Turkey ranks as the strongest military power in the Middle East for 2025, holding the region’s lowest PowerIndex score of 0.1902, a figure that reflects stronger conventional warfighting capability. Its position is reinforced by large active forces, well-developed land systems, credible naval assets and NATO-compatible military infrastructure, all of which underpin Ankara’s regional military standing. With a total population of 84,119,531, Turkey maintains an active military personnel strength of 3,55,200. Its air force fields 812 aircraft in readiness, including 151 fighter jets, providing substantial air combat capacity. On the ground, Turkey operates around 1,679 tanks in active service, forming the backbone of its armoured warfare capability.
