Liberia Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 155th
MPR SCORE: 177
MPR Index: 0.0333 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9162 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.7i8 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Liberia ranks 177th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) are a restructured, non-combat-oriented military focused on internal security, disaster response, and regional peacekeeping support. Following two devastating civil wars between 1989 and 2003, the AFL was disbanded and then rebuilt from the ground up with extensive support from the United States, which provided training, doctrine development, and logistical assistance to ensure the force’s professionalism, non-partisanship, and civilian oversight.
Today, the AFL is a small, volunteer-based military, geared toward national stability, humanitarian assistance, and support to civil authorities. With no external military threats, Liberia maintains a non-offensive doctrine, prioritizing peace over projection.
Military Strengths
Liberia’s strengths lie in its post-conflict reform success, peacekeeping readiness, and civil-military integration.
1. Post-War Reconstruction and U.S.-Backed Reform
The AFL was completely rebuilt with U.S. support after 2003, with a focus on ethics, human rights, and constitutional accountability.
Training was led by DynCorp and U.S. military personnel, emphasizing discipline and non-political service.
2. Role in Civil Support and National Stability
The AFL plays a critical role in disaster response, epidemic control, and infrastructure repair, particularly during floods, COVID-19, and Ebola outbreaks.
It works closely with the Liberia National Police, health services, and UN agencies.
3. Regional Peacekeeping Contribution
Liberia has deployed personnel to African Union and ECOWAS missions, including in Mali and Darfur.
Focuses on logistical support, medical teams, and engineering units in multinational settings.
4. Stable Command Structure and Civilian Oversight
The AFL is directly overseen by the Ministry of National Defense, with strong emphasis on anti-corruption, transparency, and constitutional loyalty.
Why Liberia Is Still Ranked 177th
Very Small Force Size and No Heavy Equipment
The AFL numbers fewer than 2,500 active personnel, with no tanks, artillery, or mechanized formations. Equipment is limited to light vehicles, personal arms, and donated supplies.No Air Force or Naval Capability
Liberia does not operate any combat aircraft or deep-sea naval assets. The Coast Guard performs basic maritime patrol in territorial waters.No Strategic or Regional Deterrence Ability
The AFL has no missile systems, air defenses, or logistics capability for autonomous foreign deployment.Dependence on Foreign Funding and Training
The military relies on external support for training, upgrades, and even basic operations. The U.S., UN, and ECOWAS remain essential to its functional capacity.
Conclusion
Liberia’s military is one of the few in Africa to undergo a complete post-war transformation, emerging as a disciplined, humanitarian-focused force under civilian control. Though it lacks combat capabilities or strategic depth, the AFL plays a vital role in domestic peace, crisis response, and multilateral peacekeeping. Its low MPR ranking reflects its limited size and warfighting capacity, but acknowledges its importance in stabilization, reform, and civil support operations.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 2,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 1,500 (National Police, Immigration Service)
Army Personnel: 1,500
Navy Personnel: 200
Air Force Personnel: 300 (primarily for logistical support)
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 10+ (lightly armored vehicles for patrol)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: None
Helicopters: 2 (transport)
Transport Aircraft: 3 (small cargo planes)
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mi-8 Helicopters: 2 (transport)
Naval Forces
Liberia's naval capabilities are minimal, primarily focused on coastal patrols to prevent illegal fishing and ensure maritime security in its waters.
Patrol Boats: 4
Fast Attack Craft: None
Missile Capabilities
Liberia does not possess advanced missile systems or nuclear capabilities. The country's military is oriented towards defense and internal security, with no significant capacity for force projection beyond its borders.
Strategic Partnerships
Liberia has strong defense ties with the United States, which played a key role in restructuring the Armed Forces of Liberia after the country's civil war. Liberia also cooperates with regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in peacekeeping efforts. International organizations provide training, logistical support, and aid to help Liberia maintain its security forces and improve its capacity for disaster response.
Military History & Combat Experience
Liberia’s military history is defined by brutal internal conflict, the collapse and later rebuilding of its armed forces, and a shift toward peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and internal stabilization. The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) today operate in a completely different framework than during the civil war period, emphasizing professionalism, regional cooperation, and support to civil authorities.
First Liberian Civil War (1989–1997):
The original AFL was largely dismantled during this conflict, which pitted the government of Samuel Doe against the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor. Fighting quickly devolved into factional warfare, with the AFL accused of committing ethnic violence, while rebel groups seized control of most of the country. The war featured urban combat, village massacres, and indiscriminate destruction, ultimately leaving over 200,000 dead and the AFL in collapse.Second Liberian Civil War (1999–2003):
A resurgence of violence saw the emergence of two new rebel factions: LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) and MODEL (Movement for Democracy in Liberia). These groups launched simultaneous offensives against President Charles Taylor’s government, sparking widespread fighting. The AFL, weakened and fragmented, played a limited role. Fighting centered on Monrovia, Lofa County, and the Ivory Coast border, prompting humanitarian catastrophe and international pressure for intervention.ECOWAS and UNMIL Intervention (2003):
The crisis led to the deployment of ECOMIL (ECOWAS Mission in Liberia), soon followed by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). These forces disarmed tens of thousands of fighters. The AFL was formally disbanded, with all personnel removed and the force structure reset under international supervision. This marked the end of Liberia’s combat-era military and the beginning of total restructuring.Post-War Rebuilding and U.S. Training Mission (2005–2010):
With assistance from the United States Department of Defense and DynCorp International, Liberia built a new AFL from the ground up, based on meritocratic recruitment, non-political service, and a volunteer structure. Recruits were trained in light infantry tactics, civil-military operations, and disaster relief. The new AFL gained initial deployment experience through joint exercises and internal security roles.Peacekeeping and Regional Deployments (2010s–Present):
The reformed AFL contributed troops to African Union and ECOWAS missions, particularly in Mali (MINUSMA) and Darfur. These deployments involved base security, force protection, and humanitarian coordination, offering Liberia its first exposure to multinational operations as a stable contributor rather than a conflict zone.Ebola Crisis Response (2014–2015):
The AFL played a vital domestic role during the Ebola epidemic, constructing treatment centers, maintaining quarantine zones, and assisting in public health logistics. The mission required disciplined execution under intense public pressure and helped reinforce the AFL’s civil legitimacy.
While Liberia’s current military has not engaged in external or conventional war, it has evolved from a force of instability to one of domestic support and peacekeeping discipline. Its past includes some of the most destructive internal wars in African history, but its present is defined by reconstruction, international cooperation, and non-combat national service.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~5.4 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~2.1 million
Geographic Area: 111,369 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,585 km
Bordering Countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone
Coastline: 579 km (Atlantic Ocean)
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid with distinct dry and rainy seasons
Terrain: Mostly flat coastal plain rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast
Natural Resources: Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower, rubber
Proven Oil Reserves: Offshore potential under exploration; no confirmed commercial production
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$90 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.8%
GDP (PPP): ~$13 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$2,400
External Debt: ~$2.6 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradual rise post-UN withdrawal; focused on capacity rebuilding
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal stability, border security, UN peacekeeping participation
Military Industry Base: None; fully reliant on imports and donor support
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Very limited
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) under civilian Ministry of Defense oversight
Missile Inventory Highlights: Light infantry weapons, MANPADS, and short-range mortars
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Low; 60–90 days
Reservist Force Size: ~5,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: National Security Agency (NSA), AFL Intelligence Division
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: U.S., ECOWAS, AU
Airports (Total): ~20 (including airstrips)
Major Military Airports: Roberts International Airport (dual-use)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Large by registry (flag of convenience), not operationally based
Major Ports: Monrovia, Buchanan, Harper
Naval Infrastructure: Small coast guard fleet under Liberian Maritime Authority
Naval Replenishment Capability: Minimal
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~500 km (mining use; limited national coverage)
Roadways: ~11,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None (offshore development in early stages)
Energy Imports: High dependence on imports for refined fuel
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Monrovia, Gbarnga, Buchanan
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Limited U.S. and ECOWAS trainers
Defense Alliances: ECOWAS Standby Force, bilateral ties with the U.S.
Strategic Airlift Capability: Extremely limited
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Timber and rubber export logistics, mining transport infrastructure
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Monrovia
Founding Date: July 26, 1847 (independent from inception)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
