weaponized' by one party over another.

85/145

Oil Production:
800 bbl

94/145

Oil Consumption:
1,000,000 bbl

Oil Deficit:
-999,200 bbl

78/145

Oil Proven Reserves:
2,400,000 bbl

72/145

Natural Gas Production:
150,589,000 cu.m

73/145

Natural Gas Consumption:
22,002,493,000 cu.m

Natural Gas Deficit:
-21,851,904,000 cu.m

78/145

Nat.Gas Proven Rez:
6,230,000,000 cu.m

34/145

Coal Production:
5,955,000 mt

101/145

Coal Consumption:
67,985,000 mt

Coal Deficit:
-62,030,000 mt

77/145

Coal Proven Reserves:
1,000,000 mt

Oil bbl represented as unit 'barrel of oil'. Natural Gas represented in 'cubic meters'. Coal represented in 'metric tons'.

The GFP formula tracks various factors related to logistics which prove critical to any one global power in both war and peace time. These factor into a nation's ability to move man, machine, and supplies from one point to another - a particularly important quality when considering mass-mobilization.

47/145

Labor Force:
11,500,000

37/145

Merchant Marine Fleet:
429

15/145

Ports / Trade Terminals:
6

88/145

Airports:
37

87/145

Roadway Coverage:
43,206 km

82/145

Railway Coverage:
1,613 km

29/145

Waterways (usable):
3,720 km

FINANCIALS - Values partly derived from the CIA World Factbook and presented in USD ($). Estimates made when needed.

GEOGRAPHY - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook. As geography can play a role in both offensive and defensive wars, the GFP formula takes geographic qualities into account (border coverage, coastline coverage).

CAPITAL - Basic details covering the name, population, temperature, and precipitation values of a given capital city.

MANPOWER - Values partly derived from the CIA World Factbook. Some values may be estimated.

AIRPOWER - Values derived from multiple sources. Estimates made when required. Total Aircraft Strength value includes both fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms from all branches of service (at this time UAVs are not included). 'Attack' value constitutes purpose-built, fixed-wing dedicated attack types. 'Transports' value includes only fixed-wing aircraft while all rotorcraft are represented under the 'Helicopters' value. For an in-depth look into the current air powers of the world, consider "the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft" [www.WDMMA.org - external link].

LAND FORCES - Values derived from multiple sources. Estimates made when required. 'Tanks' value includes Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), medium tanks, and light tanks. 'Vehicles' value includes APCs, IFVs, MRAPs, Armored Cars, and support / logistical / engineering types. 'Rocket Projectors' (MLRSs) include self-propelled and towed forms.

NAVAL FORCES - Values derived from multiple sources. Estimates made when required. 'Total Assets' value includes all possible / available vessels including auxiliaries. 'Aircraft Carriers' value includes only traditional through-deck carriers (both conventionally- and nuclear-powered); Helicopter Carriers are considered in their own separate listing. 'Submarines' value includes both diesel-electric and nuclear-powered types. Landlocked nations are not penalized for the lack of a standing navy. For an in-depth look into the current naval powers of the world, consider "the World Directory of Modern Military Warships" [www.WDMMW.org - external link].

END-USE PRODUCTS - Graphics intended to showcase manufacturing, industrial, and agricultural prowess of a global power. Not all products may be accounted for in the showcase.

NATURAL RESOURCES - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook or estimated in some cases. Values presented as BBL (Barrel unit), cu.m (Cubic Meters), and mt (Metric Tons).

LOGISTICS - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook. Ports & Terminals may reside outside of a nations own borders if arrangements with an ally have been made. Landlocked nations are penalized for the lack of a standing Merchant Marine force.

Comparable Powers

Entries below showcase broadly similar fighting capabilities

Poland

Canada

Vietnam

Neighboring Powers

Based on geographic proximity to host nation

China

Vietnam

Philippines

Top Visiting Countries (December, 2023)

39.3%

13.4%

12.1%

12.0%

8.8%

8.1%

6.4%

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

The GlobalFirepower.com logo is a trademark of this website and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. The published content of the pages contained herein is unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse in any form. About: GlobalFirepower.com is an annually-updated, statistics-based website tracking defense-related information of 145 nations and exists as a wholly-independent resource. Part of the Military Factory network of sites that includes MilitaryFactory.com, WDMMA.org, and WDMMW.org. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

The data you've presented seems to be from the Global Firepower (GFP) index, which assesses the military strength and capabilities of various countries worldwide. As for the specifics regarding Taiwan's ranking and its power index, it appears to be positioned at 23 out of 145 countries, with a PwrIndx score of 0.3639. This score evaluates a nation's power based on individual and collective values, estimated when official numbers aren't available.

Taiwan's security is seen to rely significantly on the United States' reaction if China were to take military action against it. The GFP breaks down Taiwan's capabilities across several categories like manpower, airpower, land power, naval power, financials, and more. For instance, it indicates Taiwan's strength in certain areas like financial power, lacking shared borders, and being an island nation.

In terms of population, Taiwan ranks 57 out of 145 countries, with a population of 23,580,712. Its available manpower is estimated at 52.0% of the population, with around 1.3% reaching military age annually. The nation has about 170,000 active military personnel and approximately 1,500,000 reserve personnel.

Regarding military assets, Taiwan has strengths and weaknesses across various categories. For instance, it ranks 8 out of 145 in terms of fighters, possessing 285 fighter aircraft with an estimated readiness percentage. However, it ranks lower in certain areas like attack types and tanker fleet, both marked at 145 out of 145.

In naval capabilities, Taiwan's strengths lie in patrol vessels and mine warfare, while it lacks aircraft carriers and helicopter carriers. The breakdown also covers economic aspects, such as oil and natural gas production, consumption, reserves, and deficits.

Logistics, infrastructure, and end-use products are also assessed, covering labor force, merchant marine fleet, roadway coverage, railway coverage, waterways, and more.

This information from the GFP index provides a comprehensive overview of Taiwan's military and economic capabilities in comparison to other nations globally. It demonstrates the complexities involved in assessing a country's overall power and readiness for defense and potential conflict scenarios.