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Military Stats: compare key data on Russia & United Kingdom

Edsel.G

Author: Edsel.G

Statistically, Russia outnumbers the UK armed forces. Having acquired nearly the entirety of the arsenal of the former USSR, Russia possesses weapons systems that are meant to counter the power of the world’s most powerful military, the US. That being said, the Russian Armed Forces is more than an equal to its British counterpart. Russia’s military has been upgraded especially during the time of Vladimir Putin. Thanks to the rising economy of Russia, plus its massive oil revenues, it is able to finance its giant military wing.

However, the British Armed Forces are nothing to mess with. Despite its size, it is armed with the world’s most advanced weapons systems created by top weapons’ producers in the West. The Army, for instance, is equipped with the Challenger II, arguably the most survivable tank in the world today. The Air Force, too, is equipped with equipment that is technologically superior to that of Russia. Currently, the British Air Force has the Eurofighter Typhoon, the second most expensive fighter in the world, after the American F-22. It is also on the process of acquiring F-35 Stealth jets from the US – an acquisition which would undoubtedly bolster the potency of the British Armed Forces. Should the worst happen, UK relies on its nuclear deterrence for protection. Although it is inferior to the number of Russian nuclear warheads, British nuclear missiles are kept on advanced submarines ever ready to hit any target at any given time.

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Definitions

  • Air force > Combat aircraft: Number of fighter aircrafts (fixed wing aircrafts with combat capability).
  • Army > Attack helicopters: Number of attack helicopter (includes helicopters that have some attacking capabilities).
  • Army > Main battle tanks: Number of main battle tanks.
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths.
  • Budget: Annual defense budget in billion USD.
  • Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index is comprised of 22 indicators in the three categories ongoing domestic or international conflicts; societal safety; and security and militarization. A low index value indicates a peaceful and safe country.
  • Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
  • Navy > Corvette warships: Number of corvettes.
  • Navy > Nuclear submarines: Number of nuclear submarines.
  • Navy > Submarines: Number of patrol boats (includes minesweepers).
  • Paramilitary personnel: Paramilitary.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Personnel > Per capita: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of sevice obligation.
  • WMD > Nuclear: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of nuclear weapons
  • War deaths: Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths."
  • Navy > Aircraft carriers: Number of aircraft carriers.
  • Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries: Compares the world's largest arms exporters, in millions of US Dollars. Data corresponds to the year 2010, and was compiled by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), a think tank dedicated to the research of conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament in the world, with presence in Stockholm, Beijing and Washington DC.
  • Armed forces personnel: Total armed forces (2000)
  • Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
  • Expenditures > Percent of GDP: Current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
  • Armed forces personnel > Total: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organisation, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces."
  • Personnel: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.
  • Navy > Frigates: Number of frigates.
  • Navy > Destroyers: Number of destroyers.
  • Nuclear weapons > Nuclear warheads: Total nuclear warheads.
  • Navy > Cruisers: Number of cruisers.
  • Branches: The names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Navy > Amphibious warfare ships: Number of amphibious warfare ships.
  • Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries per million people: Compares the world's largest arms exporters, in millions of US Dollars. Data corresponds to the year 2010, and was compiled by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), a think tank dedicated to the research of conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament in the world, with presence in Stockholm, Beijing and Washington DC. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Military expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilisation, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)"
  • Highest military decorations > Name: Name of each country’s highest military decoration.
  • Air force > Aircraft carriers > Total: Total amount of aircraft carriers possessed by each country. 
  • Navy > Helicopter carriers: Amount of helicopter carriers currently in service.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Air force > Aircraft carriers > Commissioned:

    Amount of aircraft carriers in full service in each country. These numbers can also be interpreted as the amount of each country's commissioned aircraft carriers.   

  • Armed forces personnel per 1000: Total armed forces (2000). Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Personnel per 1000: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Nuclear weapons > Non-Proliferation treaty sign date: Signed.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Conscription: A description of the status of conscription in the nation in 1997.
  • Armed forces growth: Growth in the number of armed forces personnel from 1985 (index = 100) to 2000. 100 means no growth, 50 means it halved and 200 means it doubled.
  • Imports > USD: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services."
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Air force > Aircraft carriers > In reserve: Total amount of reserve aircraft carriers in each country.
  • WMD > Biological: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of biological weapons of mass destruction
  • Military expenditures > Percent of GDP: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Conventional arms > Exports: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre).
  • WMD > Overview: An overview of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of weapons of mass destruction
  • WMD > Chemical: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of chemical weapons of mass destruction
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Exports > USD: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services."
  • Conventional arms > Exports per capita: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Conventional arms > Exports > Per $ GDP: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Exports to developing nations: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US)
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Exports to developing nations > Per $ GDP: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US) Per $ GDP figures expressed per $1 million of Gross Domestic Product.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Exports to developing nations per million: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US). Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.
  • Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Armed forces personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organisation, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organisation's definition of the economically active population."
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Military expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilisation, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)"
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita: Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > % of central government expenditure: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Exports to developing nations, % of GDP: Arms Deliveries to Developing Nations, by supplier, total of years 1992-99. Major suppliers listed only. In the same period, the total figure for all other European suppliers was $18,043 million (US); the total for all other nations was $8,211 million (US). This makes the overall total $214,576 million (US). Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
  • Conventional arms > Exports, % of GDP: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Exports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
STAT Russia United Kingdom HISTORY
Air force > Combat aircraft 1,900
Ranked 1st. 9 times more than United Kingdom
222
Ranked 8th.
Army > Attack helicopters 1,655
Ranked 1st. 25 times more than United Kingdom
66
Ranked 1st.

Army > Main battle tanks 22,710
Ranked 1st. 100 times more than United Kingdom
227
Ranked 8th.

Battle-related deaths > Number of people 359
Ranked 13th. 12 times more than United Kingdom
29
Ranked 29th.

Budget 93.76 US$ BN
Ranked 1st. 50% more than United Kingdom
62.7 US$ BN
Ranked 2nd.
Global Peace Index 3.06
Ranked 8th. 71% more than United Kingdom
1.79
Ranked 8th.

Military service age and obligation 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation is 1 year (conscripts can only be sent to combat zones after 6 months of training); reserve obligation to age 50; enrollment in military schools from the age of 16, cadets classified as members of the armed forces 16-33 years of age (officers 17-28) for voluntary military service (with parental consent under 18); no conscription; women serve in military services, but are excluded from ground combat positions and some naval postings; as of October 2009, women comprised 12.1% of officers and 9% of enlisted personnel in the regular forces; must be citizen of the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland; reservists serve a minimum of 3 years, to age 45 or 55; 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service by Nepalese citizens in the Brigade of Gurkhas; 16-34 years of age for voluntary military service by Papua New Guinean citizens
Navy > Corvette warships 70
Ranked 1st. 18 times more than United Kingdom
4
Ranked 5th.
Navy > Nuclear submarines 33
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than United Kingdom
11
Ranked 2nd.
Navy > Submarines 17
Ranked 1st.
0.0
Ranked 9th.
Paramilitary personnel 449,000
Ranked 1st.
0.0
Ranked 128th.
Personnel > Per capita 10.15 per 1,000 people
Ranked 28th. 3 times more than United Kingdom
3.6 per 1,000 people
Ranked 93th.

Service age and obligation 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; service obligation - 1 year; reserve obligation to age 50; as of July 2008, a draft military strategy called for the draft to continue up to the year 2030 16-33 years of age (officers 17-28) for voluntary military service (with parental consent under 18); women serve in military services, but are excluded from ground combat positions and some naval postings; must be citizen of the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland; reservists serve a minimum of 3 years, to age 45 or 55; 16 years of age for voluntary military service by Nepalese citizens in the Brigade of the Gurkhas; 16-34 years of age for voluntary military service by Papua New Guinean citizens
WMD > Nuclear The Soviet nuclear weapon program began during World War II and culminated in a successful atomic bomb test in 1949. Russia, as the successor of the Soviet Union, is a nuclear weapon state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to estimates by the Natural Resources Defense Council, by 1991, the Soviet Union had approximately 35,000 weapons in its stockpile, down from a peak in 1986 of approximately 45,000. Russia is estimated to now have around 20,000 nuclear weapons, although total stockpile size is uncertain because there is no accurate count of tactical nuclear weapons. However, in 2002 Russia declared it will eliminate its tactical nuclear weapons by the end of 2004. Under the START I Treaty, the Russian nuclear arsenal has been reduced to approximately 7,000 strategic warheads. The START II Treaty, which was declared non-binding in June 2002, would have reduced this number to between 3,000 and 3,500 strategic nuclear warheads. The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (Treaty of Moscow) requires Russia to reduce the number of deployed strategic warheads to between 1,700 and 2,200 by the end of 2012. Russia inherited a massive nuclear weapons production complex and large stocks of weapons grade fissile material. It is estimated that Russia has between 735 and 1,365 metric tons (t) of weapons grade-equivalent highly enriched uranium (HEU) and between 106 and 156 t of military-use plutonium. The United Kingdom is a nuclear weapon state party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The UK's current stockpile is thought to consist of less than 200 strategic and "sub-strategic" warheads on Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). The Strategic Defense Review of July 1998 called for major changes in the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons program. Air-delivered weapons were removed from service, leaving the SSBNs as the United Kingdom's only nuclear deterrent. The Review mandated that only one submarine be on patrol at a time, with its missiles detargeted and with a reduced number of warheads (maximum of 48). On May 1, 2004, the Nuclear Safeguards Act went into effect in the United Kingdom, providing necessary legislation for the enforcement of the "additional protocol" designed to provide greater protection against nuclear non-proliferation. This protocol built on existing nuclear safeguards agreements with the IAEA. The United Kingdom ratified the NPT in November 1968 and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in June 1998.
War deaths 339
Ranked 17th.
0.0
Ranked 125th.

Navy > Aircraft carriers 1
Ranked 1st. The same as United Kingdom
1
Ranked 4th.
Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries 8,003
Ranked 2nd. 9 times more than United Kingdom
863
Ranked 7th.

Armed forces personnel 1.52 million
Ranked 2nd. 7 times more than United Kingdom
212,000
Ranked 23th.
Military expenditures 3.9% of GDP
Ranked 6th. 56% more than United Kingdom
2.5% of GDP
Ranked 20th.
Military branches Ground Forces (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnyye Voyska, VDV), Strategic Rocket Forces (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Aerospace Defense Troops (Voyska Vozdushno-Kosmicheskoy Oborony or Voyska VKO) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of the ground troops Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force
Expenditures > Percent of GDP 3.9%
Ranked 24th. 63% more than United Kingdom
2.4%
Ranked 57th.

Manpower fit for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Armed forces personnel > Total 1.48 million
Ranked 5th. 9 times more than United Kingdom
160,000
Ranked 36th.

Personnel 1.45 million
Ranked 4th. 7 times more than United Kingdom
217,000
Ranked 28th.

Navy > Frigates 5
Ranked 1st.
13
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Russia
Navy > Destroyers 14
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than United Kingdom
6
Ranked 1st.
Nuclear weapons > Nuclear warheads 8,500
Ranked 1st. 38 times more than United Kingdom
225
Ranked 5th.
Navy > Cruisers 5
Ranked 1st.
0.0
Ranked 6th.
Branches Ground Forces (SV), Navy (VMF), Air Forces (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily, VVS); Airborne Troops (VDV), Strategic Rocket Troops (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN), and Space Troops (KV) are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches; Russian Ground Forces include the following combat arms: motorized-rifle troops, tank troops, missile and artillery troops, air defense of ground troops Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force
Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million 2.51
Ranked 20th. 5 times more than United Kingdom
0.496
Ranked 30th.

Navy > Amphibious warfare ships 15
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than United Kingdom
7
Ranked 3rd.
Arms trade > Arms exports, top countries per million people 55.76
Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than United Kingdom
13.65
Ranked 11th.

Military expenditure > Current LCU 1.69 trillion
Ranked 10th. 45 times more than United Kingdom
37.78 billion
Ranked 43th.

Highest military decorations > Name The Gold Star The Victoria Cross
Air force > Aircraft carriers > Total 7
Ranked 5th.
41
Ranked 2nd. 6 times more than Russia
Navy > Helicopter carriers 0.0
Ranked 8th.
2
Ranked 3rd.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males 693,843
Ranked 17th. 81% more than United Kingdom
383,989
Ranked 30th.

Air force > Aircraft carriers > Commissioned 1
Ranked 10th.
2
Ranked 5th. Twice as much as Russia
Armed forces personnel per 1000 10.39
Ranked 21st. 3 times more than United Kingdom
3.6
Ranked 89th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males 821,103
Ranked 14th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
400,927
Ranked 28th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Personnel per 1000 10.14
Ranked 28th. 3 times more than United Kingdom
3.6
Ranked 94th.

Expenditure > Current LCU 808806000000 31358000000
Nuclear weapons > Non-Proliferation treaty sign date 1 Jul 1968 (L, M, W) 1 Jul 1968 (L, M, W)
Conscription <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>Conscription</a> exists (<a href=/encyclopedia/artificial-intelligence>AI</a>). No <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>conscription</a> (WRI).
Armed forces growth -71%
Ranked 126th. 97% more than United Kingdom
-36%
Ranked 106th.
Imports > USD 100 million
Ranked 40th.
590 million
Ranked 12th. 6 times more than Russia

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ 40 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 50th.
94 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 40th. 2 times more than Russia

Air force > Aircraft carriers > In reserve 0.0
Ranked 13th.
0.0
Ranked 12th.
WMD > Biological The Soviet Union ratified the BWC in 1975. Nevertheless, the Soviet Union violated the treaty by secretly operating a massive offensive BW program until it dissolved in 1991. The Soviet BW arsenal included the causative agents of anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, glanders, and hemorrhagic fever. In wartime, formulated agents would have been loaded into a variety of delivery systems, including aerial bombs and ballistic missile warheads. Soviet BW scientists also researched, developed, and produced anti-crop and anti-livestock agents. Although the U.S. government believes that the BW agent stockpiles have been destroyed, activities that contravene the BWC may continue at a few military biological facilities in Russia. The Soviet Union also established a so-called anti-plague system, whose primary objective was to control endemic diseases and prevent the importation of exotic pathogens that could threaten crops, animals, and humans. In the late 1960s, however, the system also was tasked with defending the USSR against biological attacks. The anti-plague system continues in today’s Russia. There are reports that some countries, including Iran, have attempted to hire Russian BW specialists to help them acquire biological weapons. Under its former biological warfare program (1936-1956), the United Kingdom weaponized anthrax and conducted research on the pathogens that cause plague and typhoid fever, as well as botulinum toxin. The United Kingdom no longer has an offensive biological weapons program, although its defensive biological program is strong. On March 28, 2005, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia issued a joint statement in affirmation of their support for the BTWC and called on all remaining countries not party to the BWC to implement and comply with the pact. London ratified the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in March 1975.
Expenditures 3.9% of GDP
Ranked 12th. 63% more than United Kingdom
2.4% of GDP
Ranked 29th.
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP 3.9% of GDP
Ranked 11th. 44% more than United Kingdom
2.7% of GDP
Ranked 23th.
Conventional arms > Exports $6.20 billion
Ranked 1st. 6 times more than United Kingdom
$985.00 million
Ranked 4th.
WMD > Overview The collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991 left the Russian Federation with the bulk of the massive Soviet weapons of mass destruction complex. This legacy has allowed Russia to retain its great power status even as its economy has collapsed, but the burden of supporting this oversized complex has strained the Russian political and economic system. Russia's nuclear and missile capabilities presupposes its crucial role in arms control and nonproliferation, while the remnants of chemical and biological weapons programs pose major environmental and proliferation threats. The United Kingdom is party to all major nonproliferation treaties and is a member of all major international export control regimes. The British government has made substantial reductions in its nuclear forces, partly due to changes in response to its July 1998 Strategic Defence Review. Though it once possessed biological and chemical warfare programs, London ended both programs in the mid-50s. Its limited missile program is now composed entirely of sea-launched missiles.
WMD > Chemical During the Cold War, and afterwards, the Soviet Union had the world's largest arsenal of chemical weapons, including artillery shells, bombs, and missiles that contained choking agents (phosgene), nerve agents (sarin, soman, and VX), and blister agents (mustard, lewisite, and mustard-lewisite mixture). There have been allegations that the Soviet Union developed a new class of nerve agent (Novichok), estimated to be 5-10 times more toxic than VX. Russia inherited the declared Soviet stockpile of 40,000 metric tons of CW munitions and agents stored in bulk. In November 1997, Russia ratified the CWC, but financial and other difficulties have impeded the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile, so it is far behind the timetable specified in the treaty. The United Kingdom's World War II stockpile of chemical warfare (CW) agents included phosgene, mustard gas, and lewisite. However, the United Kingdom renounced its chemical weapons program in 1957 and subsequently destroyed its chemical stockpiles. The United Kingdom formally backed the U.S.-initiated Proliferation Security Initiative in 2004 and has participated in joint exercises to practice intercepting and boarding ships engaged in weapons proliferation, including chemical weapons. In addition, the United Kingdom continues to give monetary assistance to Moscow for the dismantlement of Russia's chemical weapons stockpile. Britain ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in May 1996.
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 16-49 26381518 11779679
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ 5.77 billion constant 1990 US$
Ranked 2nd. 7 times more than United Kingdom
791 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 7th.

Exports > USD 5.95 billion
Ranked 2nd. 6 times more than United Kingdom
1.07 billion
Ranked 5th.

Conventional arms > Exports per capita $41.79
Ranked 2nd. 2 times more than United Kingdom
$17.21
Ranked 11th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people 4.83
Ranked 214th.
6.07
Ranked 183th. 26% more than Russia

Manpower > Availability > Males 36.22 million
Ranked 8th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
14.73 million
Ranked 20th.

Conventional arms > Exports > Per $ GDP 4.4 per $1,000
Ranked 1st. 8 times more than United Kingdom
0.553 per $1,000
Ranked 13th.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty > Signatures and Ratifications > Signature 24 SEP 1996 24 SEP 1996
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males 693,843
Ranked 17th. 81% more than United Kingdom
383,989
Ranked 30th.
Manpower available for military service > Females age 16-49 34985115 14307316
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 40,324.61 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than United Kingdom
13,133.75 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 10th.

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 0.27 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 84th.
1.56 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 52nd. 6 times more than Russia

Exports to developing nations $19,940.00 million
Ranked 4th.
$42,816.00 million
Ranked 2nd. 2 times more than Russia
Military expenditures > Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Figures > Date of information 2005 est. 2005
Manpower > Availability > Females 37.02 million
Ranked 7th. 3 times more than United Kingdom
14.13 million
Ranked 20th.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males 21.49 million
Ranked 10th. 77% more than United Kingdom
12.12 million
Ranked 19th.

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 36 million
Ranked 8th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
14.88 million
Ranked 20th.

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 0.27 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 85th.
1.56 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 52nd. 6 times more than Russia

Exports to developing nations > Per $ GDP $0.01 million per $1 million
Ranked 2nd.
$0.02 million per $1 million
Ranked 1st. 70% more than Russia
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people 4.64
Ranked 214th.
5.87
Ranked 184th. 27% more than Russia
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females 660,359
Ranked 17th. 81% more than United Kingdom
365,491
Ranked 31st.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females 28.76 million
Ranked 7th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
11.62 million
Ranked 19th.

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000 251.48
Ranked 77th. 2% more than United Kingdom
247.04
Ranked 91st.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 24 million
Ranked 6th. 94% more than United Kingdom
12.35 million
Ranked 15th.

Exports to developing nations per million $134.11 million
Ranked 4th.
$743.59 million
Ranked 1st. 6 times more than Russia
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Male 693843 383989
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Female 660359 365491
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people 4.64
Ranked 212th.
5.87
Ranked 182nd. 27% more than Russia
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty > Signatures and Ratifications > Ratification 30 JUN 2000 06 APR 1998
Personnel > % of total labor force 1.98%
Ranked 35th. 3 times more than United Kingdom
0.71%
Ranked 101st.

Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000 260.8
Ranked 49th. 13% more than United Kingdom
230.08
Ranked 107th.

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females 660,359
Ranked 17th. 81% more than United Kingdom
365,491
Ranked 31st.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 per 1000 167.66
Ranked 85th.
205.13
Ranked 36th. 22% more than Russia

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females 781,570
Ranked 14th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
383,593
Ranked 27th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000 5.78
Ranked 187th.
6.53
Ranked 165th. 13% more than Russia
Expenditure > % of GDP 3.74%
Ranked 13th. 44% more than United Kingdom
2.59%
Ranked 26th.

Armed forces personnel > % of total labor force 1.94%
Ranked 28th. 4 times more than United Kingdom
0.51%
Ranked 114th.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000 151.38
Ranked 153th.
197.44
Ranked 78th. 30% more than Russia

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people 4.87
Ranked 216th.
6.06
Ranked 184th. 24% more than Russia
Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000 255.16
Ranked 81st. 6% more than United Kingdom
239.92
Ranked 114th.

Military expenditure > % of GDP 4.33%
Ranked 9th. 60% more than United Kingdom
2.71%
Ranked 30th.

Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 40.31 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than United Kingdom
13.13 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 10th.

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000 5.51
Ranked 188th.
6.25
Ranked 166th. 13% more than Russia
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.213 per capita
Ranked 27th. 3% more than United Kingdom
0.207 per capita
Ranked 40th.

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita 5.55 per 1,000 people
Ranked 205th.
6.29 per 1,000 people
Ranked 185th. 13% more than Russia
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.272 per capita
Ranked 55th. 9% more than United Kingdom
0.25 per capita
Ranked 106th.

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita 5.84 per 1,000 people
Ranked 208th.
6.58 per 1,000 people
Ranked 184th. 13% more than Russia
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000 202.61
Ranked 66th. 7% more than United Kingdom
189.22
Ranked 90th.

Expenditure > % of central government expenditure 18.76%
Ranked 8th. 3 times more than United Kingdom
6.31%
Ranked 27th.

Exports to developing nations, % of GDP 4.33e-06%
Ranked 1st. 11% more than United Kingdom
3.89e-06%
Ranked 2nd.
Conventional arms > Exports, % of GDP 1.2%
Ranked 3rd. 12 times more than United Kingdom
0.0966%
Ranked 13th.

SOURCES: Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (List); Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/.; http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/indexes/global-peace-index, Global Rankings. Vision of Humanity.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel (The list); World Development Indicators database; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; The Nuclear Threat Initiative; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/ucdp/.; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry#World.27s_largest_arms_exporters

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
; IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/nuclearweapons/nukestatus.html, April 2014; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry#World.27s_largest_arms_exporters

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security.; Wikipedia: List of highest military decorations; Wikipedia: List of aircraft carriers by country (Number of aircraft carriers by operating nation); Wikipedia: Helicopter carrier (Helicopter carriers by country); Wikipedia: List of aircraft carriers in service (List of countries by aircraft carriers); IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: List of parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (Ratified or acceded states); Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997. Data collected from the nations concerned, unless otherwise indicated. Acronyms: Amnesty International (AI); European Council of Conscripts Organizations (ECCO); Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC); International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHFHR); National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO); Service, Peace and Justice in Latin America (SERPAJ); War Resisters International (WRI); World Council of Churches (WCC); calculated on the basis of data on armed forces from IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm.; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1992-1999" (Washington: Congressional Research Service, August 18, 2000), p. 51; Wikipedia: List of countries by military expenditures; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1992-1999" (Washington: Congressional Research Service, August 18, 2000), p. 51. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1992-1999" (Washington: Congressional Research Service, August 18, 2000), p. 51. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.

Citation

5

Statistically, Russia outnumbers the UK armed forces. Having acquired nearly the entirety of the arsenal of the former USSR, Russia possesses weapons systems that are meant to counter the power of the world’s most powerful military, the US. That being said, the Russian Armed Forces is more than an equal to its British counterpart. Russia’s military has been upgraded especially during the time of Vladimir Putin. Thanks to the rising economy of Russia, plus its massive oil revenues, it is able to finance its giant military wing.

However, the British Armed Forces are nothing to mess with. Despite its size, it is armed with the world’s most advanced weapons systems created by top weapons’ producers in the West. The Army, for instance, is equipped with the Challenger II, arguably the most survivable tank in the world today. The Air Force, too, is equipped with equipment that is technologically superior to that of Russia. Currently, the British Air Force has the Eurofighter Typhoon, the second most expensive fighter in the world, after the American F-22. It is also on the process of acquiring F-35 Stealth jets from the US – an acquisition which would undoubtedly bolster the potency of the British Armed Forces. Should the worst happen, UK relies on its nuclear deterrence for protection. Although it is inferior to the number of Russian nuclear warheads, British nuclear missiles are kept on advanced submarines ever ready to hit any target at any given time.

Posted on 06 Apr 2014

Edsel.G

Edsel.G

247 Stat enthusiast

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