TDS Desk:

Bangladesh ranked 35th among 145 world powers in the recently released Global Firepower Index (GFP), advancing two notches from its previous spot.

The country holds a Power Index score of 0.6062 [where 0.0000 is considered “perfect”].

According to the GFP website, the index utilises over 60 individual factors to determine a given nation’s Power Index score with categories ranging from quantity of military units and financial standing to logistical capabilities and geography.

It says the GFP’s unique, in-house formula allows for smaller, more technologically advanced nations to compete with larger, lesser-developed powers. Special modifiers, in the form of bonuses and penalties, are applied to further refine the list, which is compiled annually.

According to its website, Bangladesh’s neighbour India secured the 4th position with a Power Index of 0.1184, while Pakistan secured the 12th position with a Power Index of 0.2513.

The US topped the list with a power index score of 0.0744. The country has been retaining the top spot since 2005.

“The nation [US] benefits from its deep manpower base, financials, material qualities, and potential industrial output to remain the top global power,” GFP wrote on its website.

With a score of 0.0788, Russia is the second global military power.

“Under the strain of Western sanctions and in the face of a growing NATO alliance, Russia continues to double-down its efforts in eastern Ukraine. The nation is buoyed by allies in North Korea, China, and Iran as the war continues into 2025,” read a note on the GFP website.

China remains the third global military power with a score of 0.0788, and Global Firepower said Beijing is continuing its climb towards the number 2 spot with major investment in military and development capabilities.

“It [China] remains a global financial power and has strengthened its influence with notable footholds in Asia, Africa, and South America. Neighbouring Taiwan remains a priority for the current administration. 2027 marks the theoretical end of China’s current modernisation/expansion initiative – which has since seen the country eclipse the US’s warship and submarine output,” read the accompanying note.

Among the other top ten countries on the GFP index are South Korea [6th], France [7th], Japan [8th], Turkey [9th] and Italy [10th].