Madagascar Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 110th
MPR SCORE: 257
MPR Index: 0.0733 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8782 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.508 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Madagascar ranks 110th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces, the Forces Armées de Madagascar (FAMa), are focused primarily on internal security, natural disaster response, and coastal protection. As an island nation in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar's defense posture is shaped by geographic isolation, with the military oriented around maritime security, territorial surveillance, and civil-military support functions rather than power projection.
The FAMa includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, but all branches face budgetary and logistical constraints, limiting modernization and operational range. Madagascar’s security doctrine emphasizes sovereignty enforcement, anti-smuggling patrols, and emergency assistance, especially during frequent cyclones and flooding events. Although not engaged in external conflict, Madagascar plays a stabilizing role in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and contributes occasionally to regional maritime coordination efforts in the Western Indian Ocean.
Strengths
1. Strategic Maritime Surveillance Focus
As a large island with a vast EEZ, Madagascar’s military is trained for coastal defense, illegal fishing deterrence, and anti-smuggling operations, particularly in cooperation with regional maritime partners.
2. Civil Support and Disaster Response Capability
The armed forces are frequently deployed in post-cyclone recovery, infrastructure restoration, and emergency supply distribution, reinforcing their role as a core institution for civilian resilience.
3. Politically Stable Command Structure
Despite past political turbulence, the FAMa has remained institutionally intact, operating under civilian control and avoiding large-scale factionalism or insurgent conflict, allowing consistent governance support.
Why Madagascar Is Still Ranked 110th
1. Limited Modern Equipment and Force Projection
The military operates with aging platforms, light arms, and minimal air or naval modernization, restricting its ability to conduct extended patrols, enforce EEZ sovereignty, or respond to external threats without assistance.
2. Minimal Combat Readiness or Regional Influence
Madagascar does not participate in external missions or regional peacekeeping, nor does it maintain combat units capable of high-intensity operations, reducing its strategic footprint and warfighting preparedness.
3. Low Defense Investment and Infrastructure Challenges
Defense spending is modest and focused on maintenance, not acquisition or doctrine reform. Madagascar’s island geography creates logistical complications, especially for deploying forces inland or across rugged coastal terrain.
Conclusion
Madagascar’s armed forces represent a low-capability but strategically important force, designed for homeland security, maritime enforcement, and disaster relief, rather than combat or deterrence. While lacking in conventional strength or regional influence, the FAMa fulfills a vital role in maintaining internal order, environmental response, and coastal sovereignty. Its ranking reflects the balance of geographic necessity, limited modernization, and a narrowly defined defense mission centered on non-military threats.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 21,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 5,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 12,000 (Gendarmerie and Police)
Army Personnel: 18,000
Navy Personnel: 2,000
Air Force Personnel: 1,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 50+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 30+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: None
Helicopters: 10+
Transport Aircraft: 5+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mi-8 Helicopters: 5 (utility helicopters)
Transport Aircraft: 2 (small utility aircraft for transport and relief missions)
Naval Forces
Madagascar’s navy is small but essential for patrolling its waters and countering maritime threats such as piracy and illegal fishing. The naval fleet primarily consists of patrol boats for coastal defense.
Patrol Vessels: 15+
Amphibious Assault Ships: None
Fast Attack Craft: 5+
Missile Capabilities
Madagascar does not possess advanced missile systems, nuclear capabilities, or air defense systems. Its military is focused primarily on maintaining internal stability and maritime security.
Strategic Partnerships
Madagascar maintains defense cooperation with regional organizations such as the Indian Ocean Commission. The country also has ties with France, its former colonial power, which provides military assistance and training. The military also engages in peacekeeping missions under the African Union, further contributing to regional stability.
Military History & Combat Experience
Madagascar’s military history is marked more by internal political transitions and disaster relief deployments than by traditional combat operations or interstate conflict. The country has remained largely peaceful in regional terms, with limited military engagement beyond its borders.
Post-Independence Military Role (1960s–1980s):
After gaining independence from France in 1960, the military assumed a central role in national development and regime support. Though not involved in war, it was tasked with infrastructure projects, rural security, and social mobilization under single-party rule.Political Crisis and Coup (2009):
A power struggle led to a military-backed political transition when Andry Rajoelina ousted President Marc Ravalomanana. The military played a decisive but restrained role, facilitating the handover without sustained armed conflict or civil breakdown, reinforcing its position as a mediating force rather than a political actor.Anti-Piracy and Maritime Patrol Expansion (2010s–present):
In response to Indian Ocean piracy, the Madagascar Navy began working with regional maritime coordination centers to improve coastal awareness and illegal fishing surveillance, although capabilities remain limited to coastal waters and short-duration patrols.Disaster Relief Operations (ongoing):
The FAMa is regularly mobilized to respond to cyclones, flooding, and infrastructure collapse, playing a leading role in evacuations, medical support, and engineering reconstruction. These missions define its modern operational identity.
While Madagascar lacks direct military combat experience, its armed forces remain vital to civil stability, environmental resilience, and coastal sovereignty, maintaining a quiet but essential presence in the country’s national structure.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~30.5 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~10.3 million
Geographic Area: 587,041 km²
Land Boundaries: 0 km (island nation)
Bordering Countries: None
Coastline: 4,828 km
Climate: Tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: Narrow coastal plain, high plateau, mountains
Natural Resources: Graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, titanium, nickel, precious stones
Proven Oil Reserves: ~1.7 billion barrels (undeveloped)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: Minimal
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$340 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.4%
GDP (PPP): ~$47 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$1,550
External Debt: ~$6 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steady with civil defense and internal security focus
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal stability, disaster response, coastal surveillance
Military Industry Base: Limited
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Regional zones under Ministry of Armed Forces
Missile Inventory Highlights: Mortars, light artillery
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 45–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~25,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Directorate of Military Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: African Union, regional alliances
Airports (Total): ~83
Major Military Airports: Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Toamasina
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~15 vessels
Major Ports: Toamasina, Mahajanga, Antsiranana
Naval Infrastructure: Light patrol vessels, coastal surveillance
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited to island logistics
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~850 km
Roadways: ~49,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High; petroleum-based fuel dependence
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national stockpiles
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Ammunition, logistics support
Military Installations (Domestic): Antananarivo, Diego Suarez, Fianarantsoa
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: French advisors (limited)
Defense Alliances: African Union, regional pacts
Strategic Airlift Capability: CASA C-212, light utility aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: JIRAMA (energy), state agriculture, port authorities
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Antananarivo
Founding Date: June 26, 1960 (independence from France)
System of Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic
