In this article, we look at the five weakest militaries in Europe. You can read about the defense spending trends in the continent by heading over to the 10 Weakest Militaries in Europe, where we have also discussed the spike in military spending in Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
5. Estonia
GDP (2023): $41.8 billion
Defense Spending (2023): $1.19 billion
Manpower: 7,700
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,409
Military Aircraft: 7
Naval Assets: 10
Overall Score: 5.50
We begin our list with Estonia, which has an active manpower of only 7,700 personnel, which is one of its greatest weaknesses militarily. Moreover, the country has no battle tanks; only seven military aircraft which consist of transport aircraft and military helicopters; and a mere ten naval assets, most of them being boats. The country’s government, however, is taking steps to enhance its military strength by increasing defense expenditure. It spent $1.19 billion on military expenses in 2023, which represented 2.73% of its GDP, the fourth highest percentage among NATO member states.
4. Montenegro
GDP (2023): $7.06 billion
Defense Spending (2023): $114.5 million
Manpower: 2,350
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 662
Military Aircraft: 11
Naval Assets: 13
Overall Score: 3.35
Located in the Balkan region of Europe, Montenegro is a small country with a population of only 600,000 people. The country’s military has a mere 2,350 active personnel, no tanks, only 11 military aircraft, and 13 naval assets. Most of this military equipment is however old and outdated, that it inherited from Yugoslavia. Therefore, it is no surprise that Montenegro is among the weakest militaries in Europe.
3. Kosovo
GDP (2023): $10.47 billion
Defense Spending (2023): $133.2 million
Manpower: 10,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 922
Military Aircraft: 0
Naval Assets: 0
Overall Score: 3.25
Kosovo is a landlocked state in southern Europe with only partial diplomatic recognition. It has one of the weakest militaries in the world, and not just Europe, as it is without any battle tanks, military aircraft, and naval assets. The only area of strength of notice for Kosovo’s military is its manpower, which is around 10,000 active military troops, and its large fleet of armored fighting vehicles, most of which were received from the United States and Turkiye.
2. Moldova
GDP (2023): $16 billion
Defense Spending (2023): $93.4 million
Manpower: 8,500
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 450
Military Aircraft: 3
Naval Assets: 0
Overall Score: 2.65
Moldova has one of the weakest militaries in the world, that is without any battle tanks and naval assets. Moreover, it has only three aircraft to serve its military needs, of which one is a transport aircraft, while the other two are combat helicopters. The country’s military has an active manpower of only 8,500 troops.
1. Luxembourg
GDP (2023): $89.1 billion
Defense Spending (2023): $662.5 million
Manpower: 1,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 180
Military Aircraft: 1
Naval Assets: 0
Overall Score: 2.55
Luxembourg is among the wealthiest countries in the world, but remains a weak link militarily due to the limited size of the country’s armed forces and defense industry. It is the weakest military in Europe and spent only 0.72% of its GDP on defense in 2023, which was the lowest for all NATO member states. Luxembourg’s military has only around 1,000 troops, who have no battle tanks, no naval assets, and only one military aircraft that is used for transport purposes.
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