Ivory Coast Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 105th
MPR SCORE: 271
MPR Index: 0.0803 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8716 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.471 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Ivory Coast ranks 82nd globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces, the Forces Armées de Côte d'Ivoire (FACI), are primarily tasked with internal security, counterterrorism, and border protection, especially in the northern regions where extremist threats have escalated in recent years. The Ivorian military has seen significant transformation since the civil conflicts of the early 2000s, emerging as a key institution in supporting national reconciliation, political stability, and economic development.
FACI’s doctrine is focused on territorial control, civil-military cooperation, and rapid response capabilities, with growing emphasis on joint operations with international partners, including France, the United States, and regional bodies like ECOWAS. While still limited in strategic depth, the military continues to undergo reform, with a focus on improving operational readiness, intelligence capacity, and special forces development to combat transnational threats.
Strengths
1. Counterterrorism Readiness in the Northern Border Zone
FACI has deployed specialized units and increased security infrastructure in the northern regions, particularly along borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, where extremist incursions have become more frequent.
2. Strategic Location and Regional Integration
Ivory Coast is a key West African hub with growing economic and diplomatic influence, giving its military increased importance in regional security planning, including ECOWAS standby force coordination and counterterrorism intelligence sharing.
3. Ongoing International Support and Training
The Ivorian military receives regular assistance from France, the U.S. Africa Command, and European Union security missions, including in areas like air surveillance, officer development, and crisis response logistics.
Why Ivory Coast Is Still Ranked 82nd
1. Limited Air and Naval Capacity
FACI lacks a modern air force, with only a small fleet of light helicopters, transports, and surveillance aircraft. Naval capabilities are confined to coastal patrol, limiting maritime reach and response flexibility.
2. Dependence on Foreign Training and Logistics
Ivory Coast’s military modernization is heavily reliant on foreign military advisors, external training programs, and donated equipment, reducing operational independence and capacity for sustained internal development.
3. Fragile Institutional Foundations Post-Civil War
Despite progress, FACI still grapples with legacy divisions, uneven command cohesion, and occasional tensions between former rebel factions and state forces. Full integration and trust-building remain a work in progress.
Conclusion
Ivory Coast’s military continues to evolve into a stabilizing regional force, balancing internal security priorities with growing responsibilities in regional counterterrorism and peacekeeping collaboration. While still dependent on foreign support and institutional reform, FACI has made strides in restoring national unity, securing vulnerable regions, and asserting control over its territorial borders. Its ranking reflects both the legacy of past instability and the forward momentum of a military in active transformation.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 25,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 5,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 7,000 (National Police, Gendarmerie)
Army Personnel: 20,000
Navy Personnel: 2,000
Air Force Personnel: 3,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 30+ (light tanks)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 100+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 50+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 5+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 10+
Transport Aircraft: 5+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mi-24 Helicopters: 5 (attack helicopters)
MiG-21: 2 (older combat jets)
Naval Forces
Ivory Coast has a small but functional naval force, focusing on securing the country’s coastlines and territorial waters in the Gulf of Guinea, which is important due to the rise in piracy and smuggling in the region.
Patrol Vessels: 10+
Missile Capabilities
Ivory Coast does not possess advanced missile systems and focuses on maintaining conventional ground and air defense capabilities. It is reliant on external military assistance for training and equipment.
Strategic Partnerships
Ivory Coast benefits from partnerships with France, its former colonial power, as well as the United Nations and the European Union, which provide military assistance, training, and peacekeeping support. The country is a key player in regional security initiatives, particularly in combating terrorism in West Africa through the G5 Sahel and ECOWAS.
Military History & Combat Experience
Ivory Coast’s modern military history is shaped by civil conflict, peacekeeping enforcement, and a recent shift toward counterterror operations in the northern border regions. While not engaged in conventional state-on-state warfare, FACI has significant internal combat experience.
First Ivorian Civil War (2002–2007):
A political and ethnic conflict erupted between the northern rebels (Forces Nouvelles) and the southern government, dividing the country. The military was split, and foreign troops—mainly from France and ECOWAS—helped enforce a ceasefire. The war culminated in the Ouagadougou Agreement, followed by army reintegration and restructuring.Post-Election Crisis and Second Civil War (2010–2011):
A disputed presidential election between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara led to a brief but intense conflict in Abidjan and across southern regions. Forces loyal to Ouattara, supported by UNOCI and French troops, defeated Gbagbo’s loyalists. This conflict served as a turning point for military unification and restructuring.Northern Border Insurgency Response (2018–present):
FACI began deploying forces to counter the spillover of jihadist insurgency from the Sahel, particularly in northern towns such as Kafolo and Tehini. These operations include ambush prevention, garrison expansions, and joint intelligence sharing with Burkina Faso and France.Joint Exercises and Regional Missions:
Ivory Coast regularly participates in regional military exercises and ECOWAS security initiatives, strengthening its role as a cooperative actor in West African defense. These engagements build multinational coordination skills and support interoperability.
Ivory Coast’s military experience reflects a transition from civil war to counterinsurgency, with current operations focused on domestic stability, terror containment, and regional resilience. FACI continues to evolve into a professionalized force, shaped by its post-conflict legacy and emerging regional security responsibilities.
General Information
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~29.2 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~10.2 million
Geographic Area: 322,463 km²
Land Boundaries: 3,110 km
Bordering Countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali
Coastline: 515 km
Climate: Tropical along coast; semiarid in north
Terrain: Flat to undulating plains, with mountains in northwest
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, gold, iron ore, cocoa, coffee, hydropower
Proven Oil Reserves: ~100 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~1.3 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$950 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.7%
GDP (PPP): ~$180 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$6,200
External Debt: ~$25 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steady rise post-conflict; internal and border security focus
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Counterterrorism, internal control, border surveillance
Military Industry Base: Limited; maintenance and logistics support
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Basic; under development
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into regional commands under Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI)
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, mortars, RPGs
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~40,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: No indigenous satellite capability
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: DGSE (External Security Directorate), Military Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: France, ECOWAS
Airports (Total): ~27
Major Military Airports: Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~35 vessels
Major Ports: Abidjan, San Pedro
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol force; French-assisted capacity
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~1,200 km
Roadways: ~81,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~34,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Imports refined products; exports crude and gas
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national reserve managed by Petroci
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Limited to small arms repair, uniforms
Military Installations (Domestic): Abidjan, Bouaké, Korhogo
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: French base at Port-Bouët
Defense Alliances: ECOWAS, France, regional defense pacts
Strategic Airlift Capability: C-295, CASA aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Petroci (energy), port logistics, national construction corps
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (administrative)
Founding Date: August 7, 1960 (independence from France)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
