2026 military data comparison

United Arab Emirates vs Iran Military Power

Compare United Arab Emirates and Iran across 21 available personnel, equipment and spending indicators. MilitaryDex ranks United Arab Emirates #47 and Iran #13 in the 2026 edition.

United Arab Emirates flag

United Arab Emirates

3.9Strength Score

6 indicators higher

Iran flag

Iran

15.8Strength Score

12 indicators higher

Comparison at a glance

Higher MSS score

Iran

3.9 vs 15.8

Indicators higher

6–12

3 tied

Global ranks

#47 / #13

of 145 profiles

Defense budgets

$23.5B

vs $9.2B

Category scorecard

Manpower0 – 0 – 3
Air force4 – 0 – 1
Navy0 – 2 – 3
Army and ground forces0 – 0 – 5
Financial and strategic2 – 1 – 0

Largest reported differences

Submarines: Iran

United Arab Emirates 0 · Iran 25

Frigates: Iran

United Arab Emirates 0 · Iran 7

Multiple-launch rocket systems: Iran

United Arab Emirates 49 · Iran 1,550

Paramilitary: Iran

United Arab Emirates 12,000 · Iran 220,000

Manpower

Active troops

65.0K
VS
610.0K

Reserve troops

130.0K
VS
350.0K

Paramilitary

12.0K
VS
220.0K

Air force

Total aircraft

581
VS
551

Fighter aircraft

99
VS
188

Attack aircraft

40
VS
21

Helicopters

250
VS
129

Attack helicopters

30
VS
13

Navy

Total naval assets

47
VS
57

Aircraft carriers

0
VS
0

Destroyers

0
VS
0

Submarines

0
VS
25

Frigates

0
VS
7

Army and ground forces

Tanks

354
VS
2.7K

Armored vehicles

9.0K
VS
75.9K

Self-propelled artillery

165
VS
424

Towed artillery

99
VS
1.8K

Multiple-launch rocket systems

49
VS
1.6K

Financial and strategic

Defense budget

$23.5B
VS
$9.2B

Defense budget share of GDP

3.1%
VS
0.6%

Estimated nuclear warheads

0
VS
0

RELATED COMPARISONS

United Arab Emirates vs IsraelIran vs IsraelUnited Arab Emirates vs TurkeyIran vs TurkeyUnited Arab Emirates vs FinlandIran vs FinlandUnited Arab Emirates vs CanadaIran vs CanadaUnited Arab Emirates vs United KingdomIran vs United Kingdom
View United Arab Emirates military profile View Iran military profile