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Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India, US, China or Pakistan: Which country has the most combat tank fleet? List of top 10
Combat tanks have become a vital part of a nation's military strength. These powerful war machines are designed to dominate on the battlefield with their thick armour, powerful guns, and ability to move across difficult terrain. But which country in the world has the largest fleet of combat tanks in 2025? Let's find out in this list of top 10 countries with the most combat tank units. What is a Combat Tank? A combat tank is a heavily armoured vehicle that carries powerful weapons and moves on metal tracks instead of wheels. The design helps it move over rough land, making it useful in warzones. Tanks were first introduced during World War I, with Britain creating the world's first functional tank called Little Willie. Since then, tanks have become more advanced, faster, and stronger. A Brief History of Tanks in Warfare The idea of using vehicles in war is not new. Thousands of years ago, ancient Egyptians used horse-drawn chariots during battles. Later, in the Middle Ages, people used armoured wagons and battering rams. But the invention of the modern-day combat tank changed everything. It allowed armies to break through enemy lines and added a new level of power to ground forces. Military Spending and the Rise of Combat Tanks According to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military spending increased by 37% between 2015 and 2025. Many countries are now investing in air defence and land forces. Adding more combat tanks to their armies is one of the main strategies to strengthen their military power. Top 10 Countries with the Most Combat Tanks in 2025 Here's a look at the top 10 countries with the largest combat tank fleets in 2025: 1. China – 6,800 Tanks China tops the list with a massive fleet of 6,800 combat tanks. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) owns the world's largest number of main battle tanks (MBTs) currently in service. This reflects China's focus on becoming a leading global military force. 2. Russia – 5,750 Tanks Russia holds the second position with around 5,750 tanks. One of its most powerful tanks is the T-14 Armata, a fourth-generation main battle tank built on the Armata Universal Combat Platform. Despite economic challenges, Russia continues to invest in armoured strength. 3. United States – 4,640 Tanks The United States ranks third with a total of 4,640 combat tanks. Most of these are M1A2 Abrams tanks, considered one of the most powerful MBTs in the world. The US also has a large number of reserve tanks ready for action. 4. North Korea – 4,344 Tanks North Korea has surprised the world with its fleet of 4,344 tanks, securing the fourth spot. In 2024, North Korea introduced a new MBT that closely resembles Western tank models, strengthening its ground forces. 5. India – 4,201 Tanks India is in the fifth spot with around 4,201 combat tanks. According to the website War Power India, its fleet includes the Ajeya Mk.2 (T-72 Ajeya), and Bhishma (T-90S (Bhishma)). These tanks boost India's ability to respond to threats from neighbouring countries and improve its defence capabilities. 6. Egypt – 3,620 Tanks Egypt comes sixth with 3,620 tanks, including 1,130 US-made M1A1 Abrams. This makes Egypt one of the leading nations in terms of tank strength in the Middle East and Africa. 7. Pakistan – 2,627 Tanks Pakistan ranks seventh with 2,627 tanks in its fleet. In 2024, the country launched an ambitious project through Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) to develop an Active Protection System (APS) for its main battle tanks, aiming to modernise and enhance tank performance. 8. Türkiye – 2,238 Tanks Türkiye holds the eighth position with 2,238 tanks. The country uses a variety of tank models, including Leopard 1, Leopard 2, M60 Sabra, M60 Patton, and M48 Patton. Türkiye's defence industry has also been working on producing its own tank called Altay. 9. South Korea – 2,236 Tanks With a total of 2,236 tanks, South Korea ranks ninth. Its advanced K2 Black Panther is considered one of the most modern and technologically superior combat tanks in the world today. 10. Iran – 1,713 Tanks Iran rounds off the list with 1,713 combat tanks. It has developed home-grown models like the Karrar and Zulfiqar tanks. These domestic tanks show Iran's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign arms imports. As military strategies continue to evolve, so does the race to build better, stronger, and faster combat tanks. These tanks will remain a key part of any country's defence system for years to come. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why Cindy Rose will lead WPP to recovery
In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma advises the Pandavas on the essence of ascending to sovereignty: नाभिषेको न संस्कारः सिंहस्य क्रियते वने। विक्रमार्जितसत्वस्य स्वयमेव मृगेन्द्रता॥ Nābhiṣeko na sanskāraḥ siṃhasya kriyate vane | Vikramārjita-sattvasya svayameva mṛgendratā || 'Leadership isn't bestowed but earned through courage and action, just like a lion earns its place as king. No coronation ceremony or rituals are deemed necessary in the forest' It captures the essence of battlefield leadership , that of knowledge, steadfastness, inspiring action and earning respect through courage and capability. Cindy Rose 's appointment as the CEO at WPP marks a profound strategic pivot for one of the world's largest advertising conglomerates. It comes at a time when it is grappling with slowing growth, rising client attrition, and an urgent need to redefine its value in a tech-driven, AI-disrupted marketing landscape. With legacy revenue models under pressure and digital-first competitors gaining ground, WPP requires not just a change in leadership, but a reinvention of purpose. From my vantage as a CMO, a card carrying member of the marketing fraternity and a client , Rose embodies the qualities and experience WPP urgently requires to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern media and marketing landscape. In hindsight, given her position on the WPP board since 2019, she is an intuitively self suggesting , even a compelling choice. Her professional track record is impeccable, marked by significant leadership roles at major technology and media enterprises such as Microsoft, Disney, Virgin Media, and Vodafone. As COO of Global Enterprise at Microsoft, she was instrumental in guiding large scale transformations centered around AI and cloud computing. These are two crucial elements that will determine the winners and losers in the marketing industry's next chapter. That she can embody in her person both the outsider driving innovation and the insider grounded in understanding, is comforting. She comes into the CEO role with deep familiarity with the company's internal dynamics, strengths, weaknesses, and most importantly, its cultural and operational barriers to change. This 'insider-outsider' dynamic positions her effectively as a transformative yet stabilizing force, a crucial balance given WPP's recent volatility and the industry's rapid evolution. Winston Churchill said 'It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.' Rose's reputation among stakeholders was built on a demonstrated capability to cultivate client trust and align diverse teams around shared strategic visions. Heckling will not stop disruption in technology-intensive environments nor will nostalgia for the 'good old times' make any impact on the pace of technological adoption. The best course of action is to get an expert surfer to ride the waves. This brings us to the crucial transformations WPP must undertake and why Cindy Rose is ideally placed to spearhead them. WPP currently faces significant structural and strategic challenges. Digital-first disruptors and consulting firms have steadily eroded market share, while technology-driven marketing automation has diminished the perceived value of traditional agency services. Significant client losses, such as Mars and Coca-Cola , are compounding these challenges and a declining share price, signals a broader crisis of confidence. Under Rose's leadership, WPP must undergo three pivotal shifts. Firstly, accelerating its technological transformation. Secondly, revitalizing client relationships with deeper strategic partnerships, and finally, enhancing organizational agility and cultural innovation. Of these, technology transformation is the most important. Rose's extensive experience at Microsoft, particularly her expertise in AI-driven solutions, positions her perfectly to embed advanced technologies across WPP's offerings. AI and data analytics must move beyond isolated innovation hubs within the group to become embedded capabilities that enhance client campaigns' efficiency, creativity, and effectiveness. Under no scenario can WPP be the chaser to client plans. Run ahead or run along but don't be left behind as the chaser. WPP urgently requires strengthened client relationships grounded in strategic partnership rather than transactional interactions. As CEO, she will herself need to build meaningful enterprise-level relationships to transition WPP into a more consultative, strategic partner. To position WPP into a strategic growth enable, significantly increase client loyalty and revenue stability, organizational agility and cultural change are essential. The siloed structure of WPP's myriad agencies has historically constrained innovation and agility. The nature of the business demands operational rigour and delivery across complex multinational environments Transformation demands dismantling of operational silos, and driving a more agile, innovation-centric culture. In addition , I will be remiss if I don't mention the APAC imperative and opportunity. Firstly, the region has the world's fast-growing economies like India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines where GDP growth, digital adoption, and media consumption are accelerating. These markets present double digit growth opportunities for brands, in contrast to stagnating Western markets. It is home to 60 % of the world's population, some 4.3 billion people , and lit screens here are brighter than the star filled skies. The region is home to the largest mobile-first populations in the world. APAC leads in social commerce, influencer marketing, and short-form video engagement, making it a test bed for digital innovation. APAC contributes a materially significant share of WPP's global revenues, over 15–20% depending on the year and it is a major growth engine. Large clients in sectors like FMCG, tech, telecom, and consumer goods are ramping up their APAC ad spend, especially in digital and e-commerce. The need for more localised strategies within APAC makes brands expect agencies to deliver culturally relevant, in-market creativity, not just press ahead with global templates. For WPP to remain competitive, it must double down on regional focus, localized storytelling, and AI-powered creative services that resonate with Asia's mobile-first, value-driven consumers. Finally, examining great business turnarounds of the past provides valuable insights into Rose's potential strategy. Consider Microsoft's transformation under Satya Nadella , where a legacy giant transitioned successfully into cloud computing and AI-driven markets. Nadella's leadership emphasized empathy, clarity of vision, and technological innovation, a combination Rose herself closely observed and contributed to. Another notable example is Salesforce's evolution under Marc Benioff, which pioneered the cloud-based SaaS model and redefined enterprise software through bold technology bets, relentless innovation, and a deeply customer-centric culture. Its growth was fueled by integrating AI, data, and CRM into a unified platform and that transformation is continuing apace proving that strategic clarity and agility can turn bold ideas into enduring industry leadership. Both transformations had a clear strategic vision, aggressive yet thoughtful technological integration, and robust client and stakeholder alignment. Each also underscores the importance of empathetic leadership, capable of rallying internal and external stakeholders through periods of uncertainty and change. WPP must evolve from being a service provider to becoming a platform for strategic marketing transformation , one that is powered by creativity, scaled by data, and personalized through AI. Under Cindy Rose's leadership, WPP has the opportunity to follow that playbook, replacing fragmentation with integration and mere campaign delivery with business impact. Cindy Rose's appointment signifies a strategic evolution essential for WPP's long-term viability and success. Her exceptional blend of technological expertise, proven client relationship management, and experience in enabling cultural transformation uniquely qualifies her to lead WPP into its next growth era. Under her direction, WPP needs to be truly 'Wired for Platform & Performance' and 'Win through People & Product' I am confident WPP is poised for more than a recovery.
