South Korea Military Strength
Despite renewed talks with its unpredictable northern neighbor, South Korea has increased defense spending heading into the new year.
South Korea Military Strength
Despite renewed talks with its unpredictable northern neighbor, South Korea has increased defense spending heading into the new year.
Each nation detailed on GlobalFirepower.com is assessed on individual and collective values. These values are processed through an in-house formula to generate the PwrIndx (PowerIndex) score which is used to establish the finalized GFP rankings for the current year. Keep in mind that some values are estimated when official numbers are not readily available/unattainable. Otherwise official/semi-official values are used whenever possible. Content ©2006- www.GlobalFirepower.com.
MANPOWER
Values related to a nation's complete population and as it relates to theoretical available fighting strength. Wars, particularly those with high attrition, traditionally favor higher manpower.
Total Population: 51,418,097
Available Manpower: 25,709,049
(50.0%)
Fit-For-Service: 21,081,420
(41.0%)
Reaching Military Age Annually: 632,443
(1.2%)
Total Military Personnel: 5,827,250 (est.)
(11.3%)
Active Personnel: 625,000
(1.2%)
Reserve Personnel: 5,202,250
(10.1%)
AIRPOWER
Total Aircraft Strength value includes both fixed- and rotary-wing systems from all branches of service (UAVs are not included in this total). Attack values cover both multirole and purpose-built light-attack types (and so some fighters also fall into the Attack total). Transports value includes only fixed-wing tactical/strategic aircraft. UAVs are currently being excluded from the total. For an in-depth look into the numbers available to any one air force of the world, consider www.WDMMA.org (external link) - the "World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft". Also consider Aircraft throughout the military history of South Korea (external link).
Total Aircraft Strength: 1,614 (ranked 5 of 137)
Fighters: 406
(25.2%)
(ranked 6 of 137)
Attack: 466
(28.9%)
(ranked 6 of 137)
Transports: 40
(2.5%)
(ranked 22 of 137)
Trainers: 301
(18.6%)
(ranked 8 of 137)
Total Helicopter Strength: 777
(48.1%)
(ranked 4 of 137)
Attack Helicopters: 112
(6.9%)
(ranked 5 of 137)
LAND STRENGTH
Combat Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), light tanks, and tank destroyers (no distinction is made between tracked and wheeled types). Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) value includes APCs, IFVs, MRAPs, and Armored Cars. Rocket Projectors only include self-propelled forms. Also consider Armor and Artillery throughout the military history of South Korea (external link).
Combat Tanks: 2,654 (ranked 9 of 137)
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 2,870 (ranked 23 of 137)
Self-Propelled Artillery: 2,140 (ranked 4 of 137)
Towed Artillery: 3,854 (ranked 5 of 137)
Rocket Projectors: 215 (ranked 18 of 137)
NAVAL STRENGTH
Aircraft Carrier value includes traditional carriers as well as Helicopter Carriers. Submarine value includes diesel-electric and nuclear-powered types, no distinction being made between conventional- and nuclear-attack forms. Total Naval Assets (*) value includes all possible / available vessels including auxiliaries, which are not showcased individually below. Also consider Warships and Submarines throughout the military history of South Korea (external link).
PETROLEUM RESOURCES:
Petroleum remains the lifeblood of war. As such it is weighed into the GFP ranking through the figures below. Values are shown as BBL/DY (Barrels Per Day).
Oil Consumption: 2,325,000 bbl/dy
Proven Oil Reserves: 0 bbl
LOGISTICS
For the GFP ranking, Logistics values include personnel, industry, and services related to war production.
Merchant Marine Strength: 1,907
Major Ports / Hubs / Terminals: 8
Roadway Coverage: 103,029 km
Railway Coverage: 3,381 km
FINANCIALS:
The GFP ranking takes into account a nation's financial health on the world stage. All values presented in USD ($).
Defense Budget: $38,300,000,000
External Debt: $384,600,000,000
Reservses of Foreign Exchange / Gold: $389,200,000,000
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP): $2,100,000,000,000
GEOGRAPHY
Geography considerations can factor decisively into both offensive- and defensive-mind campaigns.
Square Land Area: 99,720 km
Coastline Coverage: 2,413 km
Usable Waterways: 1,600 km
