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NATIONAL FORCES · COMPARISON
Germany vs United Kingdom
| Overview | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
Active personnel DefinitionFull-time active military personnel; exclude reserves and paramilitary unless explicitly identified. | 183,200Estimate · people · 2026Single source2026 estimate. NATO peacetime military personnel strength; excludes trained reserves held at high readiness. National reporting coverage may differ from regular-force-only headcounts. | 125,900Estimate · people · 2026Single source2026 estimate. NATO peacetime military personnel strength; excludes trained reserves held at high readiness. National reporting coverage may differ from regular-force-only headcounts. |
Armed forces personnel DefinitionActive-duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces whose training, organisation, equipment and control allow them to support or replace regular forces. This is not an active-regular-only count. | 183,000people · 2020Single source2020 annual observation. Active-duty military personnel, including qualifying paramilitary forces; not an active-regular-only count. | 153,000people · 2020Single source2020 annual observation. Active-duty military personnel, including qualifying paramilitary forces; not an active-regular-only count. |
Combat aircraft DefinitionIn-service fixed-wing combat aircraft; exclude stored, retired and ordered aircraft. In service does not establish readiness. | 192Estimate · aircraft · 8 Oct 2024Single sourceNational in-service fixed-wing aircraft classified as Combat aircraft by FlightGlobal/Cirium, summing the Active column across all military services listed for the country. Excludes the separately classified trainers, special-mission aircraft, tankers and helicopters, as well as aircraft in storage, undergoing or awaiting upgrades, and orders. This is the directory's active-role inventory estimate, not a measure of combat readiness. | 144Estimate · aircraft · 8 Oct 2024Single sourceNational in-service fixed-wing aircraft classified as Combat aircraft by FlightGlobal/Cirium, summing the Active column across all military services listed for the country. Excludes the separately classified trainers, special-mission aircraft, tankers and helicopters, as well as aircraft in storage, undergoing or awaiting upgrades, and orders. This is the directory's active-role inventory estimate, not a measure of combat readiness. |
Defence spending DefinitionAnnual military expenditure in current US dollars. State fiscal year, coverage and conversion basis in notes. | US$137bnEstimate · USD · 2026 IISS defence budget forecast (November 2025 assessment)Single sourceSource-reported annual official defence budget/appropriation in current US dollars; it is a budget figure, not an assertion of final expenditure or readiness. Explicit 2026 economic-table year column; USD 137bn. The table was compiled in the November 2025 IISS assessment; this annual figure is an assessment/estimate and does not assert a final audited outturn. Source coverage/fiscal-year notes: [b] Includes 'Sondervermögen' (special fund) allocation, military pensions and military aid to Ukraine The explicit 2026 column is forward-looking relative to the November 2025 assessment and is retained as a forecast, not an observed final outturn. | US$102bnEstimate · USD · 2026 IISS defence budget forecast (November 2025 assessment)Single sourceSource-reported annual official defence budget/appropriation in current US dollars; it is a budget figure, not an assertion of final expenditure or readiness. Explicit 2026 economic-table year column; USD ε102bn. The table was compiled in the November 2025 IISS assessment; this annual figure is an assessment/estimate and does not assert a final audited outturn. Source coverage/fiscal-year notes: [b] Includes total departmental expenditure limits; costs of military operations; Armed Forces Pension Service; military aid to Ukraine; and external income earned by the MoD The printed ε marks this cell as estimated. The explicit 2026 column is forward-looking relative to the November 2025 assessment and is retained as a forecast, not an observed final outturn. |
GDP DefinitionAnnual nominal GDP in current US dollars, not purchasing-power parity. | US$5.33tnEstimate · USD · 2026 IISS nominal GDP forecast (November 2025 assessment)Single sourceAnnual nominal GDP at current market prices, in source-reported current US dollars. Excludes purchasing-power-parity GDP and real GDP growth. Explicit 2026 economic-table year column; USD 5.33trn. The table was compiled in the November 2025 IISS assessment; this annual figure is an assessment/estimate and does not assert a final audited outturn. The explicit 2026 column is forward-looking relative to the November 2025 assessment and is retained as a forecast, not an observed final outturn. | US$4.23tnEstimate · USD · 2026 IISS nominal GDP forecast (November 2025 assessment)Single sourceAnnual nominal GDP at current market prices, in source-reported current US dollars. Excludes purchasing-power-parity GDP and real GDP growth. Explicit 2026 economic-table year column; USD 4.23trn. The table was compiled in the November 2025 IISS assessment; this annual figure is an assessment/estimate and does not assert a final audited outturn. The explicit 2026 column is forward-looking relative to the November 2025 assessment and is retained as a forecast, not an observed final outturn. |
Main battle tanks DefinitionIn-service main battle tanks; exclude storage and orders. | 321Estimate · vehicles · 2023Single sourceGerman national Leopard 2 main battle tank fleet in the report's 2023 assessment: 321 vehicles, excluding the separately bracketed 55 Leopard 2A4 in storage. Future Leopard 2A8 orders are excluded. | 213Estimate · vehicles · 2023Single sourceBritish national Challenger 2 main battle tank fleet in FOI's 2023 capability assessment. Does not add the separately planned Challenger 3 upgrade programme or broader later inventory holdings. |
Major surface combatants DefinitionCommissioned cruisers, destroyers and frigates. Exclude patrol craft and support vessels. | 11Estimate · vessels · 2023Single sourceCommissioned cruisers, destroyers and frigates in the national fleet; excludes aircraft carriers, corvettes, patrol, amphibious and support vessels. Fleet count, not immediately deployable strength. | 13vessels · 1 Apr 2026Single sourceCommissioned cruisers, destroyers and frigates in the national fleet; excludes aircraft carriers, corvettes, patrol, amphibious and support vessels. Fleet count, not immediately deployable strength. |
Population DefinitionTotal resident population; retain the source's reference year. | 83,491,249people · 2025Single source2025 annual observation. Midyear resident population estimate. | 69,487,000people · 2025Single source2025 annual observation. Midyear resident population estimate. |
Reserve personnel DefinitionReported reserve personnel, with mobilisation and training definitions stated in notes. | 34,100Estimate · people · November 2025 IISS assessmentSingle sourceNational military reserve pool; excludes the separately reported active and paramilitary personnel. Training/mobilisation definitions remain source-specific. | 32,100people · 1 Apr 2026Single sourceTotal trained and untrained UK Tri-Service Future Reserves 2020 personnel. Includes FR20 volunteer reserve categories; excludes the wider former-regular mobilisation liability pool. |
Submarines DefinitionCommissioned submarines; exclude vessels on order and decommissioned vessels. | 6Estimate · vessels · 2023Single sourceCommissioned military submarines in the national fleet; excludes orders, construction and uncommissioned trial boats. Fleet count, not immediately deployable strength. | 9vessels · 1 Apr 2026Single sourceRoyal Navy Submarine Service vessels in service at 1 April 2026, under MOD readiness-state definition; not necessarily immediately deployable. |
Transport aircraft DefinitionIn-service dedicated fixed-wing military transport aircraft; exclude trainers and orders. | 50Estimate · aircraft · 8 Oct 2024Single sourceNational in-service fixed-wing military transport aircraft classified as Transport by FlightGlobal/Cirium, summing the Active column across all military services listed for the country. Includes strategic, tactical and light liaison/utility transport aircraft; excludes the separately classified trainers, special-mission aircraft, tankers and helicopters, as well as aircraft in storage, undergoing or awaiting upgrades, and orders. This is the directory's active-role inventory estimate, not a measure of immediate availability. | 29Estimate · aircraft · 8 Oct 2024Single sourceNational in-service fixed-wing military transport aircraft classified as Transport by FlightGlobal/Cirium, summing the Active column across all military services listed for the country. Includes strategic, tactical and light liaison/utility transport aircraft; excludes the separately classified trainers, special-mission aircraft, tankers and helicopters, as well as aircraft in storage, undergoing or awaiting upgrades, and orders. This is the directory's active-role inventory estimate, not a measure of immediate availability. |
Nuclear warheads DefinitionWarheads in the military stockpile, deployed or in reserve; exclude retired warheads awaiting dismantlement. Independent estimates, labelled as such. | —Not yet documented | 225Estimate · warheads · 2026 estimateSingle sourceWarheads in the military stockpile: in the custody of the military and earmarked for use by military forces, deployed or in reserve. Excludes retired warheads awaiting dismantlement. |
EQUIPMENT & WEAPONS
Equipment listed in inventory and operator sources, grouped by force and category. Sourced quantities retain their date, variant coverage and inventory status. Equipment without a documented count is listed by type.
410 matching equipment types
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||
| Eurofighter Typhoon | 1382026 73Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 138Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | 1242026 111Royal Air Force · 2025Wikipedia |
| F-35 Lightning II | 12026 34Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | 472026Wikipedia 482026Wikipedia |
| Hawker Hunter | — | 32026Wikipedia 32026Wikipedia |
| Panavia Tornado | 86Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 86Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Support aircraft | ||
| A330 MRTT | 3Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 1Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | 14Royal Air Force · 2025Wikipedia 14Royal Air Force · 2025Wikipedia |
| A400M Atlas | 51Air Force · 2025 53Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 53Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 53German Air and Space Force · 2026Wikipedia | 222026 22Royal Air Force · 2025Wikipedia |
| Airbus A319 | 2Air Force · 2025 3Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 3Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 3German Air and Space Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Airbus A321 | 1Air Force · 2025 1German Air and Space Force · 2023Wikipedia 1Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 1Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Airbus A321neo | 2Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 2Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 2Air Force · 2025 2German Air and Space Force · 2022Wikipedia | — |
| Airbus A350 | 3Air Force · 2025 3German Air and Space Force · 2023Wikipedia 3Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia 3Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Beechcraft King Air | — | 102024 |
| Beechcraft Super King Air | — | 8Royal Air Force · 2025 22025Wikipedia |
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Tanks | ||
| Boxer | — | 282026 |
| Challenger 2 | — | 2852026 |
| Challenger 3 | — | In service |
| L9 bar mine | — | In service |
| Leopard 1 | In service | — |
| Leopard 2 | 104Army · 2025 16modern equipment of the German Army · 2026Wikipedia 295modern equipment of the German Army · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| M48 Patton | In service | — |
| Armoured vehicles | ||
| Ajax | — | 1852026 |
| Alvis Saracen | — | In service |
| ATF Dingo | 206Support Command · 2025 247Army · 2025 115modern equipment of the German Army · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Bison and Coyote armoured vehicles | — | 72British Army · 2026Wikipedia |
| BMW F series parallel-twin | In service | — |
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Air defence | ||
| 2K12 Kub | In service | — |
| 9K33 Osa | In service | In service |
| Alvis Stormer | — | 532026 |
| Arrow (missile family) | In service | — |
| Arrow 3 | 12026 2Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| CAMM (missile family) | — | 6British Army · 2026Wikipedia ≥6British Army · 2026Wikipedia |
| Flakpanzer Gepard | In service | — |
| IRIS-T SL | 15Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Patriot | 72026 456Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile | 32German Navy ships · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| RIM-162 ESSM | In service | — |
| RIM-7 Sea Sparrow | In service | — |
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Small arms | ||
| Accuracy International Arctic Warfare | In service | — |
| Accuracy International AS50 | — | In service |
| Accuracy International AW50 | In service | In service |
| Accuracy International AWM | In service | In service |
| Accuracy International AX50 | — | In service |
| AR-M1 | — | In service |
| Barrett M82 | In service | In service |
| Benelli M3 | — | In service |
| Benelli M4 | — | In service |
| Beretta M1951 | — | In service |
| Blaser R93 Tactical | In service | In service |
| Brügger & Thomet MP9 | — | In service |
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Remote weapon stations | ||
| Hitrole | In service | — |
| Protector RWS | — | In service |
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Radar & sensors | ||
| Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight | — | In service |
| AN/AAQ-28 Litening | 89Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| AN/FPS-117 | In service | In service |
| AN/PEQ-16 | — | In service |
| ARTHUR | — | In service |
| BOR-A 550 | In service | — |
| C79 optical sight | — | In service |
| COBRA (radar) | 12modern equipment of the German Army · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| ELCAN Specter | In service | In service |
| Euroradar CAPTOR | 168Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Giraffe radar | — | 6British Army · 2023Wikipedia |
| Ground Master 400 | 6Current fleet of the German Air Force · 2026Wikipedia | — |
| Equipment | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear weapons | ||
| B61 nuclear bomb | In service | — |
Coverage is incomplete. “Not documented” means no linked inventory evidence, not zero equipment. Methodology ↗
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 cited source period | 337 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 6 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 19 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 24 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 2 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 3 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 2 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 2 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 6 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 2 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 3 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 3 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 10 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 2 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 5 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 4 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 3 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 4 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 6 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 2 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | ≥1,370 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | ≥520 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 5 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 3 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 5 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
No shared land boundary is represented in the Natural Earth dataset. Approximate separation between the dataset’s country label points: 900 km.
Generalized geography from Natural Earth 1:110m, version 5.1.1. Label-point distance is calculated on a sphere and rounded to the nearest 100 km; it is not a capital-to-capital distance, route, border distance or operational range. Dataset boundaries do not imply recognition of territorial claims.
Boundaries: Natural Earth 1:110m, v5.1.1 · Public domain · Research catalogue highlighted
Scores out of 100 on the ForceTally Index. Each bar splits in proportion to the two scores. A point at the centre of the chart means no sourced figure for that part.
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 53 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 6 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 6 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| Source snapshot 2026-10-02 · inventory date unstated | 23 units | Wikipedia contributors | approved |