Cook Islands
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 201st
MPR SCORE: 112
MPR Index: 0.0004 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9473 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.891 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
he Cook Islands ranks 201st in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, the Cook Islands maintains no standing military forces. National defense responsibilities fall to New Zealand, while internal law enforcement and disaster response are handled by the Cook Islands Police Service, which includes a maritime wing tasked with patrolling the nation’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The country's defense strategy is grounded in diplomacy, regional cooperation, and strategic alignment with New Zealand, emphasizing stability and sustainability over military development.
Strengths
1. Defense Guarantee from New Zealand
Under the terms of free association, New Zealand is fully responsible for the Cook Islands’ defense, offering airspace protection, naval support, and military coordination if an external threat were to arise.
2. Functional Maritime Security Wing
The Cook Islands Police Maritime Unit conducts patrol operations, fisheries enforcement, and search-and-rescue missions across a vast Pacific EEZ, with support from New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
3. Stable Internal Security Institutions
The Cook Islands Police Service provides law enforcement, border control, and civil protection, maintaining public order and responding to emergencies with a high degree of professionalism.
4. Strategic Location and Diplomatic Value
Located in the South Pacific, the Cook Islands plays a quiet but important role in regional maritime security, making it a cooperative partner in initiatives addressing illegal fishing, disaster readiness, and Pacific stability.
Why the Cook Islands Is Ranked 201st
No Army, Navy, or Air Force: The Cook Islands has no military infrastructure, no trained combat personnel, and no plans to establish any defense branches, relying entirely on New Zealand for national security.
Zero Strategic Deterrence Capability: Without missiles, aircraft, or heavy naval assets, the Cook Islands cannot deter, repel, or project military force under any conditions.
Complete External Dependence for Defense: Any response to an external threat would require New Zealand’s intervention, with Cook Islands authorities playing only a supporting or civil coordination role.
Small Force Size and Civilian Scope: The domestic police force is small and equipped for civil law enforcement, not military deployment, defense operations, or sustained crisis response beyond natural disaster events.
Conclusion
The Cook Islands' ranking of 201st reflects its non-militarized governance, complete defense reliance on New Zealand, and internal focus on law enforcement, disaster resilience, and maritime surveillance. While the country cannot engage in military operations or independent defense, its partnership with New Zealand ensures sovereign integrity and regional integration. The Cook Islands demonstrates a model of peaceful, diplomacy-driven security, backed by strategic location and strong alliances.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Security Personnel: 200 (police, maritime, tactical units)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 50 (Police Tactical Response Group)
Army Personnel: 0
Navy Personnel: 50 (Maritime Police)
Air Force Personnel: 0
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 0
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 0
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Air Force
The Cook Islands has no air force or military aircraft. All airspace security and regional defense are provided by New Zealand under defense cooperation agreements.
Naval Forces (Maritime Wing)
Warships: 2
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 0
Patrol Boats: 2
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Pacific-class patrol boats donated by Australia
Missions: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) protection, anti-poaching, search and rescue
Missile Capabilities
The Cook Islands does not operate or possess any missile systems. All strategic defense capabilities are externalized to New Zealand under the terms of their free association.
Strategic Partnerships
The Cook Islands relies entirely on New Zealand for defense, operating under a Treaty of Free Association. It also receives maritime assistance from Australia, and participates in Pacific Islands security dialogues, including regional cooperation on climate change, illegal fishing, and humanitarian aid.
Military History & Combat Experience
The Cook Islands has no military history, no combat forces, and no participation in modern warfare. Its security operations are limited to domestic policing, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response, with national defense being the responsibility of New Zealand under the free association arrangement.
Defense Oversight by New Zealand (Since 1965)
Since achieving self-governance in 1965, the Cook Islands has delegated defense and foreign affairs to New Zealand, although it retains full internal autonomy. This arrangement allows New Zealand to defend Cook Islands territory if necessary, while the local government manages civil governance and internal law enforcement.Cook Islands Police Maritime Wing – EEZ Surveillance (Ongoing)
The Maritime Wing of the police force is equipped with patrol vessels provided by Australia and New Zealand and engages in fisheries patrol, anti-smuggling operations, and maritime sovereignty enforcement, especially across the vast 2 million square kilometer EEZ.Participation in Regional Civil Security Programs
The Cook Islands is an active member of the Pacific Islands Forum, participating in regional law enforcement coordination, disaster preparedness drills, and training exchanges with partners such as Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand.Disaster Response and Humanitarian Coordination
Like many Pacific nations, the Cook Islands is vulnerable to cyclones, coastal flooding, and seismic activity. Its internal forces are trained in search-and-rescue, infrastructure protection, and population evacuation, particularly in cooperation with New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) assets during emergency deployments.No Combat Deployments or Military Operations
The Cook Islands has never engaged in warfare and does not contribute to peacekeeping or international military missions. Its sovereignty and stability are maintained through civil institutions, diplomatic ties, and New Zealand’s strategic umbrella.
The Cook Islands’ national security framework is a civilian-based model, supported by external defense partnerships and focused entirely on maritime law enforcement, internal policing, and disaster readiness. It exemplifies a stable, peaceful microstate reliant on trust-based regional integration rather than force.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~17,500 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~7,000
Geographic Area: 236 km² (spread over 15 islands in the South Pacific)
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 120 km
Climate: Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (April to November), wet season (December to March)
Terrain: Volcanic islands with mountainous interiors (e.g., Rarotonga) and low-lying coral atolls
Natural Resources: Fish, fruit, offshore mineral deposits (e.g., manganese nodules)
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$6 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.0%
GDP (PPP): ~$350 million USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$20,000
External Debt: ~$100 million USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat; used for police, maritime surveillance, and disaster readiness
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: No standing military; national security provided by Cook Islands Police Service
Primary Defense Focus: Maritime surveillance, internal security, disaster response
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Maritime Division under Ministry of Police; supported by New Zealand defense cooperation
Missile Inventory Highlights: None
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Not applicable
Reservist Force Size: N/A
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Minimal; reliant on regional and bilateral partnerships
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: New Zealand, Australia, Pacific Islands Forum
Airports (Total): ~9 (including outer island runways)
Major Military Airports: Rarotonga International Airport (dual-use in emergencies)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Small
Major Ports: Avatiu (Rarotonga), Arutanga (Aitutaki)
Naval Infrastructure: Maritime police operate patrol vessels for EEZ enforcement
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic coastal support
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~320 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on imported fuels
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Rarotonga (police HQ and maritime base)
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: New Zealand provides defense under free association
Defense Alliances: Free association with New Zealand (defense guaranteed); regional cooperation with Australia and PIF
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: None
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Fishing, marine logistics, emergency services
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Avarua (Rarotonga)
Founding Date: August 4, 1965 (self-government in free association with New Zealand)
System of Government: Parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand
