LIVE UPDATES
Africa is a vast and diverse continent, with a wide range of military capabilities. Some countries have large and well-equipped armies, while others have smaller and more lightly armed forces. But which country has the best African military?
Here is a ranking of the top 10 African countries with the best militaries, based on several factors, including:
- Size of the military
- Equipment and training of the military
- Experience in the military
- Military budget
- The strategic importance of the country
10. Algeria
Algeria has the largest military in Africa, with over 1 million active personnel. The Algerian military is well-equipped with modern weapons, including tanks, aircraft, and missiles. The Algerian military has also seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Algerian Civil War and the Libyan Civil War.
9. Egypt
Egypt has a long and proud history of military strength. The Egyptian military is the second largest in Africa, with over 900,000 active personnel. The Egyptian military is well-equipped with modern weapons, including tanks, aircraft, and missiles. The Egyptian military has also seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Arab-Israeli Wars and the War in Darfur.
8. Morocco
Morocco has a well-equipped and well-trained military, with over 350,000 active personnel. The Moroccan military has seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Western Sahara War and the War in Mali. Morocco is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which gives it access to advanced military technology and training.
7. South Africa
South Africa has a relatively small military, with just over 200,000 active personnel. However, the South African military is well-equipped with modern weapons, including tanks, aircraft, and missiles. The South African military also has a strong tradition of peacekeeping, having deployed troops to several conflict zones around the world.
6. Nigeria
Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, and it also has a large and well-equipped military. The Nigerian military has over 300,000 active personnel, and it is equipped with a variety of modern weapons, including tanks, aircraft, and missiles. The Nigerian military has also seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Boko Haram insurgency and the Niger Delta conflict.
5. Angola
Angola has a well-equipped and well-trained military, with over 150,000 active personnel. The Angolan military has seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Angolan Civil War and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conflict. Angola is also a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which gives it access to military assistance from other SADC countries.
4. Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a large and well-equipped military, with over 100,000 active personnel. The Ethiopian military has seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Ethiopian Civil War and the Ogaden War. Ethiopia is also a member of the African Union (AU), which gives it access to military assistance from other AU countries.
3. Sudan
Sudan has a large and well-equipped military, with over 100,000 active personnel. The Sudanese military has seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Second Sudanese Civil War and the Darfur conflict. Sudan is also a member of the Arab League, which gives it access to military assistance from other Arab countries.
2. Kenya
Kenya has a well-equipped and well-trained military, with over 40,000 active personnel. The Kenyan military has seen extensive combat experience, fighting in the Somali Civil War and the Kenyan–Somali War. Kenya is also a member of the East African Community (EAC), which gives it access to military assistance from other EAC countries.
1. Djibouti
The Djibouti Armed Forces (FADF) are the military forces of the Republic of Djibouti. They are responsible for the defence of the country's borders and territorial integrity and also responsible for providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The FADF are a relatively small force, with only around 20,000 active personnel. However, they are well-equipped and well-trained, and they have a strong tradition of military service.
The FADF are also a key partner of the United States military in the region, and they have played a major role in the fight against terrorism in East Africa.
They are divided into three branches: the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. The Army is the largest branch, and it is responsible for ground defence. The Navy is responsible for patrolling the country's coastline and waters. The Air Force is responsible for air defence and surveillance.
Equipped with a variety of modern weapons, including tanks, artillery, aircraft, and missiles, the FADF also receives training and assistance from the United States and France.
They are a professional and capable force, and they play an important role in the security of Djibouti and the region. They are committed to defending the country's borders and territorial integrity, and they are also willing to contribute to peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
Here are some of the key strengths of the Djibouti military:
- Small but well-equipped: The FADF are a relatively small force, but they are well-equipped with modern weapons and vehicles. This gives them a significant advantage over their neighbours, who are often poorly armed.
- The strong tradition of military service: The Djibouti military has a strong tradition of military service. Many Djibouti citizens see military service as a way to serve their country and gain valuable skills. This tradition of military service helps to ensure that the FADF is always well-trained and motivated.
- Key partner of the United States military: The FADF is a key partner of the United States military in the region. The two militaries work closely together on a variety of issues, including counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and disaster relief. This partnership gives the FADF access to advanced military technology and training, which helps to improve its capabilities.
The Djibouti military is a small but capable force that plays an important role in the security of Djibouti and the region. It is well-equipped, well-trained, and has a strong tradition of military service. The FADF is also a key partner of the United States military, which gives it access to advanced military technology and training.
