According to the latest evaluation of the comprehensive national strength of various countries in the world, India's comprehensive national strength ranks ninth in the world after the United States, Russia, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.
First, it is a major arms importer.
In order to achieve its goal of dominating the Indian Ocean, India imports a large number of advanced weapons from abroad every year, and India has now become the world's largest importer of weapons and military equipment. India's defense industrial base is still in its very early stages, with imports for 65 per cent of the country's armed forces.
Second, it has a large population and sufficient military resources.
India is the second most populous country in the world, with 1.324 billion people, and can replenish 22.9 million service-age human resources every year. At present, the Indian army has 1.325 million active personnel and 2.143 million reservists.
Third, India's military strength.
The Indian Army has 3,569 tanks, 5,085 armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 290 self-propelled guns, 6,445 towed artillery pieces and 292 MLRS. India's air power has 1,785 aircraft of all classes, including 535 fighters, 468 attack aircraft, 706 military transport aircraft, 237 trainer aircraft, 504 multi-role helicopters for transport and auxiliary missions, and 20 attack helicopters. The Indian Navy has 184 ships, including 2 aircraft carriers, 15 frigates, 11 destroyers, 24 corvettes, 17 submarines, 32 shore defense vessels, and 7 minesweepers.
Fourth, the amount of infrastructure.
The total length of roads is more than 3.32 million kilometers, the total length of railways is no more than 64,000 kilometers, there are 346 airports in use, and 7 large ports.
Fifth, the ability to spend money.
India's defense spending is $46 billion, its external debt is close to $379 billion, its foreign exchange reserves are about $297.8 billion, and its parity is $4.71 trillion.