Global Military Comparison 2025: Jets, Warships, Missiles & Tanks

The global defense landscape in 2025 is shaped by rapid technological advancements, rising geopolitical tensions, and increasing defense spending. Nations are racing to modernize their fighter jets, naval fleets, missile systems, and armored forces to secure strategic dominance. This article compares major military assets across four key nations: India, the United States, China, and Russia — all of whom are major stakeholders in modern warfare.

1. Fighter Jet Comparison: Speed, Stealth & Superiority

Feature	F-35 Lightning II (USA)	J-20 Mighty Dragon (China)	Su-57 Felon (Russia)	Tejas Mk2 & Rafale (India)
Generation	5th Gen Stealth	5th Gen Stealth	5th Gen	4.5+ Gen (Tejas Mk2), 4.5 Gen (Rafale)
Max Speed	Mach 1.6	Mach 2.0	Mach 2.0	Mach 1.8 (Rafale)
Radar	AESA	AESA	AESA	AESA (Both)
Stealth	High	Moderate	Moderate	Low
Weapons	Internal bays, JDAM, AIM-120	PL-15, PL-10	R-77, K-77M	Meteor, SCALP, Astra
Edge	Stealth, Networking, EW	Long-range missiles	Agility, speed	Multirole, Western tech

• The F-35 leads in network-centric warfare and stealth.
• China’s J-20 has made strides in missile technology, though its stealth is debated.
• Russia’s Su-57 is fast and agile, but lacks mass production.
• India’s Rafale and Tejas Mk2 provide a strong multirole mix with indigenous development gains.

2. Naval Warship Comparison: Carrier & Destroyer Dominance

Ship Class	USS Gerald R. Ford (USA)	INS Vikrant (India)	Type 003 Fujian (China)	Admiral Kuznetsov (Russia)
Type	Supercarrier	Carrier (STOBAR)	Carrier (CATOBAR)	Carrier (STOBAR)
Displacement	100,000 tons	45,000 tons	~80,000 tons	~58,000 tons
Aircraft Capacity	75+	30+	40+	30+
Launch System	EMALS	Ski-jump	EMALS (experimental)	Ski-jump
Air Wing	F-35, F/A-18	MiG-29K, future TEDBF	J-15, future stealth jets	Su-33

• The USS Gerald R. Ford is the world’s most advanced carrier with EMALS and high sortie rate.
• INS Vikrant marks a major indigenous milestone for India, backed by naval LCA and TEDBF development.
• China’s Type 003 represents a leap in carrier tech with EMALS, rivaling the US in form.
• Russia’s carrier is outdated and undergoing repairs; limited operational capacity.

3. Missile Systems Comparison: Strategic Reach and Lethality

Missile	AGM-183 ARRW (USA)	DF-21D / DF-17 (China)	BrahMos & Agni V (India)	Avangard & Iskander (Russia)
Type	Hypersonic Glide	Anti-ship / Hypersonic	Cruise & ICBM	Hypersonic Glide / Ballistic
Speed	Mach 20+ (ARRW)	Mach 5-10	Mach 2.8–Agni V > Mach 20	Mach 27+ (Avangard)
Range	~1,600 km (ARRW)	~1,500–2,000 km	BrahMos ~500 km, Agni V ~5,000 km	Avangard ~11,000 km
Targeting	GPS/INS/Networked	Precision AShM / Ballistic	Dual-role, nuclear capable	Advanced maneuverable reentry

Analysis:

• The US ARRW and Russian Avangard represent cutting-edge hypersonic warfare.
• China’s DF-21D is dubbed a “carrier killer”, enhancing anti-access strategies.
• India’s BrahMos remains one of the fastest cruise missiles, with air, sea, and land variants; Agni-V ensures strategic deterrence.
• Russia’s missile systems prioritize speed and nuclear survivability.

4. Main Battle Tank Comparison: Power and Protection

Tank	M1A2 Abrams (USA)	T-90M Proryv (Russia)	VT-4 / Type 99A (China)	Arjun Mk1A / T-90 Bhishma (India)
Weight	67 tons	~48 tons	~55 tons	Arjun – 68 tons; T-90 Bhishma – 48 tons
Engine	1,500 hp gas turbine	1,130 hp diesel	1,200 hp diesel	1,400 hp (Arjun)
Armor	Composite + DU	Reactive + ERA	Composite + ERA	Arjun: Kanchan + ERA
Gun	120mm smoothbore	125mm smoothbore	125mm	120mm (Arjun)
Tech	Advanced thermal sights, battle network	Autoloader, advanced fire control	Remote weapon stations	Indigenous fire control, thermal sights

Analysis:

• M1A2 Abrams excels in tech integration and survivability.
• Russia’s T-90M balances mobility with real-world combat experience.
• China’s Type 99A and VT-4 emphasize export potential with modular protection.
• India’s Arjun Mk1A, though heavy, boasts excellent armor and indigenous systems; T-90 Bhishma remains India’s frontline tank.