Sierra Leone
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 141st
MPR SCORE: 217
MPR Index: 0.0530 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8975 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.615 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Sierra Leone ranks 141st in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) are primarily focused on internal security, disaster relief, and peacekeeping contributions, reflecting the country’s post-conflict orientation following its devastating 1991–2002 civil war. The military remains modest in size, with a structure oriented around national stability, light infantry capabilities, and support to civilian governance.
While lacking heavy weaponry or strategic force projection, the RSLAF has gained recognition in African Union and ECOWAS peacekeeping roles. Training and reform have been consistently guided by UK-led initiatives, including the International Military Assistance Training Team (IMATT) and subsequent British support missions. The force has developed a strong emphasis on professionalism, community trust, and non-partisan national service.
Military Strengths
Overview
Sierra Leone’s military strengths lie in its peacekeeping contributions, post-conflict professionalism, and civil-military resilience.
1. Regional Peacekeeping Role
Actively contributes to ECOWAS and AU-led missions, particularly in West Africa.
Troops are experienced in stabilization, light patrols, and community interaction in fragile environments.
2. Post-Conflict Professionalization
The RSLAF has undergone significant restructuring since the end of the civil war.
British and multilateral training programs emphasize non-politicized command, human rights adherence, and mission discipline.
3. Civil-Military Disaster Support
Regularly deployed for flood response, medical aid, and infrastructure repair.
Well-integrated into Sierra Leone’s national disaster management system, with mobility assets geared for internal operations.
4. Strategic Geographic Position
Located on the Atlantic coast, the country’s military can support maritime patrols and serve as a logistics base for regional cooperation.
Proximity to regional hotspots enables quick deployment of small units for AU missions.
Why Sierra Leone Is Still Ranked 141st
Minimal Equipment Inventory
The RSLAF has no combat aircraft, armored divisions, or mechanized battalions. Equipment is limited to light vehicles, small arms, and basic communications systems.No Strategic Deterrence or Air Defense
Sierra Leone possesses no air defense systems, missile platforms, or radar infrastructure capable of intercepting external threats.Extremely Limited Naval and Air Capability
The naval wing is confined to coastal patrol craft, with no submarines or long-range vessels. The air wing is non-existent beyond basic transport and observation.Dependent on Foreign Training and Logistical Support
Operational readiness and professional standards rely heavily on UK and international partners, which limits long-term autonomy in defense development.
Conclusion
Sierra Leone’s military, though limited in equipment and strategic depth, plays a vital role in post-conflict nation-building, peacekeeping, and disaster response. The RSLAF has emerged from its troubled past to become a stable, professional, and regionally supportive force within West Africa. Its MPR ranking reflects the country’s emphasis on stability and humanitarian engagement over force projection or offensive capacity.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 13,000
Reserve Personnel: 2,000
Paramilitary Forces: 3,000 (including National Police paramilitary wing)
Army Personnel: 10,000
Navy Personnel: 1,500
Air Force Personnel: 1,500
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 50+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 20+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 0
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 0
Transport Aircraft: 2+
Training Aircraft: 2+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Utility helicopters for medevac and disaster response
Small aircraft for surveillance and government operations
Naval Forces
Warships: 4+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 0
Patrol Boats: 4+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Small coastal patrol boats donated by China and the U.S.
Operational focus on maritime domain awareness, smuggling, and illegal fishing
Missile Capabilities
Sierra Leone does not operate missile systems of any kind. All military operations rely on light arms, legacy artillery, and donated vehicles. There are no air defense or missile-based deterrent systems.
Strategic Partnerships
Sierra Leone maintains strong military partnerships with the United Kingdom, which has played a pivotal role in rebuilding the armed forces post-civil war. It also engages in African Union and ECOWAS peacekeeping missions and receives occasional security assistance from the United States, China, and regional African states.
Military History & Combat Experience
Sierra Leone’s military experience is dominated by the brutal civil war, foreign intervention, and subsequent peacebuilding missions, rather than conventional warfighting.
Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002):
A brutal internal conflict involving the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and multiple factions led to widespread atrocities. The Sierra Leone Army collapsed early in the war due to corruption and defections. After years of insurgency and failed coups, the British military intervention in 2000 (Operation Palliser) helped stabilize the government. The post-war force was rebuilt under UK supervision, emphasizing demilitarization, discipline, and human rights.Operation Barras (2000):
British Special Forces rescued hostages held by the West Side Boys militia, a key moment that restored confidence in Sierra Leone’s military partnership with the UK. This operation was a turning point in rebuilding the RSLAF’s legitimacy.Post-War Military Reform (2002–2010):
With guidance from the IMATT, Sierra Leone dismantled irregular forces and rebuilt the army into a professional, constitutionally accountable institution. Training focused on light infantry tactics, civil protection, and neutrality in political affairs.Peacekeeping Missions in Darfur, Mali, and Somalia (2005–Present):
Sierra Leone has contributed to AU and UN peacekeeping operations, with troops deployed in Sudan (UNAMID), Mali (MINUSMA), and Somalia (AMISOM). These missions provided essential operational experience, particularly in asymmetric environments.Domestic Stability Operations:
The military has played a major role in natural disaster response, such as the 2017 Freetown mudslides and Ebola outbreaks, showcasing strong civil-military coordination and national resilience.
While the RSLAF lacks conventional warfighting experience, it possesses valuable real-world exposure to irregular warfare, humanitarian deployments, and post-conflict peacekeeping, making it one of the more ethically grounded and professionally rehabilitated militaries in the West African region.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~8.9 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~3.2 million
Geographic Area: 71,740 km²
Land Boundaries: 958 km
Bordering Countries: Guinea, Liberia
Coastline: 402 km
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season
Terrain: Coastal swamp, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains
Natural Resources: Diamonds, rutile, bauxite, gold, iron ore
Proven Oil Reserves: ~400 million barrels (offshore, under development)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: Minimal
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$180 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.9%
GDP (PPP): ~$17 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$1,800
External Debt: ~$3.6 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradually rising for internal and coastal defense
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal stability, border control, anti-smuggling
Military Industry Base: Minimal; relies on imports
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Very limited
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into regions under Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)
Missile Inventory Highlights: Mortars, MANPADS
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~20,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Defense Intelligence and Security Unit
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: AU, ECOWAS
Airports (Total): ~10
Major Military Airports: Lungi (dual-use)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~10 vessels
Major Ports: Freetown
Naval Infrastructure: Patrol boats, maritime surveillance
Naval Replenishment Capability: Coastal only
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~11,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None (exploration ongoing)
Energy Imports: High dependence on imported fuels
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains limited reserves
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Freetown, Bo, Makeni
Military Installations (Overseas): UN peacekeeping
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: UK advisors (limited)
Defense Alliances: AU, ECOWAS
Strategic Airlift Capability: Utility aircraft and helicopters
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Very low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Diamond logistics, port services, engineering battalions
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Freetown
Founding Date: April 27, 1961 (independence from UK)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
