Global Firepower Index (GFP) 2025 ranks 145 countries based on their conventional military strength– encompassing land, sea, and air capabilities. It does not include nuclear weapons but provides a detailed analysis of conventional warfighting capability, defence logistics, manpower, and geography.
About Global Firepower Index
- Publisher: GlobalFirepower (GFP)
- Headquarters: Florida, United States
- First Released: 2006
- Latest Edition: 2025 (Reviewed annually)
- Countries Covered: 145 countries annually
- Purpose: Analytical comparison of nations’ conventional military potential (excluding nuclear arsenal).
Methodology:
- Over 60 parameters considered, including:-
- Active military manpower
- Defence budget and financial strength
- Logistics and industrial capacity
- Equipment diversity (tanks, aircraft, ships, etc.)
- Natural resources and geography
- The 2025 edition introduced a new parameter– Navy Fleet Strength by Total Tonnage, to better assess actual maritime firepower.
About PowerIndex (PwrIndx)
- Definition: A calculated measure of a country’s overall military capability.
- Range: 0.0000 (perfect) → 1.0000+ (weaker)
- A lower score indicates higher military strength.
- 0.0000 is considered perfect strength, which no country possesses.
- Parameters: Over 60 factors including manpower, budget, logistics, and geography.
Global Firepower Index 2025: Top 10 Militarily Strongest Nations
| Rank | Country | Power Index (PwrIndx) | Remarks |
| 1 | United States of America | 0.0744 | Retains top position with $860 billion defence budget, advanced F-35 fighter jets, and nuclear submarines. |
| 2 | Russia | 0.0788 | Holds 2nd rank despite sanctions; modernised S-500 defence, hypersonic missile tech, and vast land-based arsenal. |
| 3 | China | 0.0788 | World’s largest standing army and expanding navy; focuses on AI, unmanned warfare, and cyber capabilities. |
| 4 | India | 0.1184 | Continues defence modernisation under Atmanirbhar Bharat with Tejas Mk1A, BrahMos, and Agni systems. |
| 5 | South Korea | 0.1656 | Rapidly rising defence tech hub; advanced missile programs and strong U.S. strategic partnership. |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 0.1785 | Global naval presence, strong defence R&D, and modern cyber command. |
| 7 | France | 0.1878 | Significant global influence through air power, nuclear deterrence, and overseas deployments. |
| 8 | Japan | 0.1839 | Technologically advanced Self-Defense Forces with maritime focus and increasing regional assertiveness. |
| 9 | Türkiye | 0.1902 | Strengthened indigenous weapons industry and strategic regional role. |
| 10 | Italy | 0.2164 | Balanced European force with capable naval and air components. |
Countries at the Bottom
- Bhutan ranked 145th (lowest).
- Pakistan dropped from 9th (2024) to 12th (2025), reflecting reduced relative capability.
- Top 4 positions remain unchanged from the 2024 Index- USA, Russia, China, and India.
India’s Performance in Global Firepower Index 2025
| Parameter | India’s Standing |
| Overall Rank | 4th globally |
| Power Index Score | 0.1184 |
| Defence Focus | Modernisation, self-reliance, and indigenous manufacturing through Atmanirbhar Bharat. |
| Key Defence Assets | Tejas Mk1A fighters, BrahMos missiles, INS Vikrant (carrier), Agni missile series. |
| Highest Ranking Category | #1 in “Population Reaching Military Age Annually” |
| High Ranks | 2nd in available manpower, vehicle strength, and roadways infrastructure |
| Weak Areas | Low ranks in oil, gas, and coal consumption, external debt, and maritime mine warfare capacity |
| Lowest Ranking | 145th in Helicopter Carrier strength and Mine warfare capability |
Significance
- India retains its global top 4 military position, behind only the U.S., Russia, and China.
- The Index validates India’s strategic deterrence capability, growing defence production ecosystem, and technological self-reliance goals.
- The 2025 edition’s emphasis on naval tonnage underscores the shift toward maritime power projection, crucial in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Pakistan’s decline to 12th reflects its fiscal strain and dependence on foreign defence imports.
India’s Defence Profile
| Category | Fact |
| Supreme Commander of Armed Forces | President of India |
| Defence Minister (as of 2025) | Rajnath Singh |
| Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) | General Anil Chauhan |
| Army Chief | General Upendra Dwivedi |
| Navy Chief | Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi |
| Air Force Chief | Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh |
| Major Defence Initiatives | Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, iDEX |
| Key Defence Exercises | Malabar, Yudh Abhyas, Varuna, Garuda, Indra |
Strategic Implications
- Highlights U.S. dominance and Asia’s growing military influence (China, India, South Korea, Japan).
- Indicates the shift from nuclear deterrence to conventional readiness in modern conflict readiness.
- Validates India’s Indo-Pacific strategic centrality, with increasing focus on defence innovation and regional deterrence.