The military of any nation plays a very vital role. It protects the nation from external and internal aggression and ensures territorial integrity. Many African countries have had to contend with increasing terrorist activities and civil unrest. It is the duty of the military to put the activities of these aggressors under control. This article takes a look at the strength of the top 10 military in Africa.

1.            Egypt

Egyptian army is the most powerful and strongest in Africa. It boasts of solid military equipment which includes 1100 aircrafts, and 4767 tanks, its naval strength is rated at 237. Nearly 500,000 personnel serve on its active frontline force, more than any of its African counterparts.  It also has one of the largest defense budgets in the world estimated at $7.85 billion.

2.            Algeria

Algeria has one of the most equipped military in Africa having about 1500 armored fighting vehicles in its ranks. Algeria’s active frontline personnel number more than 127,000 troops. Algeria also has the added benefit of its own oil reserves, allowing it to use its own fuel to power tanks, aircraft carriers, naval vessels, and more. The army in Algeria is the only entity able to oppose effectively Islamic Forces (that almost took over the country after the independence). Algeria has a whooping military budget of $10.57.

3.            Ethiopia

Ethiopia has focused its resources on developing its army and air force to an impressive degree. Several hundred thousand personnel make up its current force, and it has significant numbers of land and air systems at its disposal. It’s arsenal boasts of 560 tanks, 81 aircrafts and an annual budget of $340 million which makes its military one of the strongest in Africa. An enormous population allows Ethiopia to maintain a large fighting force.

4.            South Africa

As it hasn’t been embroiled in an international military conflict for some time, South Africa uses its highly advanced military for peacekeeping. It has active front line personnel of 62,082 plus a modernized military technology. It has no fewer than 213 aircrafts and 191tanks with a naval strength of 30.  With a defense budget of $4.96 billion, the South African military is a force to be reckoned with.

5.            Nigeria

As the most populous black nation, it’s no surprise that several hundred thousand troops comprise the Nigerian Armed Forces — army, navy, and air force. Nigeria has more than 1,400 armored vehicles, 360 tanks, and 6,000 logistical vehicles at its disposal, as well as nearly 300 aircraft and 25 high-powered naval vessels and a defence budget in the region of $2.33 billion. However political instability, corruption and lack of adequate equipment have limited the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgency.

6.            Kenya

Kenya has considerable marine strength and an enormous labor force – resulting in high available manpower. Though it doesn’t possess as much of its own equipment, its role as a member of international teams allows the Kenyan military to share resources with other countries, strengthening its own capabilities at the same time. The Kenyan government has put together a defense budget of $595 million. The army was able to reduce significantly Al-Shabab impact in Somalia and permitted Kenyans to live more safely.

7.            Morocco

The military has at its disposal 2,120 armored fighting vehicles, 1,348 tanks, 323 total aircraft pieces, and a total naval strength of 121. Highly dependent on foreign equipment, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have been involved in the conflict with the POLISARO, a liberation movement fighting for the independence of Western Sahara. However Morocco is currently struggling with strong riots in the RIF region and there is nothing that its powerful army can do. The Moroccan government has bolstered the military with a defense budget of $3.4 billion.

8.            Tunisia

Tunisia is ranked as the 8th strongest African nation in terms of its military strength. The Tunisian Armed Forces has three mechanized brigades, one Saharan territorial group, one special forces group, and one military police regiment. The Tunisian military is supported with a defense budget of $550,000,000. They hold 900 armored fighting vehicles, 350 tanks, manpower of over five million, 139 pieces of aircraft and a total naval strength of 50. Tunisian has recently managed to have a stable government and reduce the ISIS threat on its Eastern Border. It’s armed forces are relatively small but efficient.

9.            Angola

Angola military armament consists of 270 aircrafts and coupled with 140 tanks. It has three components: the army, the navy, and the air force. Its involvement in training the armies of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau was controversial, especially as the leaders of the 2012 Guinea-Bissau coup d’etat cited Angola’s military mission as a primary reason for an uprising. Angolan Forces have been involved in fightings in the Angolan Province of Cabinda. Angola is said to have one of the largest air forces in Africa.

10.          Libya

Libyan defense budget is estimated to be $3 billion. The strength of Libya’s military comes mainly from its large cache of equipment, despite a relatively small number of active troops. The country has available 2,500 armored fighting vehicles, 500 tanks, 600 towed artillery pieces, 6,500 logistical vehicles, and much more.