Eswatini Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 174th
MPR SCORE: 147
MPR Index: 0.0182 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9304 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.797 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) ranks 124th in the 2024 Military Power Rankings. The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) is a small, domestically oriented force responsible for territorial defense, internal security, and support to civil authorities. While Eswatini faces no external military threats, the UEDF plays a central role in maintaining regime stability, border enforcement, and ceremonial state functions.
The kingdom’s defense doctrine is grounded in monarchical control, internal deterrence, and regional cooperation through the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Eswatini’s force lacks air and naval capabilities and is structured around light infantry units, military police, and support detachments tasked with security presence rather than combat readiness.
Military Strengths
Eswatini’s strengths lie in domestic security integration, loyalty to the monarchy, and its participation in regional security platforms.
1. Internal Stability and Monarchical Defense Role
The UEDF is tasked with protecting the king, safeguarding key government sites, and supporting law enforcement during protests and unrest.
Units are frequently deployed during elections, public demonstrations, and border monitoring, particularly near South Africa and Mozambique.
2. Border Control and Patrol Operations
Eswatini shares long, porous borders with neighboring countries. The UEDF conducts routine patrols to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration, and transboundary cattle theft.
Works in close coordination with the Eswatini Royal Police and customs officials.
3. Support for National Ceremonies and Infrastructure Projects
The military plays a prominent role in national holidays, royal parades, and infrastructure logistics, often functioning as state labor support during road-building or emergency response.
4. Regional Security Integration via SADC
Eswatini contributes to SADC standby force planning, joint exercises, and regional peacekeeping preparedness, although it has not deployed troops outside its borders in recent years.
Receives military training and advisory support from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India.
Why Eswatini Is Still Ranked 124th
Small Force Size and Modest Capabilities
The UEDF comprises roughly 3,000 active personnel, equipped primarily with light arms, trucks, and non-armored patrol vehicles. There are no tanks, artillery battalions, or support for sustained combat operations.No Air Force or Naval Component
Eswatini is a landlocked country with no aerial combat or surveillance capabilities. Any air operations (e.g., medevac or VIP transport) are conducted with civilian helicopters or foreign assistance.No Strategic or Deterrent Systems
The country has no missile systems, air defense network, or long-range strike capacity. Its security is based solely on internal presence and symbolic deterrence.Reliance on Regional Security Networks
Eswatini's broader defense needs are covered through SADC frameworks and informal understandings with South Africa, which remains its most important external security partner.
Conclusion
Eswatini maintains a low-capacity, domestically focused defense force, optimized for regime protection, internal order, and civil support, rather than external warfare. The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force plays a central role in the country’s political and ceremonial life, with a defense posture defined more by continuity and stability than by modernization or offensive capability. Its MPR ranking reflects its limited military scale, counterbalanced by its internal utility and regional integration.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 3,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 1,000
Paramilitary Forces: 500 (Royal Eswatini Police Service)
Army Personnel: 2,500
Navy Personnel: None (landlocked country)
Air Force Personnel: 200
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 10+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 5+
Air Wing
Eswatini’s air capabilities are minimal, consisting of a few helicopters used for transport and medical evacuations.
Helicopters: 3
Transport Aircraft: None
Naval Forces
As a landlocked country, Eswatini does not maintain a naval force.
Missile Capabilities
Eswatini does not possess missile systems or nuclear capabilities, focusing instead on internal security and border protection.
Strategic Partnerships
Eswatini is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and works closely with regional neighbors, particularly South Africa, for defense and security cooperation. Through SADC, Eswatini benefits from regional peacekeeping missions and security initiatives. The country also relies on military training and assistance from South Africa and other SADC members.
Military History & Combat Experience
Eswatini has no history of modern warfighting or international conflict, but its military history is intertwined with traditional monarchy protection, colonial transition, and post-independence consolidation.
Colonial and Protectorate Period (Pre-1968):
Under British rule, Eswatini had no independent military. Local paramilitary forces served under colonial administration. Traditional regiments (Impis) played ceremonial and social roles under the monarchy.Post-Independence Formation of UEDF (1970s):
The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force was formally established in the 1970s after independence (1968), structured as a monarch-controlled institution with duties focused on state security, border control, and support to civil authority.Internal Deployment and Unrest (1990s–Present):
The UEDF has been regularly deployed during periods of labor unrest, pro-democracy protests, and state emergencies.
Notably, in 2021, the military was used to suppress mass demonstrations demanding political reforms, resulting in a sharp increase in military-police coordination and external criticism from human rights observers.Regional Military Cooperation and Training:
While Eswatini has not engaged in external conflicts, it participates in SADC security coordination and African Union defense planning, occasionally hosting joint exercises and officer exchanges.
Though Eswatini has no conventional combat experience, the UEDF serves as a political stabilizer, ceremonial guard, and internal force, reflecting the kingdom’s unique political-military alignment and security culture based on regime continuity and territorial self-containment.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~1.2 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~500,000
Geographic Area: 17,364 km²
Land Boundaries: 535 km
Bordering Countries: Mozambique, South Africa
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Varies from tropical in the east to temperate in the west
Terrain: Mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Natural Resources: Asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$90 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.3%
GDP (PPP): ~$12.3 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$10,100
External Debt: ~$2.2 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Slight increases focused on royal guard and internal order
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Royal protection, internal security, border monitoring
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) under monarchy
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; limited to small arms and light anti-armor weapons
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; ~30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~5,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Royal Eswatini Intelligence Service and military security divisions
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: South Africa, AU
Airports (Total): ~15 (including airstrips)
Major Military Airports: King Mswati III International Airport (dual-use)
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: ~300 km
Roadways: ~3,600 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Dependent on South Africa for petroleum and refined products
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Mbabane, Siteki, Hhohho
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Limited regional advisors
Defense Alliances: Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Strategic Airlift Capability: Very limited
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Forestry, agricultural logistics, infrastructure repair
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal and legislative)
Founding Date: September 6, 1968 (independence from the UK)
System of Government: Absolute monarchy with limited parliamentary functions
