Earlier this year, military website Global Firepower published its military strength ranking for 2023 featuring 145 countries, with the ranking utilising more than 60 different factors to determine a given nation’s PowerIndex. The Global Firepower PowerIndex is calculated by focusing on weapon diversity rather than the total number of weapons available to any country to provide a better balance of firepower. The formula also allows smaller, more technologically-advanced nations to compete with larger, lesser-developed powers, and special modifiers – in the form of bonuses and penalties – are applied to further refine the list, which is compiled annually. One such special modifier is a nation’s access to nuclear weapons, and while they are not recognised directly, these nations receive an indirect score bonus. South Africa is ranked as having the 33rd greatest military strength globally – down from 26th in 2022. The country ranks as the 3rd strongest military force in Africa, dropping from 1st in 2022 and is behind Egypt (1st) and Algeria (2nd) on the African continent. In this conversation, we speak about South Africa’s military capacity. Independent Defense Analyst Helmoed Heitman joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.

<p>Earlier this year, military website Global Firepower published its military strength ranking for 2023 featuring 145 countries, with the ranking utilising more than 60 different factors to determine a given nation’s PowerIndex. The Global Firepower PowerIndex is calculated by focusing on weapon diversity rather than the total number of weapons available to any country to provide a better balance of firepower. The formula also allows smaller, more technologically-advanced nations to compete with larger, lesser-developed powers, and special modifiers – in the form of bonuses and penalties – are applied to further refine the list, which is compiled annually. One such special modifier is a nation’s access to nuclear weapons, and while they are not recognised directly, these nations receive an indirect score bonus. South Africa is ranked as having the 33rd greatest military strength globally – down from 26th in 2022. The country ranks as the 3rd strongest military force in Africa, dropping from 1st in 2022 and is behind Egypt (1st) and Algeria (2nd) on the African continent. In this conversation, we speak about South Africa’s military capacity. Independent Defense Analyst Helmoed Heitman joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.</p>

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show that delves deeper into the news of the day, along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. The host also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

<p>POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show that delves deeper into the news of the day, along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. The host also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.</p>