For 2023, Afghanistan is ranked 114 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.3118 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). This entry last reviewed on 01/19/2023.
*PwrIndx: Each nation is assessed on individual and collective values processed through an in-house formula to generate its 'PwrIndx' (Power Index) score. Some values are estimated when official numbers are not available. View the NOTES tab below for a detailed breakdown of other assessments.
Notes: Afghanistan remains a global military power on the decline following the disastrous Biden Administration exit of the country in August 2021 - leaving behind a treasure trove of Western material for a future enemy. Effects of the withdrawal will be felt for generations to come and accounts for the nation's precipitous drop in the GFP rankings over the last two reviews as the hardline Taliban quickly regains control of the country.
Breakdown
NOTES:
The polar area chart above is intended to show relative inherent strengths and weakness at-a-glance; balance is prefered though not always achievable.
1) Manpower encompasses Active, Reserve, and any official Paramilitary forces identified for the nation; personnel from each branch of service is included.
2) Airpower includes war-making aerial systems, excluding trainers and drones.
3) Land Power includes motorized / mechanized vehicular elements as well as towed artillery and mechanized / towed MLRS systems.
4) Naval Power includes commissioned hulls ranging from Blue Water warships and submarines to Brown Water patrol assets (excluded for land-locked powers).
5) Financials average current financial health on the world stage.
6) Scores are an average of related categories in the GFP annual ranking.
Afghanistan is ranked 114 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual Global Firepower review. The nation holds a Power Index score of 2.3118 with a score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional in the GFP assessment.
Bordered by land on all sides without direct access to the sea, this country is landlocked.
GENERAL CAPABILITIES Theoretical, automatically generated based on supplied values.
NationalDefense
Guerilla/AsymmetricWarfare
InternalSecurity
Land ConvoyProtection
IndirectFire Support
GlobalTrade
Natural GeographicDefense
Capital City: Kabul
Population: 4,435,000
AVERAGE TEMPS / PRECIPITATION
JAN 32F
FEB 35F
MAR 47F
APR 58F
MAY 66F
JUN 74F
JUL 79F
AUG 77F
SEP 69F
OCT 58F
NOV 47F
DEC 38F
Showcased as average temperatures (F) found across a given country's capital city over a twelve-month calendar period (January-December). Colors represent cooler-to-warmer temperatures depending on time of year. Average monthly precipitation chances (0% to 100%) are show as green stripes under temperature values (brighter green = higher chance of precipitation).
The act of waging (and sustaining) a prolonged conflict requires a massive financial commitment from all parties involved. As such, GFP focuses on a select group of financially-related categories showcased below.
Manpower is one of the few categories that every nation satisfies in the GFP index to one extent or another. These categories detail the maximum and realistic number of souls a given nation can commit to a war effort, be it offensive or defensive in nature.
*These values may be estimated.Manpower Composition: Hover over the various color-coded sections in the bar below for details on each category.
GFP tracks specific categories related to aerial warfare capabilities of a given power. READINESS values are based against the U.S. Air Force's 75% average across all categories to account for availability of individual over-battlefield assets due to general maintenance, modernization, refurbishment and the like. Percent values are % of total inventory stock available.
GFP tracks specific categories related to land warfare capabilities of a given power. READINESS values are based against the U.S. Army's 80% average across all categories to account for availability of individual battlefield assets due to general maintenance, modernization, refurbishment and the like.
*Values are estimated.Inventory Composition: Hover over pie slices in the chart below for category information.
End-use products reflect a given nation's ability to produce products through manufacturing, industry, and / or agriculture.
APPLES
BRICKS
CEMENT
CLOTHING
COAL
COPPER
FERTLZR
FURNITRE
GRAPES
MELONS
MILK
NATGAS
ONIONS
POTATOES
RICE
SOAP
TEXTILES
VEGTBLES
WATRMLN
WHEAT
The GFP index tracks crude Oil (petroleum) and (new as of 2023) Natural Gas and Coal usage / reserves / stock for each country. Natural resources are critical to a nation in both war and peace time, in some cases forming the lifeblood of a given world power. 2022 showed just how natural resources can be 'weaponized' by one party over another.
Oil bbl represented as unit 'barrel of oil'. Natural Gas represented in 'cubic meters'. Coal represented in 'metric tons'.
The GFP formula tracks various factors related to logistics which prove critical to any one global power in both war and peace time. These factor into a nation's ability to move man, machine, and supplies from one point to another - a particularly important quality when considering mass-mobilization.
FINANCIALS - Values partly derived from the CIA World Factbook and presented in USD ($). Estimates made when needed.
GEOGRAPHY - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook. As geography can play a role in both offensive and defensive wars, the GFP formula takes geographic qualities into account (border coverage, coastline coverage).
CAPITAL - Basic details covering the name, population, temperature, and precipitation values of a given capital city.
MANPOWER - Values partly derived from the CIA World Factbook. Some values may be estimated.
AIRPOWER - Values derived from multiple sources. Estimates made when required. Total Aircraft Strength value includes both fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms from all branches of service (at this time UAVs are not included). 'Attack' value constitutes purpose-built, fixed-wing dedicated attack types. 'Transports' value includes only fixed-wing aircraft while all rotorcraft are represented under the 'Helicopters' value. For an in-depth look into the current air powers of the world, consider "the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft" [www.WDMMA.org - external link].
LAND FORCES - Values derived from multiple sources. Estimates made when required. 'Tanks' value includes Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), medium tanks, and light tanks. 'Vehicles' value includes APCs, IFVs, MRAPs, Armored Cars, and support / logistical / engineering types. 'Rocket Projectors' (MLRSs) include self-propelled and towed forms.
NAVAL FORCES - Values derived from multiple sources. Estimates made when required. 'Total Assets' value includes all possible / available vessels including auxiliaries. 'Aircraft Carriers' value includes only traditional through-deck carriers (both conventionally- and nuclear-powered); Helicopter Carriers are considered in their own separate listing. 'Submarines' value includes both diesel-electric and nuclear-powered types. Landlocked nations are not penalized for the lack of a standing navy. For an in-depth look into the current naval powers of the world, consider "the World Directory of Modern Military Warships" [www.WDMMW.org - external link].
END-USE PRODUCTS - Graphics intended to showcase manufacturing, industrial, and agricultural prowess of a global power. Not all products may be accounted for in the showcase.
NATURAL RESOURCES - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook or estimated in some cases. Values presented as BBL (Barrel unit), cu.m (Cubic Meters), and mt (Metric Tons).
LOGISTICS - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook. Ports & Terminals may reside outside of a nations own borders if arrangements with an ally have been made. Landlocked nations are penalized for the lack of a standing Merchant Marine force.
Comparable Powers
Entries below showcase broadly similar fighting capabilities
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