Uruguay Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 99th
MPR SCORE: 284
MPR Index: 0.0868 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8654 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.437 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Uruguay ranks 99th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its military, composed of the National Army, Air Force, and Navy, is small but professional, with a strategic posture centered on territorial defense, civil support, and international peacekeeping commitments. Uruguay places strong emphasis on institutional neutrality, democratic oversight, and regional cooperation, prioritizing stability and non-aggression within South America.

Despite modest resources, Uruguay maintains operational readiness through streamlined training, inter-service coordination, and a culture of civic-military integration. The military does not engage in offensive operations or regional projection, but plays a key role in United Nations peacekeeping missions, where Uruguay is one of the top global contributors per capita. The country also maintains a functional navy and air force focused on maritime patrol, airspace monitoring, and disaster response.

Strengths

1. Strong UN Peacekeeping Record

Uruguay has earned global recognition for its consistent and high-quality contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa and Haiti. This has enhanced its diplomatic standing, logistical expertise, and tactical deployment experience.

2. Professional, Balanced Tri-Service Military

The country maintains a well-integrated force structure comprising ground, naval, and air units, each tailored to Uruguay’s defensive needs. The military operates efficiently despite limited personnel and equipment, reinforcing force discipline and institutional stability.

3. Regional Stability and Civil-Military Neutrality

Uruguay’s military remains non-political and deeply tied to constitutional governance. It has not intervened in domestic politics since the return to democracy, reflecting a stable civil-military relationship that is rare in Latin America’s history.

Why Uruguay Is Still Ranked 99th

1. Limited Equipment and Combat Capability

Uruguay lacks modern tanks, long-range missile systems, and multirole combat aircraft, which limits its ability to respond to high-intensity conflict scenarios. Equipment is largely aging or second-hand, maintained for training and patrol use.

2. No Strategic Reach or Expeditionary Capability

Uruguay’s defense posture is exclusively defensive and non-expeditionary. It lacks the lift capability, forward bases, and tactical support systems to conduct autonomous foreign operations beyond peacekeeping mandates.

3. Budgetary and Procurement Constraints

Uruguay operates under a tight defense budget, which limits modernization efforts, joint exercises, and technology upgrades. Major purchases—such as aircraft or naval platforms—are infrequent and subject to significant political scrutiny.

Conclusion

Uruguay fields a well-disciplined, regionally stable military force tailored for territorial defense, disaster relief, and peacekeeping deployments. Its strength lies not in firepower or technology, but in institutional professionalism, UN leadership, and a clear commitment to non-aggression. Though Uruguay ranks low in raw military capability, it remains highly effective within its strategic scope and widely respected for its role in global peace operations and constitutional defense.

Military Strength and Force Projection

• Active Military Personnel: 24,000 (IISS 2023)

• Reserve Personnel: 16,000 (CIA World Factbook)

• Paramilitary Forces: 30,000 (National Guard and Police)

• Army Personnel: 15,000

• Navy Personnel: 6,000

• Air Force Personnel: 3,000

Ground Forces

• Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 50+ (M41 Walker Bulldog)

• Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 200+

• Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 100+

Air Force

• Combat Aircraft: 15+ (SIPRI 2023)

• Helicopters: 20+

• Transport Aircraft: 10+

Aircraft Breakdown:

• A-37 Dragonfly: 6 (light attack aircraft)

• IA-58 Pucará: 6 (light attack aircraft)

• Bell UH-1H Helicopters: 10 (transport)

Naval Forces

Uruguay maintains a small but effective navy that patrols the country's extensive coastlines and economic exclusive zone in the South Atlantic.

• Patrol Vessels: 8+

• Corvettes: 3

• Amphibious Assault Ships: 1

Missile Capabilities

Uruguay does not possess ballistic or hypersonic missile capabilities. The country’s defense strategy is focused on maintaining conventional forces for national defense and peacekeeping roles.

Strategic Partnerships

Uruguay maintains strong defense ties with regional neighbors like Brazil and Argentina, as well as international partnerships with the United Nations. Uruguay’s role in peacekeeping operations enhances its reputation as a key player in international security cooperation, despite its small size.

Military History & Combat Experience

Uruguay’s military history centers on internal conflict, dictatorial rule, and later, a sustained role in international peacekeeping. Though not engaged in conventional warfare in modern times, the country’s armed forces are shaped by domestic historical experience and global stabilization missions.

• Civic-Military Dictatorship and Internal Repression (1973–1985):
  Uruguay’s modern military was central to the 1973–1985 dictatorship, during which the armed forces ruled alongside civilian collaborators. The military conducted internal surveillance, counterinsurgency, and political repression targeting leftist groups such as the Tupamaros. Following the return to democracy, significant institutional reforms restructured the military into a professional and apolitical defense body.

• United Nations Peacekeeping Engagements (1990s–present):
  Uruguay became one of the world’s leading troop contributors per capita to UN missions, including in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO), South Sudan (UNMISS), and Western Sahara (MINURSO). Uruguayan troops are known for their discipline, respect for civilian authority, and reliability in logistics and base defense roles.

• Maritime and Airspace Patrol Operations (2000s–present):
  The Uruguayan Navy and Air Force conduct regular maritime sovereignty patrols, fisheries enforcement, and airspace monitoring, especially in the Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). While not combat-tested, these missions have improved inter-agency coordination and tactical endurance.

Uruguay’s military history reflects a transformation from a domestic power broker to a globally respected peacekeeping force. Though small in size and capability, the armed forces have embraced a role centered on institutional neutrality, international service, and responsible state defense.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

• Population: ~3.5 million (2024 est.)

• Population Available for Military Service: ~1.2 million

• Geographic Area: 176,215 km²

• Land Boundaries: 1,564 km

• Bordering Countries: Argentina, Brazil

• Coastline: 660 km

• Climate: Mild and humid; fairly uniform throughout the year

• Terrain: Mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

• Natural Resources: Arable land, hydropower, minor minerals

• Proven Oil Reserves: None

• Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

• Defense Budget (2025): ~$800 million USD

• Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.0%

• GDP (PPP): ~$95 billion USD

• GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$26,000

• External Debt: ~$29 billion USD

• Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable; focused on peacekeeping, modernization, and disaster response

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

• Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (12 months)

• Primary Defense Focus: Peacekeeping, civil defense, and maritime security

• Military Industry Base: Limited; vehicle repair, uniforms, small arms assembly

• Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing

• Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)

• Major Military Districts / Commands: Army divided into regional divisions; Navy and Air Force under separate command

• Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, short-range SAMs, anti-tank systems

• Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days

• Reservist Force Size: ~20,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

• Space or Satellite Programs: Civil satellite cooperation; no national military satellite capability

• Military Satellite Inventory: None

• Intelligence Infrastructure: Strategic Military Intelligence Directorate

• Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: UN, regional Latin American alliances

• Airports (Total): ~64

• Major Military Airports: Carrasco AB, Durazno AB

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

• Merchant Marine Fleet: ~20 vessels

• Major Ports: Montevideo, Nueva Palmira

• Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol fleet, marine corps, and light logistics vessels

• Naval Replenishment Capability: Regional scope only

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

• Railway Network: ~2,000 km

• Roadways: ~77,000 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

• Oil Production: None

• Energy Imports: High reliance on petroleum imports

• Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains government-controlled emergency stocks

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

• Domestic Defense Production: Small arms assembly, light vehicle maintenance

• Military Installations (Domestic): Montevideo, Durazno, Rocha

• Military Installations (Overseas): UN peacekeeping deployments

• Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None

• Defense Alliances: UN, regional Latin American cooperation

• Strategic Airlift Capability: C-212, KC-130H, light utility aircraft

• Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low

Research and Industry Support

• Defense R&D Investment: Minimal

• Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: UTE (energy), ANCAP (fuel), port logistics

Political and Administrative Structure

• Capital: Montevideo

• Founding Date: August 25, 1825 (independence from Brazil)

• System of Government: Unitary presidential republic