Overview
Which country has the largest military force in South America?
The country with the largest military force in South America is Brazil with a force strength of 2,101,500 personnel. At second and third, are Colombia with a 516,050-strong military and Venezuela with a military force of 351,000 personnel.
In comparison, the average size of the military forces in South America is around 335,942.5 military personnel.
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DEFENSE SPENDING
Defense Budget. Brazil has the highest military budget in South America at US$26,946M . Average size of defense budgets among countries in South America stand at US$5,276.4M.
Percentage of GDP on Defense. Colombia's defence budget makes up 3.20% of its GDP - the highest in South America. On average, countries in South America spend %1.7 of their GDPs on defense.
FORCE STRUCTURE
Active Forces. Brazil has the largest active military in South America, with 366,500 personnel. Average size of active military forces among countries in South America stand at 93,961.7 personnel.
Reserve Forces. Brazil has the largest reserve military in South America, with 1,340,000 personnel. On average, countries in South America maintain a reserve strength of 157,843.3 personnel.
Paramilitary Forces. Brazil has the largest paramilitary force in South America, with 395,000 personnel. The average paramilitary force size in South America is 84,137.5 personnel.
Total Military Force Per Capita. Paraguay has the highest total military per capita at 27.5 per 1000 in population - the highest in South America. The average total military force per capita for countries in South America is around 9.4 per 1000 in population.
BATTLE EQUIPMENT
Naval Fleet. Brazil has the largest naval fleet in South America, with 24 vessels. Average size of naval fleet among countries in South America stand at 8.5 vessels.
Submarines. Peru has the most submarines in South America at 6 subs. Average size of submarine fleet among countries in South America stand at 2.2 subs.
Air Force. Brazil has the largest air force at 292 planes in South America. Average size of air force among countries in South America stand at 73.3 planes.
Battle Tanks. Brazil has most number of battle tanks in South America at 393 tanks. Average number of tanks among countries in South America stand at 100.6 tanks.
These are the countries in South America with the largest military forces:
Brazil's defence budget is the highest in South America. The defence budget of Brazil is estimated at US$26,946M at around 1.50% of its GDP.
Brazil has the largest military force in South America. With a 2,101,500-strong military, Brazil has a per-capita ratio of 10.1 military personnel per 1000 in population. Its total military consists of 366,500 active personnel (largest in South America), 1,340,000 reserve personnel and 395,000 from paramilitary forces.
Brazil's battle tank force is the largest in South America. On land, Brazil has a mobile force of 393 tanks. For aerial defence, Brazil has an air force of 292 military aircrafts and 78 attack helicopters.
Brazil has the largest naval fleet in South America. Brazil has a naval fleet of 24 vessels, including 5 non-nuclear submarines. Other offensive warships in the naval arsenal include 11 frigates, 3 destroyers and 4 corvettes.
The country with the second-highest defence budget in South America is Colombia. Colombia's defence expenditure is estimated to be US$10,084M (3.20% of its GDP). Its percentage of GDP allocated to defence spending is the highest in South America.
Colombia has the second-largest military force in South America. Colombia has a military that is composed of 293,200 active personnel (second-largest in South America), 34,950 in reserve and 187,900 from paramilitary forces, totalling 516,050 or 10.7 military personnel per 1000 in population.
For aerial defence, Colombia has an air force of 86 military aircrafts and 49 attack helicopters.
Colombia has a naval fleet of 9 vessels, including 4 non-nuclear submarines. The naval fleet of warships also include 4 frigates and 1 corvettes.
Venezuela's military force is the third-largest in South America. Venezuela has a military of 351,000 personnel, with 123,000 active (third-largest in South America), 8,000 in reserve and 220,000 from paramilitary forces, making up 11.1 military personnel per 1000 in population. Its per-capita military is the second-highest in South America.
On land, Venezuela has a mobile force of 173 tanks. For aerial defence, Venezuela has an air force of 98 military aircrafts and 293 attack helicopters.
Venezuela has a naval fleet of 8 vessels, including 2 non-nuclear submarines.
Peru.
Peru allocates about 1.20% of its GDP (estimated at US$2,725M) for its defence budget.
With a 346,000-strong military, Peru has a per-capita ratio of 11 military personnel per 1000 in population. Its total military consists of 81,000 active personnel, 188,000 reserve personnel and 77,000 from paramilitary forces. Its per-capita military is the third-highest in South America.
On land, Peru has a mobile force of 165 tanks. For aerial defence, Peru has an air force of 78 military aircrafts and 264 attack helicopters.
Peru's naval fleet is the second-largest in South America. Peru has a naval fleet of 19 vessels, including 6 non-nuclear submarines. Other offensive warships in the naval arsenal include 7 frigates and 6 corvettes.
Chile has the third-highest defence budget in South America. The defence budget of Chile is estimated at US$5,182M at around 1.80% of its GDP.
Chile has a military that is composed of 77,200 active personnel, 40,000 in reserve and 44,700 from paramilitary forces, totalling 161,900 or 9 military personnel per 1000 in population.
Chile's battle tank force is the second-largest in South America. On land, Chile has a mobile force of 245 tanks. For aerial defence, Chile has an air force of 96 military aircrafts and 25 attack helicopters.
Chile has a naval fleet of 13 vessels, including 4 non-nuclear submarines. The naval fleet of warships also include 7 frigates and 1 destroyers.
Argentina has a military of 103,350 personnel, with 72,100 active and 31,250 from paramilitary forces, making up 2.3 military personnel per 1000 in population.
Argentina has the third-largest battle tank force in South America. On land, Argentina has a mobile force of 213 tanks. For aerial defence, Argentina has an air force of 123 military aircrafts and 44 attack helicopters.
Argentina's naval fleet is the third-largest in South America. Argentina has a naval fleet of 17 vessels, including 3 non-nuclear submarines. Rounding up the fleet of warships are 6 frigates, 5 destroyers and 3 corvettes.
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