Cameroon ranks #78 in global military power in 2026, with 38,000 active soldiers, 65 tanks, 31 aircraft, and 19 warships. Its annual defense budget stands at $450 million.
Unitary Republic ⢠GLOBAL RANK #78 ⢠Tier 5: Moderate Power
CMRGLOBAL RANK #78Tier 5: Moderate Power
38,000SOLDIERS
65TANKS
31AIRCRAFT
19SHIPS
$65.1BGDP
29,123,744POPULATION
Cameroon Strategic Defense & Military Capability Dossier (2026)
Government: Unitary Republic
Economic Model: Developing Market Economy
Total Land Area: 475,440 km²
Military Alliance: Non-Aligned / Independent
Nuclear Capability: Non-Nuclear State
Main Battle Tanks (MBT): 65
Armored Combat Vehicles: 420
Fighter & Interceptor Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 4
Submarine Fleet: 0
Aircraft Carriers: 0
Primary Sources: SIPRI (2025/2026), IISS Military Balance 2026, IMF DataMapper, World Bank.
CULTURE & IDENTITY
RELIGION
Christianity 69.2%
Islam 20.9%
5.6%
4.3%
C
Christianity69.2%
I
Islam20.9%
T
Traditional/Animist5.6%
A
Atheist4.3%
ETHNIC GROUPS
Bamileke-Bamu
22.2%
Biu-Mandara
16.4%
Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri
13.5%
Mbam
13.1%
Grassfields
9.9%
9.8%
Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko
4.6%
Southwestern Bantu
4.3%
Kako/Meka
2.3%
foreign/other ethnic group
3.8%
LANGUAGES
French
60%
English
25%
Ewondo
5%
Fulfulde
5%
Other
5%
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
38,000
Tanks
65
APCs & Combat Vehicles
420
Self-Propelled Arty
18
Towed Artillery
52
MLRS Rocket Systems
12
Anti-Air Systems
18
Anti-Tank Systems
53
Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
65
Light Tanks
0
Tank Destroyers
0
AIR FORCES
Total Aircraft
31
Fighters & Interceptors
0
Attack Aircraft
0
Transport Aircraft
6
Trainer Aircraft
6
Total Helicopters
19
Attack Helicopters
4
NAVAL FORCES
Total Warships
19
Aircraft Carriers
0
Helicopter Carriers
0
Submarine Fleet
0
Destroyers
0
Frigates
0
Corvettes
0
Patrol Vessels
19
Mine Warfare Vessels
0
NATURAL RESOURCES
Oil Reserves
65,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas
2,100,000,000 m³
ECONOMY
Annual GDP
$65.1 Billion
Defense Budget
$450 million
National Currency
National Currency
GEOGRAPHY
Total Land Area
475,440 km²
Coastline Length
Landlocked
Land Borders
Island Nation
Prevailing Climate
Temperate
Terrain Profile
Diverse topography
POWER INDEX
ā² #77 Boliviaā¼ #79 Chad
38,000
Soldiers
#78/250
65
Tanks
#78/250
420
Vehicles
#78/250
31
Aircraft
#78/250
19
Ships
#78/250
$65.1B
GDP
#78/250
29,123,744
Population
#78/250
475,440 km²
Area
#78/250
COMBAT ARMS DISTRIBUTION & DOCTRINE
MILITARY DOCTRINE ANALYSIS
ā LAND FORCE PRIORITIZED
LAND FORCES75.1%
38,000 Active Personnel
AIR FORCES6.1%
31 Aircraft & Combat Aviation
NAVAL FORCES18.8%
19 Warships & Maritime Assets
Cameroon's strategic doctrine emphasizes land force prioritized, maintaining 38,000 active ground forces, 31 tactical aircraft, and 19 naval combatants for comprehensive sovereign deterrence.