Cameroon Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 112th
MPR SCORE: 256
MPR Index: 0.0728 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8787 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.511 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Cameroon ranks 112th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces, the Cameroonian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Camerounaises), are focused on internal security, counterinsurgency, and regional stabilization, particularly in response to threats from Boko Haram, cross-border militancy, and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The country’s military also plays a central role in domestic political continuity, supporting the presidency and maintaining civil order during periods of unrest or secessionist violence.
Cameroon’s defense structure includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie, with a doctrinal emphasis on strong land forces, joint civil-military operations, and territorial defense. While moderately equipped, the armed forces are strengthened by regional partnerships, foreign training programs, and involvement in multinational task forces combating Islamist insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin and northern border zones.
Strengths
1. Combat-Hardened in Counterterrorism Operations
Cameroon has been on the frontlines of the Boko Haram conflict, gaining real-world experience in jungle warfare, IED detection, and cross-border pursuit operations, especially in Far North Region.
2. Strong Internal Security and Gendarmerie Integration
The Gendarmerie operates alongside the army and police in counter-secessionist, anti-banditry, and riot control operations, allowing for unified urban and rural suppression capabilities.
3. Regional Cooperation and Multinational Engagement
Cameroon is a key contributor to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), working with Nigeria, Niger, and Chad to fight Boko Haram and ISWAP. It also collaborates in Gulf of Guinea maritime patrols to combat piracy and smuggling.
Why Cameroon Is Still Ranked 112th
1. Limited Modernization and Heavy Equipment
Cameroon’s military operates largely with Soviet- and Chinese-supplied legacy equipment, including light APCs, old helicopters, and aging small arms, with limited access to precision munitions, combat drones, or networked command systems.
2. Political Centralization and Command Rigidity
The military is deeply tied to the long-standing presidency of Paul Biya, which can hinder institutional reform, suppress autonomous strategic development, and create vulnerabilities in leadership transitions or rapid response scenarios.
3. Multipolar Threat Environment
Cameroon is simultaneously confronting Boko Haram in the north, separatist insurgents in the Anglophone west, and piracy threats in the south, placing pressure on a modest force to operate in diverse terrain against varied threat types with limited logistical flexibility.
Conclusion
Cameroon’s military is a highly active regional force, structured for domestic stability, counterterrorism, and territorial integrity. Despite moderate resources and equipment, it fulfills a broad range of missions with regional interoperability, internal force coordination, and operational discipline. Its low ranking reflects the absence of strategic projection, modern systems, and independent deterrent power, but its impact within Central and West Africa remains significant due to its operational tempo, combat experience, and multidimensional threat engagement.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 40,000
Reserve Personnel: 15,000
Paramilitary Forces: 12,500 (gendarmerie and rapid intervention units)
Army Personnel: 30,000
Navy Personnel: 4,000
Air Force Personnel: 6,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 50+ (Type 59, T-55)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 200+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 150+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 15+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 6+
Attack Helicopters: 2+
Transport Aircraft: 8+
Training Aircraft: 6+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Alpha Jet Light Attack Aircraft: 4–6
Mi-24 Hind Attack Helicopters: 2
C-130 and CN-235 Transports: Operational
SA 330 Puma Helicopters: In active service
Naval Forces
Warships: 10+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 2
Patrol Boats and Support Craft: 10+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV 58S and variants): Active
Patrol boats: Operate along the Gulf of Guinea
Amphibious and support ships: Small landing craft in limited numbers
Missile Capabilities
Cameroon does not possess ballistic or long-range missile systems. Its forces operate short-range anti-air and anti-tank systems for battlefield use, including MANPADS, ATGMs, and some Chinese-supplied coastal defense systems.
Strategic Partnerships
Cameroon maintains military cooperation with France, China, Russia, and the United States. It receives counterterrorism assistance through AFRICOM, and participates in regional operations against Boko Haram through the Multinational Joint Task Force. France continues to provide technical support and officer training, and China has supplied equipment.
Military History & Combat Experience
Cameroon’s recent military history is shaped by counterinsurgency campaigns, internal suppression efforts, and regional security operations, rather than conventional wars. Its military is actively engaged on multiple fronts.
Boko Haram Insurgency (2014–present):
Cameroon’s Far North Region has faced frequent attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, prompting joint operations, air strikes, and cross-border raids. Cameroon coordinates closely with the MNJTF and deploys elite rapid response units, particularly in the Kolofata and Mora regions.Anglophone Crisis and Separatist Rebellion (2016–present):
The military has been engaged in suppressing armed separatist groups in Northwest and Southwest Cameroon, known collectively as Ambazonian militants. Operations include urban raids, checkpoints, detention sweeps, and militia disarmament efforts, often criticized for civilian rights abuses.Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf of Guinea:
Cameroon’s navy and marine units patrol the Douala coastline and conduct joint operations with Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, and Gabon to counter piracy, illegal fishing, and oil smuggling, particularly around the Bakassi Peninsula.UN Peacekeeping Contributions:
Cameroon has contributed personnel to UN missions in Central Africa, Sudan, and Mali, particularly in engineering, logistics, and gendarmerie policing roles, providing limited but steady international deployment experience.
Cameroon’s combat record reflects a force engaged in simultaneous domestic and regional operations, combining counterinsurgency, internal control, and maritime policing. While lacking conventional combat experience, it has developed real-world skills in multi-threat management, terrain adaptability, and coalition cooperation.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~29.5 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~9.8 million
Geographic Area: 475,442 km²
Land Boundaries: 5,018 km
Bordering Countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria
Coastline: 402 km
Climate: Varies by region; tropical along coast, semiarid in north
Terrain: Coastal plains, mountains in west, forested plateau in center, savanna in north
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, timber, bauxite, iron ore
Proven Oil Reserves: ~200 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~4.8 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$1.1 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.1%
GDP (PPP): ~$115 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$3,900
External Debt: ~$12 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Increased due to Boko Haram and Anglophone conflict
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal conflict, counterterrorism, coastal defense
Military Industry Base: Limited; maintenance and local uniform production
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into military regions under unified command
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, short-range artillery, coastal defense systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~50,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Basic satellite usage (foreign-supported)
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Directorate of General Research, Military Security
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: France, regional security coalitions
Airports (Total): ~34
Major Military Airports: Yaoundé, Douala, Garoua
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~20 vessels
Major Ports: Douala, Kribi
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol fleet, fast attack craft
Naval Replenishment Capability: Moderate regional capacity
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~1,100 km
Roadways: ~50,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~70,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Imports refined products
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains government fuel stocks
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Ammunition, uniforms, repair depots
Military Installations (Domestic): Yaoundé, Douala, Buea, Garoua
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: French military advisors
Defense Alliances: AU, regional Lake Chad Basin coalition
Strategic Airlift Capability: C-130, tactical transports, helicopters
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low to moderate
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Limited; some electronic warfare and signals
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: SONARA (refinery), rail and port logistics, national engineering corps
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Yaoundé
Founding Date: January 1, 1960 (independence from France)
