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The Military plays a crucial role in the development of a nation. It facilitates implementation of government’s policies and protects the citizens from any external or internal threat. The military consists of branches such as an Army, Navy, Air Force, and in certain countries the Marines and Coast Guard. Talking about Army, in particular, it is a land-based military branch of a nation or a state.

Here we have listed countries that have the largest armies in the world:

1. China

China tops the list with the total count of 2,183,000 active personnel. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the largest army in the world. It has a mission to ensure China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and domestic security. With the continuous advancements in the types of army equipment, it has the second largest defense budget in the world.

2. India

India ranks number two on the list of the largest armies in the world. It has total active personnel count of 1,362,500. The army headquarters are located in New Delhi. Initially, the army’s objective was to defend the nation’s frontiers. Over the years, the responsibility of internal protection is also undertaken by the army.

3. The United States

The United States is well equipped and has total active personnel count of 1,281,900. Founded 244 years ago, the US army is the third largest army in the world. The mission of the army includes preserving the peace and security and providing for the defense of the United States, the Commonwealths and possessions and any areas occupied by the country. It is headquartered at Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.

4. North Korea

North Korea is fourth on the list with 12,80,000 total active personnel. The Korean People’s Army is believed to have been founded in 1932. The headquarters are located at Pyongyang in North Korea.

5. Russia

Russia, with the total active personnel count of 1,013,628, is fifth on the list. The army was founded in 1992 and its major structural reorganization began in 2009. An essential part of the military reform involves down-sizing. The Russian Ministry of Defense has its headquarters at Moscow.

6. Pakistan

Pakistan comes in at number six and has a total active personnel count of 654,000. It came into existence on August 14, 1947, and has its headquarters at Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It has the primary objective of national security and national unity.

7. South Korea

South Korea ranks seventh and has a total active personnel count of 625,000. The Republic of Korea Armed Forces was founded on August 15, 1948. The headquarters of ROK Armed Forces is in Seoul, South Korea.

8. Iran

Iran is eighth on the list and has a total active personnel count of 523,000. As per the modern history, the Iranian Army was founded 97 years ago. The current form, Islamic Republic, is 39 years old. The headquarters are located in Tehran, Iran. The mission is to protect the territorial integrity of the Iranian state from external and internal threats and to project power.

9. Vietnam

Vietnam rates number nine, with a total active personnel count of 482,000. In the backdrop of a resurgent China, the Social Republic of Vietnam has been strengthening its armed forces. The organisation and establishment of People’s Army of Vietnam started in 1944 to remove French colonial forces and Japanese occupiers under the guidance of Ho Chi Minh.

10. Egypt

Egypt is tenth with a total active personnel count of 440,000. Founded in 1952, the Egyptian Military Operations Authority is headquartered in Cairo.

The List on the Basis of Active Personnel

RANKINGS COUNTRIES ACTIVE PERSONNEL (2019) 1 CHINA 2,183,000 2 INDIA 1,362,500 3 THE UNITED STATES 1,281,900 4 NORTH KOREA 1,280,000 5 RUSSIA 1,013,628 6 PAKISTAN 654,000 7 SOUTH KOREA 625,000 8 IRAN 523,000 9 VIETNAM 482,000 10 EGYPT 440,000

Reference: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.asp

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