Nauru Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 200th
MPR SCORE: 113
MPR Index: 0.0011 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9466 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0..887 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Nauru ranks 200th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As the smallest island nation in the world by land area, Nauru does not maintain a standing military force. Its national security is managed by a small civilian police force, and the country’s external defense responsibilities are informally assumed by Australia, under a long-standing security partnership. Nauru’s internal security institutions are focused on law enforcement, civil protection, and immigration facility management, particularly in partnership with Australia. Its defense strategy is based on reliance, diplomacy, and non-militarized sovereignty, rather than any independent military capability.
Strengths
1. Security Support from Australia
Nauru receives external defense guarantees and direct security support from Australia, including police training, logistical assistance, and military protection if required.
2. Organized Internal Police Force
The Nauru Police Force is responsible for law enforcement, border control, immigration enforcement, and civil order, providing effective day-to-day security within a compact jurisdiction.
3. Strategic Alignment with Australia and the Pacific Region
Nauru’s strong ties to Australia and its participation in regional organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum allow it to maintain regional relevance, especially in migration, surveillance, and diplomatic security cooperation.
4. Minimal Threat Profile and Geographic Isolation
Nauru’s remote location, non-aggressive posture, and lack of bordering states reduce the likelihood of conflict, allowing its limited security structure to function effectively in a stable environment.
Why Nauru Is Ranked 200th
No Army, Navy, or Air Force: Nauru has no military forces, no combat capability, and no defense institutions beyond basic policing, leaving it unable to engage in war or independent defense.
No Strategic Deterrence or Combat Assets: The country has no missiles, air defenses, or military-grade infrastructure, making it fully dependent on outside protection in case of external threats.
Full Reliance on Australia for Defense: While cooperative and secure, Nauru's arrangement with Australia places all national defense responsibilities in foreign hands, eliminating autonomous decision-making in military scenarios.
Very Limited Force Size and Budget: The Nauru Police Force is small and resourced for internal order and administrative functions, not for combat readiness, deployment, or regional enforcement operations.
Conclusion
Nauru’s ranking at 142nd reflects its non-militarized structure, full reliance on Australia for national defense, and internal focus on policing and civil enforcement. With no armed forces, deterrence tools, or strategic assets, Nauru’s defense is a matter of diplomatic alignment and external partnership trust. Despite this, its stable political environment, internal security mechanisms, and regional cooperation frameworks enable it to function securely as a fully sovereign microstate.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: None (defense provided by Australia)
Paramilitary Forces: 100 (Nauru Police Force)
Reserve Personnel: None
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel: None
Air Force Personnel: None
Ground Forces
Nauru does not have any formal military forces. Internal security is maintained by the Nauru Police Force, which handles law enforcement and civil protection.
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None
Air Wing
Nauru does not maintain an air force. Airspace security is provided by Australia as part of the defense agreement between the two nations.
Naval Forces
Nauru does not operate a navy, but the country does maintain a small maritime surveillance unit responsible for protecting its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and conducting search and rescue operations.
Missile Capabilities
Nauru does not possess any missile systems and relies entirely on Australia for its defense.
Strategic Partnerships
Nauru’s defense is guaranteed by Australia under an informal defense agreement. The island nation has no formal military alliances but maintains strong diplomatic and strategic ties with Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific island nations. Nauru is a member of regional organizations that support mutual security and cooperation, including the Pacific Islands Forum.
Military History & Combat Experience
Nauru has no history of warfare or military engagement, and has never operated an armed force. Its security experience is centered around domestic policing, immigration enforcement, and external defense reliance, particularly through close ties with Australia.
Informal Defense Arrangement with Australia (Ongoing)
While no formal treaty exists, Australia is understood to assume responsibility for Nauru’s defense under a long-standing bilateral understanding. This includes military protection, police support, and emergency assistance, and is reinforced by regional defense dialogues.Nauru Police Force – Internal Security Operations
The Nauru Police Force is responsible for law enforcement, border protection, and management of detention facilities, particularly those related to offshore asylum processing conducted in cooperation with Australia. These operations provide structured internal readiness, but remain non-military in nature.Support Roles in Regional Civil Protection Initiatives
Nauru participates in Pacific-wide disaster response frameworks and humanitarian coordination efforts, especially in response to cyclones, coastal erosion, and infrastructure emergencies. Its security agencies coordinate with partners like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan during such events.No Combat or Expeditionary Experience
Nauru does not participate in peacekeeping missions, coalition deployments, or any form of international defense initiative. It maintains a strict focus on domestic law enforcement, immigration control, and civil stability.
Though lacking any military background or combat capability, Nauru maintains a functionally adequate internal security model, enhanced by Australia’s external defense commitment and its own administrative discipline. Its defense identity is shaped not by force, but by strategic dependency, regional loyalty, and diplomatic predictability.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~10,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~4,000
Geographic Area: 21 km² (third smallest country in the world by land area)
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 30 km
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid with seasonal rainfall
Terrain: Central plateau surrounded by fertile coastal belt; interior scarred by phosphate mining
Natural Resources: Phosphate (heavily depleted), fish
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$5 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$300 million USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$30,000
External Debt: ~$90 million USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat; primarily for policing, maritime surveillance, and infrastructure
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: No standing military; security provided by Nauru Police Force
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, border monitoring, and maritime protection
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: None
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Nauru Police Force with Maritime Surveillance Unit under Ministry of Justice and Border Control
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: Minimal; basic police intelligence and immigration control
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Australia, Pacific Islands Forum
Airports (Total): 1
Major Military Airports: Nauru International Airport (civilian use; may serve emergency response roles)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Very small
Major Ports: Aiwo
Naval Infrastructure: Patrol boats operated under Australian maritime assistance
Naval Replenishment Capability: Minimal; basic harbor services
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~5 km (phosphate transport only; mostly defunct)
Roadways: ~30 km (circumferential road around the island)
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully reliant on imported petroleum products
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Yaren (police and coast watch base)
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Occasional Australian advisors and maritime trainers
Defense Alliances: Bilateral assistance from Australia; Pacific Islands Forum regional cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: None
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Maritime logistics, phosphate shipping, government administration
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Yaren (de facto; no official capital)
Founding Date: January 31, 1968 (independence from Australia-administered UN trusteeship)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
