2021 South Korea Military Strength

For 2021, South Korea is ranked 6 of 140 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.1612 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). This entry last updated on 03/03/2021.

*Each nation is assessed on individual and collective values processed through our in-house formula to generate its 'PwrIndx' score. Some values are estimated when official numbers are not available. View Notes.

Breakdown

Population

Rnk 28

Ratings Key:

Excellent

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

Capabilities (BETA):

National Defense

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

Global Trade

Goods/Supplies Transportation

Natural Geographic Defense

28/140

Total Population:
51,835,110

26/140

Available Manpower
25,917,555 (50.0%)

25/140

Fit-for-Service
21,252,395 (41.0%)

52/140

Reaching Mil Age Annually
425,048 (0.8%)

Tot Military Personnel (est.)
6,710,000 (12.9%)

7/140

Active Personnel
600,000 (1.2%)

1/140

Reserve Personnel
3,100,000 (6.0%)

4/140

Paramilitary
3,010,000 (5.8%)

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

5/140

Total Aircraft Strength:
1,581

6/140

Fighters/Interceptors:
402 (25.4%)

12/140

Dedicated Attack:
74 (4.7%)

22/140

Transports:
41 (2.6%)

8/140

Trainers:
296 (18.7%)

9/140

Special-Mission:
30 (1.9%)

11/140

Tanker Fleet:
4 (0.3%)

5/140

Helicopters:
734 (46.4%)

5/140

Attack Helicopters:
112 (7.1%)

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).

12/140

Tanks:
2,600

4/140

Armored Vehicles:
14,100

2/140

Self-Propelled Artillery:
3,040

3/140

Towed Artillery:
3,854

10/140

Rocket Projectors:
574

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.

139/140

Oil Production:
0 bbl

7/140

Oil Consumption:
2,800,000 bbl

139/140

Oil Proven Reserves:
0 bbl

bbl = Measured as unit 'barrel of oil'.

20/140

Labor Force:
26,839,000

9/140

Merchant Marine Fleet:
1,880

10/140

Ports / Trade Terminals:
11

42/140

Roadway Coverage:
103,029

51/140

Railway Coverage:
3,381

48/140

Airports:
111

8/140

Defense Budget:
$48,000,000,000 USD

27/140

External Debt:
$384,600,000,000 USD

8/140

Foreign Exchange/Gold:
$389,200,000,000 USD

14/140

Purchasing Power Parity:
$2,100,000,000,000 USD

101/140

Square Land Area:
99,720 km

43/140

Coastline Coverage:
2,413 km

126/140

Shared Borders:
237 km

51/140

Waterways (usable):
1,600 km

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.

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.

2021 Military Strength of
France

2021 Military Strength of
Japan

2021 Military Strength of
United Kingdom

Image of the geographic map of United Kingdom

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Neighboring Powers

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

2021 Military Strength of
China

2021 Military Strength of
Japan

2021 Military Strength of
North Korea

Image of the geographic map of North Korea

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