Recently the website Global Firepower
ranked 68 countries by their military strength in 2013. Seven countries
from Africa made the list but Uganda never did no matter the praises
that it has one of the most well-trained armies on the continent. Not
even it’s role in African peacekeeping forces put it any close.
Here are the seven that were featured and why are they the strongest military powers in Africa.
According
to Global Firepower Egypt has more than 800 military aircraft and 200
helicopters. Its navy has two Corvettes and four submarines in addition
to various other vessels.
One of the reasons Egypt ranks so highly is due to the support from international allies – in many instances this support takes the form of equipment. The US provides Egypt with military assistance annually in order to promote stability on the continent; they reportedly provided $1.39 billion in 2013. Egypt has in turn provided support to their allies on the continent, helping to train their armed forces; however Egypt’s main military focus has been on the Middle East, rather than Africa.
According to reports the Egyptian military also controls large portions of the economy, the number has been put as high as 40%.
The
country’s active involvement in international peacekeeping efforts in
various conflicts all over the continent has also honed their defense
force. As of 2012 Ethiopia reportedly had around 150 000 personnel in
their ground forces and a further 3000 air force personnel. Global
Firepower reports that they have just over 300 tanks, 147 aircraft and
68 helicopters.
Before
the end of Apartheid South Africa had developed nuclear weapons, and
despite destroying them, there is still a weapons development industry
in SA. The country is now starting to take a more active role in
international peacekeeping efforts on the continent, but the recent
tragedy in Central African Republic has shone a spotlight on the
weaknesses of the the SA armed forces, ranking it 34 on the global.
According
to Global Firepower Nigeria has 363 tanks, 294 aircraft and 84
helicopters and ranks 36 on the global. This army in particular has been
active internally, primarily in the north of the country. The army has
been criticised for their heavy-handed manner in dealing with civilians
in their conflict with Boko Haram.
The Nigerian navy also has four corvettes. The strength of the armed forces has been a result of the contentious nature of Nigerian politics since independence. There were 10 military coups in Nigeria between 1966 and 1999 and there was also a civil war between 1967 and 1970. The budget is $3.7 billion.
They
are supplied mainly by Russia and China. The military is comprised of
an army, navy and air force. Algeria’s military has an impressive tally
of 1050 tanks according to Global Firepower. They also reportedly have
148 rocket projectors, 409 aircraft, 136 helicopters, three Corvettes
and three submarines.
The Algerian army is believed to be very involved in domestic politics; this may be as a result of there being nothing much for them to do as they have not been involved in any international conflicts since 1976.
Kenya
Defence Forces, which ranked 46 is known as the East African nation’s
military, is comprised of an army, navy and air force. With only 24 120
active personnel it is one of the smaller forces on the continent;
however the nation’s strategic location means the Kenyan military has
been highly active since its inception. It is supplied by the US, and
has a budget of around $800 million.
According to Global Firepower, Kenya has 186 tanks, 12 rocket projectors, 148 aircraft and 78 helicopters. Kenya’s military has been involved in several UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and Europe. They have also worked closely with Somalia’s military in order to take on Al-Shabaab and have joined The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to further aid their cause.
The Libyan military currently has between 35 000 and 40 000 personnel. Their equipment arsenal remains impressive as they inherited the equipment from the former army the Armed Forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
The current force is made up of ground forces, an air force and a navy. According to Global Firepower they have 500 tanks, 800 rocket projectors, 621 aircraft, a frigate and a Corvette.
Here are the seven that were featured and why are they the strongest military powers in Africa.
Egypt
This was the first African country to make the list in position 14th. The Egyptian military has four main service branches: the army, navy, air force and air defense command.
Egypt Soldiers – Photo by Newscom
One of the reasons Egypt ranks so highly is due to the support from international allies – in many instances this support takes the form of equipment. The US provides Egypt with military assistance annually in order to promote stability on the continent; they reportedly provided $1.39 billion in 2013. Egypt has in turn provided support to their allies on the continent, helping to train their armed forces; however Egypt’s main military focus has been on the Middle East, rather than Africa.
According to reports the Egyptian military also controls large portions of the economy, the number has been put as high as 40%.
Ethiopia
This ranked 28 globally and 2nd on the African continent and this is a result of its large population and the long independence from colonisation. Its military is made up of an army and an air force. Earlier this year it was reported that the Ethiopian military had developed their first drone (unmanned aerial vehicle); a military technology most often associated with the United States.
Ethiopia Army – Photo By Newscom
South Africa
The South African National Defence Force is comprised of the South African army, navy and air force, as well as a military health service. According to Global Firepower the country’s arsenal includes 250 tanks, 240 rocket projectors, 235 aircraft and three submarines. While South Africa has one of the smaller armies on this list in terms of personnel, they are considered the most advanced military in terms of technology.
South African Army recently in Central Republic of Africa – Photo By Newscom
Nigeria
This army is made up of close to 500 000 personnel, split between the army, navy and air force. They are very active in combined peacekeeping efforts on the continent.
Nigerian Army on parade – Photo By Newscom
The Nigerian navy also has four corvettes. The strength of the armed forces has been a result of the contentious nature of Nigerian politics since independence. There were 10 military coups in Nigeria between 1966 and 1999 and there was also a civil war between 1967 and 1970. The budget is $3.7 billion.
Algeria
The Algerian military which is known as the People’s National Army ranked 38. The force is both large, with more than 120 000 active personnel, and well equipped.
Algerian Army undergoing training routines – Photo By AFP
The Algerian army is believed to be very involved in domestic politics; this may be as a result of there being nothing much for them to do as they have not been involved in any international conflicts since 1976.
Kenya
Kenyan Army on parade – Photo By Newscom
According to Global Firepower, Kenya has 186 tanks, 12 rocket projectors, 148 aircraft and 78 helicopters. Kenya’s military has been involved in several UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and Europe. They have also worked closely with Somalia’s military in order to take on Al-Shabaab and have joined The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to further aid their cause.
Libya
Historically Libya had one of the largest military forces on the continent, but following the Libyan revolution in 2011 the previous army was disbanded and the Libyan National Army was created. It ranks 59 on the global.
Libyan assembly of Tanks – Photo By Newscom
The Libyan military currently has between 35 000 and 40 000 personnel. Their equipment arsenal remains impressive as they inherited the equipment from the former army the Armed Forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
The current force is made up of ground forces, an air force and a navy. According to Global Firepower they have 500 tanks, 800 rocket projectors, 621 aircraft, a frigate and a Corvette.
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