Nicaragua Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 138th
MPR SCORE: 221
MPR Index: 0.0553 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8952 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.602 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Nicaragua ranks 138th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its armed forces, known as the Nicaraguan Army, are structured primarily for internal security, border defense, and regime stability. The military operates with strong centralized control and has expanded its role in domestic governance, infrastructure development, and disaster response under the current political leadership.
While Nicaragua’s military is not structured for large-scale external warfighting, it maintains a capable land force and a limited naval and air presence, supported by strategic cooperation with Russia, Venezuela, and other regional allies. The armed forces also play a significant role in coastal protection, counter-narcotics operations, and territorial monitoring in the Caribbean Sea and along its borders with Costa Rica and Honduras.
Military Strengths
Overview
Nicaragua’s military strength lies in its internal control capacity, regional partnerships, and low-cost operational model that emphasizes sustainability over modernization.
1. Militarized Internal Governance
The Nicaraguan military is deeply integrated into domestic institutions, civil policing, and infrastructure development projects.
Centralized command enables rapid mobilization for domestic crisis response, political stability, and border protection.
2. Strong Intelligence and Surveillance Apparatus
Close coordination with state security forces and intelligence agencies.
Focus on suppressing insurgencies, organized crime, and anti-government movements.
3. Russian Military Cooperation
Receives technical support, training, and limited military hardware from Russia.
Hosts a satellite ground station and receives bilateral military assistance under Moscow’s strategic outreach to Latin America.
4. Geographic Advantage
Natural terrain supports defensive strategy with mountainous interior and jungle-covered borders.
Long coastlines allow for surveillance-based maritime defense doctrine.
Why Nicaragua Is Still Ranked 138th
Limited Power Projection Capability
Nicaragua lacks the logistical, aerial, or naval capacity to operate outside its borders in any sustained combat role.Obsolete Equipment and Minimal Air Force
The air force is largely outdated, with minimal combat aircraft and basic rotary assets for transport and observation roles.Lack of Strategic Deterrence Tools
No missile systems, modern armor units, or area-denial capabilities hinder its deterrent posture even regionally.Overreliance on Political Centralization
Military effectiveness is tied to regime stability. In the event of internal unrest or political breakdown, force cohesion may be compromised.
Conclusion
Nicaragua maintains a relatively small but politically powerful military that serves more as a tool of domestic enforcement and regime preservation than conventional warfighting. While it benefits from international support, particularly from Russia, and has embedded its forces deeply into civil society and governance, its strategic value remains localized and defensive. Its rank reflects minimal external force projection, low modernization, and limited operational capacity beyond national borders.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 15,000
Reserve Personnel: 8,000
Paramilitary Forces: 7,000 (National Police and internal security units)
Army Personnel: 11,000
Navy Personnel: 2,000
Air Force Personnel: 2,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 50+ (T-55, limited operational readiness)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 200+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 150+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 20+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 2 (limited service)
Attack Helicopters: 4+
Transport Aircraft: 6+
Training Aircraft: 6+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mi-17 and Mi-24 Helicopters: In operation
An-26 Transport Planes: Limited service
L-39 Albatros Trainer Aircraft: Used for light air operations
Naval Forces
Warships: 8+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 0
Patrol Boats: 8+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Patrol craft used for coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling, and EEZ enforcement
Maritime capacity focused on Caribbean and Pacific coasts
Missile Capabilities
Nicaragua does not possess strategic or advanced missile systems. Ground-based artillery, short-range rockets, and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) form the basis of its deterrent posture. Some Russian-supplied systems are reportedly in inventory but limited in operational readiness.
Strategic Partnerships
Nicaragua maintains close defense ties with Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, including defense cooperation agreements, joint training, and technology transfers. The military also engages in regional anti-narcotics coordination and internal counter-insurgency roles, particularly along border regions.
Military History & Combat Experience
Nicaragua’s military legacy is shaped by internal conflict, revolutionary warfare, and counterinsurgency operations, rather than conventional war with other states.
Sandinista Revolution (1961–1979):
The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) waged a guerrilla war against the Somoza dictatorship, culminating in a successful revolution in 1979. The FSLN developed asymmetric tactics, popular mobilization, and urban guerrilla warfare, which laid the foundation for the modern Nicaraguan military structure.Contra War / U.S. Proxy Conflict (1981–1990):
Following the revolution, Nicaragua fought an extended civil conflict against the U.S.-backed Contra insurgency. The war featured guerrilla ambushes, rural attrition warfare, and political suppression. The Nicaraguan military, with Cuban and Soviet training, developed internal defense zones, militia-based support networks, and civil-military integration during this period.Border Tensions with Costa Rica (2010–2015):
A series of territorial disputes over the San Juan River and border demarcation escalated into diplomatic and paramilitary friction. Though no major combat occurred, troop deployments, border patrols, and engineer units were activated in a show of force.Caribbean Anti-Drug Operations (2000s–Present):
The Nicaraguan Navy and special forces conduct ongoing maritime patrols and joint interdiction missions against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, often with U.S. and regional cooperation. These operations involve small craft interdiction, jungle pursuit teams, and logistics control checkpoints.
Nicaragua’s military has not fought in conventional interstate wars in the modern era but has developed combat-tested experience through internal conflict, counterinsurgency, and border deployments, giving it a hardened, regime-loyal force structure oriented toward territorial control rather than expeditionary capabilities.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~6.9 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~2.5 million
Geographic Area: 130,375 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,253 km
Bordering Countries: Costa Rica, Honduras
Coastline: 910 km
Climate: Tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain: Coastal plains, central mountains, volcanoes
Natural Resources: Gold, silver, copper, fish, timber
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$340 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.0%
GDP (PPP): ~$40 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$5,800
External Debt: ~$14 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steady; regime-focused defense posture
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal control, border protection, regime security
Military Industry Base: Minimal; uniforms and basic logistics
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Limited
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided under Nicaraguan Army High Command
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, mortars, artillery
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~25,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military Intelligence Directorate, Interior Ministry
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Russia, Venezuela, regional anti-drug coalitions
Airports (Total): ~147
Major Military Airports: Managua (dual-use), Puerto Cabezas
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Minimal
Major Ports: Corinto, Puerto Cabezas, Bluefields
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol boats, interceptors
Naval Replenishment Capability: Coastal only
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~24,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: High fuel import dependency
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains small national stockpiles
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Basic logistics and textile support
Military Installations (Domestic): Managua, Estelí, Bluefields
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Russian training personnel
Defense Alliances: ALBA, bilateral cooperation with Russia and Venezuela
Strategic Airlift Capability: Small fixed-wing and helicopter fleet
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Mining logistics, agricultural supply networks
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Managua
Founding Date: September 15, 1821 (independence from Spain)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic (authoritarian)
