The Armed Forces of Tajikistan has ranked 100th out of 145 countries in the updated Global Firepower index for 2026, marking a rise of eight positions compared to last year.

In the 2025 ranking, Tajikistan stood at 108th place, a shift that analysts interpret as a sign of a noticeable improvement in the country’s military potential, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

According to Global Firepower data, Tajikistan’s Power Index for 2026 stands at 2.1749, down from 2.3049 a year earlier. In the GFP methodology, the closer the index value is to zero, the stronger a country’s military. As such, the lower score indicates a relative strengthening of Tajikistan’s position.

Central Asia: Uzbekistan Takes the Lead

In 2025, Kazakhstan was considered the strongest military power in Central Asia, ranking 57th globally, followed closely by Uzbekistan at 58th. Turkmenistan ranked 77th, Kyrgyzstan placed 105th, while Tajikistan closed the regional list at 108th.

The 2026 ranking reflects a reshuffle in regional balance. Uzbekistan moved into first place in Central Asia, climbing to 53rd globally. Kazakhstan followed at 58th, Turkmenistan at 78th, Tajikistan improved to 100th, while Kyrgyzstan dropped to 109th, becoming the lowest-ranked military in the region.

Global Military Leaders Remain Unchanged

At the global level, the top three military powers remain unchanged in both the 2025 and 2026 rankings. The United States holds first place, followed by Russia and China.

At the bottom of the Global Firepower list are the armed forces of the Central African Republic, Benin, and Bhutan, which occupy the lowest positions in terms of military capability.

The latest ranking underscores Tajikistan’s gradual progress in military capacity while highlighting shifting dynamics within Central Asia’s security landscape.