Nepal Flag

Nepal

Nepal ranks #54 in global military power in 2026, with 96,000 active soldiers, 0 tanks, 35 aircraft, and 0 warships. Its annual defense budget stands at $500 million.

Unitary Republic ā€¢ GLOBAL RANK #54 ā€¢ Tier 4: Regional Power
NPL GLOBAL RANK #54 Tier 4: Regional Power
96,000 SOLDIERS
0 TANKS
35 AIRCRAFT
0 SHIPS
$46.5B GDP
31,240,315 POPULATION

Nepal Strategic Defense & Military Capability Dossier (2026)

Government: Unitary Republic
Economic Model: Developing Market Economy
Total Land Area: 147,516 kmĀ²
Military Alliance: Non-Aligned / Independent
Nuclear Capability: Non-Nuclear State
Main Battle Tanks (MBT): 0
Armored Combat Vehicles: 1,108
Fighter & Interceptor Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 3
Submarine Fleet: 0
Aircraft Carriers: 0
Primary Sources: SIPRI (2025/2026), IISS Military Balance 2026, IMF DataMapper, World Bank.
CULTURE & IDENTITY
RELIGION
Hinduism 81.2%
8.2%
5.1%
3.2%
1.8%
0.5%
H
Hinduism 81.2%
B
Buddhism 8.2%
I
Islam 5.1%
K
Kirat 3.2%
C
Christianity 1.8%
A
Atheist 0.5%
ETHNIC GROUPS
Chhettri
16.5%
Brahman-Hill
11.3%
Magar
6.9%
Tharu
6.2%
Tamang
5.6%
Bishwokarma
5%
Musalman
4.9%
Newar
4.6%
Yadav
4.2%
Rai
2.2%
Pariyar
1.9%
Gurung
1.9%
Thakuri
1.7%
Mijar
1.6%
Teli
1.5%
Yakthung/Limbu
1.4%
Chamar/Harijan/Ram
1.4%
Koiri/Kushwaha
1.2%
other
20%
LANGUAGES
Nepali
44.6%
Maithili
11.7%
Bhojpuri
6%
Tharu
5.8%
Tamang
5.1%
Newar
3.2%
Other
23.6%
99%
LITERACY RATE
DETAILED INTELLIGENCE
MILITARY DETAIL
Nuclear Warheads
0
ICBMs
0
Military Drones
18
Suicide Drones
0
Cruise Missiles
0
LAND FORCES
Active Personnel
96,000
Tanks
0
APCs & Combat Vehicles
1,108
Self-Propelled Arty
0
Towed Artillery
14
MLRS Rocket Systems
0
Anti-Air Systems
114
Anti-Tank Systems
333
Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
0
Light Tanks
0
Tank Destroyers
0
AIR FORCES
Total Aircraft
35
Fighters & Interceptors
0
Attack Aircraft
0
Transport Aircraft
14
Trainer Aircraft
0
Total Helicopters
21
Attack Helicopters
3
NAVAL FORCES
Total Warships
0
Aircraft Carriers
0
Helicopter Carriers
0
Submarine Fleet
0
Destroyers
0
Frigates
0
Corvettes
0
Patrol Vessels
0
Mine Warfare Vessels
0
NATURAL RESOURCES
Coal Reserves
10,000 Tons
ECONOMY
Annual GDP
$46.5 Billion
Defense Budget
$500 million
National Currency
National Currency
GEOGRAPHY
Total Land Area
147,516 kmĀ²
Coastline Length
Landlocked
Land Borders
Island Nation
Prevailing Climate
Temperate
Terrain Profile
Diverse topography
POWER INDEX
78.4 COMPOSITE POWER INDEX
ā–² #53 Syria ā–¼ #55 Dominican Republic
96,000
Soldiers
#54/250
0
Tanks
#54/250
1,108
Vehicles
#54/250
35
Aircraft
#54/250
0
Ships
#54/250
$46.5B
GDP
#54/250
31,240,315
Population
#54/250
147,516 kmĀ²
Area
#54/250
COMBAT ARMS DISTRIBUTION & DOCTRINE
MILITARY DOCTRINE ANALYSIS
ā˜… LAND FORCE PRIORITIZED
LAND FORCES96.5%
96,000 Active Personnel
AIR FORCES3.5%
35 Aircraft & Combat Aviation
Nepal's strategic doctrine emphasizes land force prioritized, maintaining 96,000 active ground forces, 35 tactical aircraft, and 0 naval combatants for comprehensive sovereign deterrence.
CATEGORY RANKINGS
#54
Active Personnel
96,000
#54
Main Battle Tanks
0
#54
Armored Vehicles
1,108
#54
Combat Aircraft
35
#54
Naval Warships
0
#54
Annual GDP
$46.5B
#54
Total Population
31,240,315
#54
Total Land Area
147,516 kmĀ²
#54
Power Score
78.4
GLOBAL SOVEREIGN POWERS DIRECTORY
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