Somalia ranks the least in military might, Global Firepower report

Somalia ranks the least in military strength, the military ranking website, Global Firepower has revealed in its annual military ratings.

Based on over 50 point indicators such as a country’s manpower, weaponry, geographical position and natural resources among others, Global Firepower, GFP ranks Somalia the least with a Power Index rating of 5.7131 with 0.0000 being the perfect.

The United States, Russia and China occupy the first, second and third positions respectively.

The listing indicates that Somalia has 2.7 million people out of 10.6 million fit for military service while an average of 203,000 of its citizens reach military age annually. This is supported by about 12,000 active frontline personnel and another 24,000 active reserve personnel.

The Somali National Army has 140 tanks, 430 armoured fighting vehicles and 230 towed artillery, the report says. Its firepower is reinforced by a total of 25 aircrafts. GFP also indicates Somalia’s defence budget is estimated at $58,960,000 with an external debt of $3.5 billion. The country’s foreign reserves and gold is in the amount of $150 million.

Global Firepower notes it does not taking into account nuclear capability of a country in its ranking and neither is political leadership. Geographic factors, natural resources reliance and the country’s economic health are however crucial determinants.

Egypt ranks top in Africa with a 0.6214 followed by Algeria and South Africa. Neighbouring and troops contributing countries to Amisom, Ethiopia is number 5, Kenya at 8 and Uganda at number 11 in Africa. Ethiopia ranks number 46 globally; Kenya comes at number 68 while Uganda is rated at number 92.

Global Firepower derives some of its statistics from the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA. A total of 126 countries are ranked in the report.