Burundi Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 129th
MPR SCORE: 241
MPR Index: 0.0653 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8858 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.550 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Burundi ranks 129th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces, the National Defence Force of Burundi (FDNB), are primarily focused on internal stability, national sovereignty, and regional peacekeeping operations. Emerging from a devastating civil war, the military has been reshaped into a force built around counterinsurgency, rural patrols, and multinational deployments, with growing emphasis on small-unit coordination and light mobility tactics.

The FDNB consists of ground forces, limited air assets, and a gendarmerie-style internal security apparatus, with command centralized under the Ministry of National Defence and Veterans Affairs. While Burundi faces resource constraints, its forces are considered battle-tested and disciplined, with extensive experience in African Union (AU) missions—especially in AMISOM operations in Somalia. The country’s military doctrine focuses on territorial defense, civil support, and low-intensity engagement, not conventional warfare or regional deterrence.

Strengths

1. High Operational Experience from Peacekeeping Deployments

Burundi is among the most active African contributors to AU peacekeeping, especially in Somalia, providing troops skilled in urban patrols, convoy security, and asymmetric threat mitigation.

2. Light Mobility and Rural Counterinsurgency Capability

The FDNB has refined jungle warfare, village control, and small-unit operations from years of internal conflict, making it effective in terrain-specific deployments and rapid rural response.

3. Civil-Military Resilience and Political Integration

The FDNB is deeply integrated into state stability, playing a consistent role in supporting civilian authorities, election security, and post-conflict reconciliation, albeit with some international concern over human rights practices.

Why Burundi Is Still Ranked 129th

1. Extremely Limited Equipment and Technological Capacity

The military lacks modern armor, combat aircraft, missile systems, and sophisticated ISR tools, operating with small arms, pickup-mounted weaponry, and donated gear from peacekeeping partners.

2. Weak Strategic Autonomy and Dependence on Aid

Burundi’s military relies on external funding, AU subsidies, and international logistics support to sustain peacekeeping efforts, with little domestic capacity for supply chain independence or combat sustainment.

3. No Air Power, Naval Force, or Deterrent Capability

The country has no navy, an almost nonexistent air force, and no long-range strike options, meaning Burundi’s military posture is purely defensive and localized.

Conclusion

Burundi’s armed forces are a highly experienced, peacekeeping-active military, built for internal security, light engagement, and multilateral cooperation, rather than offensive force projection or heavy defense operations. Despite modest resources, the FDNB punches above its weight in regional peacekeeping and civil-military cohesion, making it a critical but understated player in African security. Its low global ranking reflects material limitations, not tactical readiness or institutional utility.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 30,000
Reserve Personnel: 5,000
Paramilitary Forces: 10,000 (police and gendarmerie units under military command)
Army Personnel: 24,000
Navy Personnel: 500 (lake patrol)
Air Force Personnel: 5,500

Ground Forces

• Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 15+ (mostly T-55)

• Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 100+

• Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 80+

• Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 10+

Air Force

• Combat Aircraft: 0

• Attack Helicopters: 0

• Transport Aircraft: 4+

• Training Aircraft: Limited

Aircraft Breakdown:

• Mi-8 and Mi-17 Helicopters: In active service

• Transport utility aircraft for peacekeeping and humanitarian logistics

Naval Forces

• Warships: 2–3 patrol boats (Lake Tanganyika)

• Submarines: 0

• Frigates/Corvettes: 0

• Patrol Boats: 2+

Naval capabilities are limited to inland waterways and border patrol around Lake Tanganyika, with no blue-water capacity.

Missile Capabilities

Burundi does not possess any missile systems. It relies on small arms, portable rocket systems, and conventional artillery for all defense functions. Air defense and precision capabilities are minimal.

Strategic Partnerships

Burundi receives military assistance and training from China, Russia, and regional African states. It is a participant in African Union and East African Community security efforts, with extensive involvement in AMISOM. International peacekeeping contributions are a strategic priority and a source of defense funding.

Military History & Combat Experience

Burundi’s military history is defined by civil conflict, rebel integration, and a post-war shift toward peacekeeping roles, creating a force shaped by real-world combat and regional stabilization experience.

• Burundian Civil War (1993–2005):
  Following ethnic tensions and political assassination, Burundi descended into a 12-year civil war, pitting government forces against Hutu rebel groups like the CNDD-FDD and FNL. The FDNB was formed as part of the post-war integration process, combining ex-rebel factions with the former national army, creating a unified force with deep experience in counterinsurgency and local engagement.

• Post-Conflict Reforms and Integration (2005–2010):
  After the Arusha Accords, the military underwent professionalization reforms, building an apolitical command, increasing ethnic balance, and preparing for international deployments. Training programs focused on light infantry, command control, and field discipline.

• African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM, 2007–2021):
  Burundi was one of the first and largest troop contributors to AMISOM, deploying thousands of troops in Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle, often in frontline combat roles against Al-Shabaab insurgents. These missions gave Burundi combat experience in IED environments, base defense, and urban warfare.

• Security Support in Central Africa and Eastern Congo:
  Burundi has participated in joint operations along the DRC border, pursuing cross-border rebel groups and contributing to regional stability efforts, particularly around South Kivu and Bujumbura Rural zones.

• Domestic Political Unrest Response (2015):
  Following the controversial third-term bid of President Pierre Nkurunziza, elements of the military were used to suppress protests and quell dissent, sparking international concern but demonstrating the military’s central role in regime continuity.

Burundi’s military experience reflects a transition from civil war actors to a regional security contributor, with strong roots in asymmetric warfare, field discipline, and multinational collaboration—even as it struggles with resource constraints and modernization gaps.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

• Population: ~13.1 million (2024 est.)

• Population Available for Military Service: ~4.5 million

• Geographic Area: 27,834 km²

• Land Boundaries: 1,140 km

• Bordering Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania

• Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

• Climate: Equatorial; high plateau; moderate to cool

• Terrain: Hilly and mountainous with a plateau in the center

• Natural Resources: Nickel, uranium, rare earths, peat, arable land

• Proven Oil Reserves: None

• Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

• Defense Budget (2025): ~$420 million USD

• Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~3.0%

• GDP (PPP): ~$10.8 billion USD

• GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$830

• External Debt: ~$2.5 billion USD

• Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Moderate; internal stability and regional deployments

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

• Military Service Obligation: Mandatory (12 months)

• Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, border defense, peacekeeping

• Military Industry Base: Minimal; uniforms, basic equipment

• Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Limited

• Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)

• Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided under the National Defence Forces of Burundi (FDNB)

• Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, mortars, short-range artillery

• Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days

• Reservist Force Size: ~20,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

• Space or Satellite Programs: None

• Military Satellite Inventory: None

• Intelligence Infrastructure: National Intelligence Service (SNR), Military Intelligence

• Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: AU, regional EAC alliances

• Airports (Total): ~8

• Major Military Airports: Bujumbura, Gitega

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

• Merchant Marine Fleet: None

• Major Ports: Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika)

• Naval Infrastructure: Lake patrol units only

• Naval Replenishment Capability: Minimal

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

• Railway Network: None

• Roadways: ~12,000 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

• Oil Production: None

• Energy Imports: High dependency

• Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains minimal emergency reserves

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

• Domestic Defense Production: Very limited; basic equipment only

• Military Installations (Domestic): Bujumbura, Gitega, Ngozi

• Military Installations (Overseas): Peacekeeping operations (Somalia, CAR)

• Foreign Military Personnel Presence: AU training forces

• Defense Alliances: AU, EAC

• Strategic Airlift Capability: Light transports, helicopters

• Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low

Research and Industry Support

• Defense R&D Investment: Minimal

• Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Agriculture corps, public construction brigades

Political and Administrative Structure

• Capital: Gitega

• Founding Date: July 1, 1962 (independence from Belgium)

• System of Government: Unitary presidential republic