Bhutan Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 166th
MPR SCORE: 156
MPR Index: 0.0227 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9261 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.774 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Bhutan ranks 166th in the 2024 Military Power Rankings. Nestled in the Himalayan mountains, Bhutan maintains a small but disciplined military force known as the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), which is primarily responsible for territorial defense, internal stability, and sovereignty preservation. The country follows a non-aggressive defense doctrine, emphasizing neutrality, diplomatic balance, and bilateral cooperation, especially with India.

Bhutan has no air force or navy, and relies heavily on India for military training, logistical support, airspace defense, and strategic oversight. Despite limited capabilities, the RBA functions effectively within Bhutan’s geographic constraints and security environment, focusing on border control, civil assistance, and national resilience.

Military Strengths

Overview

Bhutan’s strength lies in its mountain warfare training, civil-military discipline, and deep defense partnership with India.

1. Strategic Defense Partnership with India

India provides training, arms transfers, joint exercises, and airspace protection, playing a key role in Bhutan’s defense policy planning.
Bhutanese officers are trained in Indian military academies, and Indian Army engineers assist with infrastructure and logistics in the Himalayas.

2. Terrain-Focused Force Specialization

The RBA is adapted for high-altitude operations, border patrol, and mountain logistics, with defensive positions in key border valleys and passes.
Forces are deployed to deter smuggling, illegal crossings, and maintain presence in disputed areas along the China-Bhutan frontier.

3. Internal Stability and Civil Assistance

The RBA supports disaster relief, road clearing, and public works, especially in remote, high-altitude villages following landslides, earthquakes, or monsoon floods.
Maintains a close relationship with Bhutan’s monarchy and government, ensuring unity of civil and military purpose.

4. Limited But Capable Standing Force

The Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Body Guards, and Royal Bhutan Police function as interconnected security branches, ensuring cohesion and rapid internal response capability.

Why Bhutan Is Still Ranked 166th

No Air Force, Navy, or Strategic Deterrent Systems
Bhutan maintains no combat aircraft, helicopters, or missile systems, and relies on India’s military umbrella for external defense and airspace sovereignty.
Small Force Size and Light Equipment
The RBA has around 7,000–8,000 personnel, with light infantry arms, small arms, and basic support vehicles but no heavy armor or advanced artillery.
No Independent Defense Industry or Procurement Capacity
Bhutan depends on Indian-supplied military equipment, and lacks a defense industrial base or domestic modernization program.
No Expeditionary or Power Projection Role
The RBA is designed purely for defensive, internal, and ceremonial roles, without capacity for foreign deployments or strategic force projection.

Conclusion

Bhutan maintains a peaceful, professional, and terrain-adapted defense force in line with its geostrategic realities and non-confrontational foreign policy. While its global military rank is low due to limited equipment and size, its alignment with India, high-altitude readiness, and internal discipline make it a reliable and sovereign-oriented force within South Asia. Its MPR score reflects a low-capacity independent force, bolstered significantly by external security guarantees and regional stability commitments.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 9,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 5,000
Paramilitary Forces: 1,000 (Royal Bhutan Police)
Army Personnel: 8,500
Navy Personnel: None (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: None (air security provided by India)

Ground Forces

Bhutan's ground forces are focused on defending the country's rugged mountainous terrain. The RBA plays a key role in border security and disaster response.

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 10+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 15+

Air Wing

Bhutan does not maintain an air force. Air defense and airspace control are managed in close cooperation with India.

Naval Forces

As a landlocked nation, Bhutan does not have a navy.

Missile Capabilities

Bhutan does not possess missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its military primarily focuses on conventional defense and regional peacekeeping efforts.

Strategic Partnerships

Bhutan’s defense strategy is closely linked with India. The two countries share a long-standing defense agreement, under which India provides military training, equipment, and assistance. Bhutan also participates in regional security initiatives through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Military History & Combat Experience

Bhutan’s military history is shaped by border defense, limited skirmishes, and a long-standing policy of strategic non-aggression, guided by defensive alignment with India.

Consolidation of the Royal Bhutan Army (1950s–1960s):
In response to China’s annexation of Tibet (1950), Bhutan began formalizing a modern military with assistance from India, establishing the RBA in 1958. Initial units focused on patrolling the northern frontier and building internal infrastructure.
1979 Border Clashes with Assamese Rebels:
The RBA engaged in cross-border clashes with Indian separatists using Bhutanese territory as a staging ground. Bhutan later formalized joint border security protocols with India to prevent such incursions.
Operation All Clear (2003):
The RBA conducted its most significant modern combat operation in late 2003, coordinating with the Indian Army to expel Assamese insurgent groups (including ULFA and NDFB) from camps in southern Bhutan. The campaign featured jungle fighting, small-arms engagements, and logistical mobilization, resulting in Bhutan’s full reassertion of internal sovereignty.
Post-2003 Focus on Border and Disaster Readiness:
Since Operation All Clear, the RBA has prioritized peacekeeping-style readiness, infrastructure defense, and emergency deployment capability, while maintaining defensive outposts near disputed areas with China (notably Doklam, scene of the 2017 India-China standoff).
Disputed Border with China:
While no war has occurred, Bhutan has faced increasing territorial pressure from China, especially near Doklam Plateau and northern mountain regions. Bhutan has remained aligned with India, with the RBA maintaining passive surveillance posts and non-escalatory deterrence presence.

Though Bhutan has never fought a full-scale war, its military experience reflects a well-managed internal force, occasional combat readiness, and an enduring strategic partnership with India that underpins its defensive deterrence posture.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~790,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~320,000
Geographic Area: 38,394 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,139 km
Bordering Countries: China, India
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Varied; subtropical in south, temperate in highlands, polar-type in north
Terrain: Mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna in the south
Natural Resources: Hydropower, timber, limestone, gypsum
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$25 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.1%
GDP (PPP): ~$10.5 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$13,300
External Debt: ~$2.8 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Low and stable; focused on border surveillance and internal order

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, border patrol, internal security
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) organized under General Headquarters in Thimphu
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; small arms and portable rocket systems only
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~4,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: Yes (Bhutan-1 nano-satellite in cooperation with Japan)
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Royal Bhutan Police Intelligence Division, supported by Army Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: India
Airports (Total): 4
Major Military Airports: Paro International Airport (dual-use for emergency air operations)

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: None
Major Ports: None
Naval Infrastructure: Not applicable
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: None (planning underway with Indian cooperation)
Roadways: ~8,000 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Imports petroleum products from India
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Thimphu, Haa, Gelephu
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) stationed in Bhutan
Defense Alliances: Strategic security partnership with India
Strategic Airlift Capability: None; relies on Indian military support in emergencies
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low