Monaco Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 191st
MPR SCORE: 126
MPR Index: 0.0077 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9404 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.853 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Monaco ranks 191st in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. A sovereign city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, Monaco does not maintain a standing military force. Instead, its national defense is guaranteed by a long-standing bilateral defense agreement with France, which is responsible for the principality’s external protection. Monaco operates internal security forces, including the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Guard), the Public Security Department, and the Maritime and Airport Police Division, all focused on law enforcement, border control, and territorial sovereignty. Its defense posture is rooted in diplomacy, neutrality, and external guarantees, rather than independent military capability.

Strengths

1. Full Military Protection from France

Under the Franco-Monégasque Treaty, France provides guaranteed military defense for Monaco, including territorial integrity, airspace protection, and maritime security, giving the principality strategic security without maintaining its own army.

2. Highly Professional Internal Security Forces

Monaco maintains a disciplined and well-funded internal security force, including the Carabiniers du Prince, fire brigade, and specialized police divisions, which protect the royal family, control borders, and conduct counterterrorism duties.

3. Strategic Location and Diplomatic Immunity

Situated between France and the Mediterranean, Monaco enjoys high geopolitical insulation, diplomatic protections, and intelligence sharing with French, EU, and Interpol-linked entities.

4. Maritime Surveillance and Port Security

Monaco’s Maritime Police Division patrols its waters and ensures port security, particularly relevant to maritime tourism, VIP events, and coastal law enforcement.

Why Monaco Is Still Ranked 191st

No Independent Armed Forces: Monaco operates without any army, navy, or air force, and has no plans to develop such capabilities. Its defense is fully outsourced.
Lack of Strategic Deterrence or Force Projection: The country has no missiles, combat aircraft, or armored vehicles, and cannot respond autonomously to external aggression.
Total Dependence on France for Defense: While highly secure, Monaco’s sovereignty defense is not its own. In military terms, its operational autonomy is near zero.
Narrow Security Focus on Civil Protection: Monaco’s defense institutions are optimized for law enforcement, ceremonial duties, and VIP protection, not for combat or national defense.

Conclusion

Monaco ranks 143rd due to its complete absence of independent military power and its full reliance on France for national defense. Its internal forces—though elite and well-equipped—are oriented toward civil protection, border control, and symbolic military roles. Monaco is effectively a non-militarized microstate whose security is guaranteed by external treaties, high diplomatic status, and strong internal policing infrastructure. Its unique model offers maximum stability within a minimal defense footprint, but zero capacity for independent warfighting or deterrence.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: None (defense provided by France)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 250 (Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince and Maritime Police)
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel (Maritime Police): 100
Air Force Personnel: None

Ground Forces

Monaco does not have a standing army. Its security is managed by the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, a ceremonial and protective force responsible for safeguarding the Prince, and local police forces.

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None

Air Wing

Monaco does not maintain an air force. Aerial defense and patrols over Monaco's airspace are the responsibility of France.

Naval Forces (Maritime Police)

Monaco’s naval forces consist of a small fleet of maritime police boats that are responsible for patrolling and protecting its territorial waters.

Patrol Boats: 3

Missile Capabilities

Monaco does not possess any missile systems, relying on France’s military capabilities for its defense needs.

Strategic Partnerships

Monaco's defense is secured through a bilateral agreement with France, which ensures the protection of the principality in times of crisis. France has historically been Monaco’s key defense partner and provides military support and security as needed.

Military History & Combat Experience

Monaco has no history of modern military conflict, nor does it maintain any institutions capable of combat engagement. The principality’s role in military affairs has been non-combat ceremonial, with its real-world security experience limited to internal policing, border enforcement, and emergency readiness.

Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1918 and Revised Agreements (2002)
Monaco's defense framework has been codified through binding treaties with France, notably the 1918 agreement and its 2002 revision, which clarified Monaco’s sovereignty and France’s continued responsibility for military protection. These treaties have insulated Monaco from all military threats and ensured perpetual peacetime status.
Internal Security Operations – VIP Protection and Event Security
Monaco’s Carabiniers du Prince and police units are regularly deployed for high-profile event security, including the Monaco Grand Prix, royal ceremonies, and diplomatic visits. These operations involve tactical coordination, crowd management, and anti-terror monitoring, albeit in a civilian context.
Coastal Surveillance and Maritime Law Enforcement
The Maritime and Airport Police Division is tasked with protecting Monaco’s territorial waters, intercepting unauthorized vessels, and monitoring port traffic, particularly during high-alert periods or state visits. These missions simulate small-scale enforcement operations but lack a military dimension.
Intelligence and Law Enforcement Cooperation with France
Monaco’s forces cooperate closely with French police and intelligence services, as well as Interpol, in efforts to manage transnational threats such as money laundering, organized crime, and terrorist activity. These operations provide operational exposure in international policing, not combat.

Monaco has no war record, no military force, and no combat veterans. Its defense doctrine is founded entirely on external protection, diplomatic neutrality, and internal civil order. While secure and stable, it stands as one of the world’s most pacified states, both in policy and in practice.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~39,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~15,000
Geographic Area: 2.1 km²
Land Boundaries: 5.5 km
Bordering Countries: France
Coastline: 4.1 km (Mediterranean Sea)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain: Hilly, rugged, densely urbanized coastal enclave
Natural Resources: None (entirely urbanized); economic resources are financial services and tourism
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$12 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.4%
GDP (PPP): ~$9 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$234,000 (highest globally)
External Debt: None (no reported public debt)
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat; security relies heavily on bilateral agreement with France

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, ceremonial duties, limited coastal patrol
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince and Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers (paramilitary fire brigade)
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: Internal intelligence handled by Direction de la Sûreté Publique
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: France, INTERPOL, EUROPOL
Airports (Total): 0 (serviced via Nice, France; heliport in Monte Carlo)
Major Military Airports: None

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: Moderate (flag of convenience registry)
Major Ports: Port Hercule, Port Fontvieille
Naval Infrastructure: Limited to port police and ceremonial units
Naval Replenishment Capability: None

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: Yes (short section of regional French rail system)
Roadways: ~77 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on France
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: None

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Prince’s Palace Guard Barracks, Port Police Base
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: French military personnel available by treaty (on request)
Defense Alliances: Defense responsibility under treaty with France (since 1918)
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: None