Angola Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 76th
MPR SCORE: 393
MPR Index: 0.1416 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8135 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.150 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Angola ranks 76th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). Following decades of civil conflict and postwar restructuring, Angola’s military—the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA)—has shifted focus from internal warfare to regional peacekeeping and national stabilization. Under the leadership of President João Lourenço, Angola has maintained political stability, but military modernization remains slow and uneven. The FAA still relies heavily on Soviet-era equipment, foreign advisors, and limited domestic defense production. Angola plays a modest role in African Union security efforts, but logistics, readiness, and command structure remain underdeveloped. The military remains more suited to internal security than external operations or power projection.

Strengths

1. Large Standing Army with Wartime Experience

Angola retains a sizable land force, with many officers and units shaped by decades of guerrilla warfare during the Angolan Civil War. This experience contributes to strong field command at the tactical level.

2. Natural Resource Funding Potential

Though underutilized, Angola’s oil wealth provides long-term funding potential for defense upgrades, especially in naval development and air defense modernization.

3. Influence in Regional Peacekeeping

Angola participates in Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping missions and has mediated regional conflicts, giving it limited but constructive regional influence in Central and Southern Africa.

4. Stable Civil-Military Relations

The FAA operates under a clear chain of command and remains loyal to the central government, with relatively low risk of internal coups or factionalism.

Why Angola Is Still Ranked Only 76th

1. Obsolete Equipment and Maintenance Failures

FAA relies on Cold War-era Soviet systems, including T-55 tanks, MiG-21s, and outdated air defense assets
Major readiness gaps due to poor maintenance, spare part shortages, and supply chain breakdowns

2. No Force Projection Capability

Angola lacks heavy transport aircraft, blue-water naval power, and overseas deployment infrastructure
Military actions are confined to national borders or low-risk regional missions

3. Weak Logistics and Cyber/ISR Gaps

No meaningful cyber, space, or electronic warfare capabilities
Surveillance, intelligence, and early warning systems are outdated or non-functional
Heavy dependence on foreign training missions and technical contractors

Conclusion

Angola’s military reflects a post-conflict force still rooted in the legacy of its civil war. While the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) remain a central institution of stability, they are undercut by obsolete platforms, logistical shortfalls, and limited modernization. Angola contributes positively to regional peace efforts, but lacks the strategic autonomy, force projection, and technological sophistication to rise in the MPR. Ranked 76th, Angola remains a stabilizing national force, but not a regional or global military contender.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 107,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 50,000 (Estimate)
Paramilitary Forces: 10,000 (Rapid Intervention Police & Presidential Guard) (CIA World Factbook 2023)
Army Personnel: 90,000 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Navy Personnel: 7,000 (IISS 2023)
Air Force Personnel: 10,000 (SIPRI 2023)

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 250+ (T-72, T-55, PT-76) (IISS 2023)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 400+ (BMP-2, BRDM-2, Casspir) (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 300+ (BM-21 Grad, D-30 howitzers) (SIPRI 2023)

Air Force

Combat Aircraft: 50+ (WDMMA 2021)
Helicopters: 70+ (WDMMA 2021)
Transport Aircraft: 20+ (IISS 2023)
Aircraft Breakdown:
- Su-30K: 12 (on order from Russia) (Jane’s Defence 2023)
- Su-27: 8 (SIPRI 2023)
- MiG-23: 20 (legacy aircraft) (IISS 2023)
- C-130 Hercules: 6 (transport) (WDMMA 2021)
- Mi-24 Hind: 20+ (attack helicopters) (Jane’s Defence 2023)

Naval Forces

Submarines: 0
Frigates: 0
Corvettes: 4 (Benguela-class, Cuanza-class) (Wikipedia 2023)
Patrol Vessels: 10+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Fast Attack Craft: 6 (IISS 2023)
Landing Craft & Auxiliary Ships: 8 (SIPRI 2023)

Missile Capabilities

Angola does not possess ballistic missiles but operates various short-range air defense and anti-tank missile systems, including:

S-125 Pechora Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Igla MANPADS (Portable Air Defense Missiles) (IISS 2023)
Kornet Anti-Tank Missiles (SIPRI 2023)

Strategic Partnerships

Angola maintains strong defense ties with Russia, China, and Brazil, frequently acquiring aircraft, armored vehicles, and naval vessels from these countries. Angola also cooperates with South Africa and Portugal in training exercises and maritime security initiatives.

In recent years, Angola has sought to modernize its military, increasing domestic defense production and military training programs.

Military History & Combat Experience

Angola’s military history is deeply shaped by its liberation struggle, Cold War proxy dynamics, and a 27-year civil war that fostered hardened fighters, decentralized tactics, and long-term foreign involvement.

War of Independence (1961–1974):
Angola’s anti-colonial fight against Portuguese rule was led by groups like the MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA, all of which developed guerrilla warfare tactics and built armed wings. The MPLA's military wing eventually formed the nucleus of the modern Angolan Armed Forces.
Angolan Civil War (1975–2002):
The most defining conflict in Angola’s history, fought mainly between the MPLA (government) and UNITA (rebels). The war involved heavy foreign intervention, including Cuban troops, Soviet support, and South African incursions. The war gave rise to a battle-hardened officer corps and entrenched irregular warfare tactics, but left the country saturated with landmines, warlord networks, and a militarized economy.
Cuban and Soviet Military Assistance:
The FAA’s doctrine and command structure were heavily influenced by Cuban advisors and Soviet military doctrine. This legacy still shapes organizational culture, training protocols, and procurement habits, even after the Cold War.
Post-War Demobilization and Integration (2002–2010):
Following the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, the government began reintegrating ex-rebels and restructuring the armed forces. This included efforts to professionalize command, retire militia leaders, and establish joint command structures, though results have been mixed.
Regional Peacekeeping Missions (2010–2024):
Angola has contributed troops to SADC missions, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho, providing logistical support, troop transport, and combat patrols, though on a small scale.

Angola’s armed forces today reflect the legacy of conflict, with a strong sense of national defense but limited modernization, regional ambitions, or technological transition to 21st-century warfare.

General Information

Angola

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~37.3 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~12.2 million
Geographic Area: 1,246,700 km²
Land Boundaries: 5,198 km
Bordering Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Zambia
Coastline: 1,600 km
Climate: Semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has wet, hot summers and dry winters
Terrain: Narrow coastal plain rises to hills and mountains
Natural Resources: Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, gold, natural gas, bauxite
Proven Oil Reserves: ~9 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~11 trillion cubic feet

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$3.2 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.3%
GDP (PPP): ~$260 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$6,800
External Debt: ~$70 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable; high investment in Russian and Chinese equipment

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (2 years)
Primary Defense Focus: Border defense, internal security, regional influence
Military Industry Base: Basic; maintenance, ammunition, and vehicle repair
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern military regions
Missile Inventory Highlights: BM-21, Strela-2, Scud-B, short-range artillery systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~60,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: AngoSat program with Russian support
Military Satellite Inventory: None (AngoSat-1 failed; AngoSat-2 launched in 2022)
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military Intelligence Service, National Intelligence and Security Service
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Russia, China, regional security mechanisms
Airports (Total): ~100
Major Military Airports: Luanda, Huambo, Lubango

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: ~50 vessels
Major Ports: Luanda, Lobito, Namibe
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol vessels, small frigates, logistics craft
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited regional capacity

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: ~2,800 km
Roadways: ~75,000 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: ~1.1 million barrels/day
Energy Imports: Minimal; major net exporter
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national reserve under Sonangol

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: Light weapons, ammunition, and vehicle support
Military Installations (Domestic): Bases in Luanda, Benguela, Huambo, Cabinda
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Limited Russian and Chinese advisers
Defense Alliances: Bilateral cooperation with Russia, China, regional AU agreements
Strategic Airlift Capability: Soviet-built Il-76, An-12 aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low

Research and Industry Support