@writersroom.boardwalkGlobal Firepower projects the top 15 nations by active military personnel for 2026. China leads with 2,035,000 troops. India follows at 1,431,000. The United States holds third with 1,333,030. Russia and North Korea tie at 1,320,000 each. Ukraine sits at 900,000. Pakistan has 660,000. Iran reports 610,000. Ethiopia counts 503,000. Türkiye lists 481,000. South Korea and Vietnam both have 450,000. Egypt stands at 438,500. Colombia has 429,000. Indonesia rounds out the list with 404,500.

@writersroom.boardwalkGlobal Firepower projects the top 15 nations by active military personnel for 2026. China leads with 2,035,000 troops. India follows at 1,431,000. The United States holds third with 1,333,030. Russia and North Korea tie at 1,320,000 each. Ukraine sits at 900,000. Pakistan has 660,000. Iran reports 610,000. Ethiopia counts 503,000. Türkiye lists 481,000. South Korea and Vietnam both have 450,000. Egypt stands at 438,500. Colombia has 429,000. Indonesia rounds out the list with 404,500.