Lexi Webster
Australia and India are two countries with distinct geopolitical and economic features. While Australia has a smaller population and a higher per capita GDP, India has a significantly larger population and a lower per capita GDP. In terms of military strength, Australia has a lower ranking and fewer active personnel, while India has a higher ranking and a larger number of active personnel. Australia maintains strong military alliances with countries like the US and New Zealand, while India has historically focused on China and Pakistan as key rivals. This comparison raises the question of which country holds more power on a global scale and what factors contribute to their relative influence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military Strength | India has a larger number of active personnel, reserve personnel, and paramilitary forces. Australia has a higher global power ranking. |
| Military Equipment | India's inventory consists mostly of Russian, Soviet, Western, and domestically-produced arms. Australia's inventory includes domestically-produced and imported Western weapons systems, with the USA as the primary supplier. |
| Military Expenditure | India's military expenditure as a % of GDP is unknown. Australia's military expenditure as a % of GDP is 5-8%. |
| Population | India has a population of 1,352,642,280. Australia's population is much smaller, estimated to be around 25 million. |
| GDP | India has a higher GDP per capita. Australia has a GDP per capita of around $60,000. |
| Energy | Australia is well-suited for wind and solar energy, with potential for economic growth in these sectors. |
| Political Stability | Australia is politically stable, with existing parties catering to various interests. |
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What You'll Learn
Military strength
Australia's military inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported Western weapons systems, with the USA being the largest supplier of arms. Australia's defence industry produces a variety of land and sea weapons platforms. In 2025, Australia ranked 18th out of 145 countries in the Global Firepower review. Australia's military power includes frigates, destroyers, corvettes, and rotorcraft.
India's armed forces consist mostly of Russian- and Soviet-origin equipment, with Russia being the leading supplier of arms. France, Israel, and the US are also among the major arms suppliers. India's defence industry produces a range of weapons systems for indigenous use and export. India is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and maintains a "no first use" nuclear policy. As of January 2020, India was estimated to have around 150 warheads. India has a voluntary military service with no conscription, and women are allowed to serve in most combat roles, except the Army special forces. In 2025, India ranked 4th out of 145 countries in the Global Firepower review.
In terms of overall power, Australia ranked 5th in Asia in 2024, according to the Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index. This ranking takes into account a range of factors, including economic, diplomatic, cultural, and military strengths. Australia's economic capability improved in the 2024 rankings, with a $1.7 trillion economy, international leverage, technological and scientific sophistication, and global connectivity. However, its diplomatic influence declined, with Indonesia and South Korea overtaking it.
While direct comparisons between Australia and India's military strength are scarce, it can be observed that India has a significantly larger active personnel count (1,455,550 vs 57,350) and reserve personnel count (1,155,000 vs 32,050) than Australia, according to Global Firepower's 2025 review. Additionally, India has paramilitary forces, while Australia does not.
In conclusion, while Australia has a more diverse range of weapons systems and a higher ranking in Asia, India has a much larger military personnel count and is estimated to have nuclear capabilities. Therefore, it is difficult to determine conclusively which country has a more powerful military without more comprehensive data and direct comparisons.
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Population size
Australia and India differ significantly in terms of population size. India is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population of over 1.35 billion people. On the other hand, Australia has a much smaller population, currently standing at around 25 million people.
India's large population provides it with a significant advantage in terms of potential economic and military power. A larger population means a bigger workforce, which can contribute to economic growth and development. Additionally, a larger population can also translate to a larger military force, which can enhance a country's defence capabilities.
In contrast, Australia's smaller population may be seen as a limitation when it comes to achieving superpower status. Some analysts argue that for Australia to become a superpower, it would need to significantly increase its population, potentially to around 150 million or even 200 million people. This would require a massive increase in immigration and birth rates, which may not be feasible or desirable for the country.
However, it is important to note that population size is not the only factor that determines a country's power and influence. Australia has a high per capita GDP, which means that even with a smaller population, it can still maintain a strong economy and exert economic influence. Additionally, Australia has strong alliances with other powerful countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, which can enhance its global influence.
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Annual defence budget
The annual defence budget of a country is an important indicator of its military strength. Australia and India have both increased their defence budgets in recent years, reflecting their commitment to strengthening their military capabilities and addressing growing security challenges.
Australia
In 2025, the Albanese Government announced an additional investment of $50.3 billion into the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with an extra $10.6 billion to be invested over the forward estimates. This brings the total value of the investment to $57.6 billion over the decade. The government has emphasised the importance of maintaining Australia's defence capabilities and delivering projects on time.
India
India's defence budget has been on a steady upward trajectory, with consistent growth driven by modernisation imperatives, border tensions, and initiatives to enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing. India's defence budget for 2023 was Rs 5.94 lakh crore, and the projected budget for 2024 is expected to surpass Rs 6 lakh crore. The defence budget accounts for a significant portion of the country's annual expenditure, with a focus on modernisation, equipment acquisition, and enhancing military capabilities across air, sea, and cyberspace domains.
In comparison, India's defence budget for 2024-25 was ₹621,940 crore (US$74 billion), and it increased to ₹681,000 crore (US$81 billion) for 2025-26. The defence budget of India accounts for a growing percentage of the country's projected gross domestic product (GDP).
While the absolute numbers of the defence budgets of Australia and India cannot be compared due to the difference in currencies and exchange rates, the trend of increasing defence expenditure in both countries is evident. These investments reflect the governments' commitment to bolstering their defence capabilities and addressing evolving security challenges.
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Energy and economy
Australia and India have different approaches and capacities when it comes to energy and economy.
Energy
Commercial energy use in India refers to the apparent consumption of indigenous production, imports, stock changes, and international transport fuel supplies. India's total consumption of refined petroleum products is expressed in barrels per day, and it also has proven reserves of natural gas and petroleum. India's electric power consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and kWh per capita, with a focus on power plants and combined heat and power plants. Additionally, India generates electricity from renewable sources, excluding hydroelectric.
Australia, on the other hand, focuses on commercial energy use in kg of oil equivalent per capita. Australia's crude oil production is measured in barrels per day, and it also has proven reserves of natural gas. Electric power consumption is also measured in kWh and kWh per capita, taking into account transmission, distribution, and transformation losses.
Economy
India's economy is analysed through various indicators, including gross national income, GDP, GDP per capita, unemployment rate, budget revenues and surplus or deficit, and public debt as a percentage of GDP. The composition of India's GDP by sector includes agriculture, industry, and services, with agriculture covering farming, fishing, and forestry, while industry encompasses mining, manufacturing, energy production, and construction. Services in India include government activities, communications, transportation, finance, and other private economic activities that do not produce material goods.
Australia's economy is also assessed through indicators such as GDP composition by sector, budget revenues and surplus or deficit, and net domestic credit in the local currency. Similar to India, Australia's GDP composition includes agriculture, industry, and services, with slight variations in the specific sectors within each category.
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Political influence
Australia has been part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty. In 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced an enhanced trilateral security partnership called "AUKUS". The USA is the largest supplier of arms to Australia.
India maintains a "no first use" nuclear policy, but it has not released any official statements about the size of its nuclear arsenal. India's defence industry is capable of producing a range of weapons systems for indigenous use and export. Russia has been the leading supplier of arms to India. France, Israel, and the US are also among the major arms suppliers.
In terms of economic and military power, Australia would need a population of around 83 million to reach a GDP of 5 trillion USD, which is the level of an economic superpower. Australia's current population is far below this, and it would need to triple the size of its agricultural sector and increase its energy sector by 5-6 times. It would also need to spend 5-8% of its GDP on the military for a long period. Given these requirements, it is unlikely that Australia will become a superpower anytime soon.
India, on the other hand, has a population of over 1.3 billion people, which provides it with a large potential workforce and military manpower. India has been involved in several conflicts with Pakistan since 1947 and its armed forces are chiefly focused on China and Pakistan.
While both Australia and India have strong international ties and military capabilities, India's larger population and domestic defence industry give it an advantage in terms of political influence.
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Frequently asked questions
While it is challenging to make a direct comparison, some sources indicate that India has a more substantial military force. India has a larger number of active personnel, reserve personnel, and paramilitary forces. Additionally, India's defense industry produces a range of weapons systems for indigenous use and export.
Australia and India have distinct economic strengths and opportunities. Australia has a strong economy with a focus on trade and resources. India, on the other hand, presents what the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade describes as an "enormous economic opportunity", attracting high-level visits from Australian political and business leaders.
Both countries have notable defense budgets, but direct comparisons are challenging due to differences in price patterns, accounting methods, and currency strengths. Australia's defense industry is supported by the US, the largest supplier of arms, while India sources its weapons from Russia, France, Israel, and the US.
Australia and India do not have a formal alliance, but they share a bilateral relationship with an increasing focus on economic opportunities. Australia is part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty and has recently formed an enhanced trilateral security partnership called "AUKUS" with the UK and the US. India has a history of conflicts with neighbouring countries, such as China and Pakistan, and maintains a "no first use" nuclear policy.
