50 Countries With The Most Tanks In The World [2024 Updated]

We have listed the 50 countries with the most tanks in the world according to Global Fire Power. The tank is one of the most important vehicles of modern warfare. It began to be used during World War I, however, its most common use occurred only 20 years later, during World War II. To this day, it is considered one of the key pieces of any army.

The term “tank” has changed over the last few decades. At first, tanks were vehicles used to transport men on the battlefield. Later it became clear that tanks were the perfect means of conducting heavy fire. In fact, they are essential when it comes to laying siege to cities and breaking through front lines.

Until the advent of the main battle tank, tanks were usually classified according to their weight (light, medium, heavy, or super-heavy) or their doctrinal purpose (advance, cavalry, infantry, cruising, or reconnaissance). 

Some are larger and heavily armored and equipped with large guns, while others are smaller and equipped with smaller caliber guns. These smaller tanks move across terrain with speed and agility and can perform a reconnaissance role in addition to attacking enemy targets.

Although not all of them are in perfect condition and ready for use, Russia is the country with the most tanks in the world. In total, the country is estimated to have more than 12,000 tanks. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), only 2,800 of them are operational, while another 10,000 are in storage.

Read Also: The Best Military Schools in the United States

The countries with the most tanks in the world

The attached data does not reflect the effects of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Latest data corresponding to 2024. Estimates are made when official data is not available.

#	Country	Tank fleet
1.	Russia	12,420
2.	USA	6,612
3.	North Korea	5,895
4.	China	5,250
5.	India	4,614
6.	Egypt	4,394
7.	Syria	3,540
8.	Morocco	3,335
9.	Turkey	3,022
10.	Iran	2,831
11.	Pakistan	2,824
12.	South Korea	2,624
13.	Ukraine	2,596
14.	Algeria	2,196
15.	Vietnam	2,044
16.	Israel	1,900
17.	Jordan	1,401
18.	Greece	1,243
19.	Cuba	1,230
20.	Taiwan	1,110
21.	Saudi Arabia	1,062
22.	Japan	1,004
23.	Poland	863
24.	Iraq	826
25.	Turkmenistan	680
26.	Burma	664
27.	Thailand	637
28.	Belarus	601
29.	Cambodia	539
30.	Azerbaijan	510
31.	Mongolia	470
32.	Romania	451
33.	Brazil	439
34.	Uzbekistan	420
35.	Bulgaria	410
36.	France	406
37.	Nigeria	376
38.	Kuwait	367
39.	Lebanon	361
40.	Sudan	360
41.	United Arab Emirates	354
42.	Argentina	349
43.	Ethiopia	340
44.	Spain	327
45.	Serbian	323
46.	Angola	320
47.	Bangladesh	320
48.	Bosnia and Herzegovina	320
49.	Indonesia	314
50.	Kazakhstan	310