TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is ranked as the 22nd most powerful military in the world by Global Firepower.
The defense review website recently announced its annual “2025 Military Strength Ranking,” also known as the GFP index. There are 145 countries on the list, and Taiwan ranks 22nd this year, up two places from 24th last year
The top spot was taken by the US, followed by Russia, China, India, South Korea, the UK, France, Japan, Turkey, and Italy, rounding out the top 10. At 22nd, Taiwan was one place behind Poland and one spot ahead of Vietnam.
The Military Strength Ranking takes into account more than 60 factors to generate a Power Index score. It includes categories such as the quantity of military units, financial standing, logistics capabilities, and geography.
Out of a perfect Power Index score of 0.0000, Taiwan received 0.3988. The report pointed out that Taiwan continues to be “under constant threat of invasion from neighboring China.”
Global Firepower said, "Taiwan is boosted by its technological prowess and military backing of the United States.” The report highlighted Taiwan's “growing and maturing local aviation development as well as shipbuilding.”
Of the general capabilities measured, Taiwan came in the top 10 and received an “excellent” rating for frigates, reserve personnel, attack helicopters, mine warfare, foreign exchange reserves, towed artillery, destroyers, fighters, corvettes, and trainers. Taiwan came in last with a “poor” rating for aircraft carriers, attack aircraft, helicopter carriers, air tanker aircraft, and internal waterway coverage.
Countries listed as “comparable powers” to Taiwan included Poland, Canada, and Vietnam. “Neighboring powers” were China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
China received an excellent rating for the vast majority of its capabilities. It only received a “fair” rating for coastline and poor marks for natural gas consumption, coal consumption, oil consumption, external debt, and shared borders.
The US, Russia, and China have consistently retained their positions in the top three from 2020 to the present. In fifth place, South Korea ranks well ahead of its rival North Korea which ranks 34th.