2022 China Military Strength

NOTES/OBSERVATIONS:
China (No.3) continues its climb to the No.2 spot owned for some time by regional powerhouse Russia (No.2). The nation owns a distinct advantage economically and by way of sheer manpower and has placed a decided focus on increasing (primarily through local means) naval, airpower, and land warfare capabilities. If the trend continues, it will become the primary global military adversary to the United States (No.1) - which still commands the top spot for the current year.

Breakdown

Population

Rnk 1

Ratings Key:

Excellent

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

Capabilities (BETA):

National Defense

Overseas Power Projection

Attrition War

Guerilla Warfare

Airspace Defense

Tactical Reach

Strategic Reach

Battlefield Support

Anti-Armor

Armored Warfare

Internal Security

Land Convoy Protection

Indirect-Fire Support

Naval Warfare

Naval Convoy Protection

Waterway Denial

Submarine-Hunting

Long-Term Sustainment

Global Trade

Goods/Supplies Transportation

Natural Geographic Defense

1/142

Total Population:
1,397,897,720

1/142

Available Manpower
754,864,769 (54.0%)

1/142

Fit-for-Service
619,268,690 (44.3%)

2/142

Reaching Mil Age Annually
19,570,568 (1.4%)

Tot Military Personnel (est.)
3,134,000 (0.2%)

1/142

Active Personnel
2,000,000 (0.1%)

6/142

Reserve Personnel
510,000 (0.0%)

5/142

Paramilitary
624,000 (0.0%)

Manpower Composition:
Hover over the various sections in the bar below for more details.

3/142

Total Aircraft Strength:
3,285

2/142

Fighters/Interceptors:
1,200 (36.5%)

3/142

Dedicated Attack:
371 (11.3%)

3/142

Transports:
286 (8.7%)

5/142

Trainers:
399 (12.1%)

4/142

Special-Mission:
114 (3.5%)

12/142

Tanker Fleet:
3 (0.1%)

3/142

Helicopters:
912 (27.8%)

3/142

Attack Helicopters:
281 (8.6%)

Inventory Composition:
Hover over pie slices in the chart below for category information. Pecentages below are not part of overall strength above but rather relative to each category presented below.

For an in-depth overview of current leading air powers of the world, including active inventories and strengths, consult the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (www.WDMMA.org).

4/142

Tanks:
5,250

2/142

Armored Vehicles:
35,000

2/142

Self-Propelled Artillery:
4,120

10/142

Towed Artillery:
1,734

2/142

Rocket Projectors:
3,160

Inventory Composition:
Hover over pie slices in the chart below for category information.

Helicopter Carriers:
1

Inventory Composition:
Hover over the pie slices in the chart below for more details.

For an in-depth overview of current leading naval powers of the world, including active inventories and strengths, consult the World Directory of Modern Military Warships (www.WDMMW.org).

7/142

Oil Production:
3,775,000 bbl

119/142

Oil Consumption:
12,470,000 bbl

13/142

Oil Proven Reserves:
25,630,000,000 bbl

bbl = Measured as unit 'barrel of oil'.

1/142

Labor Force:
774,710,000

3/142

Merchant Marine Fleet:
6,662

4/142

Ports / Trade Terminals:
22

2/142

Roadway Coverage:
4,960,600

2/142

Railway Coverage:
131,000

12/142

Airports:
507

2/142

Defense Budget:
$230,000,000,000 USD

129/142

External Debt:
$2,027,950,000,000 USD

1/142

Foreign Exchange/Gold:
$3,236,000,000,000 USD

1/142

Purchasing Power Parity:
$23,009,780,000,000 USD

4/142

Square Land Area:
9,596,961 km

95/142

Coastline Coverage:
14,500 km

128/142

Shared Borders:
22,457 km

1/142

Waterways (usable):
110,000 km

Additional Notes

MANPOWER - Values partly derived from the CIA World Factbook. Some values may be estimated.

AIRPOWER - Values derived from multiple sources. Total Aircraft Strength value includes both fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms from all branches of service (at this time UAVs are not included in the total). 'Attack' value constitutes purpose-built attack types. 'Transports' value includes only fixed-wing aircraft while all rotorcraft are represented under the 'Helicopters' value. 'Special-Mission' value no longer includes aerial tankers which are now covered in their own listing. 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. 'Tanks' value includes Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), light tanks, and tank destroyers (no distinction being made between track-over-wheel and all-wheeled types). 'Armored Vehicles' value includes APCs, IFVs, MRAPs, and Armored Cars. 'Rocket Projectors' include only self-propelled forms.

NAVAL FORCES - Values derived from multiple sources. 'Total Assets' value includes all possible/available vessels including auxiliaries, which are not showcased individually. 'Aircraft Carriers' value includes only traditional carriers (both conventionally- and nuclear-powered while Helicopter Carriers are now considered under their own listing. 'Submarines' value includes both diesel-electric and nuclear-powered types. Landlocked nationd 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].

NATURAL RESOURCES - Values derived from the CIA World Factbook or estimated in some cases. Values presented as BBL (Barrel unit).

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.

FINANCIALS - Values partly derived from the CIA World Factbook. Values presented in USD ($). Estimates made when needed.

GEORGRAPHY - 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 of a nation into account (border coverage, coastline coverage).

Comparable Powers

Entries below showcase broadly similar fighting capabilities according to the GFP formula.

2022 Military Strength of
Japan

2022 Military Strength of
India

2022 Military Strength of
Russia

Try the Coalitions Builder.
Two coalitions, up to seven nations each - who would win?

Neighboring Powers

Entries below are selected based on geographic proximity to host nation, typically a shared border.

2022 Military Strength of
Nepal

2022 Military Strength of
Mongolia

2022 Military Strength of
Myanmar

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

National flag of the United Kingdom (Britain)

The GlobalFirepower.com logo is a trademark of this website and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. The published content of the pages contained herein is unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse in any form. About: GlobalFirepower.com is an annually-updated, statistics-based website tracking defense-related information of 142 nations and exists as a wholly-independent resource.

Part of the Military Factory network of sites that includes MilitaryFactory.com, WDMMA.org, and WDMMW.org.

www.GlobalFirepower.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-