South Africa’s military operations have been all about peace keeping for a very long time now.

Ranked 46 out of 126 military forces in the world, we don’t do too badly on the Global Firepower’s PowerIndex.

The index ranks each nation’s “potential conventional war-making capability across land, sea, and air”.

The final ranking incorporates values related to resources, finances, and geography, and over 50 different factors make up the final GFP ranking, delivering the PowerIndex.

Bonuses and penalties are applied where appropriate.

While we gave you a list consisting of the most powerful military operations in the world, obviously headed by the States – read that HERE – below you can find a breakdown of South Africa’s various categories, including land, air, and manpower:

Manpower

• Available manpower – 26,000,000
• Fit for service – 14,100,000
• Active frontline personnel – 89,000
• Active reserve personnel – 17,100

Land systems

• Tanks – 195
• Armoured fighting vehicles – 2,265
• Self-propelled guns – 43
• Towed artillery – 97
• Multiple-launch rocket systems – 50

Air power

• Total aircraft – 212
• Fighters/interceptors – 17
• Fixed-wing attack aircraft – 17
• Transport aircraft – 109
• Trainer aircraft – 67
• Helicopters – 96
• Attack helicopters – 12

Naval power

• Frigates – 4
• Submarines – 3
• Coastal defence craft – 26
• Mine warfare – 4

[source: mybroadband]