Europe’s strongest armies have been revealed in a new list ranking the continent’s military.

According to the data published by Global Fire Power for 2024, the UK is the strongest military force in Europe and came sixth in the world. Defence received 2.2% of the nation’s £2.4 trillion GDP in 2021.

The UK has 664 aircraft in the RAF, of which 18% are classified as fighters. The Navy operates 117 assets – 11 frigates, ten submarines, and 26 patrol vessels.

In addition, the United Kingdom’s army has 126 towed artillery, 71 self-propelled artillery, and 213 tanks.

In second place is Italy, with over 50% of its staff in active service this year. The country, which came 14th worldwide, has 800 aircraft in the air force, with 11% considered fighters.

Italy’s navy operates eight submarines, 18 patrol vessels, and 13 frigates. The army has 200 tanks, 64 self-propelled artillery, and 108 towed artillery.

France comes in third, with 376,000 personnel contributing to the nation’s military power. It is the largest military in the EU by number of staff and came 11th worldwide.

The country has 992 aircraft, including 224 fighters. Its land forces have 222 tanks, 96 self-propelled artillery, and 85,023 vehicles.

The 10 strongest armies in Europe

1. UK

2. Italy

3. France

4. Ukraine

5. Germany

6. Spain

7. Poland

8. Sweden

9. Greece

10. Portugal