The Arab world has always been in the spotlight due to geopolitical tensions, oil wealth, and strategic importance. Naturally, questions often arise about which Arab country has the most powerful army and where relatively small but stable Oman stands in terms of military strength. After visiting Jordan and Ethiopia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now arrived in Oman. This is a good opportunity to try and understand these questions.
To measure military strength, several international indices are used. One of the main ones is the Global Firepower Index (GFP), which ranks a country’s conventional military power based on dozens of factors, such as the number of soldiers, tanks, aircraft, defense budget, logistics, and geographic position.
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Which arab country has the most powerful army?
According to the latest 2025 rankings, Oman is ranked 13th among Middle Eastern countries. The Global Firepower 2025 Middle East Military Strength list ranks countries in the region based on their military power, including several Arab nations.
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In this regional list, Turkey tops the chart, followed by Israel at number two and Iran at number three. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq hold the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions, while UAE, Syria, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, and Lebanon rank from seventh to fifteenth. If we focus only on Arab countries, excluding Turkey, Iran, and Israel, the most powerful armies in the Arab world are considered to be Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, and others.
Egypt: The largest traditional arab army
Egypt ranks among the top 20 armies globally in the Global Firepower Index and holds a high position in the Middle East. Its 2025 Power Index score is 0.3427, making it a strong traditional military power. Egypt’s strength comes from a large standing army and reserves, tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, control over strategic routes like the Suez Canal, and weapons from countries like Russia, the USA, and France. In terms of ground forces and manpower, Egypt is often considered the most powerful Arab army.
Saudi Arabia: Wealth and Modern Technology
While Egypt leads in numbers, Saudi Arabia is strong in modern weapons, high-tech airpower, and defense budget. Its 2025 Power Index score is 0.4201, ranking it among the top 25 armies globally. Saudi Arabia possesses modern fighter jets (F-15, Eurofighter Typhoon), drones, missile systems, air defense, and practical combat experience from conflicts like the Yemen war. It is the most advanced in technology and modern military capabilities, while Egypt excels in traditional strength.
Oman’s position
In the 2025 Middle East Military Strength ranking, Oman is 13th with a Power Index of 1.8047. Countries above it include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Syria, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, while Yemen and Lebanon rank below. Though lower on the list, Oman’s army is balanced, capable, and diplomatically cautious, suitable for its size and resources.
Oman: strong training and strategic geography
Oman’s army is small but well-trained, benefiting from historical military cooperation with the UK. It maintains a neutral stance in regional disputes and balances relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Western countries. Its strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz adds importance in maritime security. While its defense budget is smaller than Saudi Arabia or UAE, Oman maintains balanced air, land, and naval forces.
Oman’s strength
Although Oman ranks 13th, it has a well-balanced and capable army considering its size, population, and resources. It follows a defensive strategy, avoids large-scale conflicts, and plays a stabilizing, neutral role in the region. Oman’s strength lies in its non-aggressive foreign policy, stability, and strategic location, rather than sheer numbers of tanks or aircraft.