Central African Republic
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 143rd
MPR SCORE: 202
MPR Index: 0.0454 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9046 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.654 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
The Central African Republic (CAR) ranks 143rd in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its national army, the Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA), is primarily focused on internal stabilization, counterinsurgency, and regime protection. Years of recurring civil war, coup attempts, and external intervention have left the state heavily dependent on foreign military support, including Russian advisors, Rwandan troops, and UN peacekeepers operating under MINUSCA.
Despite chronic underfunding, equipment scarcity, and widespread insecurity, FACA continues efforts to rebuild under foreign training missions, particularly with Russian logistical and advisory aid, and previous support from the Wagner Group, which played a prominent role in combat training and frontline support. Rwandan forces contribute through AU frameworks and bilateral deployments, especially in protecting government institutions and major urban zones like Bangui.
Military Strengths
Overview
CAR’s military strength is not in force projection, but in its external backing, counterinsurgency resilience, and regime-linked security operations.
1. Foreign Military Support and Stabilization Forces
Russia provides arms, instructors, and strategic direction, especially in the Bangui Security Belt and northern districts.
Rwandan troops, operating under AU and bilateral mandates, help defend key state infrastructure and protect civilian populations.
2. Increasing Counterinsurgency Capacity
FACA operates alongside foreign-trained auxiliaries, with improving knowledge in terrain-based warfare, rebel suppression, and village-level security operations.
Light infantry units are being reconstituted with focus on jungle and savannah maneuverability.
3. Multinational Peacekeeping Presence
MINUSCA, a long-running UN mission, provides logistical support, intelligence sharing, and force protection.
FACA benefits from embedded UN coordination for supply chains and aerial observation.
4. Strategic Urban Control
Despite rural insecurity, government forces maintain firm control over Bangui and a few key roads and corridors.
Elite units, often trained with Russian oversight, focus on urban riot suppression, political security, and VIP protection.
Why CAR Is Still Ranked 143rd
Extremely Limited Equipment and Logistics
FACA has no aircraft, armor, or artillery of modern caliber. Its forces rely on light weapons, technical vehicles, and foreign-donated stockpiles.Nonexistent Air Force and Minimal Naval Capability
CAR is landlocked with no air force and no control over strategic mobility. External aerial support (Russian/U.N.) substitutes for indigenous capability.Reliance on Foreign Forces for Security
Without Russian, Rwandan, and UN support, the central government would likely lose control of multiple regions.Chronic Instability and Force Fragmentation
Multiple rebel groups still operate in the north and center of the country. The military’s cohesion is vulnerable to political instability, ethnic factionalism, and recruitment challenges.
Conclusion
The Central African Republic’s armed forces remain in a post-collapse rebuilding phase, heavily reliant on foreign advisors, peacekeepers, and external funding. While FACA has made progress in urban control, counterinsurgency, and force structure, it is not capable of independent operations beyond its capital without support. Its MPR ranking reflects a military still shaped by state fragility, external dependency, and internal fragmentation, with minimal capability for conventional or regional warfare.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 8,500
Reserve Personnel: 2,000
Paramilitary Forces: 4,500 (gendarmerie and internal security)
Army Personnel: 7,000
Navy Personnel: 0 (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: 1,500
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 60+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 30+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 0
Transport Aircraft: 2+
Training Aircraft: 2+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Light aircraft and helicopters for transport and reconnaissance
Russian-donated equipment in limited use
Naval Forces
CAR does not have a navy due to its landlocked geography.
Missile Capabilities
The Central African Republic does not operate any missile systems. The military relies on infantry units, Soviet-era light arms, and external support for most combat operations. There are no air defense systems or precision-guided weapons in active service.
Strategic Partnerships
The CAR maintains strategic partnerships with Russia, Rwanda, and France (limited). Russia provides direct military aid, training, and equipment. Rwandan troops support counterinsurgency operations through African Union mandates. The United Nations also maintains a large peacekeeping force (MINUSCA) within the country.
Military History & Combat Experience
CAR’s military history is shaped almost entirely by civil wars, foreign interventions, and rebellion suppression, with no significant record of interstate conflict.
First and Second CAR Civil Wars (2004–2007, 2012–2014):
Armed groups including the Séléka coalition and anti-Balaka militias destabilized the country, overwhelming FACA and seizing large territories. The collapse of central authority and the inability of FACA to respond led to near-total reliance on international peacekeeping and regional mediation.French Intervention – Operation Sangaris (2013–2016):
France intervened militarily to prevent genocide and restore basic stability. French troops engaged in combat patrols, urban stabilization, and support for FACA reformation. Despite eventual withdrawal, their presence stabilized Bangui during critical power transfers.Russian Wagner Group Involvement (2017–2023):
Russian private military contractors provided combat support, training, and intelligence capabilities, significantly enhancing the pro-government offensive capacity against rebel factions. However, this came with political entrenchment, accusations of human rights violations, and dependency on external decision-making.2020 Presidential Crisis and Rebel Advance:
Ahead of the 2020 election, rebel groups launched a coordinated offensive threatening Bangui. FACA, with Russian airlift, Wagner support, and Rwandan deployments, repelled the assault. The episode marked a major test of CAR’s hybrid military structure, heavily leaning on foreign strategic rescue.Ongoing Rural Insurgency (2021–Present):
Dozens of armed factions still operate in northern and eastern provinces. FACA conducts joint operations with Russian-trained units, though control outside the capital remains limited. The experience gained is real but tied heavily to external command structures.
While FACA has made combat gains, the center of gravity for military effectiveness lies with foreign-provided capability, making it one of the most externally reliant militaries globally. Its history is one of internal warfare, foreign coordination, and civil-military volatility, with little experience in independent, large-scale conflict resolution.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~6.1 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~2.2 million
Geographic Area: 622,984 km²
Land Boundaries: 5,920 km
Bordering Countries: Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Tropical; hot, dry winters and mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: Vast flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Natural Resources: Diamonds, gold, uranium, timber, hydropower
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$210 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~3.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$9 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$1,400
External Debt: ~$1.5 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Rapid increase due to civil conflict and Russian alignment
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Regime security, counterinsurgency, border defense
Military Industry Base: Very limited
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Organized under Central African Armed Forces (FACA) regional zones
Missile Inventory Highlights: RPGs, mortars, MANPADS
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~25,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Central Intelligence Bureau, military police
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Russia, AU (limited)
Airports (Total): ~39
Major Military Airports: Bangui M'Poko
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
Roadways: ~24,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Full dependence on imported fuel
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Bangui, Bossangoa, Bambari
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Wagner Group presence; UN peacekeepers
Defense Alliances: Russia, AU (limited operational role)
Strategic Airlift Capability: Il-76 (leased), utility aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Timber, diamond logistics, government transport fleets
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Bangui
Founding Date: August 13, 1960 (independence from France)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic (authoritarian, conflict-affected)
