According to the latest estimates from SIPRI’s Military Balance, Israel’s defence budget in 2023 was more than double that of Iran—$27.5 billion compared to $10.3 billion.
Iran’s missile programme draws heavily from North Korean and Russian designs, and has reportedly benefited from Chinese assistance, according to the Arms Control Association, a Washington-based non-profit.
It now has 610,000 active personnel and 350,000 reserves with the addition of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran also has 334 combat-capable aircraft, as well as air defence systems such as the Russian S-300, which has limited capabilities when it comes to defending against ballistic missiles.
Israel, for its part, has developed one of the most advanced missile arsenals in the world, combining decades of homegrown innovation with strong support from the US.
