Iran-Israel Military Strength Compared

While the two countries do not share a common border, each has missile, aerial, and naval forces that can cause each other serious harm if tensions turn hot.

While the two countries do not share a common border, each has missile, aerial, and naval forces that can cause each other serious harm if tensions turn hot.

According to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Iranian Armed Forces are the largest in the Middle East in terms of troop numbers.

They count 587,000 active personnel and 200,000 reservists. Meanwhile, Israel has 169,500 active personnel and 465,000 reservists, around two-thirds of whom have been stationed near the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ attacks of October 7.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has calculated Israel’s defense budget at about $23.4 billion (including $3.18 billion in annual U.S. military aid).

The IISS says Iran has around 334 combat aircraft despite more than 25,000 personnel.

In contrast, Israel has 339 combat-ready aircraft, 309 fighter jets, 50 F-35 stealth fighters, and 142 helicopters.

Three F-35s were undetected in 2018 when they flew a “test mission” over Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Pentagon officials have previously stated that Iran possesses over 3,000 ballistic missiles. Israel has around 90 nuclear-capable Jericho III ICBMs, although the actual number is classified.