2023 United States Military Strength (2024)

The GFP index denotes United States as a Top 5 global military power.

For 2023, United States is ranked 1 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.0712 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). This entry last reviewed on 07/12/2023.

*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:
For the current year, the United States maintains its key spot atop the GFP index ranking as it showcases commanding numbers in key material, financial, and resource categories. The country leads the world technologically and is advanced in key medical, aerospace, and computer / telecom sectors while maintaining an edge in several major industry markets allowing for a certain degree of self-sustainment. View the inventory breakdown of the USA armed forces at Warpower:US.

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.

United States is ranked 1 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual Global Firepower review. The nation holds a Power Index score of 0.0712 with a score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional in the GFP assessment.

This country is a Top 5 world power according to the GFP index formula.

This country is a Top 10 world power according to the GFP index formula.

This country has had a top GFP placement for at least TEN consecutive years.

This country is a noted Top 10 power in regards to total population (effecting overall manpower).

This country is a Founding Member of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alliance.

This country is an Active Member of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alliance.

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

This country is a Top 10 global producer of crude Oil (Petroleum), a critical natural resource.

This country is a Top 10 global producer of Natural Gas, a critical natural resource.

This country is a Top 10 global producer of Coal, a critical natural resource.

This country is a noted nuclear power under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) of 1968.

Population
3/ 145

Avail.Manpwr
3/ 145

Fit-for-Serv
3/ 145

Mil.Age.Annu
5/ 145

Active Persn
3/ 145

Rez.Persn
12/ 145

Paramil.Persn
145/ 145

Aircraft
1/ 145

Fighters
1/ 145

Attack Types
1/ 145

Transports
1/ 145

Trainers
1/ 145

Spl.Mission
1/ 145

Tankers
1/ 145

Helicopters
1/ 145

Attack Helos
1/ 145

Tanks
3/ 145

Vehicles
1/ 145

Artillery (SP)
9/ 145

Art.(Towed)
14/ 145

MLRS
5/ 145

Ships
1/ 145

AC Carriers
1/ 145

Helo.Carriers
1/ 145

Destroyers
1/ 145

Frigates
145/ 145

Corvettes
4/ 145

Submarines
3/ 145

Offsh.Patrol
48/ 145

Mine Warfare
14/ 145

Oil Prod
1/ 145

Oil Consump
113/ 145

Oil Rez.Proven
10/ 145

Nat.Gas Prod
1/ 145

NatGas Cons
108/ 145

NatGas Rez
4/ 145

Coal Prod
5/ 145

Coal Consump
113/ 145

Coal Rez.Prvn
1/ 145

Labor Force
3/ 145

Merch.Marines
6/ 145

Major Ports
2/ 145

Roadways
1/ 145

Railways
1/ 145

Airports
1/ 145

Def.Budget
1/ 145

Ext.Debt
117/ 145

Foreign Rez
19/ 145

Purch.Power
2/ 145

Sq.Land Area
3/ 145

Coastline
100/ 145

Shared Border
129/ 145

Waterways
4/ 145

Excellent

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

GENERAL CAPABILITIES
Theoretical, automatically generated based on supplied values.

National Defense

Overseas Power Projection

Attrition War

Airspace Defense

Tactical Reach

Strategic Reach

Battlefield Support

Anti-Armor

Armored Warfare

Internal Security

Land Convoy Protection

Indirect Fire Support

Naval Warfare

Naval Convoy Protection

Waterway Denial

Submarine Hunting

Long-Term Sustainment

Global Trade

Goods/Supplies Transportation

Natural Geographic Defense

Capital City: Washington, D.C.

Population: 5,434,000

AVERAGE TEMPS / PRECIPITATION

JAN
37F

FEB
40F

MAR
48F

APR
58F

MAY
67F

JUN
76F

14/145

Towed Artillery:
Stock: 1,339
Readiness: 1,004*

5/145

MLRS (Rocket Artillery):
Stock: 1,716
Readiness: 1,287*

*Values are estimated.

Inventory Composition:
Hover over pie slices in the chart below for category information.

1/145

Total Assets:
484

1/145

Aircraft Carriers:
11

1/145

Helicopter Carriers:
9

1/145

Destroyers:
92

145/145

Frigates:
0

4/145

Corvettes:
22

3/145

Submarines:
68

48/145

Patrol Vessels:
10

14/145

Mine Warfare:
8

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.

AEROSPC

AUTOS

CHEMICLS

CIRCUITS

COMMS

CORN

COTTON

ELCTRNCS

LUMBER

MILK

MINING

PORK

POTATOES

POULTRY

PETROLM

SOYBEANS

SPACE

STEEL

SGRBEETS

SGRCANE

TELECOM

WHEAT

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.

1/145

Oil Production:
18,000,000 bbl

113/145

Oil Consumption:
20,555,000 bbl

Oil Deficit:
-2,555,000 bbl

10/145

Oil Proven Reserves:
50,000,000,000 bbl

1/145

Natural Gas Production:
967,144,362,000 cu.m

108/145

Natural Gas Consumption:
857,542,658,000 cu.m

Natural Gas Deficit:
+109,601,704,000 cu.m

4/145

Nat.Gas Proven Rez:
13,178,780,000,000 cu.m

5/145

Coal Production:
495,130,000 mt

113/145

Coal Consumption:
441,968,000 mt

Coal Deficit:
+53,162,000 mt

1/145

Coal Proven Reserves:
228,662,000,000 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.

3/145

Labor Force:
147,000,000

6/145

Merchant Marine Fleet:
3,627

2/145

Ports / Trade Terminals:
35

1/145

Airports:
13,513

1/145

Roadway Coverage:
6,586,610 km

1/145

Railway Coverage:
293,564 km

4/145

Waterways (usable):
41,009 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

China

India

Russia

Neighboring Powers

Based on geographic proximity to host nation

Canada

Mexico

Russia

Top Visiting Countries (December, 2023)

39.3%

13.4%

12.1%

12.0%

8.8%

8.1%

6.4%

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I'm an enthusiast with a profound understanding of military capabilities and global power dynamics. My expertise spans across various domains, including defense budgets, military technology, and geopolitical alliances. Let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article.

Global Firepower (GFP) Index: The GFP Index is an annual assessment that ranks countries based on their military strength. It considers various factors like manpower, airpower, land power, naval power, financials, and other logistical and geographical aspects. The Power Index (PwrIndx) is a numerical representation of a country's overall military strength.

Power Index Score (PwrIndx): The Power Index Score is a quantitative measure generated through an in-house formula. A lower score indicates a stronger military. A score of 0.0000 is considered perfect.

Key Parameters in GFP Index:

Manpower: Includes active, reserve, and paramilitary forces.
Airpower: Covers aircraft strength, including fighters, transports, and helicopters.
Land Power: Encompasses tanks, vehicles, artillery, and missile systems.
Naval Power: Involves the strength of the navy, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and patrol vessels.
Financials: Represents a country's current financial health on the world stage.
Logistics and Geography: Covers factors such as labor force, merchant marine fleet, ports, roadways, railways, and waterways.

United States Military Strength (2023):

GFP Ranking: 1 of 145 countries.
Power Index Score: 0.0712 (indicating a very strong military).
Key Factors: The U.S. maintains a top position due to commanding numbers in material, financial, and resource categories. It excels in technology, medical, aerospace, and computer/telecom sectors.

NATO Membership: The United States is both a founding member and an active member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Global Rankings:

Top 5 World Power: The U.S. is recognized as a top 5 global military power.
Top 10 World Power: The U.S. is acknowledged as a top 10 world power based on the GFP Index formula.
Consistent Top Placement: The U.S. has maintained a top GFP placement for at least ten consecutive years.

Population and Financial Standing:

Population: 337,341,954 (3/145).
Defense Budget: $761,681,000,000 USD (1/145).
External Debt: $20,275,951,000,000 USD (117/145).
Purchasing Power Parity: $20,000,000,000,000 USD (2/145).

Natural Resources:

Oil Production: 18,000,000 bbl (1/145).
Natural Gas Production: 967,144,362,000 cu.m (1/145).
Coal Production: 495,130,000 mt (5/145).

Logistics and Geography:

Labor Force: 147,000,000 (3/145).
Merchant Marine Fleet: 3,627 (6/145).
Airports: 13,513 (1/145).
Roadway Coverage: 6,586,610 km (1/145).
Waterways: 41,009 km (4/145).

In summary, the United States holds a dominant position in the GFP Index, reflecting its comprehensive military capabilities, technological advancements, and robust logistical and financial infrastructure. The provided data underscores its status as a global military powerhouse.