A new full-scale war is brewing in the Middle East, as it seems. After Israel attacked Iran’s diplomatic building in Damascus (Syria) last week, Iran’s PM Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Israel that it “will be punished” for the strike that killed seven officials and two top Iranian military commanders. In the wake of all this, it is important to assess the Iran vs Israel military power in present times. The tensions in the region of the Middle East are already at an all-time high due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that started after the events of Oct 7 last year.
Iran vs Israel: An Intense Rivalry
Even though Iran was one of the earliest Islamic nations to recognize Israel, things changed after 1979 as consecutive hard-line theocratic governments came to power.
Israel regards Iran’s efforts toward becoming a nuclear power as an existential threat to itself. Both countries have also been in a proxy war in countries like Syria, supporting opposite groups. While Israel supported the rebels against Syria’s President Bashar-al-Assad, Iran provided support to his regime.
Iran vs Israel Military Power ( At present)
Comparing the Manpower
- Active military personnel in Israel – 1,70,000
- Active military personnel in Iran– 6,10,000
- Reserve military personnel in Israel- 4,65,000
- Reserve military personnel in Iran- 3,50,000
It is important to note that Israel has mandatory military service for all of its citizens for a period of approx. 2.5 years once they turn 18. Iran does not have any similar regulations for its citizens.
Land Warfare Capability
Iran has around 1,996 tanks that can wreak havoc on the enemy forces in the war, it has around 65,765 armoured vehicles and around 775 multiple rocket launcher systems.
Israel, on the other hand, has 1,370 tanks, a total of 43,407 armoured vehicles, and 150 M.L.R.S at its disposal.
LAND WARFARE | ||
IRAN | ISRAEL | |
Tanks | 1996 | 1370 |
Vehicles | 65,765 | 43407 |
Self-propelled Artillery | 580 | 650 |
Towed Artillery | 2050 | 300 |
Multiple launch rocket Systems | 775 | 150 |
Air Power
In terms of air power, Iran has 551 aircrafts in its Air Force with 186 fighter jets, 129 helicopters, and 13 attack helicopters in total.
While Israel has 612 aircrafts, 241 of them are fighter jets, it has 146 helicopters and 48 special attack helicopters too.
AIR POWER | ||
IRAN | ISRAEL | |
Total Aircrafts | 551 | 612 |
Fighters | 186 | 241 |
Attack Types | 23 | 39 |
Fixed-wing Transports | 86 | 12 |
Trainers | 102 | 155 |
Special-Mission | 10 | 23 |
Tanker Fleet | 7 | 14 |
Helicopters | 129 | 146 |
Attack Helicopters | 13 | 48 |
Naval strength
Even though Iran has a good share of the ocean with a 2,440 km coastline, it doesn’t have a formidable navy. It has only 101 vessels in its fleet, with 7 frigates, 19 submarines, 21 patrol vessels, and 3 corvettes. It does not have any aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers, or destroyers to give more power to its navy.
Israel has a total of 5 Corvettes, 5 submarines, and 45 patrol vessels- a total of 67 naval assets to defend itself. Its coastline is also very low, approx. 273 km in total only. The United States of America helps Israel’s navy by deploying its own aircraft carriers around Israel from time to time.
NAVAL POWER | ||
IRAN | ISRAEL | |
Total Assets | 101 | 67 |
Aircraft Carriers | 0 | 0 |
Helicopter Carriers | 0 | 0 |
Destroyers | 0 | 0 |
Frigates | 7 | 0 |
Corvettes | 3 | 7 |
Submarines | 19 | 5 |
Patrol Vessels | 21 | 45 |
Mine Warfare | 1 | 0 |
Drones and Missiles
Iran has its best missile–Sejjil with a range of more than 2,000 km, other missiles like Shahab 3, Ghadr, and Fattah 2 are under the range of 2,000km.
Israel’s top missile- Jericho 3 has a range of around 4,800 km. It also has other short-range missiles like Delilah, LORA, and Popeye with a less than 500 km range.
Israel also has drones like Heron, Hermes, and Harpy for attacking enemies in the air while Iran also has a diverse and large drone fleet. Drones like Mohajer, Ababil, Shahed, Saeqeh, and Simorgh are the jewels of Iranian forces.
Conclusion
After comparing Iran vs Israel military power, it is pretty difficult to assess which one of these will dominate the other one in case of a larger conflict. In current circumstances, a harsh response from Iran seems imminent in the form of an attack on Israel, whether directly or in an indirect manner, using proxies like Hezbollah to fire missiles into Northern Israel.
War, in any form, is highly undesirable due to the profound and far-reaching consequences it inflicts on societies, economies, and the human spirit. This is especially true in the Middle East, a region that has been marred by prolonged conflicts and instability. The people of the Middle East, like any other part of the world, deserve peace and the opportunity to live in a stable, prosperous environment.
Conflict in the Middle East has led to immense human suffering, including the loss of countless lives, widespread displacement, and enduring trauma. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes, becoming refugees or internally displaced persons, struggling to find safety and rebuild their lives. The physical and psychological scars of war linger for generations, affecting not only those directly involved but also future generations. Children in conflict zones face disrupted education, limited access to healthcare, and an environment of fear and uncertainty that hinders their development and potential.
Economically, war devastates infrastructure, cripples industries, and drains national resources. Instead of investing in education, healthcare, and development projects, countries embroiled in conflict must divert substantial resources to military expenditures and reconstruction efforts. This hinders economic growth and perpetuates cycles of poverty and dependency. Furthermore, war disrupts trade routes, destabilizes markets, and creates a climate of uncertainty that deters investment and innovation.
Socially, war erodes the fabric of communities, fostering divisions and mistrust among different ethnic, religious, and political groups.
The international community has a moral obligation to support peace efforts in the Middle East, recognizing the inherent right of its people to live in peace and security. Diplomatic initiatives, conflict resolution mechanisms, and humanitarian aid are crucial in addressing the root causes of conflict and fostering a sustainable peace. Efforts to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation among conflicting parties are essential in building trust and paving the way for long-term stability.
Peace in the Middle East would not only benefit the region but also have positive ramifications globally. A stable and prosperous Middle East would contribute to global security, economic stability, and cultural exchange. The rich history and cultural heritage of the Middle East, from ancient civilizations to modern contributions, have significantly shaped human progress. Ensuring that its people can live in peace allows them to continue making valuable contributions to the world.
The people of the Middle East, like anyone else, deserve the chance to build a future defined by hope, opportunity, and the enduring bonds of humanity.