Togo Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 153rd
MPR SCORE: 582
MPR Index: 0.2364 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.348 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: 0.7236 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
ogo ranks 153rd in the 2024 Military Power Rankings. The Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armées Togolaises, FAT) are tasked primarily with national defense, internal security, and support for regional peacekeeping operations. Though relatively small and constrained by limited resources, Togo’s military plays an increasingly important role in West African stability, especially as threats from extremist insurgencies expand from the Sahel toward coastal West Africa.
FAT focuses on border security, light infantry operations, and anti-smuggling efforts, and works closely with international partners to improve its capabilities in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and peacekeeping deployments. Togo contributes troops to UN and African Union missions and has participated in joint regional exercises aimed at strengthening intergovernmental military coordination.
Military Strengths
Togo’s strengths lie in its regional security commitment, peacekeeping contributions, and internal resilience against emerging regional threats.
1. Active Peacekeeping Engagement
Togo contributes forces to UN missions in Mali (MINUSMA), Ivory Coast, and Central African Republic, gaining operational experience in post-conflict environments.
FAT is known for discipline and professionalism in multinational deployments.
2. Strategic Position on Gulf of Guinea
Located near the volatile Sahel region, Togo is an important link in regional counterterrorism coordination, particularly within ECOWAS and the Accra Initiative.
Border zones are fortified to counter infiltration from extremist elements in Burkina Faso.
3. Light, Mobile Force Structure
The Togolese military emphasizes infantry mobility, motorized patrols, and rural security operations, making it responsive to local threats and insurgent movements.
Maintains a modest Special Forces component trained in counterinsurgency and rapid reaction.
4. Strong Civil-Military Disaster Coordination
FAT is regularly deployed for flood response, epidemic control, and rural infrastructure projects, reinforcing state presence in underdeveloped areas.
Why Togo Is Still Ranked 153rd
Limited Air and Armored Capabilities
The air force consists of a handful of aging transport aircraft and helicopters, with no combat aviation. The army has light vehicles, older APCs, and minimal armor.
No Strategic Deterrent or Power Projection Capability
FAT lacks missile systems, naval capacity, or logistics for sustained foreign deployment beyond peacekeeping rotations.Small Force Size and Budget Constraints
With around 10,000 active personnel, FAT’s modernization efforts are hindered by a modest defense budget and reliance on foreign military aid for training and equipment.Dependence on External Training and Support
FAT benefits from military partnerships with France, the United States, and Germany, but remains reliant on these relationships to maintain operational readiness.
Conclusion
Togo maintains a small but capable military force designed for internal stability, regional peacekeeping, and counterinsurgency support. While lacking strategic depth or heavy equipment, the Togolese Armed Forces have proven effective in border control, international deployments, and regional cooperation frameworks. Its MPR ranking reflects the limited scale of its military infrastructure, offset by its role in multilateral peace and security efforts in West Africa.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 8,500 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 1,000
Paramilitary Forces: 3,000 (Gendarmerie, Police Special Forces)
Army Personnel: 6,500
Navy Personnel: 1,000
Air Force Personnel: 1,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 5+
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 100+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 30+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 10+
Helicopters: 10+
Transport Aircraft: 5
Aircraft Breakdown:
Alpha Jets: 4
Mi-17 Helicopters: 5
Naval Forces
Togo’s small navy focuses on coastal and maritime security, particularly to address illegal fishing and smuggling along the Gulf of Guinea. While limited in size, it plays a key role in protecting Togo's territorial waters.
Patrol Boats: 4
Fast Attack Craft: None
Missile Capabilities
Togo does not possess any advanced missile systems or nuclear capabilities. The military's focus remains on conventional security and maintaining internal order, with no capacity for force projection beyond the region.
Strategic Partnerships
Togo maintains close defense relationships with France and other regional partners, including Ghana and Benin. The country receives training and logistical support from these partners, particularly in areas such as border security and counterterrorism. Togo is also a participant in regional security initiatives like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and contributes to UN peacekeeping missions.
Military History & Combat Experience
Togo’s military experience is shaped by its role in West African peacekeeping, border stabilization, and domestic security enforcement, rather than conventional warfare.
Post-Independence Military Role (1960s–1980s):
Following independence from France, Togo’s military was primarily structured for regime protection. Political control was centralized under President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled with military backing after a 1967 coup. The military operated primarily as an internal security force.Peacekeeping Contributions (1990s–Present):
Togo has deployed forces to numerous UN and AU missions, including in Ivory Coast, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where troops supported election security, civilian protection, and stabilization patrols. These experiences helped professionalize FAT and integrate it into regional command structures.Terrorism Threat and Border Security (2018–Present):
Since 2018, extremist groups from Burkina Faso and Niger have begun infiltrating northern Togo. In response, the government declared military operations zones and deployed infantry units, drones (donated by partners), and special police task forces to Savanes Region and adjacent rural areas.
A deadly attack in 2022 near the Burkina Faso border marked a turning point, pushing the military into proactive counterterrorism posture.Internal Crisis Response and Public Security:
FAT regularly assists in disaster response, anti-smuggling operations, and pandemic control, playing a prominent role in infrastructure repair, vaccination campaigns, and civil logistics.
While Togo has no conventional war experience, its armed forces are active participants in regional security dynamics, with growing expertise in counterinsurgency, civilian protection, and joint peacekeeping operations, especially as the Sahel conflict increasingly impacts coastal West Africa.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~8.9 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~3.8 million
Geographic Area: 56,785 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,880 km
Bordering Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana
Coastline: 56 km
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid in the south, semiarid in the north
Terrain: Gently rolling savanna in the north; central hills; southern coastal plain
Natural Resources: Phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$150 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.4%
GDP (PPP): ~$22 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$2,400
External Debt: ~$3.6 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Modest but steady increase due to terrorism threats in northern region
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Border security, counterterrorism, internal control
Military Industry Base: None; entirely reliant on foreign suppliers
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Very limited
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided under Togolese Armed Forces command structure
Missile Inventory Highlights: Infantry-carried systems, MANPADS, light artillery
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Low; 60–90 days
Reservist Force Size: ~10,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military intelligence under Ministry of Defense and Presidential Guard
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: France, ECOWAS, regional West African cooperation
Airports (Total): ~7
Major Military Airports: Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (dual-use)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Very limited
Major Ports: Lomé
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol boats based in Lomé
Naval Replenishment Capability: Minimal
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~525 km
Roadways: ~11,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on petroleum and energy imports
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Lomé, Kara, Sokodé
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: French and EU trainers in limited advisory capacity
Defense Alliances: ECOWAS Standby Force, African Union
Strategic Airlift Capability: Very limited; reliant on partners for major deployments
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Phosphate mining logistics, transport fleet operations
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Lomé
Founding Date: April 27, 1960 (independence from France)
System of Government: Presidential republic with centralized executive control
