Iran vs Israel: Who has the bigger, better military?

The drumbeats of war are thumping louder in West Asia. On early Friday (June 13), Israel carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, promising to continue military action “to remove this threat”. The strikes hit several areas in Iran, with blasts reported in the capital Tehran, as well as at a key uranium enrichment site.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the strikes were part of Operation Rising Lion, adding Iran was a threat to “Israel’s very survival”.

Iranian state media reported that Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami was killed in a strike. Residential areas in Tehran were hit, and children were among those killed, the report claimed.

This is the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq, with multiple sites around the country hit. Tehran is likely to retaliate, raising the possibility of an all-out war in West Asia. “Blood for blood,” the Iranian military has said.

Amid rising tensions, a look at both the militaries and how they match up against one another.

Might of Iran vs Israel

A side-by-side comparison of Iran and Israel’s militaries shows that Tehran outclasses the Jewish nation in terms of manpower.

Iran has a population ten times larger than Israel’s, from which it draws its armed forces. According to Global Firepower’s 2024 index, Iran’s population stood at 8,75,90,873. Compare this to Israel, which has a population of 90,43,387. This means that Iran has a larger pool of people to pick from.

In fact, a New York Times report has stated that the Iranian armed forces are among the largest in the West Asia region, with at least 5,80,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps .

This in comparison to Israel, which has 1,69,500 active military personnel in the army, navy and paramilitary. A further 4,65,000 constitute its reserve forces, while 8,000 form part of its paramilitary.

However, when it comes to defence spending, Israel outclasses Iran. The Global Firepower Index reveals that Israel’s defence budget is $24 billion, whereas Iran’s is $9.95 billion.

However, Iran’s military establishment, especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), does not depend merely on the state budget for its funding, according to the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). “The military establishment controls (one-fifth) of the market value of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange and owns thousands of other companies, all of which generate revenue for the armed forces,” the FDD reported. “Additionally, the IRGC controls a significant portion of Iran’s underground economy.”

Iran’s weaponry takes on Israel

While Iran may outdo Israel in terms of sheer manpower strength, Tel Aviv holds the edge in terms of weaponry. For instance, Israel possesses more air power than Tehran. The Global Firepower Index reveals that Israel has a total of 612 aircraft, whereas Iran has 551. The one important aspect to point out is that Israel’s air force comprises the most modern fighter aircraft like F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s. But that is not the case for Iran.

In Israel’s possession is also its famed multi-tiered aerial defence system, which includes the Iron Dome , David’s Sling, Arrow , as well as The Patriot.

However, Iran’s missile arsenal is incomparable. The International Institute for Strategic Studies has reported that Iran has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in West Asia, which includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometres. These have the capacity and range to hit any target, including Israel.

In fact, Iran has made no secret of the build-up, displaying its trove of drones and missiles during military parades, and has ambitions to build a large export business in drones. Iran’s drones are being used by Russia in Ukraine and have surfaced in the conflict in Sudan.

When it comes to land power, Israel has 1,370 tanks, whereas Iran has 1,996. However, having more tanks than Israel does not by any stretch ensure military overmatch. Moreover, the Jewish nation has in its arsenal more advanced tanks such as the Merkava tanks, considered among the best-designed and heavily armoured in the world.

Neither Iran nor Israel has much of a naval presence. However, Iran is known for its ability to launch small boat attacks. According to Global Firepower, Tehran’s fleet strength is 101 compared to 67. Additionally, it operates as many as 19 submarines, compared with Israel’s five.

In terms of nuclear power, Israel has the edge. According to a previous Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, Israel has approximately 80 nuclear weapons. Of these, approximately 30 are gravity bombs for delivery by aircraft. The remaining 50 weapons are for delivery by Jericho II medium-range ballistic missiles, which are believed to be based with their mobile launchers in caves at a military base east of Jerusalem.

Iran’s proxy power

One of the biggest strengths that Iran has militarily is its complex military apparatus. In fact, a New York Times report states that Iran’s adversaries, primarily the United States and Israel, have avoided direct military strikes on Iran for decades, not wishing to tangle with it.

Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Iran’s military, tells the American news outlet, “There is a reason Iran has not been struck. It’s not that Iran’s adversaries fear Iran. It’s that they realise any war against Iran is a very serious war.”

Iran arms, trains and supports a network of proxy militias throughout West Asia known as the “ Axis of Resistance .” These militias include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militia groups in Syria and Iraq and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

While they are not counted as part of Iran’s armed forces, they are battle-ready, heavily armed and fiercely loyal to Iran and would even come to Tehran’s aid if attacked.

Suzanne Maloney, vice president & director of _Brookings Foreign Polic_y, speaking on these proxies, said: “One of the most valuable tools in the Iranian arsenal is the network of militias that its leadership has cultivated, coordinated, trained, and supplied with advanced weaponry. The network extends across the broader Middle East from Lebanon to Pakistan, and these proxies have proven integral to Tehran’s security, longevity, and influence. They provide the Islamic Republic with strategic depth and wide regional influence and access while insulating Iran’s leadership from the full risk of their actions.”

The future remains uncertain. But until then, the world holds its breath as the clouds of war gather over West Asia.

With inputs from agencies