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Benin

Benin ranks #145 in global military power in 2026, with 7,500 active soldiers, 0 tanks, 9 aircraft, and 6 warships. Its annual defense budget stands at $500 million.

Unitary Republic ā€¢ GLOBAL RANK #145 ā€¢ Tier 6: Minor Defense Force
BEN GLOBAL RANK #145 Tier 6: Minor Defense Force
7,500 SOLDIERS
0 TANKS
9 AIRCRAFT
6 SHIPS
$27.8B GDP
14,462,724 POPULATION

Benin Strategic Defense & Military Capability Dossier (2026)

Government: Unitary Republic
Economic Model: Developing Market Economy
Total Land Area: 112,622 kmĀ²
Military Alliance: Non-Aligned / Independent
Nuclear Capability: Non-Nuclear State
Main Battle Tanks (MBT): 0
Armored Combat Vehicles: 92
Fighter & Interceptor Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 1
Submarine Fleet: 0
Aircraft Carriers: 0
Primary Sources: SIPRI (2025/2026), IISS Military Balance 2026, IMF DataMapper, World Bank.
CULTURE & IDENTITY
RELIGION
Christianity 53%
Islam 27.7%
11.6%
7.7%
C
Christianity 53%
I
Islam 27.7%
V
Voodoo/Folk 11.6%
A
Atheist 7.7%
ETHNIC GROUPS
Fon and related
38.4%
Adja and related
15.1%
Yoruba and related
12%
Bariba and related
9.6%
Fulani and related
8.6%
Ottamari and related
6.1%
Yoa-Lokpa and related
4.3%
Dendi and related
2.9%
other
0.9%
foreigner
1.9%
LANGUAGES
Fon
39%
Yoruba
12%
Bariba
9%
Gun
6%
French
35%
Other
15%
99%
LITERACY RATE
DETAILED INTELLIGENCE
MILITARY DETAIL
Nuclear Warheads
0
ICBMs
0
Military Drones
12
Suicide Drones
0
Cruise Missiles
0
LAND FORCES
Active Personnel
7,500
Tanks
0
APCs & Combat Vehicles
92
Self-Propelled Arty
0
Towed Artillery
16
MLRS Rocket Systems
0
Anti-Air Systems
6
Anti-Tank Systems
18
Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
0
Light Tanks
0
Tank Destroyers
0
AIR FORCES
Total Aircraft
9
Fighters & Interceptors
0
Attack Aircraft
0
Transport Aircraft
2
Trainer Aircraft
0
Total Helicopters
7
Attack Helicopters
1
NAVAL FORCES
Total Warships
6
Aircraft Carriers
0
Helicopter Carriers
0
Submarine Fleet
0
Destroyers
0
Frigates
0
Corvettes
0
Patrol Vessels
2
Mine Warfare Vessels
0
NATURAL RESOURCES
ECONOMY
Annual GDP
$27.8 Billion
Defense Budget
$500 million
National Currency
National Currency
GEOGRAPHY
Total Land Area
112,622 kmĀ²
Coastline Length
Landlocked
Land Borders
Island Nation
Prevailing Climate
Temperate
Terrain Profile
Diverse topography
POWER INDEX
42.0 COMPOSITE POWER INDEX
ā–² #144 Ireland ā–¼ #146 Slovenia
7,500
Soldiers
#145/250
0
Tanks
#145/250
92
Vehicles
#145/250
9
Aircraft
#145/250
6
Ships
#145/250
$27.8B
GDP
#145/250
14,462,724
Population
#145/250
112,622 kmĀ²
Area
#145/250
COMBAT ARMS DISTRIBUTION & DOCTRINE
MILITARY DOCTRINE ANALYSIS
ā˜… LAND FORCE PRIORITIZED
LAND FORCES65.8%
7,500 Active Personnel
AIR FORCES7.9%
9 Aircraft & Combat Aviation
NAVAL FORCES26.3%
6 Warships & Maritime Assets
Benin's strategic doctrine emphasizes land force prioritized, maintaining 7,500 active ground forces, 9 tactical aircraft, and 6 naval combatants for comprehensive sovereign deterrence.
CATEGORY RANKINGS
#145
Active Personnel
7,500
#145
Main Battle Tanks
0
#145
Armored Vehicles
92
#145
Combat Aircraft
9
#145
Naval Warships
6
#145
Annual GDP
$27.8B
#145
Total Population
14,462,724
#145
Total Land Area
112,622 kmĀ²
#145
Power Score
42.0
GLOBAL SOVEREIGN POWERS DIRECTORY
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