Vatican City

Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 202
MPR SCORE: 111
MPR Index: 0.0001 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9475 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.892 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Vatican City ranks 202nd in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As the smallest independent state in the world, Vatican City maintains no military in the conventional sense. Security and ceremonial protection are provided by the Pontifical Swiss Guard, a small but elite force responsible for the personal safety of the Pope and the defense of the Apostolic Palace. The Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State handles internal policing, while external defense responsibilities are provided by Italy, under the Lateran Treaty of 1929. Vatican City’s role as the spiritual and diplomatic hub of the Roman Catholic Church shapes a defense doctrine rooted in neutrality, tradition, and symbolic sovereignty.

Strengths

1. Elite Swiss Guard Protection Force

The Pontifical Swiss Guard, though ceremonial in appearance, is a disciplined and well-trained paramilitary unit, tasked with protecting the Pope, securing Vatican properties, and serving as a visible deterrent against potential threats.

2. Guaranteed External Defense by Italy

Under the Lateran Treaty, Italy assumes responsibility for the military defense of Vatican City, including airspace, perimeter security, and national sovereignty, making external protection robust despite Vatican City's own limitations.

3. Well-Organized Internal Security Apparatus

The Gendarmerie Corps functions as a modern police force, providing surveillance, VIP protection, anti-terror monitoring, and border control within the city’s compact boundaries.

4. Global Diplomatic Influence

While militarily weak, the Vatican wields significant soft power through its international diplomatic network, allowing it to defuse threats and maintain sovereignty through religious authority and global political relevance.

Why Vatican City Is Ranked 202nd

No Army, Navy, or Air Force: Vatican City does not operate any branches of a conventional military, nor does it possess any military-grade hardware, combat units, or independent command structure.
No Strategic Deterrence or Combat Capability: The state lacks all forms of strategic defense, such as missile systems, armored vehicles, or rapid response forces, making it wholly incapable of autonomous defense.
Dependence on Italy for External Defense: Vatican sovereignty is protected by the Italian armed forces, meaning national defense decisions lie outside of Vatican control.
Extremely Limited Personnel and Scale: The Swiss Guard has fewer than 150 personnel, and while expertly trained, they are oriented toward ceremonial roles and VIP protection, not sustained combat or warfighting.

Conclusion

Vatican City’s 202nd-place ranking reflects its complete demilitarization, symbolic defense posture, and reliance on Italy for external security. Its internal forces—the Swiss Guard and Gendarmerie—are structured for ceremonial protection, internal policing, and papal defense, not conventional military operations. Despite having no combat capability, Vatican City remains secure, stable, and internationally protected, functioning through historical neutrality, religious significance, and deep diplomatic entrenchment.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: None (defense provided by Italy)
Paramilitary Forces: 135 (Pontifical Swiss Guard)
Reserve Personnel: None
Army Personnel: None
Navy Personnel: None (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: None

Ground Forces

The Vatican relies on the Swiss Guard for internal security and the protection of the Pope. This ceremonial unit, composed of Swiss citizens, is tasked with ensuring the safety of the Vatican and performing ceremonial duties. While small, the Swiss Guard is well-trained and equipped to handle threats to Vatican security.

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): None
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): None

Air Wing

The Vatican does not maintain an air force, relying on Italy for airspace defense.

Naval Forces

As a landlocked state, Vatican City does not maintain a naval force.

Missile Capabilities

Vatican City does not possess any missile systems and relies entirely on Italy for defense against external threats.

Strategic Partnerships

The Vatican's defense is provided through agreements with Italy, ensuring external protection in the event of an attack. The Vatican maintains strong diplomatic relations worldwide but does not engage in military partnerships.

Military History & Combat Experience

Vatican City has no history of conventional warfare since its establishment as an independent state in 1929, and does not maintain or operate a military force. Its security institutions have experience in VIP protection, crisis containment, and counter-surveillance, but no combat or battlefield history.

Founding of Vatican City and the Lateran Treaty (1929)
The Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy formalized Vatican City’s independence and established Italy’s role as defender of the Vatican’s territorial integrity. Since then, the Vatican has not required or attempted to form a military.
Pontifical Swiss Guard – Ceremonial and Tactical Protection
Founded in 1506, the Swiss Guard is one of the world’s oldest military units still in continuous operation. Today, it is responsible for protecting the Pope, guarding Vatican entrances, and securing papal residences. Members receive paramilitary training and carry modern small arms, but the unit’s mission is limited to diplomatic and symbolic protection, not warfare.
Gendarmerie Corps – Internal Security and Law Enforcement
The Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State functions as the national police, overseeing surveillance, criminal investigations, and event security, particularly during major religious ceremonies and international visits.
No Participation in Military Conflicts or Peacekeeping
Vatican City has never contributed troops to UN peacekeeping, coalition missions, or any armed engagements, adhering strictly to its policy of spiritual neutrality and non-involvement in armed conflict.
Emergency Coordination with Italy
During high-profile events or potential security threats, Vatican forces coordinate with Italian Carabinieri, intelligence services, and Rome’s military command for perimeter control, counter-terrorism support, and civilian protection.

Though it possesses no combat history, Vatican City’s ceremonial and law enforcement bodies have practical experience in VIP security, crisis monitoring, and urban protection. Its security identity is one of symbolic deterrence, spiritual leadership, and external defense guarantees, not warfighting.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~800 (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~300
Geographic Area: 0.49 km² (smallest independent state in the world by both area and population)
Land Boundaries: 3.4 km
Bordering Countries: Italy
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Temperate; mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: Urban enclave with no natural terrain variation
Natural Resources: None (entirely dependent on imports and external services)
Proven Oil Reserves: None
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: None

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$2 million USD (primarily ceremonial and security services)
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.5% (symbolic; actual GDP not published in PPP terms)
GDP (estimated nominal): ~$800 million USD
GDP per Capita (nominal est.): ~$1,000,000 (artificial due to unique non-commercial economy)
External Debt: None (financially supported by Church holdings and donations)
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Flat; focused entirely on ceremonial security and policing

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary; limited to Vatican security corps
Primary Defense Focus: Personal protection of the Pope, ceremonial duties, and site security
Military Industry Base: None
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Pontifical Swiss Guard (military corps); Vatican Gendarmerie Corps (police force)
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: Vatican Gendarmerie handles internal security and limited intelligence with support from Italian services
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Italy, INTERPOL, EUROPOL
Airports (Total): None (uses Rome airports; helipad within Vatican)
Major Military Airports: None

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: ~1.0 km (single rail spur from Italy; ceremonial use only)
Roadways: ~12 km

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: None
Energy Imports: Fully dependent on Italy
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: None

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Swiss Guard barracks, Apostolic Palace, Vatican Gendarmerie HQ
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None
Defense Alliances: De facto protection guaranteed by Italy
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: None