South Korea Military Power 2020-2021

World ranking: 4

Overview

Through necessity, South Korea has become a military powerhouse. Despite having a population of only 51 million it maintain's one of the largest standing army's on the planet. Its high budget and aid from the US ensures that it remains a formidable foe to the threat to the north.

Capital: Seoul

Population: 51.54 million

Defence Budget: 42 billion

Total Personnel: 3,680,000

land forces

Although geographically small, South Korea has a very large and modern ground force. Many of its vehicles are both domestically made and highly advanced. The large amount of artillery in South Korea's arsenal deters China and North Korea from attempting an incursion into the south in the case of a war.

Tanks: 2,614

AFV: 14,000

MLRS: 575

SPG: 3,040

F-15K_ROKAF_takes_off_from_Kunsan_AB_200

Air force

The South Korean Air Force is well equipped with its assortment of multirole jets. It's highly capable F-16s and F-15Ks are being supplemented with F-35s, meaning that South Korea will have US Air Force capabilities right on the doorstep of China. South Korea's highly trained pilots combined with its fleet of advanced aircraft make it a force to be reckoned with.

Fighters: 414

Attack: 71

Armed UAVs: 0

Attack Helicopters: 112

Helicopters: 803

Other: 361

Navy

Just like the other branches, South Korea's Navy does not disappoint. With ships like the KDX-III destroyers and the Dokdo-class LPHs, the South Korean navy packs a formidable punch.

Total Vessels: 233

Carriers and LHDs: 2

Destroyers: 12

Frigates: 18

Corvettes: 12

Submarines: 22