Iran Vs Israel 2018: A Deep Dive Into Military Power

Dave Mante 21 Jun 2025

In the tumultuous landscape of the Middle East, two nations stand out for their military might and strategic importance: Iran and Israel. Their rivalry is not just political or ideological; it's a simmering conflict often defined by the perceived balance of military power. Understanding the intricacies of Iran vs Israel military power in 2018 offers crucial insights into the regional dynamics, revealing the strengths, weaknesses, and strategic doctrines that shape their confrontation. Both countries boast formidable armies, advanced air forces, and, in the case of Iran, a controversial nuclear program. As regional powers, they play significant roles in shaping the geopolitical future of the Middle East, making a detailed comparison of their military capabilities essential for any observer of international relations.

The year 2018 was particularly significant, marking a period of heightened tensions and strategic shifts. The United States, under the Trump administration, withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, leading to renewed sanctions and an escalation of rhetoric. This backdrop made the assessment of each nation's military strength more critical than ever, as the potential for direct confrontation loomed large. This article will delve into a comprehensive comparison of their military capabilities, drawing on available data and expert analysis from that period and providing context with later insights where relevant.

Overall Military Standing: A Snapshot from 2018
Ground Forces and Conventional Might
- Land Power and Vehicles
- Artillery Capabilities
Air Power and Technological Superiority
- Air Force Modernity
- Air Defense Systems
Missile Arsenals and Strategic Deterrence
The Nuclear Question: Iran's Controversial Program
Asymmetric Warfare and Proxy Networks
Military Operations and Degradation of Forces
Expert Perspectives on the Military Balance

Overall Military Standing: A Snapshot from 2018

When assessing the military prowess of nations, various metrics are considered, ranging from troop numbers and equipment to logistical capabilities and defense budgets. According to globalfirepower.com’s 2018 rankings, which apparently combined various statistics to assemble a composite military power rating, Iran’s armed forces ranked thirteenth in the world. This placed Iran within the top tier of global military powers, reflecting its significant investment in defense and its strategic importance in the Middle East. For context, the GFP index denotes Iran as a top 20 global military power, and for 2025, Iran is ranked 16 of 145 countries considered for the annual GFP review, holding a PowerIndex score of 0.3048 (where 0.0000 is considered 'perfect').

In contrast, Israel also consistently features prominently in these rankings. While specific 2018 data for Israel's exact global ranking from the prompt is not available, the GFP index generally denotes Israel as a top 15 global military power. For 2025, Israel is ranked 15 of 145 countries, holding a PowerIndex score of 0.2661. This indicates that, by overall composite measures, Israel typically holds a slightly higher or comparable position to Iran, often leveraging technological superiority and strategic alliances. The comparison of Iran vs Israel military power in 2018, therefore, begins with two nations that are undeniably significant players on the world stage, each with distinct strengths and strategic approaches.

Ground Forces and Conventional Might

The backbone of any military is its ground forces, encompassing personnel, armored vehicles, and artillery. Both Iran and Israel maintain substantial ground armies, crucial for both defensive and offensive operations. A direct comparison of their conventional forces provides a foundational understanding of their military capabilities in a potential land conflict.

Land Power and Vehicles

In terms of sheer numbers, Iran often appears to have an advantage in certain conventional metrics. Iran and Israel have strong attack capabilities in terms of land power. The Islamic Republic boasts a significantly larger population, which translates into a larger pool of potential military personnel. This numerical superiority extends to certain categories of military hardware. For instance, Iran also leads in military vehicles, possessing over 65,765, with more than 46,000 operational. This vast inventory includes a mix of main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other logistical and combat vehicles, many of which are domestically produced or older models, along with more recent Russian additions.

Israel, while smaller in population and overall vehicle count, compensates with quality and technological sophistication. Israel has 43,407 vehicles, with around 34,736 active. While fewer in number, Israeli ground forces are equipped with highly advanced, often indigenously developed, armored vehicles like the Merkava tank, renowned for its protective capabilities and firepower. The Israeli military prioritizes mobility, protection, and networked warfare, ensuring that its smaller force can effectively counter larger, less technologically advanced adversaries. This qualitative edge is a critical factor in the Iran vs Israel military power 2018 equation.

Artillery Capabilities

Artillery plays a crucial role in modern warfare, providing indirect fire support, suppressing enemy positions, and shaping the battlefield. In this domain, Iran again shows a numerical lead. Iran leads in towed artillery with 2,050 units compared to Israel’s 300. This numerical advantage in towed artillery suggests Iran's capacity for widespread, sustained bombardment, potentially over large areas. However, the effectiveness of artillery is not solely determined by quantity but also by factors such as precision, range, and the ability to rapidly deploy and redeploy.

Israel, with its smaller number of artillery pieces, emphasizes self-propelled artillery, which offers greater mobility and responsiveness. Furthermore, Israeli artillery systems are often integrated with advanced targeting systems and intelligence networks, allowing for more precise and effective strikes. While Iran's larger inventory of towed artillery might offer a broad destructive potential, Israel's focus on precision and integration highlights a different strategic approach to ground warfare, one that prioritizes accuracy and adaptability over sheer volume.

Air Power and Technological Superiority

Air superiority is often considered a decisive factor in modern conflicts, enabling reconnaissance, precision strikes, and defense against aerial threats. The air forces of Iran and Israel present a stark contrast in terms of modernity and technological advancement, a key aspect of the Iran vs Israel military power 2018 analysis.

Air Force Modernity

Experts generally agree on Israel's overwhelming advantage in air power. As Saleem, an expert quoted in the provided data, succinctly put it, “there’s no real comparison between Iran and Israel when it comes to military power and technology.” He added, “Israel’s air force, aircraft, and defense systems are much more modern and sophisticated.” Israel operates a highly advanced air force, primarily equipped with state-of-the-art American-made aircraft, including F-15s, F-16s, and crucially, the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters. These aircraft provide Israel with unparalleled capabilities in terms of stealth, electronic warfare, and precision strike, allowing it to project power and maintain air superiority over the region.

Iran’s air force, in contrast, is largely composed of aging aircraft, many of which date back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with some more recent Russian additions. While Iran has made efforts to modernize its fleet and develop indigenous aircraft, it faces significant challenges due to international sanctions and limited access to cutting-edge technology. This technological disparity in air power is arguably one of the most significant imbalances in the Iran vs Israel military power equation, giving Israel a critical edge in any potential aerial engagement.

Air Defense Systems

Complementing their offensive air capabilities, both nations possess air defense systems designed to protect their airspace and critical infrastructure. Israel's primary defense against missile and rocket attacks is its multi-layered air defense system, most famously the Iron Dome. Saleem noted that while Iran has made gains in missile development, its advantage is largely canceled out by Israel’s Iron Dome. The Iron Dome is highly effective at intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, while other systems like David's Sling and Arrow provide defense against medium to long-range missiles.

Iran has also invested heavily in its air defense capabilities, acquiring Russian S-300 missile systems and developing its own indigenous systems. These systems are designed to protect against aerial threats and potentially counter Israeli air superiority. However, the effectiveness of Iran's air defense network against Israel's advanced stealth aircraft and sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities remains a subject of debate among military analysts. The ongoing technological arms race in air defense is a critical component of the Iran vs Israel military power dynamic.

Missile Arsenals and Strategic Deterrence

Missiles represent a crucial component of both Iran's and Israel's strategic deterrence capabilities, offering a means to project power and strike targets at a distance. This area is particularly sensitive in the Iran vs Israel military power 2018 discussion, given Iran's extensive missile program and Israel's counter-measures.

Pentagon officials have previously stated that Iran possesses over 3,000 ballistic missiles. Iran’s stockpile of these ballistic missiles is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 and is reportedly producing between 300 and 500 of them every month, challenging Israel. This vast arsenal includes a range of short, medium, and long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, many of which are capable of reaching targets across the Middle East, including Israel. The latest addition to Iran's missile capabilities includes hypersonic missiles, such as the Fattah, which are difficult to intercept and which Iran has reportedly used in attacks. This development significantly enhances Iran's ability to overcome advanced missile defense systems.

Israel, while not possessing an equivalent numerical missile arsenal, relies on a highly precise and technologically advanced missile capability, including its Jericho ballistic missiles, which are believed to be nuclear-capable. Israel's strategy emphasizes precision, stealth, and the ability to deliver decisive strikes, rather than overwhelming numbers. The development of advanced air defense systems like the Iron Dome and Arrow, specifically designed to counter ballistic missile threats, underscores Israel's focus on defensive capabilities against Iran's missile program. The missile race is a core element of the strategic tension between the two nations, with each side seeking to deter the other through offensive and defensive advancements.

The Nuclear Question: Iran's Controversial Program

No discussion of Iran vs Israel military power would be complete without addressing Iran's controversial nuclear program. While Iran consistently maintains its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes, concerns from Israel and Western powers persist that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons. Here’s what to know about its controversial nuclear program.

The 2015 nuclear deal with the US, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was designed to curb Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, this deal was scrapped in 2018 by the US, leading to renewed fears about Iran's nuclear trajectory. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, and its strategic doctrine includes the option of pre-emptive military action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear capabilities and intentions adds a layer of complexity and danger to the regional power balance, making it a central point of contention and a potential flashpoint.

Asymmetric Warfare and Proxy Networks

Beyond conventional military capabilities, both Iran and Israel employ asymmetric warfare strategies, though in different ways. Iran has cultivated an extensive network of proxy groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, various Shiite militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. These proxies extend Iran's influence, allowing it to exert pressure and conduct operations without direct military engagement, thereby complicating any direct Iran vs Israel military power comparison.

Israel has no such proxy network but relies on targeted operations, intelligence superiority, and direct military action to counter Iran’s influence. This includes covert operations, cyber warfare, and precision airstrikes against Iranian assets and proxy targets in countries like Syria. The ongoing conflict in Syria, where Israel frequently targets Iranian-linked sites, is a prime example of this asymmetric struggle. While Iran leverages its proxies to create a multi-front threat, Israel counters with highly precise and technologically advanced operations, aiming to degrade Iran's capabilities and prevent its entrenchment near Israeli borders.

Military Operations and Degradation of Forces

The strategic rivalry between Iran and Israel is not confined to theoretical comparisons; it manifests in real-world military operations. These operations, often covert or limited in scope, have tangible impacts on the military capabilities of both sides. Along with Iran’s proxies, its conventional forces are believed to have been heavily degraded by Israeli and U.S. military operations over the past year (referring to the period around 2018 and beyond, as indicated in the data).

For instance, Israel has openly acknowledged numerous airstrikes in Syria targeting Iranian arms shipments, weapons depots, and military bases linked to Iran or its proxies. These operations aim to disrupt Iran's efforts to establish a permanent military presence near Israel's border and to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to groups like Hezbollah. The effectiveness of these operations in degrading Iran's conventional forces and proxy capabilities is a critical factor in the ongoing power struggle. The prompt mentions that Israel has warned that it is in for a "prolonged campaign" against Iran as both countries exchanged missile fire on the eighth consecutive day of their conflict, with Iran launching a new salvo of missiles. This highlights the ongoing, active nature of their military engagement, extending beyond 2018 and demonstrating the continuous pressure applied by both sides.

Expert Perspectives on the Military Balance

The complexity of comparing Iran vs Israel military power 2018 is best understood through the lens of expert analysis. While raw numbers can provide a baseline, the qualitative aspects of military strength, strategic doctrine, and geopolitical context are equally, if not more, important. As Saleem articulated, "there’s no real comparison between Iran and Israel when it comes to military power and technology." This statement underscores a widely held view among defense analysts: Israel possesses a significant qualitative and technological edge, particularly in air power, intelligence, and precision strike capabilities.

Iran, on the other hand, relies on numerical superiority in certain conventional areas, a robust missile program, and its extensive network of regional proxies to project power and deter adversaries. Its strategic depth and willingness to engage in asymmetric warfare present a different kind of challenge. The 2018 period saw a heightened focus on Iran's missile capabilities and its nuclear program, especially after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA. The potential for Israel to launch an audacious attack on Iran, targeting its nuclear sites, scientists, and military leaders, as mentioned in the data, reflects the seriousness with which Israel views the Iranian threat. This underscores that while a full-scale conventional war might favor Israel due to technological superiority, Iran's asymmetric capabilities and missile arsenal present a significant deterrent and a means of retaliation, making any conflict incredibly complex and costly for both sides.

Conclusion

The comparison of Iran vs Israel military power in 2018 reveals a complex and dynamic balance. While Iran possesses a larger conventional military in terms of personnel and certain types of equipment, particularly in land power and missile numbers, Israel holds a distinct qualitative and technological advantage, especially in air power, precision strike capabilities, and advanced defense systems like the Iron Dome. The strategic landscape is further complicated by Iran's controversial nuclear program and its reliance on a vast network of regional proxies, which Israel actively counters with targeted operations and intelligence superiority.

The year 2018 was a pivotal moment, with heightened tensions following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, emphasizing the critical nature of understanding these military dynamics. The ongoing "prolonged campaign" of exchanges and operations, as referenced in later data, highlights that this is not a static comparison but an evolving strategic rivalry. Ultimately, any direct confrontation would be multifaceted, involving conventional forces, missile exchanges, cyber warfare, and proxy actions, with significant implications for regional stability. We encourage you to share your thoughts on this complex geopolitical dynamic in the comments below, or explore other related articles on military power comparisons on our site, such as "RUSSIA VS U.S VS IRAN MILITARY POWER" or "Let’s compare in 1 minute - Israel vs Iran || Military Power Comparisons."

Iran says no to nuclear talks during conflict as UN urges restraint

Celebrity Homes & Lifestyles