Interesting
10 Countries That Are Most Likely Safe From Foreign Invasion
These nations not only have a sizeable army but they are also have strategic locations.
Most nations would want to do anything to protect themselves from a surprise foreign invasion. Countries would prepare enough just so they won’t be caught off guard. Fortunately for this modern world, foreign invasion is a rare thing. That’s not to say that armed conflicts will not ensue, as evidenced by the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
For some nations, though, strategies are already in place just in case an invasion would happen. These 10 nations are ranked by TopTenz not just because of the country’s active military units but also because of the area’s overall defense level.
#10. Australia
Australia has 60,000 active personnel and 44,000 reserve units; 59 tanks, 75 artillery, 78 air fighters and 188 helicopters. They have a naval strength of 47 with their 6 submarines and 2 aircraft carriers.
The island nation is mostly made of scorching desert, which offers several hiding spots for the military should there be an attack. But Australia’s strategic location makes it less likely vulnerable to an invasion.
#9. Switzerland
The Swiss government has 100,000 active personnel and 77,000 reserves. There are 224 tanks and 224 artillery, as well as 63 air fighters and 43 helicopters.
Switzerland is famous as a neutral nation but that doesn’t mean they don’t have defensive strongholds. Because of its mountainous regions, the government created a defensive plan called the Swiss National Redoubt in the 1880s. Fortresses and strongholds line the different mountain passes and they help defend the country from invading factions throughout the 20th century.
Not only that, the millions of citizens in the country also receive military training and can possess a weapon after its completion. These people will always be ready to fight for their country.
#8. Tuvalu, New Zealand, Iceland and Bhutan
These four countries placed eighth not because they have heavy defenses or military units but because they are isolated and are not considered highly valuable to a potential invader in terms of their economic strength.
#7. Japan
Japan keeps 250,000 active personnel and 42,000 reserves. The country has 777 tanks, 839 artillery, 289 air fighters and 741 helicopters. They have a naval strength of 131 with their 17 submarines and 3 carriers.
Being an island nation gives Japan remarkable defenses. Not only that, the country has a large army size and not to mention – they are powerful in terms of economy. Japan’s air force is the fifth largest in the world and is also considered the most sophisticated.
#6. Iran
Iran has 545,000 active personnel and 1,800,000 reserves. It boasts of 1,658 tanks and 2,400 artillery, 137 air fighters and 140 helicopters. It has 33 submarines and a naval strength of 398.
Iran has the largest army in the Middle East and the number already speaks for itself.
#5. Canada
Canada boasts of 95,000 active personnel and 51,000 reserve units. The country has 181 tanks and 161 artillery, 64 air fighters and 175 helicopters. It has a naval strength of 63 and has 4 submarines.
It is the world’s second largest country when talking about surface area, and that makes Canada difficult to invade. Canada also has another means of defense: its friendly nature that gives no reason for other nations to attack them.
#4. North Korea
North Korea has 700,000 active personnel and 4,500,000 reserve; 4,200 tanks and 6,550 artillery. Also, they have 458 air fighters and 222 helicopters. With 70 submarines they have a naval strength of 967. On top of that, the country has 8 nuclear warheads.
In the 50’s during the Korean War, the United States and South Korea tried to invade the North but were unsuccessful.
#3. United Kingdom
With U.K.’s 150,000 active personnel and 182,000 reserves, 407 tanks and 227 artillery, 91 air fighters and 397 helicopters, naval strength of 76 and 215 nuclear warheads, it ranks third on the list.
The country being an island nation is one of the primary reasons why the UK remains to be hard to invade. The UK also has strong allies who are ready to provide aid in case of an impending threat.
#2. Russia
Russia boasts of 766,000 active military personnel and 2,485,000 reserves. It also has 15,400 tanks and 10,600 artillery. The country has 751 air fighters and 1,750 helicopters, as well as a naval strength of 352 with its 60 submarines and one aircraft carrier. Russia also has 7,300 nuclear warheads.
Russia is almost impossible to invade and history has proven that over and over. Aside from its vast army and being the largest country, Russia’s harsh winter proves to be a big advantage.
#1. USA
As expected, the USA tops the list, considering it has 1,400,000 active personnel and 1,100,000 reserves. The country has 8,850 tanks and 3,300 personnel, 2,300 air fighters and 7,100 helicopters. With 75 submarines and 19 aircraft carriers, it has a naval strength of 415.
The Land of the Free also has 7,100 nuclear warheads. Its geographical location is advantageous and there’s also the fact that the government has allocated $581 billion for the military.