South Korea
Asia · Global Firepower rank #5
Overview
GFP power index 0.1642
GFP rank 5
Economy
Defense budget (USD) $47,800,000,000
GDP (USD) $1,872,375,000,000
Defense spend, % of GDP (%) 2.6 %
Population 51,111,158
Personnel
Active personnel 450,000
Reserve personnel 3,100,000
Paramilitary 120,000
Nuclear
Warheads, total 0
Warheads, deployed 0
Nuclear status No
NPT status signatory (non-nuclear-weapon state)
Air power
Total aircraft 1,540
Fighters 242
Attack aircraft 98
Transport aircraft 40
Helicopters 827
Attack helicopters 113
Land power
Tanks 1,831
Armored fighting vehicles 117,460
Self-propelled artillery 2,780
Towed artillery 5,800
Rocket artillery (MLRS) 525
Naval power
Total naval assets 215
Aircraft carriers 0
Submarines 22
Destroyers 14
Frigates 18
Corvettes 3
Patrol vessels 96
Notes
US extended deterrence.
Sources: Global Firepower 2026, SIPRI 2025, FAS 2026, IMF. Figures are public estimates.
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FAQ
What is South Korea's Global Firepower rank? +
South Korea ranks number 5 in the Global Firepower index.
What is South Korea's defense budget? +
South Korea's estimated defense budget is 47,800,000,000 USD.
How many active military personnel does South Korea have? +
South Korea has an estimated 450,000 active-duty personnel.
Does South Korea have nuclear weapons? +
No, South Korea does not have a confirmed nuclear-weapon arsenal.
Where does this data come from? +
Sources: Global Firepower 2026, SIPRI 2025, FAS 2026, IMF. Figures are public estimates.