Any progressive state wanting to safeguard its boundaries and interests requires a powerful armed force. Only a few African countries are still lacking in terms of having a disciplined army. Some African countries are outperforming developed countries in terms of military spending in 2022.
Global Fire Power (GFP) is a leading source of military-related information which ranks the military strengths of 140 countries. The organization uses the following parameters to rank the countries: manpower; air power; army strength; naval power; financial resources; logistical resources; natural resources; and geography. In this article, we look at the top ten most powerful military nations in Africa.
10. Tunisia
World ranking 74.
Defense budget: $1.2 billion.
Tunisian army is made up of three brigades; Saharan territorial group, special forces group, and military police. The Tunisian Armed Forces have participated in peacekeeping missions, particularly during the Rwandan genocide, and have been driven into border combat with Libyan rebels during the civil conflict in 2011. They have 900 armored battle vehicles, 350 tanks, a combined manpower of nearly five million, 139 aircraft, and a fleet of 50 ships.
9. Sudan
World Ranking: 73
Defense budget: $287 million
The civil war-prone country is among Africa's top ten militaries. Despite the insecurity and economic turmoil, Sudan's annual defense expenditure is around $500 million. The country boasts about 24,000 active front-line military soldiers as well as a sizable arsenal of weapons. 46 fighter jets, 43 helicopters, 690 combat tanks, 400 armored fighting vehicles, and 12 naval patrol ships are among their assets.
8. Libya
World Ranking:72
Defense budget: $3.4 billion.
Libya has the eighth most powerful national armed force in Africa. The north African country has more than 76,000 troops, over 400 armored tanks and 50 warplanes protecting over 6 million Libyans. Despite the civil war that rocked the country in 2011, Libya’s military remains one of the best in Africa.
7. Angola
Word Ranking: 66
Defense Budget: $1 Billion
Angola now has 107,000 active front-line military personnel as well as 100,000 paramilitary personnel. Natural resources, including oil and diamonds, have been used to improve the country and have allowed it to have one of the most powerful militaries in Africa. The Angolan government's ties with Russia have resulted in the majority of their weapons coming from Russia.
6.Ethiopia
World Ranking: 65
Defense budget of $538 million.
Ethiopia boasts East Africa's most powerful military and maintains a force of almost 162,000 well-trained soldiers. Ethiopia has 24 fighter jets, 400 tanks, 114 armored battle vehicles, 183 rocket launchers, 67 self-propelled artillery pieces, and 650 towed artillery pieces. Along with its impressive military hardware, it also boasts one of the continent's largest populations, providing it with a massive army when needed.
5. Morocco
World Ranking: 56
Defense budget of $5.4 billion.
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have 195,800 active members and a $5.4 billion yearly military expenditure. The armed forces have 46 fighter jets, 1,443 combat tanks, 2,901 armored fighting vehicles, 144 rocket projectors, and 105 naval patrol ships.
4. Nigeria
World Ranking: 35
Defense budget: $5.8 billion.
Despite political and leadership instability, corruption, and a failure to combat insurgency and terrorism in the country, the Nigeria Military Force is recognized as Africa's fourth most powerful. The country has over 120,000 military soldiers to defend a population of over 200 million people.
3. Algeria
World Ranking: 32
Defense budget: $9.7 billion.
Algeria is Africa's largest defense spender, with 120,000 active front-line personnel and a budgeted allocation for national defense estimated at $9.7 billion. With almost 1,500 armored battle vehicles, they are now one of Africa's best-equipped forces. The armed forces are mostly funded by their oil reserves.
2. South Africa
World Ranking:26
Defense budget: $2.9 billion.
The military of South Africa is comparable to that of other developed European countries. Despite the fact that their military front line personnel number less than 100,000, their equipment is world-class and up-to-date. South African soldiers have been trained by Israeli and British forces.
1 . Egypt
World Ranking :12
Defense budget: $4.3 billion
The GFP ranks the Egyptian Armed Forces as Africa's most powerful military. For a long time, this country has been and continues to be Africa's military powerhouse. Egypt is the only African country with two aircraft carriers. The Egyptian Armed Forces include 440,000 active personnel, 800,000 reserve personnel, and 400,000 paramilitaries.