In June, the Israeli military launched a preemptive strike on key strategic and nuclear targets in Iran. In response, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missile attacks against Israel. The United States then carried out a B-2 bombing mission, which did significant damage to Iran’s most hardened and important nuclear facilities. But as hostilities between Israel and Iran temporarily conclude, it’s time to take stock of how the two countries compare militarily.
On paper, Israel and Iran rank among the top 20 global military powers, at 15th and 16th place, respectively, based on their weapons, manpower, and intelligence capabilities, according to the Global Firepower military rankings. Let’s take each military in turn.
Israel’s military
Israel, with a population of around 9.7 million, has 170,000 active military personnel in addition to 470,000 reservists. Many of these troops gained new battle experience following the surprise terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel has also received more than $130 billion in bilateral U.S. aid since its founding in 1948. This aid has supported advanced military research and development, helping Israel defend itself from regional threats while simultaneously igniting regional tensions. Israel’s main defense system is its well-known Iron Dome, a short-range air defense system designed to intercept hostile missiles and other projectiles near its borders.
In addition to the Iron Dome, Israel’s air defense system includes David’s Sling, also known as the Magic Wand, which targets medium-range missiles. The Arrow system, meanwhile, targets long-range targets. Together, they are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles too distant for the Iron Dome.
In its recent strikes on Iran, Israel used its superior air force to conduct precision strikes on key targets. Israel’s powerful air force includes modern jet fighters, such as the fifth-generation F-35I Adir, a variant of the U.S. F-35 Lightning II, and its F-16 variant, which can fly 1,040 miles without refueling. The Israeli Air Force can also perform midair refueling missions.
Israel’s arsenal also includes long-range missiles, such as the Jericho ballistic missile, capable of hitting targets thousands of kilometers away. Israel further relies on a force of advanced aerial drones. These were recently deployed to destroy key Iranian air defense systems that threatened Israeli jets.
Finally, Israel has around 90 nuclear warheads.
Iran’s military
Iran, a much larger country with about 88 million people, has a military with roughly 610,000 active members and 350,000 reserve troops.
Iran’s military is made up of both the regular national military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which operates in conjunction with the army as a defender of the Islamic Republic’s theological project.
While Israel has a robust air defense system, Iran possesses the largest stockpile of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the region. These weapons can reach targets even more than 1,000 miles away, making major Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa vulnerable, even from Iranian territory. Iran also has a competent littoral naval force, which includes submarines, frigates, and small boats capable of disrupting trade and operations in areas such as the Strait of Hormuz.
One major problem for Iran is that many of its weapons are outdated or inadequate against Israeli capabilities. Another challenge comes with the fact that Israel’s recent attacks have killed numerous high-ranking Iranian military officials, including Hossein Salami, the head of the Guard, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the Guard’s aerospace chief.
Simon Olech is a reporter studying journalism at the National Journalism Center in Washington.