Africa's Strongest Military Has Over 1,000 Military Aircraft at the Ready

Military

Published: June 14, 2025 10:14 am

Key Points

Countries like Egypt and Algeria have emerged as leading military powers, each leveraging large defense budgets to modernize their forces
What separates the top militaries on the African continent from the rest is their air superiority
The leading military power on the continent has over 1,000 military aircraft at the ready
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Regional hegemony on the African continent has long been contested as countries and regimes rise and fall. Over the decades, countries like Egypt and Algeria have emerged as leading military powers, each leveraging large defense budgets to modernize their forces. However, what separates the top countries on the African continent from the rest is their air superiority. In fact, the leading power on the continent has over 1,000 military aircraft at its disposal, ranking in the top 10 air forces in the world. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the strongest militaries in Africa.

To determine the African countries with the strongest military might, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2025 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their PowerIndex, a composite of over 60 measures in categories such as military might, financials, logistical capability, and geography. The smaller the PowerIndex value the more powerful a nation’s theoretical conventional fighting capability is. We ranked these countries according to their PowerIndex score. We included supplemental information regarding active military personnel, military aircraft, vehicles, and naval power, as well as the defense budget.

Here is a look at the strongest military powers in Africa:

Why Are We Covering This?

Africa continent on geopolitical world map. High quality photo

Understanding the military dynamics of Africa is important due to the continent’s strategic geopolitical significance. The continent is known for some instability, and military power is one way of ensuring stability both political and economical. Many of these African nations are growing rapidly and the continued stability of this region is crucial.

38. Benin

Africa Endeavor 2010 (BY 2.0) by US Army Africa

Active military personnel: 4,750
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 4,750
Total military aircraft: 5
Total helicopters: 5
Total military vehicles: 92
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 2
Military strength score and world rank: 4.3156 – #143 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Benin has a total population of 14.70 million, and of this population 3,189,260 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $98,350,000.

37. Central African Republic

Burundi soldiers arrive in Cen... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Burundi soldiers arrive in Cen... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 10,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 1,000
Total military personnel: 11,000
Total military aircraft: 6
Total helicopters: 0
Total military vehicles: 228
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 4.2347 – #142 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, the Central African Republic has a total population of 5.651 million, and of this population 1,254,512 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $45,990,000.

36. Somalia

Active military personnel: 15,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 2,000
Total military personnel: 17,000
Total military aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 0
Total military vehicles: 682
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 10
Military strength score and world rank: 4.2037 – #141 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Somalia has a total population of 13.02 million, and of this population 1,796,384 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $171,002,350.

35. Sierra Leone

Active military personnel: 13,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 13,000
Total military aircraft: 1
Total helicopters: 1
Total military vehicles: 150
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 7
Military strength score and world rank: 3.9701 – #140 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Sierra Leone has a total population of 9.121 million, and of this population 1,203,978 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $228,600,000.

34. Liberia

Liberian delegation visits Fort Benning - 090806 by US Army Africa

Liberian delegation visits Fort Benning - 090806 (CC BY 2.0) by US Army Africa

Active military personnel: 1,500
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 5,500
Total military personnel: 7,000
Total military aircraft: 0
Total helicopters: 0
Total military vehicles: 300
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 3.7781 – #138 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Liberia has a total population of 5.437 million, and of this population 1,913,912 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $364,800,000.

33. Gabon

Gabon military (CC BY 2.0) by US Army Africa

Active military personnel: 4,800
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 2,500
Total military personnel: 7,300
Total military aircraft: 24
Total helicopters: 15
Total military vehicles: 424
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 5
Military strength score and world rank: 3.1805 – #133 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Gabon has a total population of 2.455 million, and of this population 532,758 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $274,820,000.

32. Madagascar

Madagascar. Antsirabe. Malagasy military, on a march. by Anne & David (Use Albums)

Madagascar. Antsirabe. Malagasy military, on a march. (PDM 1.0) by Anne & David (Use Albums)

Active military personnel: 13,500
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 8,100
Total military personnel: 21,600
Total military aircraft: 5
Total helicopters: 5
Total military vehicles: 158
Total tanks: 6
Total navy ships and submarines: 6
Military strength score and world rank: 3.0609 – #130 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Madagascar has a total population of 29.45 million, and of this population 7,952,233 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $112,210,000.

31. Burkina Faso

Active military personnel: 12,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 4,500
Total military personnel: 16,500
Total military aircraft: 25
Total helicopters: 18
Total military vehicles: 491
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.9734 – #129 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Burkina Faso has a total population of 23.04 million, and of this population 6,060,098 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $81,280,000.

30. Senegal

military (CC BY 2.0) by Jeff Attaway

Active military personnel: 17,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 17,000
Total military aircraft: 40
Total helicopters: 20
Total military vehicles: 1,740
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 2.8116 – #125 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Senegal has a total population of 18.85 million, and of this population 4,089,912 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $465,150,000.

29. Mauritania

Mauritanian troops stage borde... by Magharebia

Mauritanian troops stage borde... (CC BY 2.0) by Magharebia

Active military personnel: 31,540
Reserve military personnel: 66,000
Paramilitary personnel: 5,000
Total military personnel: 102,540
Total military aircraft: 24
Total helicopters: 4
Total military vehicles: 628
Total tanks: 25
Total navy ships and submarines: 6
Military strength score and world rank: 2.7977 – #123 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Mauritania has a total population of 4.328 million, and of this population 1,181,555 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $261,250,000.

28. Botswana

Botswana Defence Force, U.S. conducts joint military exercise by US Army Africa

Botswana Defence Force, U.S. conducts joint military exercise (BY 2.0) by US Army Africa

Active military personnel: 21,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 21,000
Total military aircraft: 45
Total helicopters: 16
Total military vehicles: 1,224
Total tanks: 45
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.7509 – #122 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Botswana has a total population of 2.451 million, and of this population 617,568 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $465,600,000.

27. Republic of the Congo

U.S. Army Africa assists with ... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

U.S. Army Africa assists with ... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 8,500
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 2,500
Total military personnel: 11,000
Total military aircraft: 13
Total helicopters: 7
Total military vehicles: 644
Total tanks: 30
Total navy ships and submarines: 4
Military strength score and world rank: 2.7282 – #121 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Republic of the Congo has a total population of 6.098 million, and of this population 1,353,682 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $306,400,000.

26. Eritrea

Active military personnel: 120,000
Reserve military personnel: 130,000
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 250,000
Total military aircraft: 20
Total helicopters: 13
Total military vehicles: 860
Total tanks: 65
Total navy ships and submarines: 23
Military strength score and world rank: 2.6985 – #120 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Eritrea has a total population of 6.344 million, and of this population 1,598,677 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $198,000,000.

25. Niger

Army partners with Republic of... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Army partners with Republic of... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 25,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 5,000
Total military personnel: 30,000
Total military aircraft: 26
Total helicopters: 13
Total military vehicles: 456
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.6689 – #119 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Niger has a total population of 26.34 million, and of this population 5,294,900 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $336,400,000.

24. Namibia

Active military personnel: 13,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 5,000
Total military personnel: 18,000
Total military aircraft: 34
Total helicopters: 7
Total military vehicles: 2,094
Total tanks: 4
Total navy ships and submarines: 15
Military strength score and world rank: 2.6384 – #116 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Namibia has a total population of 2.804 million, and of this population 400,923 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $370,500,000.

23. Uganda

Ugandan military police train ... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Ugandan military police train ... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 45,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 10,000
Total military personnel: 55,000
Total military aircraft: 51
Total helicopters: 30
Total military vehicles: 3,862
Total tanks: 259
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.4767 – #114 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Uganda has a total population of 49.28 million, and of this population 9,905,891 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $985,400,000.

22. South Sudan

U.S., South Sudan partner during de-mining courses by US Army Africa

U.S., South Sudan partner during de-mining courses (BY 2.0) by US Army Africa

Active military personnel: 185,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 185,000
Total military aircraft: 20
Total helicopters: 15
Total military vehicles: 1,950
Total tanks: 30
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.4321 – #113 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, South Sudan has a total population of 12.70 million, and of this population 4,065,188 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $175,300,000.

21. Zimbabwe

Active military personnel: 29,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 21,800
Total military personnel: 50,800
Total military aircraft: 95
Total helicopters: 28
Total military vehicles: 828
Total tanks: 15
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.3863 – #111 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Zimbabwe has a total population of 17.15 million, and of this population 3,721,626 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $530,800,000.

20. Ghana

Ghana Armed Forces u2013 Military Sergeant Soldier by Flickr: [2]

Ghana Armed Forces u2013 Military Sergeant Soldier (BY 2.0) by Flickr: [2]

Active military personnel: 15,500
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 15,500
Total military aircraft: 19
Total helicopters: 10
Total military vehicles: 1,824
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 28
Military strength score and world rank: 2.3775 – #110 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Ghana has a total population of 34.59 million, and of this population 9,961,658 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $308,500,000.

19. Zambia

Active military personnel: 15,150
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 1,200
Total military personnel: 16,350
Total military aircraft: 77
Total helicopters: 32
Total military vehicles: 424
Total tanks: 35
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.3411 – #109 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Zambia has a total population of 20.80 million, and of this population 4,139,024 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $394,240,000.

18. Mali

Active military personnel: 40,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 4,800
Total military personnel: 44,800
Total military aircraft: 43
Total helicopters: 10
Total military vehicles: 570
Total tanks: 10
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 2.2379 – #104 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Mali has a total population of 21.99 million, and of this population 4,288,168 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $650,386,000.

17. Ivory Coast

Malawi Defence Force receives ... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Malawi Defence Force receives ... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 22,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 5,500
Total military personnel: 27,500
Total military aircraft: 19
Total helicopters: 10
Total military vehicles: 656
Total tanks: 5
Total navy ships and submarines: 3
Military strength score and world rank: 2.1796 – #102 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Ivory Coast has a total population of 29.98 million, and of this population 7,855,221 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $669,600,935.

16. Cameroon

Multinational MEDEVAC training... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Multinational MEDEVAC training... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 40,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 12,500
Total military personnel: 52,500
Total military aircraft: 35
Total helicopters: 21
Total military vehicles: 430
Total tanks: 0
Total navy ships and submarines: 51
Military strength score and world rank: 2.0501 – #93 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Cameroon has a total population of 30.97 million, and of this population 6,224,187 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $554,952,283.

15. Tanzania

Active military personnel: 27,000
Reserve military personnel: 80,000
Paramilitary personnel: 6,500
Total military personnel: 113,500
Total military aircraft: 39
Total helicopters: 12
Total military vehicles: 1,072
Total tanks: 62
Total navy ships and submarines: 12
Military strength score and world rank: 2.0416 – #92 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Tanzania has a total population of 67.46 million, and of this population 6,678,750 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $1,406,745,334.

14. Tunisia

Active military personnel: 89,800
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 12,000
Total military personnel: 101,800
Total military aircraft: 154
Total helicopters: 101
Total military vehicles: 7,913
Total tanks: 90
Total navy ships and submarines: 58
Military strength score and world rank: 1.9538 – #90 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Tunisia has a total population of 12.05 million, and of this population 5,181,004 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $1,400,000,000.

13. Mozambique

Active military personnel: 11,200
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 3,000
Total military personnel: 14,200
Total military aircraft: 22
Total helicopters: 8
Total military vehicles: 872
Total tanks: 30
Total navy ships and submarines: 33
Military strength score and world rank: 1.9265 – #89 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Mozambique has a total population of 33.35 million, and of this population 7,770,772 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $412,400,000.

12. Chad

world map of africa with close up focus in niger, chad, Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso, Mali and Algeria

Active military personnel: 33,250
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 5,000
Total military personnel: 38,250
Total military aircraft: 40
Total helicopters: 16
Total military vehicles: 3,316
Total tanks: 90
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 1.8712 – #84 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Chad has a total population of 19.09 million, and of this population 3,856,906 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $381,350,000.

11. Kenya

Active military personnel: 50,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 25,000
Total military personnel: 75,000
Total military aircraft: 156
Total helicopters: 85
Total military vehicles: 4,128
Total tanks: 188
Total navy ships and submarines: 23
Military strength score and world rank: 1.8135 – #83 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Kenya has a total population of 58.25 million, and of this population 14,037,377 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $1,307,383,850.

10. Sudan

Active military personnel: 92,000
Reserve military personnel: 85,000
Paramilitary personnel: 17,500
Total military personnel: 194,500
Total military aircraft: 165
Total helicopters: 64
Total military vehicles: 2,900
Total tanks: 224
Total navy ships and submarines: 6
Military strength score and world rank: 1.4756 – #74 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Sudan has a total population of 50.47 million, and of this population 17,108,407 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $342,000,000.

9. Libya

Active military personnel: 32,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 100,000
Total military personnel: 132,000
Total military aircraft: 143
Total helicopters: 16
Total military vehicles: 1,816
Total tanks: 43
Total navy ships and submarines: 5
Military strength score and world rank: 1.4449 – #73 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Libya has a total population of 7.361 million, and of this population 3,290,485 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $3,060,000,000.

8. Democratic Republic of Congo

MEDFLAG 2010, Kinshasa, Democr... by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

MEDFLAG 2010, Kinshasa, Democr... (CC BY 2.0) by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Active military personnel: 166,580
Reserve military personnel: 31,000
Paramilitary personnel: 10,000
Total military personnel: 207,580
Total military aircraft: 46
Total helicopters: 32
Total military vehicles: 916
Total tanks: 105
Total navy ships and submarines: 16
Military strength score and world rank: 1.3111 – #66 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, the Democratic Republic of Congo has a total population of 115.40 million, and of this population 31,389,623 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $796,560,000.

7. Morocco

Active military personnel: 195,800
Reserve military personnel: 150,000
Paramilitary personnel: 50,000
Total military personnel: 395,800
Total military aircraft: 260
Total helicopters: 78
Total military vehicles: 7,877
Total tanks: 903
Total navy ships and submarines: 111
Military strength score and world rank: 1.1273 – #59 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Morocco has a total population of 37.39 million, and of this population 15,254,135 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $13,400,000,000.

6. Angola

Active military personnel: 107,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 10,000
Total military personnel: 117,000
Total military aircraft: 298
Total helicopters: 116
Total military vehicles: 5,500
Total tanks: 309
Total navy ships and submarines: 31
Military strength score and world rank: 1.0961 – #56 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Angola has a total population of 37.20 million, and of this population 3,720,206 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $1,101,360,000.

5. Ethiopia

Active military personnel: 162,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 0
Total military personnel: 162,000
Total military aircraft: 103
Total helicopters: 33
Total military vehicles: 7,256
Total tanks: 338
Total navy ships and submarines: 0
Military strength score and world rank: 0.9305 – #52 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Ethiopia has a total population of 118.55 million, and of this population 35,327,989 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $2,097,575,000.

4. South Africa

Active military personnel: 71,235
Reserve military personnel: 29,350
Paramilitary personnel: 50,000
Total military personnel: 150,585
Total military aircraft: 182
Total helicopters: 87
Total military vehicles: 18,692
Total tanks: 252
Total navy ships and submarines: 49
Military strength score and world rank: 0.6889 – #40 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, South Africa has a total population of 60.44 million, and of this population 14,989,776 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $2,266,800,000.

3. Nigeria

Active military personnel: 230,000
Reserve military personnel: 0
Paramilitary personnel: 50,000
Total military personnel: 280,000
Total military aircraft: 163
Total helicopters: 66
Total military vehicles: 8,962
Total tanks: 330
Total navy ships and submarines: 133
Military strength score and world rank: 0.5771 – #31 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Nigeria has a total population of 236.75 million, and of this population 90,437,404 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $3,160,000,000.

2. Algeria

Active military personnel: 325,000
Reserve military personnel: 135,000
Paramilitary personnel: 150,000
Total military personnel: 610,000
Total military aircraft: 608
Total helicopters: 299
Total military vehicles: 26,000
Total tanks: 1,485
Total navy ships and submarines: 110
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3589 – #20 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Algeria has a total population of 47.02 million, and of this population 19,185,169 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $25,000,000,000.

1. Egypt

Active military personnel: 440,000
Reserve military personnel: 480,000
Paramilitary personnel: 300,000
Total military personnel: 1,220,000
Total military aircraft: 1,093
Total helicopters: 348
Total military vehicles: 41,012
Total tanks: 3,620
Total navy ships and submarines: 150
Military strength score and world rank: 0.3427 – #19 out of 145

Outside of these military assets, Egypt has a total population of 111.25 million, and of this population 38,269,053 are fit to serve in the military. Also, this country has a total defense budget of $5,879,500,000.

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