South Sudan Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 85th
MPR SCORE: 338
MPR Index: 0.1138 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8398 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.295 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

South Sudan ranks 85th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As one of the world’s youngest nations, South Sudan’s military—the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF)—is primarily structured for internal security, ethnic conflict containment, and border protection. The country’s ongoing political instability, recurring violence, and economic underdevelopment have deeply limited its ability to build a modern national defense apparatus.

The SSPDF evolved from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) following independence in 2011 and remains the most powerful organized entity in the country. However, it suffers from logistics dysfunction, factionalism, and inconsistent command discipline. With little to no air power, naval capacity, or strategic mobility, South Sudan’s military remains focused on local conflict management and regime security, with limited regional or external projection.

Strengths

1. Extensive Guerrilla Warfare Experience

The SSPDF’s origins in the decades-long independence war have created a battle-hardened force, especially in asymmetric warfare, jungle operations, and long-duration campaigns across harsh terrain.

2. Numerical Superiority and Terrain Familiarity

The military retains a large base of light infantry, with extensive familiarity in riverine and savannah environments, allowing for control over vast stretches of territory despite limited technology or logistics.

3. Institutional Dominance and Political Centrality

The SSPDF remains the core institution of state power in South Sudan. It controls key government positions, strategic installations, and internal security frameworks, ensuring political relevance even amid operational shortcomings.

Why South Sudan Is Still Ranked 85th

1. Extremely Limited Modern Capabilities

The SSPDF lacks a functional air force, modern mechanized brigades, and logistics infrastructure. Weapons are largely Soviet-era leftovers, often maintained without proper supply chains or technical support.

2. Deep Internal Fragmentation

The force is fractured along ethnic and tribal lines, with loyalty often pledged to local commanders or political factions rather than the central government. This has led to splinter groups, desertions, and internecine fighting.

3. Economic and Resource Constraints

South Sudan faces severe economic hardship, with defense spending constrained by oil dependency, corruption, and international sanctions. Much of the SSPDF’s operations are limited by fuel shortages, unpaid wages, and non-existent medical/logistics support.

Conclusion

South Sudan’s military remains a legacy of insurgency, now struggling to transform into a cohesive national defense force. Its combat experience, political clout, and sizeable manpower provide a foundation, but these advantages are undermined by logistics failures, ethnic division, and infrastructure collapse. While the SSPDF dominates internal security and retains operational experience, it lacks the tools for any form of strategic defense or external projection, resulting in a ranking that reflects both potential and paralysis.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 60,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 20,000 (est.)
Paramilitary Forces: 20,000 (includes militias aligned with the government)
Army Personnel: 55,000
Navy Personnel: 2,500 (riverine)
Air Force Personnel: 2,500

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 10+ (T-55 variants)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 100+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 60+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 20+ (including BM-21 Grad)

Air Force

Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 2 (Mi-24 Hind)
Transport Aircraft: 4+ (mainly Antonov variants)
Training Aircraft: Minimal

Aircraft Breakdown:

Mi-17 Transport Helicopters: Several
Mi-24 Hind: 2 (combat capable)
Antonov An-26: In limited operational use

Naval Forces

Warships: 0 (no seafront; operates only riverine units)
Patrol Boats: 5+ riverine boats
Landing Craft/Support Boats: Small fleet for Nile River logistics

Missile Capabilities

South Sudan does not possess missile capabilities. The country lacks both strategic missile systems and modern air defense. All missile-like assets are limited to short-range artillery or legacy munitions supplied through regional partners.

Strategic Partnerships

South Sudan receives military assistance from Uganda, Egypt, and Sudan for logistics, training, and internal stabilization. UN peacekeepers operate in the country under UNMISS. China has also contributed to infrastructure development and non-combat security cooperation. Military partnerships remain limited due to internal instability.

Military History & Combat Experience

South Sudan’s military history is deeply rooted in its liberation struggle, civil war, and tribal insurgencies. Its forces have fought in guerrilla campaigns, conventional battles, and ethnic-based conflicts, but always within the framework of domestic survival rather than external warfare.

Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005):
The foundation of the SPLA, this war against Sudan’s central government defined South Sudan’s military culture. SPLA fighters engaged in protracted guerrilla warfare, controlling large swaths of southern Sudanese territory while building rudimentary command and logistics systems. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement led to integration of SPLA units into a recognized military structure.
War of Independence & Secession (2005–2011):
In the interim period before full independence, the SPLA transformed into a state-sanctioned military, gradually consolidating territory and suppressing pro-Khartoum militias. This transition formalized the base of what became the SSPDF.
South Sudanese Civil War (2013–2018):
Power struggles between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar led to civil war, fracturing the military along ethnic (Dinka vs. Nuer) lines. The conflict involved massacres, child soldiers, and indiscriminate attacks, with different SSPDF factions aligned to opposing leaders. Several ceasefires collapsed, and the war devastated national cohesion.
Post-Conflict Clashes and Insurgencies (2019–present):
Though peace agreements have been signed, localized fighting continues, particularly in Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Equatoria. The SSPDF remains engaged in tribal disputes, bandit suppression, and rebel containment efforts, often with little coordination between units. UN peacekeepers (UNMISS) operate alongside SSPDF elements in some areas.

South Sudan’s military legacy reflects an insurgent-origin force locked in a cycle of internal fragmentation, tribal loyalty, and resource scarcity. While the SSPDF is combat-proven and central to political power, it remains a force defined by internal warfare, not strategic deterrence or regional ambition.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~12.8 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~4.5 million
Geographic Area: 619,745 km²
Land Boundaries: 5,431 km
Bordering Countries: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Tropical; hot with seasonal rainfall
Terrain: Plains, swamps, and tropical forests
Natural Resources: Petroleum, iron ore, copper, gold, silver, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: ~3.5 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~3 trillion cubic feet

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$200 million USD (estimated)
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~4.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$22 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$1,700
External Debt: ~$4.5 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Unstable; fluctuates with internal conflict

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Mandatory but poorly enforced
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, rebel suppression, border control
Military Industry Base: Extremely limited; relies on imports and captured equipment
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Negligible
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Sectoral commands aligned with regions
Missile Inventory Highlights: Light artillery, MANPADS, mortars
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Informal mobilization; tribal militias dominate
Reservist Force Size: ~80,000 (including irregular forces)

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: National Security Service (NSS), Military Intelligence Directorate
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Regional only (Uganda, Sudan)
Airports (Total): ~80
Major Military Airports: Juba, Malakal, Wau

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: ~248 km (partially functional)
Roadways: ~17,000 km (mostly unpaved)

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: ~150,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Refined petroleum imported via Sudan
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: Negligible
Military Installations (Domestic): Bases in Juba, Bor, Wau, Malakal
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: UNMISS peacekeeping mission
Defense Alliances: None formal
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited to rotary wing and small transport aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely limited

Research and Industry Support