African Countries Ranked by Military Power (2016)

The GFP(global fire power) ranking makes use of over 40 factors to determine each nation's Power Index ("PwrIndx") score. From this score, the finalized ranking is generated. The factors are set within our algorithm which attempts to provide a fair canvas that allows smaller, yet technologically-advanced powers to compete with larger, lesser-developed ones. Additionally, various bonuses and penalties are added for final refinement. In the end, we hope it presents an unbiased ranking and realistic outlook on the conventional military firepower and strength of a given country for a given year. At the very least, this list can be used to stir healthy debate amongst visitors to GFP.

There are a total of (30) countries of Africa represented in the GFP database.

0.3056 - Egypt

0.4514 - Algeria

0.7619 - Ethiopia

0.7856 - Nigeria

0.8252 - South Africa

1.3384 - Democratic Republic of the Congo

2.8447 - Republic of the Congo

3.3534 - Namibia

3.4241 - Somalia

3.7343 - Central African Republic

Ethiopia
Ranked as 42 of 126
GFP Power Index rating of 0.7619 (0.0000 being perfect)

MANPOWER - Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength is the actual manpower that drives a given military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.

Total Population: 99,465,819

Available Manpower: 40,000,000

Fit for Service: 24,800,000

Reaching Military Age Annually: 1,950,000

Active Frontline Personnel: 185,500

Active Reserve Personnel: 0

LAND SYSTEMS - Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

Tanks: 2,300

Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 800

Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 85

Towed-Artillery: 700

Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 183

AIR POWER - Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of service.

Total Aircraft: 80

Fighters/Interceptors: 24

Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 24

Transport Aircraft: 34

Trainer Aircraft: 14

Helicopters: 33

Attack Helicopters: 8

RESOURCES (PETROLEUM) - Despite the advances made in battlefield technology, oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force and supporting economy.

Oil Production: 100 bbl/day

Oil Consumption: 57,000 bbl/day

Proven Oil Reserves: 430,000 bbl/day

LOGISTICAL - War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from / to points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force adds to available wartime industry strength.

Labor Force: 47,540,000

Merchant Marine Strength: 8

Major Ports and Terminals: 2

Roadway Coverage: 36,469

Railway Coverage: 681

Serviceable Airports: 57

FINANCIAL (in USD) - Regardless of strength in numbers, war is still driven by financing as much as any one leader or weapon.

Defense Budget: $340,000,000

External Debt: $15,550,000,000

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $3,589,000,000

Purchasing Power Parity: $145,100,000,000

GEOGRAPHY (in km) - Geographical values primarily figure into a defensive-minded war (i.e. invasion).

Square Land Area: 1,104,300 km

Coastline: 0 km

Shared Border: 5,925 km

Waterways: 104,300 km

Countries Ranked by Military Strength (2016)

The complete Global Firepower list puts the military powers of the world into full perspective.

The finalized ranking relies on over 50 factors to determine a given nation's Power Index ("PwrIndx") score. This allows smaller, though more technologically-advanced, nations to compete with larger, lesser-developed ones. Modifiers in the form of bonuses and penalties are added to refine the list. Some things to observe in regards to the finalized ranking:• Ranking does not simply rely on the total number of weapons available to any one country but rather focuses on weapon diversity within the number totals to provide a better balance of firepower available (i.e. fielding 100 minesweepers does not equal the strategic and tactical value of fielding 10 aircraft carriers).
• Nuclear stockpiles are NOT taken into account but recognized / suspected nuclear powers receive a bonus.
• Geographical factors, logistical flexibility, natural resources and local industry influence the final ranking.
• Available manpower is a key consideration; nations with large populations tend to rank higher.
• Land-locked nations are NOT penalized for lack of a navy; naval powers ARE penalized for lack of diversity in available assets.
• NATO allies receive a slight bonus due to the theoretical sharing of resources.
• Current political / military leadership is NOT taken into account.As of 4/1/2016 there are a total of (126) countries included in the GFP database.