Grenada Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 188th
MPR SCORE: 131
MPR Index: 0.0102 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9380 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.839 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Grenada ranks 188th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As a small island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, Grenada does not maintain a standing military. Instead, national security is provided by the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) and its supporting arms, including a Coast Guard and Special Services Unit (SSU). The country’s defense posture is built on internal policing, maritime enforcement, and disaster response operations. For broader defense needs and national emergencies, Grenada relies on its full membership in the Regional Security System (RSS)—a multinational Caribbean security alliance supported by regional and international partners.

Strengths

1. Active Membership in the Regional Security System (RSS)

Grenada receives direct access to military-trained personnel, joint crisis response units, and strategic coordination through the RSS, enhancing its defense posture beyond what its small population could organically support.

2. Functional Internal Security Infrastructure

The Royal Grenada Police Force, supported by a well-trained SSU, has a proven track record in managing internal order, anti-gang operations, and national emergencies, ensuring day-to-day stability.

3. Maritime Surveillance and Law Enforcement

The Grenada Coast Guard conducts routine patrols, interdictions, and search-and-rescue operations, particularly within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), helping combat illicit trafficking and monitor marine activity.

4. Political Stability and Diplomatic Safety Net

Grenada maintains positive security relations with the United States, United Kingdom, and CARICOM, which offer both deterrent value and logistical backing in times of crisis.

Why Grenada Is Still Ranked 188th

Absence of a Conventional Military Force: Grenada lacks an army, navy, or air force, and its coast guard operates with limited range and combat capacity, making external defense impossible without assistance.
Minimal Strategic Deterrence: With no combat assets, missile systems, or air defense infrastructure, Grenada cannot deter or withstand a traditional military incursion independently.
Highly Dependent on Regional and Allied Forces: Grenada’s national defense relies on foreign guarantees and RSS interventions, meaning sovereignty would need to be defended by external actors in a wartime scenario.
Small Personnel Pool and Budget Constraints: The total security force is modest in size, and resources are diverted to disaster preparedness, leaving little for force modernization or doctrinal development.

Conclusion

Grenada’s ranking of 135th reflects its non-militarized defense strategy, which leans heavily on regional cooperation, professional law enforcement, and diplomatic assurances. The Royal Grenada Police Force, particularly the SSU and Coast Guard, form the backbone of the country's security structure, with a focus on internal protection, maritime control, and disaster response. While the country cannot project force or mount independent defense, it remains stable, secure, and integrated within collective security arrangements that ensure its sovereignty in the absence of a military.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: None (security provided by police forces)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 500 (Police Force and Coast Guard)
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel (Coast Guard): 100
Air Force Personnel: None

Ground Forces

Grenada does not maintain a traditional military force. Ground security is managed by the Royal Grenada Police Force, which also handles civil defense and disaster response.

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None

Air Wing

Grenada does not have an air force, and air security is provided through regional cooperation, especially with neighboring nations and international partners.

Naval Forces (Coast Guard)

The coast guard is responsible for patrolling Grenada’s waters, combating illegal activities such as drug smuggling and illegal fishing, and participating in search and rescue missions.

Patrol Boats: 1

Missile Capabilities

Grenada does not possess missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its defense is focused on maritime patrols and regional cooperation for maintaining internal security and sovereignty.

Strategic Partnerships

Grenada is a member of the Regional Security System (RSS), a regional defense agreement that provides mutual assistance in security, disaster response, and peacekeeping operations. Grenada also works closely with international partners, such as the United States, for maritime security and counter-narcotics operations.

Military History & Combat Experience

Grenada’s military history is limited but not absent. The country’s most defining military-related event was the 1983 U.S.-led invasion, after which all formal military institutions were disbanded. Since then, Grenada has operated under a police-based defense model, with its real-world operational experience coming from internal deployments, disaster relief, and RSS regional security missions.

U.S. Invasion – Operation Urgent Fury (1983)
Grenada’s modern military history centers around Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S.-led military intervention in October 1983. Triggered by internal political unrest following the assassination of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, the operation swiftly dismantled the People’s Revolutionary Army. The intervention marked the end of Grenada’s attempt at maintaining a formal military and led to a police-based security model that persists today.
Post-1983 Security Reforms and Disarmament
Following the invasion, the Royal Grenada Police Force was restructured, and the military disbanded. All remaining paramilitary responsibilities were transferred to specialized police units, especially the Special Services Unit (SSU) and Coast Guard, trained in internal defense, civil order, and emergency response.
RSS Joint Operations (1990s–Present)
Grenadian forces have actively participated in joint security missions under the Regional Security System, including deployments in response to civil unrest, transnational crime, and election-related tensions in neighboring states. These include missions to Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Dominica, giving Grenadian personnel exposure to tactical police operations in high-risk environments.
Hurricane and Earthquake Disaster Relief Operations
Grenada regularly mobilizes its police and coast guard personnel during natural disasters, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Ivan (2004) and subsequent earthquake emergencies. The SSU and Coast Guard play key roles in logistics, evacuation, and infrastructure protection, reinforcing their practical readiness and operational value.
Counter-Narcotics and Maritime Interdiction
Grenada is a partner in regional anti-smuggling operations, often collaborating with U.S. Southern Command, the UK Royal Navy, and RSS maritime patrols. These operations involve live interdiction, boarding procedures, and coastal surveillance, providing real-world maritime enforcement experience.

Although Grenada does not maintain a military, its forces have participated in combat-adjacent operations, including historic regime change, and now focus on regional policing, emergency response, and maritime enforcement. The legacy of 1983 continues to inform a civil-centric defense posture, supported by collective security and international alignment.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~130,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~55,000
Geographic Area: 344 km²
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 121 km
Climate: Tropical; rainy season (June to December) and dry season (January to May)
Terrain: Volcanic in origin; mountainous with coastal plains
Natural Resources: Timber, tropical fruit, spices (notably nutmeg), fish
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$25 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.3%
GDP (PPP): ~$2.1 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$15,900
External Debt: ~$1.2 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable, with minor increases for maritime operations and internal security

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, maritime surveillance, disaster response
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Royal Grenada Police Force includes Special Services Unit and Coast Guard
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; limited to small arms and patrol boat armament
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; ~30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~800

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Intelligence Unit under Ministry of National Security
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: United States, United Kingdom, CARICOM, RSS
Airports (Total): 3
Major Military Airports: Maurice Bishop International Airport (dual-use for emergencies)

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: Small
Major Ports: St. George’s
Naval Infrastructure: Grenada Coast Guard patrol base at True Blue Bay
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic refueling and maintenance infrastructure

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~1,100 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on imported petroleum products
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Very limited

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): St. George’s, True Blue
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Occasional presence from U.S. Southern Command, UK training teams
Defense Alliances: Regional Security System (RSS), CARICOM security cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low