TEHRAN – As Israel and Iran engage in direct military clash after decades of proxy warfare and shadow operations, all eyes are on military capabilities of two sides. Analysts warn that confrontation between these regional heavyweights could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the Middle East but for global security.
Military Manpower
Iran commands sizable armed force, with over 6 lac active soldiers. These include 350,000 regular army troops and 190,000 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alongside air force, navy, and air defense units. Iran’s reserve forces number an additional 350,000. Military service is compulsory for Iranian men over the age of 18.
In contrast, Israel maintains a smaller but active-duty force of about 170,000, including 126,000 in its army. However, Israel’s strength lies in its robust reserve system, boasting 465,000 trained individuals.
Iran vs Israel Military Might
Active Personnel
- Israel: 170,000
- Iran: 600,000+
🔸 Iran has over 3.5 times more active personnel than Israel.
Reserve Personnel
- Israel: 465,000
- Iran: 350,000
🔸 Israel maintains a larger reserve force.
3Defence Budget
- Israel: $27.5 billion
- Iran: $10.3 billion
🔸 Israel’s defense budget is nearly three times greater than Iran’s.
Combat Capable Aircraft
- Israel: 340
- Iran: 312 + 23 (IRGC) = 335 total
🔸 Aircraft numbers are similar, but Israel operates advanced U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighters, whereas Iran uses older Russian Sukhoi and MiG jets.
Air Defence Systems
- Israel:
- Iron Dome
- David’s Sling
- Arrow systems
- Iran:
- Bavar-373
- S-300
- Khordad systems
🔸 Both countries maintain modern, multilayered air defense systems.
Artillery
- Israel: 500+
- Iran: 6,798+
🔸 Iran possesses a significantly larger artillery arsenal.
Helicopters
- Israel: 46
- Iran: 34+
🔸 Israel has a slight edge in helicopter numbers.
Submarines
- Israel: 5
- Iran: 19
🔸 Iran holds numerical superiority in submarines.
| Category | Israel | Iran |
| Active Personnel | 169,500 | 610,000 |
| Reserve Personnel | 465,000 | 350,000 |
| Defence Budget | $27.5 billion | $10.3 billion |
| Combat Aircraft | 340 (modern) | 335 (older tech) |
| Air Defence Systems | US-made advanced systems | Russian/Iranian systems |
| Artillery | 530 | 6,798+ |
| Helicopters | 46 | 34+ |
| Submarines | 5 | 19 |
The latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights a significant gap in military spending. Iran spent an estimated $10.3 billion on defense in previous years, a marginal increase from the previous year. Israel, however, ramped up its military budget to $27.5 billion—a 24% surge, largely driven by ongoing military aggression in Gaza.
Iran maintains a massive ground arsenal, including more than 10,500 tanks and nearly 7,000 artillery pieces. Its fleet of armored personnel carriers and support helicopters adds further bulk to its conventional forces.
Israel operates 345 modern combat aircraft and 43 attack helicopters, most of which are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and weapons systems, giving it a distinct edge in aerial warfare.
Iran boasts a considerable naval presence in the Gulf and beyond, with 17 submarines, dozens of patrol boats, and landing craft. Israel’s navy is smaller in scale but technologically advanced, including five high-end submarines and nearly 50 patrol vessels.
Israel’s defense infrastructure includes the highly effective Iron Dome, designed to intercept short-range rockets, along with David’s Sling and the Arrow system for medium and long-range threats, respectively. These systems have proven effective, with the Iron Dome recently intercepting the majority of missiles fired from Iranian proxies. Tehran missile program includes over a dozen types of short and medium-range ballistic missiles, some capable of reaching targets up to 2,000 kilometers away. These systems form a key part of Iran’s asymmetric deterrence strategy.
Israel, meanwhile, possesses a more limited but strategically potent missile arsenal, including the Jericho-3—believed to have a range of up to 6,500 kilometers—giving it intercontinental reach.
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