Overview
Which country has the largest military force in Africa?
The country with the largest military force in Africa is Egypt with a force strength of 1,314,500 personnel. At second and third, are Algeria with a 467,200-strong military and Morocco with a military force of 395,800 personnel.
In comparison, the average size of the military forces in Africa is around 85,891.8 military personnel.
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DEFENSE SPENDING
Defense Budget. Algeria has the highest military budget in Africa at US$10,304M . Average size of defense budgets among countries in Africa stand at US$789.3M.
Percentage of GDP on Defense. Algeria's defence budget makes up 6% of its GDP - the highest in Africa. On average, countries in Africa spend %1.6 of their GDPs on defense.
FORCE STRUCTURE
Active Forces. Egypt has the largest active military in Africa, with 438,500 personnel. Average size of active military forces among countries in Africa stand at 47,004.5 personnel.
Reserve Forces. Egypt has the largest reserve military in Africa, with 479,000 personnel. On average, countries in Africa maintain a reserve strength of 19,746.1 personnel.
Paramilitary Forces. Egypt has the largest paramilitary force in Africa, with 397,000 personnel. The average paramilitary force size in Africa is 19,141.2 personnel.
Total Military Force Per Capita. Eritrea has the highest total military per capita at 53.9 per 1000 in population - the highest in Africa. The average total military force per capita for countries in Africa is around 4.2 per 1000 in population.
BATTLE EQUIPMENT
Naval Fleet. Egypt has the largest naval fleet in Africa, with 22 vessels. Average size of naval fleet among countries in Africa stand at 1.2 vessels.
Submarines. Egypt has the most submarines in Africa at 8 subs. Average size of submarine fleet among countries in Africa stand at 0.4 subs.
Air Force. Egypt has the largest air force at 569 planes in Africa. Average size of air force among countries in Africa stand at 28.0 planes.
Battle Tanks. Egypt has most number of battle tanks in Africa at 4,295 tanks. Average number of tanks among countries in Africa stand at 166.5 tanks.
These are the countries in Africa with the largest military forces:
The country with the second-highest defence budget in Africa is Egypt. Egypt's defence expenditure is estimated to be US$3,744M (1.20% of its GDP).
Egypt has the largest military force in Africa. With a 1,314,500-strong military, Egypt has a per-capita ratio of 13.2 military personnel per 1000 in population. Its total military consists of 438,500 active personnel (largest in Africa), 479,000 reserve personnel and 397,000 from paramilitary forces.
Egypt's battle tank force is the largest in Africa. On land, Egypt has a mobile force of 4,295 tanks. For aerial defence, Egypt has an air force of 569 military aircrafts and 132 attack helicopters.
Egypt has the largest naval fleet in Africa. Egypt has a naval fleet of 22 vessels, including 8 non-nuclear submarines. Rounding up the fleet of warships are 7 frigates and 7 corvettes.
Algeria's defence budget is the highest in Africa. Algeria allocates about 6% of its GDP (estimated at US$10,304M) for its defence budget. Its percentage of GDP allocated to defence spending is the third-highest worldwide.
Algeria has the second-largest military force in Africa. With a 467,200-strong military, Algeria has a per-capita ratio of 11.2 military personnel per 1000 in population. Its total military consists of 130,000 active personnel, 150,000 reserve personnel and 187,200 from paramilitary forces.
Algeria's battle tank force is the second-largest in Africa. On land, Algeria has a mobile force of 1,195 tanks. For aerial defence, Algeria has an air force of 120 military aircrafts and 77 attack helicopters.
Algeria's naval fleet is the second-largest in Africa. Algeria has a naval fleet of 18 vessels, including 6 non-nuclear submarines. Rounding up the fleet of warships are 5 frigates and 6 corvettes.
Morocco has the third-highest defence budget in Africa. Morocco allocates about 3.10% of its GDP (estimated at US$3,721M) for its defence budget. Its percentage of GDP allocated to defence spending is the third-highest in Africa.
Morocco's military force is the third-largest in Africa. Morocco has a military that is composed of 195,800 active personnel (third-largest in Africa), 150,000 in reserve and 50,000 from paramilitary forces, totalling 395,800 or 11.5 military personnel per 1000 in population.
On land, Morocco has a mobile force of 434 tanks. For aerial defence, Morocco has an air force of 92 military aircrafts and 33 attack helicopters.
The naval fleet also possesses numerous warships, including 5 frigates, 1 destroyers and 1 corvettes.
Sudan's defence expenditure is estimated to be US$722M (1.60% of its GDP).
Sudan has a military that is composed of 104,300 active personnel and 105,000 from paramilitary forces, totalling 209,300 or 4.9 military personnel per 1000 in population.
Sudan has the third-largest battle tank force in Africa. On land, Sudan has a mobile force of 465 tanks. For aerial defence, Sudan has an air force of 63 military aircrafts and 45 attack helicopters.
The defence budget of South Africa is estimated at US$3,465M at around 1% of its GDP.
South Africa has a military that is composed of 65,350 active personnel and 15,050 in reserve, totalling 80,400 or 1.5 military personnel per 1000 in population.
On land, South Africa has a mobile force of 34 tanks. For aerial defence, South Africa has an air force of 105 military aircrafts and 15 attack helicopters.
South Africa has a naval fleet of 7 vessels, including 3 non-nuclear submarines.
The defence budget of Uganda is estimated at US$646M at around 2.10% of its GDP.
With a 56,400-strong military, Uganda has a per-capita ratio of 1.4 military personnel per 1000 in population. Its total military consists of 45,000 active personnel, 10,000 reserve personnel and 1,400 from paramilitary forces.
On land, Uganda has a mobile force of 239 tanks. For aerial defence, Uganda has an air force of 16 military aircrafts and 6 attack helicopters.
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