Ukraine ranked 20th in the list of the world’s most powerful militaries, compiled by Global Firepower.
As in previous years, the top three positions were held by the United States, Russia, and China.
The authors of the ranking assessed more than troop numbers and the scale of military hardware. Their calculations also factored in economic capacity, demographic indicators, logistics, and levels of defense spending.
Analysts cited the scale of Ukraine’s armed forces and their demonstrated combat effectiveness as key strengths, alongside the number of active personnel and reservists and the availability of military equipment. The extensive and systematic use of unmanned systems was highlighted separately. Additional factors included a well-developed railway network, coal production, and substantial levels of defense funding.
Among the vulnerabilities of Ukraine’s armed forces, the ranking cited limited naval and civilian fleet capabilities, as well as a shortage of aircraft. Ukraine’s position was also affected by its heavy reliance on external fuel supplies.
In the final table, Ukraine ranked below a number of countries, including Egypt, Brazil, Indonesia, and Iran, as well as Germany and Spain—despite the fact that their armed forces are significantly smaller than Ukraine’s.