Brazil’s Military Dominance Far Outpaces Its South American Neighbors

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• With more than 350,000 active personnel, the Brazilian Armed Forces have the largest standing military in South America
• The Brazilian Navy is working towards its first nuclear submarine
• Brazil is ordering nearly 100 Gripen E fighter jets to modernize its air force
• Also: Dividend Legends to Hold Forever

Brazil’s military dominance is unmatched in South America. With more than 350,000 active personnel, the Brazilian Armed Forces boast the largest standing military on the continent, dwarfing the forces of neighboring countries like Argentina and Colombia. And it's not just the standing Army, Brazil has the military assets to put it in the top tier of militaries on the planet.

The Brazilian Navy is one of the strongest and largest naval forces in the region with over 4,600 miles of coastline to patrol. The Navy is also working on its first nuclear submarine, which would elevate its military might even further. ( These are the 20 strongest navies on Earth. )

At the same time, Brazil is focused on modernization efforts within its air force. Currently there are nearly 100 Gripen E fighter jets on order, which will further enhance Brazil's air power. (These are the world's most widely used fighter jets .)

Although there are budgetary concerns about Brazil's military modernization push, none of its neighbors come close to matching its military might. That is not to say, the rest of the continent is a pushover. Plenty of South American countries have formidable military forces.

24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the armed forces of South America. To determine the countries with the strongest military might in South America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their PowerIndex, a composite of over 60 measures in categories such as military might, financials, logistical capability, and geography. The smaller the PowerIndex value the more powerful a nation’s theoretical conventional fighting capability is. We included supplemental information regarding active military personnel, military aircraft, vehicles, and naval power as well. We included supplemental information regarding active military personnel, military aircraft, vehicles, and naval power as well.

Here is a look at the strongest militaries in South America: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the military dynamics of South America is important considering the region's evolving geopolitical landscape and its strategic importance. Historically, South America has experienced internal conflicts and border tensions, but its military presence is now key in maintaining regional stability and security.

• Active military personnel: 2,000
• Total military aircraft: 3
• Total military vehicles: 650
• Total tanks: 0
• Total navy ships and submarines: 16
• Military strength score and world rank: 3.9038 - #143 out of 145

Suriname's military history was largely shaped by its colonial past, only gaining independence from the Netherlands in 1975. The country came under civilian rule for a few years, but a military coup in 1980, known as the "Sergeants Coup", reshaped the government and marked the beginning of military rule for some time. It would not be the only coup, but it would impact how the people view the military for years to come.

After returning to democratic rule in the 1990s, Suriname looked to decrease the military's influence, which explains the state of its military today.

Currently there are only about 2,000 active military personnel for this country of just over 600,000. Suriname only has 3 military aircraft and less than 700 military vehicles. On the world stage, Suriname is near the bottom of the barrel in terms of military might.

Despite not mustering a sizable military force, the rule of the people persists. However, what forces Suriname does have train with U.S. Armed forces, notably the South Dakota National Guard as part of a State Partnership Program.

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