The power of the military is essential for any state that is seeking to be progressive to safeguard its borders and protect its interests. In the end, when we look at the top military power in Africa 2020,Africa is performing extremely well against the world’s superpowers. Here is a list of the 10 most powerful armies from Africa.
Top 10 Best Army I’m Africa
1. Egypt
Egypt places itself at the rest in terms of military power due to the scale of its military. Egypt is a formidable military power. North Africa power ranks an impressive 12th in the world rankings.
The Egyptian Armed Forces consist of the Egyptian Army, Egyptian Navy, Egyptian Air Force and Egyptian Air Defense Command. More than 500,000 soldiers are employed on its frontline force in active service and far outnumber all the African counterparts.
It is home to nearly 10,000 armored combat vehicles, 60,000 logistics automobiles, 1,092 planes and huge oil reserves that it can draw. What makes it stand out is its navy strength, that includes traditional carriers and nuclear-powered submarines.
Egyptian military
The military has been steadily gaining an upper hand following the coup that was able to overthrow Morsi and placed al-Sisi in the position of power. A constitutional referendum was held this year proposed amendments granted the army more powers, which activists fear could result in intervention in civil matters.
2. Algeria
Similar to similar to North Africa counterpart, Algeria has been able to leverage its vast maritime borders to its advantage. It has been able to build vast military capabilities both on the ground and in the air, and in the waters. However, the country is ranked a distant second 27th place in the world rankings.
The Algerian frontline forces are active and number over 130,000 soldiers and the country has more than 2,000 armoured combat vehicles on its side.
The country is in turmoil since its long-time leader was ousted however, it is also the case that military members have found a voice in the midst of tensions and violence continue.
The chief of the army has expressed his concern over the planned delay of the elections that could fuel more unrest. Army in Algeria is the only one that can effectively fight Islamic Forces (that almost took control of the country following independence).
3. South Africa
Because it hasn’t been caught up in a war of the world’s military for quite a while, South Africa uses its extremely advanced military to support peacekeeping and international collaboration. This lack of conflict hasn’t stopped the nation from having a staggering $4,6 billion defense budget.
South African military
The naval and aircrafts of South Africa are known to be equipped with the most modern technology and even though the country is home to less than 100,000 frontline personnel It has the capacity and manpower to handle many more. Combine that with a huge range of land-system technology then you will see that the South African military is a force to be taken seriously.
4. Nigeria
The West Africa army has been fighting the Boko Haram insurgency for the greater part of the last decade. Despite the significant progress made during President Buhari’s initial term, there were some minor setbacks in the last year since the army has been trained to fight conventional warfare, rather that the more guerrilla-style tactics employed by the rebels.
As with Algeria like Algeria and Egypt the country’s abundant oil supply helps ease the financial burden associated with involvement in military conflicts. Nigeria is home to more than 1 800 armored automobiles, 250 tank and logistical vehicles with a total of 6,000 in its arsenal and includes close to 300 aircrafts and 25 vessels for naval operations that are high-powered. The navy strength of Nigeria is not as strong in comparison to the African countries with maritime borders.
5. Ethiopia
Despite being landlocked, and lacking any of the benefits that come with the Top 3 Ethiopia remains the one one with no maritime borders within the Top 5. Ethiopia has focused its efforts on building its air and army forces in a remarkable way (the GFP doesn’t penalize landlocked countries for having no navy force).
PM Aby Ahmed has had an amiable relation with his military counterparts since taking authority with officials from the military. They have been seen visiting some of the PM’s projects as well as being given a briefing on his vision of the nation.
Ethiopia has over the years faced internal conflicts, and having a powerful military is also necessary due to the threat posed by terrorist group al-Shabaab. Ethiopia is currently home to an active army of 140,000 soldiers and more than 2 million citizens attaining the military age each year.
6. Angola
The Angola Armed Forces (FFA) is comprised of three elements comprising the army, the navy as well as the air force. In the last year, the agenda for transformation of Lourenco’s presidency was implemented. Lourenco Sept. 1st, he reorganized the armed forces, with generals being released from their tasks.
This comes one an entire year since the head of the staff was dismissed from his job after he was appointed in the office of the attorney general to be part of an investigation into corruption.
The eggs of what the president calls”the “Golden Goose” (oil reserves) have enabled this Southern Africa nation to fund the military with a substantial budget. The country currently has an active military that could be 100,000 soldiers supported by 585 armored fighting vehicles, 300 tanksand 285 parts of aircraft, and an army of 57 vessels.
7. Morocco
In the spring of this year the in the spring of this year, King Mohammed VI issued a request that the state to take on 10,000 Moroccans to join the military in compulsory service in the coming year. it is planned to increase to 15,000 by 2020. In the meantime, the Royal Army has an active force of 196,000 troops.
Its assets include 291 aircraft, 2,720 armored vehicles 1109 tanks, and a navy that has a collection of 121 vehicles.
The army also launched a joint military exercises with the US named “African Lion 2019” in March, which focused on training the troops to fight terrorists and violent extremism.
But, despite its huge budget, the funding partners like those from the U.S. have reported that it is “plagued by corruption, an inefficient bureaucracy and low levels of education in the ranks.” The presence of the majority of its troops within Western Sahara remains its biggest flaw up to now.
8. Sudan
Most likely the most controversial entry on this year’s list, the heroes become villains. Following a long-running protest and a sit-in protest by protesters outside its base, troops swept away the long-time leader Omar al-Bashir.
But, the last few weeks have witnessed reports of brutality by the military emanating from Sudan after talks between civilians and the military came to an impasse.
The military’s strength increased through the years of al-Bashir’s rule, and has also received funds by Saudi Arabia in the last few months since the emergence of the power.
The military is an army that is active, comprising 104,000 people, 191 aircraft as well as 410 combat tanks 403 combat vehicles with armour and 18. Naval assets. The majority of the equipment comes from Russia and China since it is subject to sanctions by Western nations.
9. Democratic Republic of Congo
The DRC is the home of Africa’s second largest population, which is around 86 million. Blue helmets, also known as the United Nations Stabilisation Mission, remains in the country because the nation’s forces are not ready to take on their peacekeeping operations.
The reforms to security in the country was initiated in 2003, following a time of civil war. The country is currently battling the task of integrating non-state actors who are armed into the national security establishments. The force is active of 134,000 people, however, while this is a substantial army, it’s lacking in its training when in comparison with other military forces.
10. Libya
There has been no peace and stability in North Africa country since the removal of Muammar Gaddafi. The military is armed with a massive array of weapons, which it is evident comes made up of oil.
The country is divided between a ruling administration in Tripoli and General Haftar who has the support of Western powerhouses like America. United States.
Libyan army
Tripoli’s government Tripoli is fighting to keep the troops from entering the city since they are not an all-inclusive force. However, the country has 2,500 armoured combat vehicles 500 tankers, 600 artillery pieces, and 6,500 logistical vehicles.