In this article, we look at the 5 weakest militaries in the world. You can read about trends in the defense industry and the United States donating military equipment to countries in need by heading over to the 15 Weakest Militaries in the World.
5. Benin
GDP (2022): $19.94 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $75 million
Manpower: 5,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 150
Military Aircraft: 2
Naval Assets: 2
Overall Score: 5.45
Benin’s armed forces are among the weakest in the world due to their low manpower and small inventory of military equipment. In recent years, Benin has received military assistance from France in the form of armored vehicles and helicopters but that has not been enough to lift its capabilities.
4. Central African Republic
GDP (2022): $2.76 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $41 million
Manpower: 10,000
Tanks: 3
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 228
Military Aircraft: 3
Naval Assets: 0
Overall Score: 4.8
The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the most unstable and weakest countries in the world, and is marred with security challenges. Russia, driven by its geopolitical objectives, has donated military equipment to CAR in recent years, including a L-39 aircraft for training in 2022. There are also reports of Moscow planning to give six more of these to the country this year. That being said, there is still a long way to go for CAR to have a strong military considering the size of its economy and defense spending.
3. Belize
GDP (2022): $3.22 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $19 million
Manpower: 2,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 130
Military Aircraft: 2
Naval Assets: 10
Overall Score: 3.5
Belize in Central America has one of the weakest militaries in the world, with a manpower of only an estimated 2,000 troops. The American government works closely with Belize on a wide range of issues, including the fight against narcotics, human trafficking and other organized crime. Both the military aircraft operated by Belize were received from the US.
2. Liberia
GDP (2022): $4.35 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $12 million
Manpower: 2,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 650
Military Aircraft: 0
Naval Assets: 6
Overall Score: 3.2
Liberia is among the lowest spenders on defense in the world. It has no tanks and military aircraft, and only a few naval assets, most of them boats. Liberians feel extremely vulnerable due to the high rates of violent crimes and general instability in the country due to a lack of law and order.
1. Bhutan
GDP (2022): $2.68 billion
Defense Spending (2022): $29 million
Manpower: 8,000
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 108
Military Aircraft: 2
Naval Assets: 0
Overall Score: 2.9
Based on the metrics we factored in our analysis, Bhutan has the weakest military in the world. The tiny Himalayan country nestled between China and India was also ranked lowest on military strength in the Global Firepower Index 2023. The country has no tanks, naval assets, and only a couple of military aircraft. However, despite being weak in defense, it is one of those countries that has never been invaded by a foreign aggressor. Both China and India press for political influence over Bhutan but it has managed to balance ties with both.
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