Namibia military 11th weakest in the world
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Namibia possesses the 11th weakest military in the world, a drop of two places since last year's list.
This is according to the 2020 Global Firepower (GFP) index, which ranks Namibia 128th among 138 countries.
Among the 35 African countries analysed, Namibia ranked in 30th position.
The GFP index analyses data on military spending, strength and readiness of different countries.
The ranking is based largely on each nation's potential war-making capability across land, sea and air, with the final ranking incorporating values regarding resources, finances and geography.
Limited military power
According to the index, the finalised ranking uses more than 55 individual rankings to determine a given nation's PowerIndex score.
Namibia holds a PowerIndex score of 3.2187, with 0.0000 being perfect.
It said Namibia's estimated military power is 10 000, which is 0.4% of the population, while the total available military power in the country is 582 642.
This is about 23% of the country's population.
With regards to aircraft strength, Namibia is ranked 94th out of 138 countries, with a total of 30 military aircrafts.
This includes six fighters (ranked 60th out of 138) and three transporters (ranked 46th).
Its total helicopter strength was ranked 92nd, with seven helicopters, which include two attack helicopters.
Namibia's tank strength is seven, with 410 armoured vehicles, while its total naval assets are eight.
The index further notes that Namibia's defence budget is about US$505 million (N$ 7.75 billion).
Africa's strongest, weakest
Meanwhile, neighbouring South Africa ranks 29th, with 81 300 military personnel and 66 300 active personnel.
Its defence budget is about U$4.278 billion (N$65.7 billion).
In Africa, the countries with the strongest military power are Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria and Angola.
Those with the weakest military strength on the continent are the Central African Republic, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Liberia, with Namibia ranking as the sixth weakest.
Last year, Namibia was ranked the seventh weakest on the continent.
US takes top spot
Globally the United States again took the top spot, followed by Russia, China, India and Japan, with Suriname, Liberia and Bhutan receiving the lowest rank globally.
China, however, has the largest active military personnel at more than 2.183 million, whereas Namibia ranks 115th on the list in this respect.
Meanwhile, the United States has the strongest aircraft strength with 13 264 aircraft systems, and it also spends the most on defence with a budget of U$750 billion (N$11.5 trillion).
The Namibian defence ministry was allocated N$6.2 billion in the 2019/2020 budget, which the government defended, saying it is not overfunding defence.
“Defence allocations only enable the force to maintain basic capabilities to fulfil its mandate, which is indispensable to safeguard our sovereignty,” prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was quoted as saying during budget debates.
Keeping mum
Meanwhile in September, defence minister Peter Vilho made waves when he said the National Assembly would for security reasons no longer be allowed to openly discuss the budget allocated to the Namibian Defence Force and military-related spending.
This information includes military capabilities, the state of preparedness of the defence force, war plans, information showing the strength of the forces and development and procurement plans.
WINDHOEK
Namibia possesses the 11th weakest military in the world, a drop of two places since last year's list.
This is according to the 2020 Global Firepower (GFP) index, which ranks Namibia 128th among 138 countries.
Among the 35 African countries analysed, Namibia ranked in 30th position.
The GFP index analyses data on military spending, strength and readiness of different countries.
The ranking is based largely on each nation's potential war-making capability across land, sea and air, with the final ranking incorporating values regarding resources, finances and geography.
Limited military power
According to the index, the finalised ranking uses more than 55 individual rankings to determine a given nation's PowerIndex score.
Namibia holds a PowerIndex score of 3.2187, with 0.0000 being perfect.
It said Namibia's estimated military power is 10 000, which is 0.4% of the population, while the total available military power in the country is 582 642.
This is about 23% of the country's population.
With regards to aircraft strength, Namibia is ranked 94th out of 138 countries, with a total of 30 military aircrafts.
This includes six fighters (ranked 60th out of 138) and three transporters (ranked 46th).
Its total helicopter strength was ranked 92nd, with seven helicopters, which include two attack helicopters.
Namibia's tank strength is seven, with 410 armoured vehicles, while its total naval assets are eight.
The index further notes that Namibia's defence budget is about US$505 million (N$ 7.75 billion).
Africa's strongest, weakest
Meanwhile, neighbouring South Africa ranks 29th, with 81 300 military personnel and 66 300 active personnel.
Its defence budget is about U$4.278 billion (N$65.7 billion).
In Africa, the countries with the strongest military power are Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria and Angola.
Those with the weakest military strength on the continent are the Central African Republic, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Liberia, with Namibia ranking as the sixth weakest.
Last year, Namibia was ranked the seventh weakest on the continent.
US takes top spot
Globally the United States again took the top spot, followed by Russia, China, India and Japan, with Suriname, Liberia and Bhutan receiving the lowest rank globally.
China, however, has the largest active military personnel at more than 2.183 million, whereas Namibia ranks 115th on the list in this respect.
Meanwhile, the United States has the strongest aircraft strength with 13 264 aircraft systems, and it also spends the most on defence with a budget of U$750 billion (N$11.5 trillion).
The Namibian defence ministry was allocated N$6.2 billion in the 2019/2020 budget, which the government defended, saying it is not overfunding defence.
“Defence allocations only enable the force to maintain basic capabilities to fulfil its mandate, which is indispensable to safeguard our sovereignty,” prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was quoted as saying during budget debates.
Keeping mum
Meanwhile in September, defence minister Peter Vilho made waves when he said the National Assembly would for security reasons no longer be allowed to openly discuss the budget allocated to the Namibian Defence Force and military-related spending.
This information includes military capabilities, the state of preparedness of the defence force, war plans, information showing the strength of the forces and development and procurement plans.
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