Seychelles Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 177th
MPR SCORE: 146
MPR Index: 0.0177 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9309 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.800 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Seychelles’ defense strengths lie in its EEZ protection mandate, anti-piracy experience, and regional strategic partnerships.

1. Maritime Security and EEZ Defense

The Seychelles Coast Guard, the most active branch of the SPDF, conducts routine patrols over a vast EEZ of 1.4 million square kilometers, focusing on illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, and piracy deterrence.
Operates interceptor boats, patrol vessels, and radar systems, many of which were donated or financed by partners like India, UAE, and EU agencies.

2. Counter-Piracy and Indian Ocean Security Role

Seychelles has been a regional leader in counter-piracy missions since the height of Somali piracy in the 2010s, operating as a legal and logistical hub for regional anti-piracy operations.
Hosts joint maritime drills and contributes personnel to Indian Ocean maritime surveillance platforms.

3. Strong International Defense Cooperation

Receives substantial defense assistance from India (patrol vessels, surveillance aircraft, naval training), France (technical support through its Indian Ocean territories), and U.S. AFRICOM (anti-trafficking programs).
Participates in Exercise Cutlass Express, a U.S.-sponsored maritime security exercise.

4. Civil Defense and Disaster Relief Operations

The SPDF assists in natural disaster response, island evacuation, and emergency logistics, particularly during cyclone seasons and flooding events.

Why Seychelles Is Still Ranked 177th

Very Small Force and Minimal Combat Capabilities
The SPDF has fewer than 1,000 active personnel, focused on coastal surveillance and non-combat operations. It lacks combat aircraft, tanks, and artillery.
No Air Force or Strategic Deterrence Systems
Seychelles operates only a few light helicopters and fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, primarily for maritime domain awareness—not combat roles.
Dependence on External Training and Logistics
Nearly all high-end capabilities—from radar coverage to aircraft maintenance—are supported by foreign partners, leaving Seychelles vulnerable to logistical gaps.
No Ground Offensive or Defense-in-Depth Posture
The SPDF is structured around island-specific deployments, with no depth, mobilization infrastructure, or ground defense doctrine in the event of a conventional invasion.

Conclusion

Seychelles maintains a small but strategically positioned defense force, tailored for maritime security, law enforcement, and regional cooperation. While its Seychelles People’s Defence Forces lack offensive capabilities or independent deterrence capacity, their role in Indian Ocean security, counter-piracy, and EEZ protection is significant. Seychelles’ MPR ranking reflects its low military size, counterbalanced by its regional relevance and functional integration with international security efforts.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 800 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 200
Paramilitary Forces: 500 (Police, Coast Guard)
Army Personnel: 600
Navy Personnel: 150
Air Force Personnel: 50

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 5+ (lightly armored vehicles)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None

Air Wing

Seychelles does not operate a formal air force but maintains a small air wing for maritime surveillance and transport.

Helicopters: 2
Transport Aircraft: 2

Aircraft Breakdown:

Harbin Y-12 Aircraft: 1 (maritime surveillance)
AS 350 Écureuil Helicopter: 1

Naval Forces

Seychelles’ navy, operated by the Coast Guard, focuses on maritime security and anti-piracy operations. The navy’s primary responsibility is safeguarding Seychelles’ extensive territorial waters and EEZ, which includes rich fishing grounds and shipping lanes.

Patrol Boats: 6
Fast Attack Craft: 2

Missile Capabilities

Seychelles does not possess advanced missile systems or nuclear capabilities. The country’s defense efforts are focused on maritime security and maintaining internal stability rather than power projection.

Strategic Partnerships

Seychelles has strong defense partnerships with regional and international allies, particularly India and the United States. India has provided patrol vessels and training to help Seychelles strengthen its maritime capabilities. The United States also provides support in counter-piracy operations and maritime surveillance, making Seychelles an important regional partner in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean.

Military History & Combat Experience

Seychelles has no modern combat history, with its military legacy focused on internal stability, counter-piracy, and foreign partnership integration.

Coup and Internal Security Legacy (1977–1980s):
In 1977, Seychelles underwent a coup led by France-Albert René, with support from a paramilitary force. During the 1980s, the country experienced attempted coups, including the mercenary-led 1981 Seychelles coup attempt by foreign agents. This period led to the formation of a national defense force focused on regime stability and loyalty to the government.
Post-Cold War Professionalization:
The SPDF evolved into a coastal defense and civil support institution, reducing political entanglement and professionalizing under guidance from India, France, and African Union observers.
Counter-Piracy Leadership (2008–2015):
During the rise of Somali piracy, Seychelles became a frontline anti-piracy state, conducting joint maritime patrols, accepting pirate prosecutions, and developing advanced maritime surveillance systems in cooperation with the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and U.S. Navy.
Ongoing Strategic Partnerships and Exercises:
The SPDF routinely participates in multinational exercises, including Exercise Cutlass Express, India-Seychelles naval exchanges, and African maritime security forums.
Its primary operational experience lies in non-lethal law enforcement, vessel interdiction, and maritime search and rescue.

Though it has never participated in conventional warfare, Seychelles’ defense posture is shaped by strategic geography, civil-military cooperation, and regional security diplomacy, rather than by kinetic combat experience.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~100,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~40,000
Geographic Area: 455 km² (115 islands)
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 491 km
Climate: Tropical marine; humid and warm with two distinct monsoon seasons
Terrain: Rocky, narrow coastal plains with central hills and coral atolls
Natural Resources: Fish, coconuts, salt, marine biodiversity
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$20 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.1%
GDP (PPP): ~$3.3 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$33,000
External Debt: ~$800 million USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable with slight increases for maritime domain awareness and coast guard operations

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Maritime security, territorial waters protection, anti-piracy
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), including Coast Guard and Infantry Unit
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; small arms and naval patrol craft weapons only
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~1,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: National Intelligence Coordination Center under President’s Office
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: India, France, United States
Airports (Total): ~14 (including airstrips and heliports)
Major Military Airports: Seychelles International Airport (dual-use with Coast Guard aviation)

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: Small
Major Ports: Victoria
Naval Infrastructure: Seychelles Coast Guard HQ at Ile Perseverance; patrol vessel support bases
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic coastal and offshore support capability

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~500 km

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): Victoria, Perseverance Island, Praslin
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Occasional Indian and U.S. naval visits and training teams
Defense Alliances: Bilateral defense cooperation with India, France, and the U.S.
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low