Palau 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
Palau ranks 196th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. This western Pacific island nation maintains no standing military force, relying entirely on the United States for its national defense under the Compact of Free Association (COFA). The country’s internal security structure is composed of the Palau Bureau of Public Safety, including its Marine Law Enforcement Division, which conducts maritime surveillance, law enforcement, and disaster response. Palau’s geostrategic location, situated between Guam and the Philippines, makes it an important partner in regional Indo-Pacific security frameworks, especially for U.S.-led defense initiatives countering influence from other Pacific powers.
Strengths
1. Full Defense Guarantee from the United States (COFA)
Through its Compact of Free Association, Palau receives unconditional military protection from the United States, including defense of its territory, airspace, and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), backed by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
2. Maritime Law Enforcement and EEZ Patrols
Palau maintains a Marine Law Enforcement Division, which is responsible for coastal surveillance, anti-poaching operations, and exclusive economic zone protection, especially given Palau’s declaration of a massive marine sanctuary.
3. Strategic Pacific Location
Palau’s geographic position gives it importance as a forward partner in the U.S. Indo-Pacific security strategy, enhancing its standing in joint military planning, logistics staging, and radar site hosting agreements.
4. International Disaster Relief Coordination
Palau’s civil security services are experienced in working with the U.S., Japan, Australia, and other regional partners for humanitarian assistance, climate adaptation, and emergency response exercises.
Why Palau Is Still Ranked 196th
No Military Force of Its Own: Palau has no army, navy, or air force, and does not operate any combat-capable units or training infrastructure for warfare.
No Strategic Deterrence or Combat Capability: The country lacks heavy weapons, air defenses, and strategic mobility, leaving it unable to respond independently to any external threat.
Total Dependency on External Defense: All matters of defense, including policy, coordination, and warfighting, are handled by the United States, limiting Palau’s military sovereignty.
Small Force Size and Narrow Operational Scope: Palau’s internal security forces are focused on civil policing, EEZ patrol, and disaster readiness, not military operations or international deployment.
Conclusion
Palau’s ranking of 196th reflects its status as a fully demilitarized Pacific microstate, under the protection of the United States. Its internal forces are organized around maritime law enforcement, disaster relief, and border control, but lack any traditional military roles. While its own defense capabilities are minimal, Palau plays an outsized role in regional geostrategic calculations due to its location and strong partnership with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The nation’s security strategy emphasizes external guarantees, operational cooperation, and non-militarized sovereignty management.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: None (defense provided by the United States)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 100 (Police and Maritime Surveillance Unit)
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel (Maritime Surveillance Unit): 50
Air Force Personnel: None
Ground Forces
Palau has no standing army. The country's internal security is managed by local police forces and its maritime surveillance unit. External defense is provided by the United States.
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None
Air Wing
Palau does not maintain an air force. All aerial defense and air patrols are handled by the United States.
Naval Forces (Maritime Surveillance Unit)
Palau’s maritime surveillance unit focuses on maintaining the security of the country’s vast maritime territory, with particular emphasis on combatting illegal fishing, piracy, and smuggling. The nation’s small fleet of patrol boats is tasked with these roles.
Patrol Boats: 3
Missile Capabilities
Palau does not possess any missile systems or advanced military technology. Its defense relies on its strategic partnership with the United States for military support and protection.
Strategic Partnerships
Palau has a defense agreement with the United States under the Compact of Free Association, which ensures U.S. military protection. Palau also participates in regional security initiatives and has defense cooperation agreements with other Pacific nations, enhancing its role in regional stability.
Military History & Combat Experience
Palau has no history of engaging in warfare or maintaining a national military force. Its modern defense responsibilities are carried out exclusively through its Compact of Free Association with the United States, and its internal forces have experience primarily in maritime policing, domestic enforcement, and natural disaster response.
Compact of Free Association – Defense Delegation to the U.S. (Since 1994)
Upon its full independence in 1994, Palau entered into a COFA agreement with the United States, under which the U.S. provides defense, security policy coordination, and exclusive military access rights. In return, Palau receives economic aid, infrastructure support, and guaranteed military intervention in case of external aggression.Internal Security – Marine Law Enforcement Division
Palau’s Marine Law Enforcement Division, under the Ministry of Justice, conducts coastal monitoring, EEZ patrol, and vessel interdiction, especially targeting illegal fishing vessels and enforcing conservation laws in the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest protected maritime zones globally.Support for U.S. Strategic Installations
Palau has approved the hosting of U.S. over-the-horizon radar systems, early warning facilities, and naval logistics staging, as part of broader U.S. efforts to monitor Chinese movements and enhance Indo-Pacific surveillance. While not operated by Palauan forces, this further integrates the nation into strategic defense planning.Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operations
Palau's security services are frequently mobilized for typhoon response, climate adaptation initiatives, and emergency evacuations, especially during Typhoon Bopha (2012) and flooding events. These missions reinforce the multi-role function of Palau’s internal security infrastructure.Joint Training with Foreign Partners
Palau participates in exercises such as Pacific Partnership, involving U.S. Navy, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, and Australian humanitarian missions, offering experience in interagency coordination, maritime logistics, and crisis response drills, albeit non-combat in nature.
Palau has no warfighting history or military infrastructure, but maintains a highly relevant position in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific defense system. Its security identity is shaped by external protection, law enforcement-based sovereignty, and a deep strategic alliance with the United States.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~18,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~7,000
Geographic Area: 459 km² (over 300 islands)
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 1,519 km
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid with heavy rainfall year-round
Terrain: Varies from volcanic islands with high hills to low coral atolls
Natural Resources: Fish, forests, minerals, arable land, marine biodiversity
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$0 (defense responsibilities handled by the United States)
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0%
GDP (PPP): ~$320 million USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$17,800
External Debt: ~$130 million USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): None; U.S. manages external defense under Compact
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: No standing military; security provided by Palau National Police and U.S. defense commitments
Primary Defense Focus: Maritime law enforcement, internal security, disaster response
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Division of Marine Law Enforcement under Ministry of Justice
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: Domestic intelligence limited; external coordination with U.S.
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: United States, Japan
Airports (Total): ~4
Major Military Airports: Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (civilian use; accessible to U.S. military)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Very small
Major Ports: Koror
Naval Infrastructure: Coast Guard-type patrol boats for EEZ enforcement
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic; with U.S. and Japanese assistance
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~850 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on imported petroleum products
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): None under Palauan control; U.S. has access rights
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. rotational presence under Compact of Free Association
Defense Alliances: Compact of Free Association with the United States
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Fisheries, port services, marine logistics
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Ngerulmud
Founding Date: October 1, 1994 (sovereignty under Compact with the U.S.)
System of Government: Presidential republic in free association with the United States
