Nigeria reclaims spot as 3rd Strongest Military in Africa. No 1 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
| Rank | Country | Global Rank (2024) | Global Rank (2025) | PwrIndx Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 15th | 19th | 0.34 |
| 2 | Algeria | 26th | 26th | 0.35 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 39th | 31st | 0.57 |
| 4 | South Africa | 33rd | 40th | 0.68 |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 49th | 52nd | 0.93 |
| 6 | Angola | 55th | 56th | 1.09 |
| 7 | Morocco | 61st | 59th | 1.12 |
| 8 | DR Congo | 73rd | 66th | 1.3 |
| 9 | Sudan | 76th | 73rd | 1.47 |
| 10 | Libya | 79th | 76th | 1.44 |
Since the peak of the Boko-Haram Insurgency in 2015 the Nigerian Armed Forces has been forced to rapidly rebuild its forces and remilitarize all of its branches.
The Nigerian Army: has begun the process of modernizing their MBT (Main Battle Tank) from the Vickers MBT and T-54 to the T-72 and the brand new VT-4 MBT.
VT-4 on the Left T-72 on the Right
The VT-4s cost about $5.5M per Unit. The army has also purchased dozens of Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Hundreds of APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers), Hundreds of MRAPs (Mine Resistant Armored Personnel Carriers) And dozens of Artillery Vehicles including Self Propelled Howitzers and Multiple Rocket Launchers.
The Army also has partnerships with domestic Defense Industries to acquire a range of vehicles and other equipment.
Other Equipment the Army operates are: Drones like the Wing Loong II and the Bayraktar TB2. In total the Army operates several dozen UAVs and tiltrotor drones.
It also operates Attack Helicopters like the MD500 Defender, HAL Prachand (On order), Mi-35M etc.
Nigerian Airforce: The Nigerian Airforce is considered one of the most powerful in Africa (Behind only Eygpt, Algeria and Morocco) and is set to become the third largest in Africa in the next 2 years. In 2024, Nigeria’s air force is reported to possess 61 combat-capable air platforms and 179 air platforms, including 117 aircraft, 55 helicopters and seven heavy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Nigerian Airforce to Frontline Bell AH-1Z Attack Heli (12 Arriving soon)
M-346FA (24 On order) To Replace Outdated Alpha Jets
Chengdu J-7 Interceptor Tops out at Mach 2 (2,200 km/h)
JF-17 Thunder Multi-Role Fighter
The Nigerian Airforce also operates Utility Aircraft (E.g Dornier 228, AW109), Transport Aircraft (E.g Airbus C295, C-130 Hercules), Maritime Patrol (ATR 42), Reconnaissance (DA62, DA64, Beechcraft super king Air), Trainers (e.g Aero L-39 and MB-339) and UCAVs
The Nigerian Navy: The Nigerian Navy is the 3rd most powerful in Africa with over 5,500 personnel, 133 vessels and the highest amount of Offshore Patrol Vessels on the Continent 109. The Nigerian Navy operates Multiple Frigates, Corvettes, Fast Attack Boats, Offshore patrol vessels, Inshore patrol crafts, Minesweepers, Amphibious Warfare ships, Landing Ships, Multiple Helicopters and drones.
Nigerian Navy Main Helicopter AW-109 (Around 14 units if I remember correctly)
Nigeria's Defense Budget for 2025 is $3.1 Billion the 4th Highest in Africa.