Dominican Republic
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 117th
MPR SCORE: 251
MPR Index: 0.0704 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8810 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.523 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
The Dominican Republic ranks 117th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces—comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force—are organized around homeland defense, border security, and maritime sovereignty, particularly in support of internal stability and anti-narcotics operations. Located on the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic shares a long and porous border with Haiti, making border control a central element of its defense strategy.
The country’s military doctrine emphasizes territorial deterrence, internal order, and coastal security rather than power projection or large-scale combat capability. While relatively small, the armed forces benefit from mandatory military service, foreign training partnerships, and strong integration with law enforcement and civil defense agencies. Military institutions also play a major role in disaster response and national emergencies, positioning the armed forces as a key pillar of state resilience.
Strengths
1. Robust Border and Coastal Defense Posture
The military is structured to conduct land and sea patrols, focusing on illegal migration, human trafficking, and narcotics interdiction, especially along the Haitian border and in Caribbean trafficking corridors.
2. Professionalization Through Foreign Partnerships
The Dominican Republic benefits from U.S. military assistance, regional cooperation, and training programs that improve counter-narcotics capabilities, interoperability, and officer development across all service branches.
3. National Service Framework and Internal Stability Role
Mandatory service laws and strong civil-military integration have enabled a disciplined force structure with deep engagement in internal policing, emergency management, and infrastructure support, especially in rural zones.
Why Dominican Republic Is Still Ranked 117th
1. No Strategic Reach or Expeditionary Capacity
The military lacks heavy armor, fighter jets, long-range artillery, and force projection assets, operating primarily with light infantry, coastal patrol boats, and training aircraft, limiting strategic or regional influence.
2. Limited Air and Naval Modernization
While the Dominican Navy and Air Force have grown in utility roles, both remain underfunded and technologically outdated, with little capacity for sustained operations or surveillance beyond national waters.
3. Focused on Domestic Threats, Not Conventional Warfare
The military is optimized for law enforcement support, civil protection, and counter-smuggling, not for resisting state-level aggression or conducting joint operations beyond national borders.
Conclusion
The Dominican Republic maintains a capable homeland defense force, structured for territorial integrity, border enforcement, and maritime security, rather than for warfighting or regional projection. Its military plays an essential role in internal stability, public security, and coastal sovereignty, supported by a disciplined service culture and international partnerships. While its global ranking is limited by force size and modernization gaps, the military’s functional alignment with national security needs makes it a reliable internal force in the broader Caribbean defense landscape.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 33,000
Reserve Personnel: 10,000
Paramilitary Forces: 20,000 (National Police and internal security units)
Army Personnel: 25,000
Navy Personnel: 6,000
Air Force Personnel: 2,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 100+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 40+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): None
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 6+ (light ground attack)
Attack Helicopters: 2+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Training Aircraft: 6+
Aircraft Breakdown:
A-29 Super Tucano: 8 (light attack/reconnaissance)
Bell UH-1H and Huey II Helicopters: Active
CASA 212 and Cessna Aircraft: Used for transport and surveillance
Naval Forces
Warships: 10+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 1–2 (limited capability)
Patrol and Support Craft: 10+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Damen Stan Patrol Vessels: Multiple
Interceptor Boats: Used for anti-smuggling and maritime interdiction
Auxiliary and logistical support vessels: In active service
Missile Capabilities
The Dominican Republic does not possess strategic or advanced tactical missile systems. Its defense capabilities rely on light artillery, short-range air defense systems, and small arms. Maritime and border interdiction remain the primary operational focus.
Strategic Partnerships
The Dominican Republic maintains military cooperation with the United States, which provides training, equipment, and counter-narcotics support. Additional partnerships exist with Colombia, France, and other Caribbean states through joint drills and maritime security initiatives. The country is a contributor to regional stability and disaster response efforts.
Military History & Combat Experience
The Dominican Republic’s military history is rooted in intervention resistance, civil conflicts, and domestic stability operations, with little to no participation in foreign wars. Most of its military experience lies in internal conflict management and sovereignty enforcement.
Dominican Restoration War (1863–1865):
A historic guerrilla campaign to regain independence from Spain, following its brief reannexation. This conflict laid the foundation for modern national identity and the legacy of self-reliant defense.U.S. Occupation and Intervention (1916–1924; 1965):
U.S. Marines occupied the country to ensure debt repayment and later intervened during a post-Trujillo civil war in 1965. These events highlighted the military’s political entanglement and later led to the creation of civilian control mechanisms and U.S.-trained stabilization forces.Civil-Military Role Under Trujillo Dictatorship (1930–1961):
The military was heavily politicized under Rafael Trujillo, functioning as a tool of repression. After his assassination, reforms sought to depoliticize and professionalize the armed forces.Modern Border Security and Anti-Narcotics Operations (2000s–present):
The Dominican Republic’s military has been increasingly focused on border control with Haiti and drug trafficking interdiction, conducting joint operations with U.S. agencies and hosting maritime patrol missions in the Caribbean.Disaster Relief and Civil Assistance Deployments:
The armed forces play a central role in emergency management, including hurricane response, evacuation coordination, and infrastructure repair, reflecting their national-level utility beyond combat roles.
The Dominican Republic’s military legacy is one of internal control, sovereignty maintenance, and national development support, with a current emphasis on maritime security, border enforcement, and law enforcement augmentation, not conventional military operations.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~11.5 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~4.1 million
Geographic Area: 48,671 km²
Land Boundaries: 376 km
Bordering Countries: Haiti
Coastline: 1,288 km
Climate: Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: Mountains with fertile valleys; coastal plains
Natural Resources: Nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$950 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.8%
GDP (PPP): ~$150 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$12,900
External Debt: ~$35 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steady growth; modernization and disaster response
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Border control, disaster response, counter-narcotics
Military Industry Base: Limited; uniforms, light arms maintenance
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into zones under Unified Armed Forces Command
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, short-range artillery
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~40,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: J-2 Military Intelligence Directorate
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: U.S., regional defense and counterdrug programs
Airports (Total): ~37
Major Military Airports: San Isidro, Puerto Plata, Santiago
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~20 vessels
Major Ports: Santo Domingo, Haina, Puerto Plata
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol, fast interceptors, training vessels
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited to coastal operations
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: Minimal; urban transit only
Roadways: ~19,700 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High dependency
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains emergency reserve capacity
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Uniforms, logistics support
Military Installations (Domestic): Santo Domingo, Barahona, Santiago
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. military training cooperation
Defense Alliances: Bilateral U.S. ties, regional Caribbean defense cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: C-212, helicopters, small transports
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Port logistics, fuel infrastructure, state construction firms
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Santo Domingo
Founding Date: February 27, 1844 (independence from Haiti)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
