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Measuring the military strength of 6 new BRICS member countries. Photos/Illustrations
JAKARTA – The group of countries with developing economies in the world, BRICS, has officially announced six countries as new members. The country comprises Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ethiopia.
The existence of the BRICS has indeed attracted a number of countries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. The countries that are members of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) have contributed 40% of the world’s population and nearly a third of the global economy.
The members of this new group have even surpassed the G7 in terms of recent economic growth. This attraction has attracted a number of countries to join in. Apart from population and economic development, a number of BRICS members also have a capable military force.
As is well known, within the BRICS membership there are three countries that are seen as world military powers; Russia, China and India. According to the world military power ranking website, Global Fire Power, these three countries are in a row in the top five positions with Russia in 2nd position, China (3rd) and India (4th). While two other countries namely Brazil are in position 12 and South Africa (33).
Then what about the military forces of the six countries that have just joined the BRICS in a coalition?
Still according to the Global Fire Power website, of the six countries that have just joined the BRICS, Egypt is in 14th position, Iran (17th), Saudi Arabia (22nd), Argentina (28th), Ethiopia (49th), and the UAE (56th).
Although none of them are included in the top 10 world military forces, the capabilities of the six countries are not empty.
1. Egypt
Since the 2013 military coup that brought President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to power, Egypt has built up its military by buying weapons and diversifying their sources.
The country of the Pyramids has a total of 57 combat aircraft, 7 aerial drones and 60 attack helicopters. On land, the country has a total of 3,032 tanks, 1,024 rocket launchers and 968 artillery pieces.
Egypt is also noted to have a line of mainstay weapons such as T-90 tanks, Dassault Rafale fighter jets, AH-64 Apache helicopters and Type 209/1400 submarines.
2. Iran
Iran is often a scourge for Western countries and Israel with its nuclear program. This Mullah country also has a qualified military force.
The country is recorded to have more than 1 million military personnel. The Iranian Air Force is known to have 14 combat aircraft, 5 reconnaissance drones and 7 attack helicopters. Turning to the Army, this country has 2,646 tanks, 705 rocket launchers, and 377 artillery pieces.