San Marino
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 199th
MPR SCORE: 115
MPR Index: 0.0021 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9456 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.882 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
San Marino ranks 199th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics, San Marino maintains no standing military force. Located entirely within northeastern Italy, its defense is informally supported by Italy, with which it shares strong diplomatic and logistical ties. Internally, San Marino relies on its Gendarmerie, Guard of the Great and General Council, and Civil Police Corps for law enforcement, border control, and ceremonial protection. The country’s defense policy emphasizes neutrality, internal security, and civil emergency response, rather than armed conflict or power projection.
Strengths
1. Defense Guarantee through Italian Cooperation
Though not formalized in a treaty, Italy assumes de facto responsibility for San Marino’s external defense, providing a security umbrella via airspace control and territorial proximity.
2. Professional Internal Law Enforcement Agencies
San Marino’s Gendarmerie and Civil Police manage domestic security, VIP protection, and event management, while the Guard of the Great and General Council handles ceremonial and institutional security.
3. Strong Political Stability and Legal Sovereignty
San Marino enjoys stable governance, low crime rates, and complete independence, allowing it to maintain order without military force.
4. Integration into European Civil Security Systems
Despite its size, San Marino is linked to Italian and EU disaster response frameworks, enabling it to mobilize external support rapidly in case of natural or man-made emergencies.
Why San Marino Is Still Ranked 199th
No Armed Forces or Military Infrastructure: San Marino does not possess an army, navy, air force, or military installations, and has no military command structure.
Lack of Strategic Deterrence or Combat Capability: The republic has no weapons systems, radar coverage, or combat training, making it incapable of defending its sovereignty independently.
Full Dependence on Italian Military Protection: All external threats are implicitly assumed to be handled by Italy, which reduces sovereign control over national defense decisions.
Minimal Personnel and Operational Capacity: San Marino’s security personnel are limited in number and trained for civil policing, not for national defense or combat operations.
Conclusion
San Marino’s ranking of 199th reflects its demilitarized status, its complete reliance on Italy for defense, and its internal focus on law enforcement, ceremonial security, and emergency preparedness. Though it lacks a traditional military, the republic maintains a well-structured internal policing system and is supported by strong external defense relationships. San Marino stands as a modern example of non-military sovereignty, defined by stability, neutrality, and strategic cooperation rather than force.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: None (defense provided by Italy)
Reserve Personnel: None
Paramilitary Forces: 100 (Gendarmerie and Civil Defense Units)
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel: None (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: None
Ground Forces
San Marino does not have a formal army. Law enforcement and civil defense units are responsible for internal security, maintaining public order, and providing civil defense during emergencies.
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None
Air Wing
San Marino does not maintain an air force, relying on Italy for airspace security and defense.
Naval Forces
As a landlocked country, San Marino does not have any naval forces.
Missile Capabilities
San Marino does not possess any missile capabilities and relies entirely on Italy for defense.
Strategic Partnerships
San Marino's defense is supported by Italy, which provides military assistance if needed. The country has historically maintained its neutrality and focuses on diplomatic and economic relations with other nations, primarily Italy.
Military History & Combat Experience
San Marino has no modern history of war or military conflict, and it has not maintained a regular army since the 19th century. Its security functions are fulfilled by ceremonial and policing institutions, with real-world experience limited to domestic law enforcement and civil support operations.
Voluntary Demilitarization and Neutrality (Post-19th Century)
San Marino formally disbanded any permanent military structure in the 1800s, maintaining only small ceremonial corps. Its constitution enshrines a tradition of neutrality, and the country has remained at peace for over a century.Internal Security Agencies with Civil Enforcement Duties
The Gendarmerie serves as the primary national security agency, responsible for law enforcement, public order, border security, and investigations. The Civil Police handles traffic, municipal enforcement, and general policing, while the Guard of the Great and General Council performs ceremonial duties.World War II Humanitarian Role
During World War II, although San Marino was briefly bombed by the Allies (mistakenly believing it to be a German stronghold), the country remained neutral and sheltered over 100,000 war refugees, demonstrating a commitment to civil protection under crisis conditions rather than military engagement.Disaster Response and Emergency Coordination
San Marino's internal agencies are trained in fire response, medical support, and emergency coordination in the event of earthquakes, floods, or mass casualty events, operating closely with Italian civil protection services.No Participation in Foreign Military Operations
San Marino has not joined UN peacekeeping, NATO missions, or EU military exercises, aligning with its strict policy of non-intervention and focus on diplomatic engagement.
San Marino’s defense posture is entirely civilian and ceremonial, shaped by centuries of neutrality and protected by proximity to a powerful ally. Its security system functions through internal policing, legal order, and symbolic military presence, making it one of the least militarized yet most stable countries in the world.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~34,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~14,000
Geographic Area: 61 km²
Land Boundaries: 39 km
Bordering Countries: Italy
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Mediterranean; warm summers and mild winters
Terrain: Rugged mountains with narrow valleys; highest point is Monte Titano
Natural Resources: Building stone, arable land, tourism potential
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$3 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.3%
GDP (PPP): ~$2.2 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$64,000
External Debt: Minimal; low borrowing levels
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat; used primarily for ceremonial, policing, and civil protection functions
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary; ceremonial and security roles only
Primary Defense Focus: Internal policing, ceremonial duties, disaster response
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Corps of the Gendarmerie, Fortress Guard, Crossbow Corps, and Civil Police under State Congress
Missile Inventory Highlights: None
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Not applicable
Reservist Force Size: ~100 active ceremonial volunteers
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Security services under Ministry of Internal Affairs
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Italy, INTERPOL, EUROPOL
Airports (Total): 0 (served by airports in Italy; heliports available)
Major Military Airports: None
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: None
Major Ports: None
Naval Infrastructure: Not applicable
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~220 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on Italy for electricity and fuel
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: None
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Government House ceremonial units, police barracks
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None
Defense Alliances: Neutral state; informal defense support from Italy if required
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: None
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Tourism, financial services, artisanal goods
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: San Marino
Founding Date: September 3, 301 CE (traditional founding; constitution in effect since 1600)
System of Government: Parliamentary diarchy (two Captains Regent serve as heads of state)
