Iraq Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 35th
MPR SCORE: 778
MPR Index: 0.3348 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.6304 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.865 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Iraq ranks 35th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). Following decades of war, foreign occupation, and insurgency, Iraq’s military is in a sustained process of rebuilding, modernization, and doctrinal reform. The country has emerged from the shadow of the ISIS conflict with a renewed focus on conventional force development, particularly in armored warfare, artillery, and the reconstitution of its air force. While Iraq continues to face internal security threats and political instability, it is gradually reestablishing its armed forces as a credible regional actor with growing capability.
Strengths: Combat-Hardened Ground Forces and Conventional Modernization
Iraq’s military strength rests on hard-earned experience, large-scale force structure, and targeted modernization:
Battle-Tested Ground Forces: The Iraqi Army has been engaged in near-continuous combat since 2003, with extensive experience in urban warfare, counterterrorism, and combined arms operations, particularly during the campaigns to retake Mosul, Fallujah, and Tikrit from ISIS.
Armored Warfare Focus: Iraq is rebuilding its armored units with T-90S tanks, upgraded M1A1 Abrams, and mechanized infantry, prioritizing offensive and defensive operations across urban and desert terrain.
Expanding Artillery and Missile Capabilities: Iraq has invested in multiple rocket launcher systems, tactical artillery, and ballistic missile development with Iranian and domestic support, increasing its long-range strike and area-denial capacity.
Air Force Revitalization: The Iraqi Air Force has grown from near-collapse in 2003 to now operating a mixed fleet of F-16IQs, Su-25s, and Chinese CH-4 drones, focused on CAS, surveillance, and precision strikes.
Why Iraq Is Still Ranked Just 35th
Despite growing conventional strength, Iraq’s military is limited by external dependency, internal fragmentation, and strategic vulnerabilities.
1. Fragmented Command and Internal Security Dependence
Iraq’s armed forces remain entangled in a fractured internal security environment:
The regular army competes with Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which are partially outside of central command
Security forces are frequently diverted for domestic patrols, riot control, and anti-militia activity
Cohesion and centralized control remain inconsistent across units and provinces
This reduces Iraq’s ability to function as a unified national force in high-intensity or cross-border scenarios.
2. Strategic Dependency and Limited Autonomy
Iraq:
Heavily relies on U.S. technical support, logistics, and aircrew training for many of its advanced systems
Maintains politically sensitive ties with Iran, affecting strategic independence
Operates without indigenous production of major platforms or a fully independent supply chain
Its foreign alignment remains delicate and prevents full operational sovereignty.
3. Air and Naval Capability Gaps
While Iraq has rebuilt part of its air force, it still:
Lacks modern multirole aircraft, strategic bombers, or airborne early warning
Has no functioning navy beyond small patrol vessels, limiting maritime defense and trade security
Relies on coalition coordination for regional airspace security and long-range ISR
These gaps severely constrain Iraq’s ability to conduct operations beyond its borders or defend its maritime domain.
Conclusion
Iraq’s military is undergoing a slow but determined transformation from a fractured, counterinsurgency-focused force into a conventional army capable of regional operations. With heavy battlefield experience and improving capabilities in armor, artillery, and air power, Iraq is regaining momentum as a national defense force.
However, in the MPR framework—where strategic autonomy, force integration, and technological depth are key—Iraq ranks 35th due to continued internal fragmentation, reliance on foreign support, and critical shortfalls in naval and aerial reach. Its strength lies in resilient ground operations and asymmetric adaptation, not in comprehensive, high-end warfare.
Military Strength and Force Projection:
Active Military Personnel: 198,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 50,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 150,000 (Popular Mobilization Forces)
Army Personnel: 160,000
Navy Personnel: 5,000
Air Force Personnel: 33,000
Ground Forces:
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 350+ (T-90, M1A1 Abrams)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,500+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 400+
Air Force:
Combat Aircraft: 60+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 150+
Transport Aircraft: 40+
Aircraft Breakdown:
F-16 Fighting Falcon: 34
Sukhoi Su-25: 15
Bell 412 Helicopters: 45
Naval Forces:
Submarines: None
Frigates: None
Corvettes: None
Patrol Vessels: 10+
Fast Attack Craft: 15+
Missile Capabilities:
Iraq does not possess advanced missile systems but has focused on acquiring modern anti-tank, anti-air, and artillery systems to bolster its defensive capabilities against internal and regional threats.
Strategic Partnerships:
Iraq maintains defense partnerships with the United States and several European countries, focusing on military training and equipment modernization. Additionally, Iraq is part of various regional security frameworks aimed at countering terrorism and enhancing stability in the Middle East.
Iraq – Military History & Combat Experience
Iraq’s military history is among the most extensive and combat-intensive in the Middle East, shaped by decades of conventional warfare, foreign invasion, internal insurgency, and large-scale counterterrorism operations. From its wars with Iran to its defeat of ISIS, the Iraqi military has accumulated more than four decades of multi-domain combat experience under extreme conditions.
Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988): Iraq fought one of the longest conventional wars of the 20th century against Iran, involving massive tank battles, artillery duels, chemical weapons use, and air strikes. The war inflicted heavy casualties on both sides and gave Iraqi forces experience in sustained conventional combat and defensive operations across desert and urban terrain.
Gulf War (1990–1991): Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm, devastating Iraq’s military infrastructure in a short, high-intensity air and ground campaign. The war exposed Iraq’s vulnerability to advanced air power and its limited command-and-control capability.
U.S. Invasion and Occupation (2003–2011): The 2003 U.S. invasion dismantled the Iraqi military. A new force was built from scratch under U.S. guidance but struggled with insurgency, sectarianism, and low morale. From 2004 onward, Iraqi troops fought alongside U.S. forces in counterinsurgency campaigns across Baghdad, Fallujah, and Anbar Province.
Rise and Defeat of ISIS (2014–2018): ISIS’s seizure of Mosul in 2014 marked a turning point. After early collapses, the Iraqi Army, Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and Kurdish Peshmerga launched multi-year operations to retake territory. Urban combat in Mosul, Ramadi, Fallujah, and Tal Afar gave Iraq extensive modern experience in joint operations, mechanized assault, and close-quarters fighting.
Post-ISIS Stability Operations: Since 2018, Iraq has continued to conduct anti-terror raids, border patrols, and military policing in areas with ongoing insurgent activity, including remnants of ISIS cells.
Iraq’s military experience spans the full spectrum of warfare: from conventional tank battles and chemical warfare in the 1980s, to counterinsurgency, hybrid warfare, and urban siege operations in the 21st century. Few militaries in the MPR ranking have undergone more battlefield transitions or fought on as many fronts in recent history.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~44.9 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~18.3 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 438,317 km²
Land Boundaries: 3,650 km
Bordering Countries: Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey
Coastline: 58 km (northern Persian Gulf)
Climate: Mostly desert; mild to cool winters, dry and hot summers; temperate in mountains
Terrain: Mostly flat alluvial plains, deserts, and mountains in the north and northeast
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur, fertile land
Proven Oil Reserves: ~145 billion barrels (5th largest globally)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~3.6 trillion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$7.9 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$635 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$14,300
External Debt: ~$96 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Increasing; focus on counterterrorism, rebuilding conventional forces, and Iranian/U.S. balancing
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: No formal conscription; voluntary service dominates; reserve and paramilitary integration
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, counterinsurgency, border control, protection of oil infrastructure
Military Industry Base: Limited; reliant on foreign procurement, some domestic small arms and armored vehicle production
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Nascent; developing under military intelligence and security forces
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into multiple regional operations commands; includes Army, Federal Police, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)
Missile Inventory Highlights: Short-range ballistic missiles, ATGMs, MANPADS, artillery rockets; Iranian influence on PMF missile assets
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Functional but loosely structured; PMF serves as a strategic manpower pool
Reservist Force Size: ~250,000+ (includes PMF-affiliated reservists and security auxiliaries)
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None active; minimal satellite capacity; reliant on foreign commercial and military assets
Military Satellite Inventory: None; ISR sourced from allies (U.S., Iran) or commercial services
Intelligence Infrastructure: Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS), Military Intelligence Directorate, and PMF-linked agencies
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Cooperates with U.S., Iran, Russia, and regional allies depending on political context
Airports (Total): ~100 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: Balad, Al Asad, Taji, Baghdad International (military section)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~60 vessels
Major Ports: Umm Qasr, Al Faw, Basra
Naval Infrastructure: Small coastal fleet under the Iraqi Navy and Marines; focused on oil platform defense and Gulf patrol
Naval Replenishment Capability: Minimal; confined to port-based support operations
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~2,000 km (partially operational)
Roadways: ~45,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~4.5 million barrels per day
Energy Imports: Net exporter of crude oil; imports refined fuels and electricity from Iran
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Limited; most production exported; storage focused on operational refineries
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Capable of small arms, IED-resistant vehicles, and light equipment; lacks advanced systems
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens of major bases, depots, and joint facilities across provinces
Military Installations (Overseas): None officially; minor presence in multinational missions (e.g., UN, Arab League)
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S.-led coalition advisers; Iranian military presence via PMF-affiliated groups
Defense Alliances: No formal alliances; security cooperation with U.S., Iran, Russia, and NATO on various fronts
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited; C-130 Hercules and IL-76 aircraft in service
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low; reliant on imports and emergency aid from aligned partners
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal; nascent efforts focused on UAVs, munitions, and urban warfare systems
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: SOMO (oil exports), South Oil Company, Iraqi Railways, SCOP (petrochemicals), Basra Oil Terminal
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Baghdad
Founding Date: October 3, 1932 (independence from the United Kingdom)
System of Government: Federal parliamentary republic with sectarian power-sharing model
