In this article, we look at 15 militaries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world, and discuss some of the leading manufacturers of armored combat vehicles and ongoing trends in the industry to enhance survivability of these vehicles. You can skip our detailed overview and head over directly to the 5 Militaries with the Most Armored Fighting Vehicles in the World.
Armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) are partially or completely protected with armor and guard against incoming bullets, shells, and projectiles. The AFVs can move with wheels or continuous tracks, and have several classifications. The principal armored fighting vehicle is the tank, while infantry fighting vehicles, troop carriers, and amphibious vehicles are commonly used as well for military purposes.
General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is one of the leading companies in the industry and designs some of the best land combat machines available today, including wheeled and tracked vehicles, armored fighting vehicles, and battle tanks. In October 2023, it was reported that General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) beat Wall Street Journal’s third quarter estimates as demand for its artillery and combat vehicles surged amid the war in Ukraine.
The eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicle, Stryker, and M1 Abrams battle tanks have been instrumental in Ukraine’s ongoing resistance efforts against Russia. An aid package announced by the United States in January 2023 for Kyiv included a fleet of 90 Stryker armored fighting vehicles. These were delivered in March and were first seen in action in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast in August.
Later that year in October, Ukraine also received 31 M1 Abrams tanks worth $400 million from the US. These third-generation American battle tanks of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) are the most powerful tanks in the world, equipped with advanced electronics, improved self-defense systems, and powerful weapons.
The US military is also working on integrating combat vehicle protection systems to keep warfighters in armored vehicles and tanks safe from threats in the battlefield. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in 2021 was awarded a contract to provide Modular Active Protection System base-kits to test on Bradley, Stryker, and Abrams armored vehicles. These Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) kits integrate vehicle sensors which detect and defeat incoming threats like rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles.
Moreover, in April last year, the US Army also announced that Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) would fit electronic and cyber warfare kits on Stryker armored vehicles to provide soldiers improved situational awareness on the battlefield. The deal is valued at $73 million.
Another company working on enhancing the survivability of armored fighting vehicles is RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX), which in January this year received a $154 million contract to equip Bradley combat vehicles with advanced Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV) systems that come with FLIR cameras and sensors to deliver a 360 degree view of the battlefield. The production of these units by RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) will take place in McKinsey, Texas, with delivery due in 2026.
RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) has partnered with the US military on increasing the lethality, survivability, and battlefield awareness of the M1 Abrams tanks as well, and in July 2023 signed a $117.5 million agreement to install advanced targeting sensor systems in America’s main battle tanks.
Methodology
Militaries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world are ranked in ascending order of their fleet size. Data has been sourced from our recent article, 25 Countries with the Strongest Armies in the World.
If interested, you can also take a look at 15 Countries with the Most Attack Helicopters in the World.
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Let’s now head over to the list of countries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world.
Top 15 Militaries with the Most Armored Fighting Vehicles in the World:
15. Israel
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 43,407
Israel has a large fleet of over 43,000 armored fighting vehicles. The country’s defense ministry this month has announced to buy another 200 more AFVs to deploy in the Gaza border towns amid its ongoing armed conflict with Hamas. The purchase is likely to cost $41 million. Details about where Israel intends on procuring the new AFVs from were not disclosed.
14. Brazil
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 44,044
Next on our list of militaries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world is Brazil. With the size of its economy surpassing the $2 trillion mark, the country has begun efforts to leverage its financial strength to upgrade its military. Brazil is equipped with more than 44,000 AFVs. In December 2022, it decided to select Italian armored vehicle Centauro II to replace its aging fleet of EE-9 Cascavel. 98 of these tank destroyers have already been ordered.
13. Pakistan
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 50,523
Pakistan is among militaries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world, with a fleet size of over 50,000 AFVs. These include about 3,800 M113 armored personnel carriers made by the FMC Corporation in the United States, along with thousands of other locally manufactured infantry fight vehicles such as Viper IFV, Al-Hamza and Lazar 3. The country also has several Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, including at least 600 MaxxPro, 300 Casspir, and 300 Kirpi. These were procured from the US, South Africa, and Turkiye, respectively.
12. Turkiye
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 55,104
Next up is Turkiye, which has a sizable fleet of armored fighting vehicles – most of them being locally produced. The country is also a major exporter of these combat vehicles. Estonia in October last year placed an order for 230 armored vehicles with Turkish manufacturers Otokar and Nurol Makina in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The deal is set to cost $211 million. Hungary also received ten of its Ejder Yalcin armored vehicles from Turkiye in 2021, out of a total order of 50.
11. Greece
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 57,030
Greece is among countries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world, with a fleet size in excess of 57,000 vehicles. The primary infantry fighting vehicles used by the Hellenic Army are the BMP-1A1 Ost and Marder-1A3 – both of German origin. In March 2023, the US approved the sale of 300 Bradley M2A2 armored vehicles to Athens. The monetary terms of the contract are not known. Greece has a significant number of armored anti-tank guided missile carriers as well in the American M901 ITV and M113 TOW. It also has several thousand armored personnel carriers.
10. Italy
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 61,892
Italy has one of the largest fleets of armored fighting vehicles in the world, which is set to grow further as Rome considers launching a $5 billion program aimed at building another 1,000 armored combat vehicles to replace the aging Dardo vehicles. The government plans on inviting companies to study the feasibility of the program ‘very soon’, according to a recent report.
9. Iran
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 65,765
Despite being under sanctions for several decades now, Iran has one of the largest fleets of armored fighting vehicles in the world – most of them being wheeled armored personnel carriers, which can be further equipped to carry out critical fire support missions, according to analysts. The country currently operated over 65,000 AFVs for various military purposes.
8. South Korea
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 66,492
South Korea finds a place in the list of militaries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world, with a fleet size well in excess of 66,000. Its wide range of AFVs ensure the country’s security in the face of external threats, emanating particularly from North Korea. The K1 88 and K2 Black Panther battle tanks are the backbone of the country’s armored combat forces, while the K21 is the primary infantry fighting vehicle used by South Korea.
7. Egypt
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 77,596
Next up is Africa’s most powerful military Egypt, which has a fleet size of over 77,000 robust and diverse armored fighting vehicles. These help safeguard the country’s national security and also enable it to deal with security-related challenges in the MENA region. Egypt has the third most number of battle tanks in the world (5,340) – which include over a thousand M1 Abrams. The country also operates a considerable number of M113 armored personnel carriers and BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.
6. Germany
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 79,317
Germany is on sixth spot in our list of militaries with the most armored fighting vehicles in the world. According to the Bundeswehr, Leopard 2 is the main battle tank of the German armored forces, while the Marder and Puma infantry fighting vehicles are the primary weapons systems used by the German military when it comes to AFVs. All vehicles combined, Germany has a fleet size of nearly 80,000 armored fighting vehicles.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Militaries with the Most Armored Fighting Vehicles in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.