The Ukrainian army has entered the top 20 strongest in the world: what the Global Firepower rating showed
26 January 12:57
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have entered the top 20 most powerful armies in the world according to Global Firepower (GFP). In the 2025 annual ranking, Ukraine took 20th place among 145 countries. At the same time, the Russian army took second place, second only to the United States, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The GFP ranking assesses the military capabilities of countries based on more than 60 indicators, ranging from troop numbers and equipment to logistics, budget, and geography.
World leaders: who is in the top ten
The top three remain unchanged, although the gap between the US, Russia, and China is narrowing due to intensive rearmament:
- The US leads in terms of technological superiority and aircraft carrier groups.
- Russia — maintains its position thanks to its large arsenal and nuclear potential.
- China is rapidly catching up with the leaders in terms of its fleet and air defense modernization.
- India — a stable force with powerful human resources.
- South Korea — one of the most technologically advanced armies.
- France is the flagship of the EU’s defense sector.
- Japan — is strengthening its fleet in the Pacific Ocean.
- The United Kingdom — influential thanks to its nuclear status and navy.
- Turkey is a regional leader with a powerful military-industrial complex (drones, armored vehicles).
- Italy — strong navy and air force round out the top ten.
Ukraine’s position: strengths and challenges
According to GFP, Ukraine has a number of key advantages:
- a large number of active troops and trained reserves;
- a significant amount of armored vehicles and artillery;
- developed railway logistics;
- high defense spending (over 30% of GDP).
Analysts cite the following challenges:
- lack of large surface ships (aircraft carriers, destroyers) and submarine fleet;
- dependence on imported energy sources (fuel), which is critical for stable logistics in wartime.
Dynamics of Ukraine’s rating over the years
The Ukrainian army has shown long-term growth in the GFP ranking:
- 2025 — 20th place
- 2024 — 18th
- beginning of 2023 — 15th
- 2022 — 22nd
- 2021 — 25th
- 2020 — 27th
The fluctuations in position reflect both the intensity of combat operations and the speed of adaptation, rearmament, and logistical changes.
What does a place in the top 20 mean?
Being in the top 20 strongest armies in the world confirms the high stability and combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, even in the absence of a full range of naval capabilities. For Ukraine, this is a signal of the effectiveness of mobilization, training, and logistical decisions in extremely difficult conditions.
