India has secured the 4th position in the Global Firepower Index 2025 (GFP Index), showcasing its military strength on the global stage. The ranking highlights India’s expanding defense capabilities across its Army, Navy and Air Force, reinforcing its position as one of the most powerful military forces in the world. Meanwhile, Pakistan has slipped from 9th position in 2024 to 12th position in the latest rankings.
The 2025 Global Firepower Index evaluates military power based on over 60 parameters including defense technology, financial resources, logistics and strategic positioning.
India is now at the 4th position, following Russia and China. The top 10 includes South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Turkey and Italy.
India has made significant progress, especially in becoming self-sufficient in defence production, improving its firepower on land, sea and in the air.
India’s rise in the 2025 GFP index can be attributed to efforts to modernise all three branches of the military. The army has 1.45 million active personnel, 1.15 million reservists and over 2.5 million support personnel. It is equipped with advanced weapons such as T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks, Brahmos missiles and Pinaka rocket systems.
The Indian Air Force has significantly expanded its fleet, now operating 2,229 aircraft, including 600 fighter jets, 899 helicopters and 831 support aircraft. Key assets include the Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets, as well as advanced missile systems such as Rudram, Astra, Nirbhay and Brahmos.
The Indian Navy has also strengthened its presence, with a personnel strength of 142,251 and a fleet of 150 warships and submarines. Strategic assets include the aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, nuclear submarines and P-8i maritime surveillance aircraft. More than 50 new vessels are under construction, further enhancing India’s naval power.
