Liechtenstein
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 196th
MPR SCORE: 119
MPR Index: 0.0041 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9437 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.871 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Liechtenstein ranks 144th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. This landlocked European principality, nestled between Switzerland and Austria, maintains no standing military force. Since abolishing its army in 1868, Liechtenstein’s defense strategy has relied on international neutrality, geographic insulation, and external security cooperation—especially with Switzerland, which serves as its primary defense partner. Internally, law enforcement, border management, and civil protection are managed by the Liechtenstein National Police and Civil Protection Division, both of which operate with a focus on public safety, emergency readiness, and non-combat sovereignty maintenance.
Strengths
1. Defense Cooperation with Switzerland
Liechtenstein maintains an informal but well-established security relationship with Switzerland, which assumes responsibility for the principality’s defense through cross-border agreements, shared emergency coordination, and airspace protection.
2. Highly Professional Civil Security Institutions
The Liechtenstein National Police is well-equipped and integrated into European law enforcement networks, providing border security, internal order, and VIP protection.
3. Stable Geography and Political Neutrality
Liechtenstein benefits from natural geographic protection in the Alps, and its long-standing policy of armed neutrality has prevented conflict exposure and minimized the need for indigenous defense forces.
4. Integration with European Civil Defense Frameworks
Liechtenstein actively participates in multilateral European civil protection programs, allowing for rapid response coordination in case of natural disasters, terrorist threats, or cross-border emergencies.
Why Liechtenstein Is Still Ranked 144th
No Military Force or Combat Units: Liechtenstein has no army, navy, or air force, and has not maintained one since the 19th century. All defense requirements are outsourced.
Lack of Strategic Deterrence: Without any offensive or defensive military assets—such as artillery, air defenses, or combat personnel—the country cannot deter, defend against, or project power independently.
Complete Dependence on External Defense: Liechtenstein's national defense rests solely on diplomatic arrangements and Swiss coordination, which, while stable, eliminate autonomous military decision-making.
Minimal Operational Capacity for Large-Scale Crisis: While its police and civil agencies are competent, they are trained for domestic incidents, not for high-intensity conflict or national defense scenarios.
Conclusion
Liechtenstein’s ranking of 144th reflects its entirely demilitarized status, dependence on Switzerland, and commitment to neutrality. Though it lacks conventional defense capabilities, Liechtenstein is a model of stable non-military sovereignty, underpinned by geographic insulation, strong civil institutions, and trusted defense relationships. Its secure position within Europe’s political and security framework ensures national integrity, even in the absence of force.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: None (defense provided by Switzerland)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 100 (Police and Civil Defense)
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel: None (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: None
Ground Forces
Liechtenstein does not maintain any form of military ground forces. The country's internal security and law enforcement responsibilities are managed by the police and civil defense forces.
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None
Air Wing
Liechtenstein does not maintain an air force. Air defense is provided by Switzerland under bilateral defense agreements.
Naval Forces
Being a landlocked country, Liechtenstein does not have any naval forces.
Missile Capabilities
Liechtenstein does not possess any missile capabilities and relies entirely on Switzerland for its external defense.
Strategic Partnerships
Liechtenstein's defense is managed through a longstanding agreement with Switzerland, which assumes responsibility for protecting the principality from external threats. The country maintains close ties with its neighbors, focusing on economic and internal security cooperation.
Military History & Combat Experience
Liechtenstein has one of the longest-standing traditions of military non-engagement in the world, having abolished its military in 1868 and remained at peace ever since. Its modern security presence consists solely of law enforcement, border control, and civil protection under non-combat operational mandates.
Abolition of the Army – Post-1866 Neutrality
After the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, Liechtenstein officially abolished its military in 1868, citing both budgetary reasons and a strategic commitment to neutrality. Since then, it has relied on diplomatic engagement, peaceful foreign policy, and neighboring partnerships to maintain its sovereignty.Swiss Partnership for External Security
Liechtenstein shares a customs and monetary union with Switzerland, and while no formal military alliance exists, Switzerland is understood to provide defense assistance if required. Joint coordination exists in airspace control, emergency response, and cross-border policing.Participation in Schengen-Area Security Coordination
As a Schengen Agreement signatory, Liechtenstein contributes to European-wide border control, intelligence sharing, and law enforcement operations, often working with Interpol, Europol, and Swiss security agencies to manage threats beyond its own capacity.Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness
The Civil Protection Division is responsible for managing natural disasters, infrastructure emergencies, and population protection during crises. These activities simulate high-readiness civil deployment, although they remain strictly non-military in nature.No Participation in International Conflicts
Liechtenstein has not taken part in any 20th- or 21st-century wars, peacekeeping operations, or coalition missions, making it one of the least militarized sovereign nations globally, with no combat or expeditionary experience.
Liechtenstein’s security identity is defined by its voluntary demilitarization, its high-trust external defense arrangements, and its commitment to peaceful coexistence in Europe. Its civil-focused security institutions serve internal needs efficiently but lack any military relevance beyond domestic stability and international policing coordination.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~39,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~16,000
Geographic Area: 160 km²
Land Boundaries: 76 km
Bordering Countries: Switzerland, Austria
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow; mild summers
Terrain: Mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in the west
Natural Resources: Hydropower, arable land, forests
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$0 (no military; national defense covered by neutrality and Swiss cooperation)
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0%
GDP (PPP): ~$7.6 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$195,000 (among the highest globally)
External Debt: Negligible (not publicly reported; minimal government borrowing)
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): None
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: None (military abolished in 1868)
Primary Defense Focus: Civil protection and police functions
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal; civilian cybercrime units under national police
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: None
Missile Inventory Highlights: None
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Not applicable
Reservist Force Size: N/A
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Security handled by National Police and foreign intelligence partnerships
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Switzerland, EUROPOL, INTERPOL
Airports (Total): 0 (nearest airport in Switzerland; private helipads in-country)
Major Military Airports: None
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: ~9 km (connected to Swiss Federal Railways)
Roadways: ~250 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Electricity and petroleum products imported from Switzerland and Austria
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Managed through Swiss agreements
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): None
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None
Defense Alliances: Neutral state; informal cooperation with Switzerland
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: None
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Finance, precision manufacturing, civil logistics
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Vaduz
Founding Date: January 23, 1719 (recognized as a principality within the Holy Roman Empire)
System of Government: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system
