Jump to content

List of sovereign states without armed forces

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list is complete and up to date as of October 2024.

This is a list of sovereign states without armed forces. Dependent territories (such as Bermuda, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands) whose defence is the responsibility of another country or an army alternative are excluded. The term armed forces refers to any government-sponsored defense used to further the domestic and foreign policies of their respective government. Some of the countries listed, such as Iceland and Monaco, have no standing armies but still have a non-police military force.[1][2][3]

Many of the 21 countries listed here typically have had a long-standing agreement with a former colonial or protecting power; one example of the latter is the agreement between Monaco and France, which has existed for at least 300 years.[4][5] Similarly, the Compact of Free Association countries of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands, and Palau rely on the United States for their defence. They ensure their national security concerns are addressed through annual Joint Committee Meetings to discuss defence matters with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Andorra has a small army, and can request defensive aid if necessary,[6][7] while Iceland has a unique agreement since 1951 with the United States which requires them to provide defence to Iceland when needed, although permanent armed forces have not been stationed there since 2006.[8][9]

The remaining countries are responsible for their own defence, and operate either without any armed forces, or with limited armed forces. Some of the countries, such as Costa Rica and Grenada, underwent a process of demilitarization.[10][11][12] Other countries were formed without armed forces, such as Samoa over 60 years ago;[13] the primary reason being that they were, or still are, under protection from another nation at their point of independence.

Sovereign states without armed forces

[edit]
Sovereign states with no official military forces
Country Details Ref.
Andorra Andorra Andorra has no standing army but has signed treaties by which Spain and France provide defence assistance and protection. It has a small volunteer army which is purely ceremonial in function. The paramilitary GIPA special forces unit of the national police is trained in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. [14][15]
Dominica Dominica Dominica has not had a standing army since 1981. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force has a special forces unit and coast guard. In the event of war or other emergencies, the police force can act as a military force if so directed by the authorities. Defence is the responsibility of the Regional Security System. [16][17][18]
Grenada Grenada Grenada has not had a standing army since the 1983 disbandment of the People's Revolutionary Army, after the US-led invasion. The Royal Grenada Police Force maintains a paramilitary special service unit for internal security purposes. Defence is the responsibility of the Regional Security System. [10]
Kiribati Kiribati Under Article 126 of the Constitution, the only forces permitted are the police, which includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Teanoai. Defence assistance is provided by Australia and New Zealand under an informal agreement between the three countries. [19][20][21]
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Abolished its standing army in 1868 because it was deemed too costly. An army is only permitted in times of war, but that situation has not occurred since 1866. Liechtenstein maintains a police force with a police tactical unit, equipped with small arms to carry out internal security duties. Defense assistance is provided by Austria and Switzerland under an informal agreement among the three countries. [22][23]
Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Since the country's foundation, no military has been formed. The police includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Lomor. Under the Compact of Free Association, defense is the responsibility of the United States. [24][25][26]
Federated States of Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia Since the country's foundation, no military has been formed. The police maintain a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains three Pacific-class patrol boats, FSS Palikir, FSS Micronesia, and FSS Independence. Defense is the responsibility of the United States under the Compact of Free Association. [27][28][29]
Nauru Nauru Since the country's foundation, no military has been formed. There is a relatively large armed police force, and an auxiliary police force for internal security. Australia is responsible for Nauru's defence under an informal agreement between the two countries. [30][31][32][33][34]
Palau Palau Since the country's foundation, no military has been formed. The police includes a 30-person Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, Remeliik, and one Japanese-donated patrol boat, Kedam. Defense assistance is provided by the United States under the Compact of Free Association. [35][36][37]
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia The Royal Saint Lucia Police maintain two small paramilitary forces consisting of 116 people, the Special Service Unit, and the Coast Guard, both units are responsible for internal security. Defence is the responsibility of the Regional Security System. [10][38][39]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force maintain two paramilitary forces with a combined strength of 94 people (as of 2012); the Special Service Unit, and the Coast Guard, which are responsible for internal security and patrolling coastal waters respectively. Virtually all Coast Guard Commanders have been officers from the Royal Navy. Defence is the responsibility of the Regional Security System. [10][40][41]
Samoa Samoa Since the country's foundation, no military has been formed. There is a small police force, and a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains a Pacific-class patrol boat. There are defence ties with New Zealand, which is required to consider any request for assistance under the Treaty of Friendship of 1962. [42][43][44]
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands The Solomons have not had a military force since 1946. There is a relatively large police force, and a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains two Pacific-class patrol boats, the Auki and the Lata. Following heavy ethnic conflict, neighbouring countries intervened to restore law and order in 2003. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was responsible for defence and policing assistance until 30 June 2017. [45][46][47][48][49]
Tuvalu Tuvalu Since the country's foundation, no military has been formed. There is a small police force, which includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains a Pacific-class patrol boat, the Te Mataili II. Australia assumed responsibility for Tuvalu's national security in 2023 in accordance with the Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union. [50][51]
Vatican City Vatican City The Pontifical Swiss Guard, an armed unit charged with protecting the pope, is officially under the authority of the Holy See rather than the Vatican City State. Vatican City has no defense treaty with Italy, as it would violate the Vatican City's neutrality, but informally the Italian Armed Forces protect Vatican City. The Palatine Guard and Noble Guard were abolished in 1970. Internal policing is the responsibility of the Gendarmerie Corps. [52][53][54][55]

Sovereign states with no standing army but limited military

[edit]
Sovereign states with no standing army, but having limited military forces
Country Details Ref.
Costa Rica Costa Rica Article 12 of the Constitution has forbidden a standing army since 1949, following the Costa Rican Civil War. The Public Force, whose main role includes law enforcement, internal security and command of the Air Vigilance Service, has limited military capacities. [12][56]
Iceland Iceland Iceland has not had a standing army since 1869, but is an active member of NATO. The Crisis Response Unit is a military expeditionary peacekeeping force. There is an extensive militarised Coast Guard incorporating an air defence system, and a police service, including a police tactical unit. There is a defense agreement with the United States, which maintained an Iceland Defense Force and a military base in the country from 1951 to 2006. Following its closure, the U.S. announced it would continue to provide for Iceland's defense, but without permanently basing forces in the country. There are also agreements regarding military and other security operations with Norway, Denmark, and other NATO countries. [8][57][58][59][60][61][62]
Mauritius Mauritius Mauritius has not had a standing army since independence in 1968. All military, police, and security functions are carried out by 10,000 active duty personnel under the command of the Commissioner of Police. The 8,000-member National Police Force is responsible for domestic law enforcement. There are also a 1,500-member Special Mobile Force, and a 500-member National Coast Guard, which are both considered paramilitary units. Both units are equipped with small arms. [63][64][65]
Monaco Monaco Monaco renounced its general military investment in the 17th century because advancements in artillery technology had rendered it defenseless, but still self-identifies as having limited military forces. Although defense is the responsibility of France, two small military units are maintained: the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince primarily protects the Sovereign and judiciary, while the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers is responsible for civil defense and fire fighting. Both units are well-trained and equipped with small arms. In addition to the military, an armed national police force is maintained for internal security purposes. [4][66][67][68]
Panama Panama Panama abolished its army in 1990, which was confirmed by a constitutional change in 1994. The Panamanian Public Forces include the National Police, National Border Service, National Aeronaval Service, and Institutional Protection Service, which have some military capabilities. [69][70][71]
Vanuatu Vanuatu The Vanuatu Police Force maintains a paramilitary force, the Vanuatu Mobile Force, for internal security purposes. The Mobile Force consists of almost 300 men and women, who are well-equipped with small arms. There is also a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. [72][73][74]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Security". Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Mfa.is. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Direction de la Sûreté Publique / Département de l'Intérieur / Le Gouvernement / Gouvernement et Institutions / Portail du Gouvernement - Monaco" (in French). Gouv.mc. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  3. ^ "Comparative Criminology | Europe - Monaco". Rohan.sdsu.edu. 1 January 2002. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Monaco signs new treaty with France". Monaco Consulate. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  5. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Documento BOE-A-1993-16868". BOE.es. 30 June 1993. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Andorra Defense Forces - 1990". CIA World Factbook. 1990. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  8. ^ a b "Iceland Defense Force". Global Security. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  9. ^ "U.S. Military Forces Leaving Iceland". Usmilitary.about.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d "Treaty Establishing the Regional Security System (1996)". United States Department of State. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  11. ^ Schanche, Don A. (17 March 1990). "Breakup of Palace Guard Helps to Demilitarise Haiti - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Costa Rica". World Desk Reference. Archived from the original on 11 February 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  13. ^ "Top 10 Countries Without Military Forces | Top 10 Lists". TopTenz.net. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  14. ^ "Andorra". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  15. ^ "El Sometent | Tourism". Turisme.andorralavella.ad. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  16. ^ "Overview. 26 countries without armies". APRED. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  17. ^ The Caribbean: Defence and Security in the Anglophone Caribbean — The Roads to Cooperation, p. 113
  18. ^ "Special Service Unit". Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Kiribati Defense Forces – 1991". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  20. ^ "Kiribati". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  21. ^ Australian Government, Department of Defence (20 November 1943). "Operation KIRIBATI ASSIST - Department of Defence". Defence.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  22. ^ "Background Note: Liechtenstein". United States Department of State. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  23. ^ "Imagebroschuere_LP_e.indd" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  24. ^ "Background Note: Marshall Islands". United States Department of State. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  25. ^ "Marshall Islands". www.freedomhouse.org. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  26. ^ "Top 10 Countries Without Military Forces | Top 10 Lists". TopTenz.net. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  27. ^ "Inspection of Embassy Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia (ISP-I-02-09)". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  28. ^ "Micronesia, Federated States of". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  29. ^ "Micronesia". www.freedomhouse.org. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  30. ^ "Nauru". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  31. ^ "Guns in Nauru: Facts, Figures and Firearm Law". Gunpolicy.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  32. ^ "Nauru". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  33. ^ "Comparative Criminology | Asia - Nauru". Rohan.sdsu.edu. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  34. ^ "Nauru". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  35. ^ "Palau". Encyclopedia of the Nations. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  36. ^ "Palau". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  37. ^ "U.S. Relations With Palau". United States Department of State. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  38. ^ "Royal Saint Lucia Police Force". Rslpf.com. 4 November 1961. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  39. ^ "Saint Lucian Military statistics, definitions and sources". Nationmaster.com. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  40. ^ "Comparative Criminology | North America - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines". Rohan.sdsu.edu. 27 October 1979. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  41. ^ "History". Ministry of National Security, Air and See Port Development, Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  42. ^ "Samoa". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  43. ^ "Samoa". State.gov. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  44. ^ "Samoa". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  45. ^ "Australian defence presence in solomon islands". Australian Government Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 17 August 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  46. ^ The Solomons Islands 1998-2003 Archived 2012-05-09 at the Wayback Machine, britains-smallwars.com/.
  47. ^ "Solomon Islands". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  48. ^ "Solomon Islands". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  49. ^ "Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands - Home". RAMSI. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  50. ^ "Country Context". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 26 April 2005. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  51. ^ "Laws of Tuvalu, Revised Edition 1978: Chapter 70: Police" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  52. ^ "Vatican City". World Desk Reference. Archived from the original on 22 November 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  53. ^ Charlies Witke, Review of David Alvarez, The Pope's Soldiers: A Military History of the Modern Vatican, Michigan War Studies Review (January 20, 2012).
  54. ^ "Holy See (Vatican City)". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  55. ^ Alvarez, David (2001). The Pope's Soldiers: A Military History of the Modern Vatican Modern War Studies. University Press of Kansas. ASIN 0700617701.
  56. ^ El Espíritu del 48. "Abolición del Ejército". Retrieved 9 March 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) (Spanish)
  57. ^ "U.S. Department of State: Iceland". State.gov. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  58. ^ "A press release from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Regjeringen.no. 26 April 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  59. ^ "An English translation of the Norwegian-Icelandic MoU at the website of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs" (PDF). Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  60. ^ Norway Post: Norway and Iceland to sign defence agreement Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  61. ^ Aftenposten: Norway to help defend Iceland Archived June 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  62. ^ "Danmarks Radio". Dr.dk. 26 April 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  63. ^ "Background Note: Mauritius". United States Department of State. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  64. ^ "Mauritian Military Data". Nationmaster.com. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  65. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  66. ^ [1] Archived December 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  67. ^ [2] Archived August 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  68. ^ "La Compagnie des Carabiniers de S.A.S. le Prince - Palais Princier de Monaco". Palais.mc. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  69. ^ "The Panama Defense Forces". Library of Congress. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  70. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  71. ^ "Panama military - Flags, Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System". Photius.com. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  72. ^ "Vanuatu". Freedom House. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  73. ^ "The Vanuatu Police Force". Epress.anu.edu.au. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  74. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Retrieved 17 June 2012.

Further reading

[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_sovereign_states_without_armed_forces&oldid=1249663117"