In this piece, we will take a look at the 15 most advanced countries in military technology. Military technology, or the use of technology for the brutal art of warfare, is one of the oldest domains in human history. From the caveman using a simple spear to today’s high end stealth fighter jets and drones, this field has continuously evolved and is a primary contributor to the ability of armed forces to see the tide of war turn in their favour.
In terms of monetary value, defense items are among the most expensive in the world. The U.S.’ crown jewel fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, costs the USAF a cool $120 million to purchase exclusive of development costs and more than $68,000 (higher than the average U.S. income) to operate per hour. The industry itself stood at $474 billion last year and will grow to $513 billion this year with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. Top American firms, which are also the leading players globally, which manufacturer hypersonics, fighter aircraft, and atom bombs are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., and The Boeing Company.
Out of these, Lockheed is the most versatile, as it is involved in making hypersonic vehicles, nuclear weapons, and the leading fighter aircraft in the world. Its F-22 Raptor is the world’s oldest fighter jet. However, Northrop is known for its bombers and drones, and its latest B-21 Raider bomber revealed in December 2022 is a sight to behold.
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15 Most Advanced Countries in Military Technology
15. State of Israel
Total Military Aircraft Fleet Strength as of 2022: 597
The State of Israel has a gross domestic product of $496 billion and a high GDP per capita of $52,173. The Israeli Air Force has fought some of the highest number of wars in its history, and the country is a defense partner of the United States. While its air force relies on American aircraft, Israel uses its own variants of modern aircraft such as the F-16, which is called the F-16I Soufa.
14. Hellenic Republic
Total Military Aircraft Fleet Strength as of 2022: 633
The Hellenic Republic, also known as Greece, is a European country that is commonly referred to as the cradle of Western civilization due to having produced philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Its air force relies primarily on the U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, and Greece has produced some of the best fighter pilots in the world which dominate exercises such as the Red Flag and are often voted as the best in NATO. Additionally, Greek F-16s are among the latest in the world, as they belong to the Block 72 category. These jets are often dubbed as 4.5 generation due to modern capabilities such as AESA radars.
13. Federative Republic of Brazil
Total Military Aircraft Fleet Strength as of 2022: 679
The Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in North and South America, and an emerging power with a $3.6 trillion gross domestic product (GDP). The Brazilian Air Force is the second largest air force in the Americas after the U.S. Brazil’s aerospace sector is one of the strongest in the world, and the air force relies mostly on aircraft that are produced either entirely or partially in Brazil. These are among the most advanced aircraft in the world, such as the JAS 39 Gripen.
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