🇰🇷 South Korea Military Strength 2026
In the 2026 ArmySimulator Power Index, South Korea places #11 of 180 countries — a significant regional military power. Its armed forces field 450,000 active personnel plus 3,100,000 in reserve. The defense budget stands at $47.6 billion (2024), about 2.6% of GDP.
▶ Open South Korea in the simulator
Personnel & budget
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Active military personnel | 450,000 | #11 |
| Reserve personnel | 3,100,000 | |
| Paramilitary forces | 13,500 | |
| Defense budget (2024) | $47.6 billion | #11 |
| Budget share of GDP | 2.56% | |
| Population | 51.7M | |
Land forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Main battle tanks | 2,501 | #9 |
| Attack helicopters | 96 | |
Air power
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Combat aircraft | 580 | #6 |
| Military satellites | 0 | |
Naval forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Aircraft carriers | 0 | |
| Cruisers | 3 | |
| Destroyers | 6 | |
| Frigates | 14 | |
| Corvettes | 12 | |
| Amphibious warfare ships | 10 | |
| Nuclear submarines | 0 | |
| Conventional submarines | 20 | |
| Navy VLS missile cells | 896 | |
| Fleet strength score | 130 | #7 |
Notable weapons systems
Head-to-head comparisons
Data years vary by indicator (latest available, 2023–2026). See methodology and sources.