Haiti Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 164th
MPR SCORE: 157
MPR Index: 0.0228 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9260 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.773 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Haiti ranks 164th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. After abolishing its military in 1995, Haiti has only recently reconstituted the Armed Forces of Haiti (Forces Armées d’Haïti – FAd’H) in a limited capacity. The force is extremely small, focused primarily on engineering, disaster relief, border security, and infrastructure protection, while the bulk of the country’s security responsibilities remain with the Haitian National Police (HNP).

The FAd’H is still in reconstruction phase, with minimal combat capability, no air or naval forces, and no independent operational command capacity. It functions largely under the support and oversight of foreign assistance programs, UN security missions, and bilateral partnerships, particularly with the United States, Brazil, Ecuador, and Canada.

Military Strengths

Haiti’s limited military strengths lie in its engineering capabilities, humanitarian operations, and border surveillance support, rather than any conventional warfare role.

1. Re-established Engineering and Civil Works Capacity

The FAd’H’s core units are trained in infrastructure repair, road clearing, and construction engineering, focusing on public works, particularly in post-disaster environments.
Operates as a military-style public utility force, especially in regions with little state presence.

2. Border Patrol and National Facility Protection

Haitian military personnel are deployed along land border zones, particularly with the Dominican Republic, to support customs, control illegal crossings, and assist in anti-smuggling efforts.
Provides protection for strategic sites such as dams, ports, and government infrastructure in coordination with the HNP.

3. Disaster Relief and Emergency Logistics

The military provides flood response, medical evacuation, and shelter logistics, particularly during hurricanes and earthquakes.
Collaborates with foreign NGOs, UN agencies, and Haitian civil defense teams in humanitarian response.

4. Dependence on Multilateral Training and Aid

Rebuilding efforts are supported by US Southern Command, Brazilian military advisers, Ecuadorian training missions, and Canadian police-military partnerships.
Training emphasizes civil-military operations, disaster readiness, and non-lethal security roles.

Why Haiti Is Still Ranked 164th

Extremely Small Force Size and Capabilities
The FAd’H consists of fewer than 1,500 personnel, with no capacity for sustained combat, force projection, or autonomous mission execution.
No Air Force, Navy, or Combat Platforms
Haiti has no combat aircraft, naval vessels, or artillery units. Maritime and airspace control are largely unmonitored, except with foreign support.
Security Vacuum Filled by Police and Foreign Missions
The HNP remains the primary security institution, with foreign peacekeeping (e.g., MINUSTAH, BINUH) historically filling the gap in both policing and stabilization.
High Dependence on Foreign Military and Humanitarian Actors
Most military activities are coordinated in conjunction with foreign donor nations, and domestic defense logistics are minimal or non-functional.

Conclusion

Haiti’s military remains in the early stages of institutional rebuilding, designed more for engineering, disaster relief, and civil infrastructure protection than for traditional combat operations. The Armed Forces of Haiti function under limited capacity and with significant foreign support, filling gaps in state functionality where other services have collapsed. Its MPR ranking reflects low conventional strength, offset slightly by its growing humanitarian and border support role.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 500–700 (Armed Forces of Haiti)
Haitian National Police: ~15,000 (primary security force)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 2,000+ (SWAT, border units)
Army Personnel: ~600 (engineers and civil units)
Navy Personnel: Minimal (coastal presence only)
Air Force Personnel: 0

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 10+ (light vehicles, technicals)
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 0
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0

Air Force

Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 0
Transport Aircraft: 2+
Training Aircraft: 0

Aircraft Breakdown:

Light surveillance aircraft used for disaster response
No formal air force or air combat units

Naval Forces

Warships: 4+ (small boats)
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 0
Patrol Boats: 4+

Naval Vessel Breakdown:

U.S.-donated patrol boats for anti-smuggling and coastal policing
Minimal maintenance capacity

Missile Capabilities

Haiti does not operate missile systems. Its military and security forces use only small arms and light vehicles, with no air defense, missile, or strategic capability of any kind.

Strategic Partnerships

Haiti is heavily dependent on foreign assistance, including the United States, Canada, and the United Nations for security support. It formerly hosted the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and now relies on various bilateral programs for rebuilding its security and military institutions. Engineering and infrastructure roles are prioritized within its newly formed army.

Military History & Combat Experience

Haiti’s military history is marked by cycles of political repression, military coups, and eventual institutional collapse, followed by slow efforts to reestablish a professional, civilian-controlled force.

20th Century Military Rule and Coups:
From the early 1900s through the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, the Haitian military was a central power broker. Its command structure frequently intervened in politics, including in the 1991 coup d'état against President Aristide. The army was widely feared for its role in human rights abuses, political repression, and collusion with paramilitary groups.
Abolition of the Military (1995):
In 1995, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide disbanded the FAd’H following pressure from civil society and the international community. UN missions and the Haitian National Police took over the country’s primary security functions for nearly two decades.
UN Peacekeeping and Security Missions (2004–2017):
The United Nations deployed MINUSTAH, followed by MINUJUSTH and BINUH, to restore law and order after political collapse and disaster crises. These missions provided external stability while Haiti had no standing army.
Re-establishment of FAd’H (2017–Present):
Under President Jovenel Moïse, the FAd’H was reestablished with a limited, civilian-controlled mandate. Units were trained primarily in engineering, border patrol, and disaster response. Efforts to expand the force remain underfunded, slow-moving, and reliant on foreign technical assistance.
Recent Deployments and Activities:
Since its reformation, the FAd’H has participated in flood response, earthquake logistics, and rural infrastructure projects, particularly in Artibonite and Sud departments. It has not participated in any modern combat or international deployments.

Haiti’s military history reflects a shift from repression to reform, with the current force focused on state service, institutional rebuilding, and humanitarian roles, rather than traditional defense.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~280,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~120,000
Geographic Area: 430 km²
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 97 km
Climate: Tropical; rainy season from June to October
Terrain: Relatively flat with some hills in the interior
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, fish, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: Small offshore deposits (under 5 million barrels)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~2 billion cubic feet

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$50 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.1%
GDP (PPP): ~$6.3 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$22,400
External Debt: ~$4.9 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat with modest increases tied to maritime security and disaster readiness

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Disaster relief, maritime patrol, internal security
Military Industry Base: None; fully dependent on imports and regional partnerships
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Barbados Defence Force (BDF), includes Land Force and Coast Guard
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; light arms and patrol vessel systems only
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~1,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military Intelligence Unit under BDF and Office of National Security
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: CARICOM, United States, UK
Airports (Total): 1 major international, several minor airstrips
Major Military Airports: Grantley Adams International Airport (dual-use)

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: Very limited
Major Ports: Bridgetown
Naval Infrastructure: Barbados Coast Guard with offshore patrol capabilities
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited coastal refueling and resupply

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~1,600 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: ~1,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Relies heavily on imported refined products
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Bridgetown, Paragon Base
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. and UK advisors occasionally for training
Defense Alliances: Regional Security System (RSS), CARICOM partnerships
Strategic Airlift Capability: None; relies on partner nations
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low