Vanuatu Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 184th
MPR SCORE: 136
MPR Index: 0.127 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9357(0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.826 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Vanuatu ranks 184th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As a small Pacific Island nation, Vanuatu does not maintain a standing military. National security and defense responsibilities are instead handled by the Vanuatu Police Force, specifically through its paramilitary arm, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF). This force, alongside the Police Maritime Wing, constitutes the country’s minimal defense apparatus. Vanuatu’s national strategy is centered around internal stability, disaster relief operations, and regional cooperation rather than conventional warfare or force projection. The nation relies heavily on support from Australia, New Zealand, and broader Pacific regional security arrangements.
Strengths
1. Highly Focused Internal Security Doctrine
Vanuatu’s forces are optimized for domestic policing, civil stability, and disaster response, allowing the country to prioritize essential functions without overstretching limited resources.
2. Regional Cooperation with Strong Allies
Vanuatu maintains robust security relationships with Australia and New Zealand, participating in training, logistical support, and emergency response under the FRANZ Arrangement.
3. Paramilitary Discipline in VMF
Though small in number (approx. 300 personnel), the Vanuatu Mobile Force is a trained and deployable paramilitary unit, capable of responding quickly to both internal disturbances and humanitarian needs.
4. Strategic Role in Disaster Preparedness
Given its geographic vulnerability, the VMF has developed competency in rapid response to natural disasters, giving Vanuatu regional value during crises and improving its non-combat operational relevance.
Why Vanuatu Is Still Ranked 184th
No Standing Military Force: Vanuatu lacks any formal army, navy, or air force. The VMF, while paramilitary, cannot fulfill traditional combat roles or project force beyond its borders.
Extremely Limited Equipment and Budget: The country’s defense and security spending is minimal and embedded within the general police budget. Its logistical, technical, and combat support capabilities are underdeveloped.
No Strategic Deterrence or Combat Record: Vanuatu has no history of military conflict, wartime mobilization, or combat deterrence mechanisms. Its VMF is trained primarily for law enforcement and humanitarian roles.
Dependency on External Military Guarantees: The country’s national security model relies on the implicit and explicit support of Australia and New Zealand, meaning its sovereignty defense is outsourced, not organic.
Conclusion
Vanuatu’s ranking at 184th reflects the absence of a conventional military and its reliance on external security guarantees and internal paramilitary forces. The Vanuatu Mobile Force, while disciplined and functional for internal security and emergency response, is not designed or equipped for warfighting or external defense. Nonetheless, the country plays a meaningful role in regional humanitarian coordination and civil security, serving as a model of minimal defense dependency rooted in strategic diplomacy and focused internal readiness.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 300 (Vanuatu Mobile Force)
Reserve Personnel: 100
Paramilitary Forces: 200 (Police Force, VMF)
Army Personnel: 300 (VMF acts as the army)
Navy Personnel: None
Air Force Personnel: None
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None
Air Wing
Vanuatu does not operate any military aircraft or air force. Civilian aircraft are used for humanitarian and disaster relief operations when necessary.
Naval Forces
Vanuatu does not maintain a formal navy. However, it relies on civilian vessels and partnerships with regional allies for maritime surveillance and protection of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Patrol Boats: 2 (provided by Australia for maritime security)
Fast Attack Craft: None
Missile Capabilities
Vanuatu does not possess missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its defense focus is primarily on internal security and disaster management.
Strategic Partnerships
Vanuatu relies on regional defense partners for support, particularly Australia and New Zealand. These partnerships provide Vanuatu with military assistance, training, and disaster response capabilities. Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Program supplies Vanuatu with patrol vessels for maritime security. The country also cooperates with the Pacific Islands Forum on regional security and disaster management.
Military History & Combat Experience
Vanuatu has no standing military and has never engaged in conventional warfare. However, the country’s paramilitary unit, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF), has participated in select peacekeeping deployments and played an active role in domestic and regional crisis response. Its real-world operational history reflects its unique security model—centered on internal stability, humanitarian missions, and non-combat intervention within the Pacific region.
Papua New Guinea Peacekeeping Deployment (1994)
In 1994, Vanuatu deployed 50 VMF personnel to Papua New Guinea in its first international peacekeeping mission. This deployment marked Vanuatu’s initial involvement in overseas military affairs and was part of a regional stabilization initiative. Though not combat-intensive, the operation gave the VMF experience in multinational cooperation, logistics, and peace enforcement environments.Internal Political Crisis – Detention of Government Officials (1996)
On October 12, 1996, members of the Vanuatu Mobile Force briefly detained then-President Jean-Marie Léyé and Deputy Prime Minister Barak Sopé in the capital Port Vila, citing unresolved pay disputes. While no violence occurred and both leaders were released within hours, the incident revealed tensions between the paramilitary force and civil authority. It remains the most serious internal challenge involving the VMF and highlighted the blurred lines between police powers and military behavior in states without formal armed forces.Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Missions (2000s–Present)
The VMF has consistently responded to major natural disasters, including cyclones, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, all of which occur frequently in the Pacific. For instance, following the 2023 Port Vila earthquake, VMF units were mobilized for search and rescue, civil order enforcement, and humanitarian distribution. These non-combat deployments form the majority of the VMF’s operational record and underscore its role in maintaining public safety and resilience.Regional Security Cooperation and Joint Exercises (Ongoing)
Vanuatu regularly participates in regional joint training exercises, particularly with Australia, New Zealand, and France, under frameworks like the FRANZ Arrangement. These exercises involve disaster response coordination, maritime patrol simulations, and police-military interoperability. While not combat-focused, they reinforce Vanuatu’s role in Pacific security collaboration and enhance the VMF’s readiness for low-intensity operations.
Vanuatu’s military history is limited to peacekeeping deployments, disaster relief, and domestic interventions. Though lacking battlefield exposure or traditional war experience, the country’s paramilitary engagement has shaped a practical, stability-oriented doctrine focused on regional partnerships, civil defense, and crisis readiness.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~340,000 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~140,000
Geographic Area: 12,189 km²
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Bordering Countries: None (island nation)
Coastline: 2,528 km
Climate: Tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds with a rainy season from November to April
Terrain: Mostly mountainous with narrow coastal plains; volcanic in origin
Natural Resources: Manganese, hardwood forests, fish, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$20 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.4%
GDP (PPP): ~$1.3 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$3,900
External Debt: ~$450 million USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable; focused on internal security, maritime policing, and climate-related disaster response
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: No standing military; security handled by Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) and Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF)
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, maritime surveillance, disaster relief
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) under Ministry of Internal Affairs
Missile Inventory Highlights: None
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Not applicable
Reservist Force Size: N/A
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: National Security Unit under VPF
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands Forum
Airports (Total): ~30 (including airstrips)
Major Military Airports: Bauerfield International Airport (dual-use capability)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Very small
Major Ports: Port Vila, Luganville
Naval Infrastructure: Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing with patrol vessels for EEZ enforcement
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic coastal and harbor refueling
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~1,100 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Full reliance on imported refined fuels
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Minimal
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Port Vila (VMF HQ), Luganville
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Rotational presence from Australia and New Zealand (training, advisory roles)
Defense Alliances: Bilateral agreements with Australia, New Zealand; Pacific Islands Forum security cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Agriculture, fisheries, port logistics, construction
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Port Vila
Founding Date: July 30, 1980 (independence from joint British-French administration)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
