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In a war-torn world, it pays to be on the defensive, yet such a stance doesn’t necessarily require the biggest, baddest military in the region.

TopTenz takes a look at the hardest countries in the world to invade, based on military, geography, diplomatic relations, and just plain not being worth the trouble.

AUSTRALIA

Active Personnel: 60,000, Reserve: 44,000
Tanks: 59, Artillery: 75
Air Fighters: 78, Helicopters: 188
Naval Strength: 47 (Submarines: 6, Aircraft Carriers: 2)

Though it boasts a relatively small population of roughly 23 million, Australia is nevertheless huge; a continent in and of itself. With the exception of the coastal areas, where 98 percent of its people live, the island nation is an almost 3 million square mile scorching desert. A perfect place for any army to hide in, and from where to launch surprise attacks on any would be invader. Given its geographical position however, this would be highly unlikely. The scorching outback, as well as the Coral Barrier Reef, protects large parts of Queensland. During WWII, the Japanese seriously considered an invasion of Australia, but given the situation at hand, they decided against it…

SWITZERLAND

Active Personnel: 100,000, Reserve: 77,000
Tanks: 224, Artillery: 224
Air Fighters: 63, Helicopters: 43

Pretty much everyone is aware by now of Switzerland’s famous neutrality. As Europe was plunged in two World Wars, the Alpine country was spared from the terrific onslaught. Given its mountainous location, the country devised a defensive plan, known as the Swiss National Redoubt, which was deployed as early the 1880s. The plan involved building a series of fortresses and strongholds in key locations around the many mountain passes. These defenses proved useful in thwarting the different warring factions from invading Switzerland throughout the 20th century.

After WWII, and fearing a potential Soviet invasion, the plan was expanded to include Switzerland’s entire infrastructure. The Swiss military wired all roads and railways with dynamite, which would be detonated in case of an attack. This way any invader would have to waste time and energy in getting into the country. Moreover, the many bunkers, tunnels, and fortresses built within the mountains themselves offer access and protection for entire military divisions to strike anywhere at a moment’s notice…

Full story at TopTenz.

War games.