As of January 2025, the strongest armies in East Africa are those of Ethiopia and DRC. These countries have well-equipped and trained military forces, and have been involved in various conflicts and peacekeeping operations in the region.
As ranked by Global Fire Power, below are the most powerful Militaries in East Africa in 2025.
***Each country was Ranked by Their Current military capabilities and available firepower
GFP Power Index rating (0.0000 being perfect)
The ranking is based on over 50 individual factors with categories ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography.
However, the ranking does not simply rely on the total number of weapons available to any one country but rather focuses on weapon diversity within the number totals to provide a better balance of firepower available.
In 2025, Ethiopia emerged as the country with the strongest military in East Africa, achieving an impressive index rating of 0.9305. Following closely, the Kenya secured the second position, showcasing its military strength in the region. Meanwhile, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda solidified their positions in the top 5, showcasing their robust military capabilities in East Africa.
Top 10 Most Powerful Military In East Africa (2025)
1. Ethiopia (Power Index Rating 0.9305)
Ethiopia’s military is the most powerful military in East Africa and the 5th most powerful military in Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.9305.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 162,000
Active reserve personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 338
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 7,256
Self-Propelled Guns: 35
Towed-Artillery: 309
Rocket projectors: 40
The country also has a total aircraft strength of 103 aircraft, and a Defense Budget of $2,097,575,000.
2. Kenya (Power Index rating: 1.8135)
Kenya is ranked 83 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The country has the second most powerful military in East Africa and holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.8135.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 50,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 188
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 4,128
Self-Propelled Guns: 18
Towed-Artillery: 53
Rocket Projectors: 0
Kenya’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 156, a total of 85 helicopters, 2 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,307,383,000.
3. Tanzania (Power Index rating: 2.0416)
For 2025, Tanzania’s military is ranked 92 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review making it the 8th most powerful in East Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.0416.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 27,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 80,000
Firepower
Tanks: 62
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,072
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 0
Rocket Projectors: 0
South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 39, a total of 12 helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,406,745,000.
4. South Sudan (Power Index rating: 2.4321)
South Sudan army has the 4th most powerful military in the East Africa and the seventh most powerful military in East Africa. The country holds a PwrIndx score of 2.4321.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 185,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 30
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1950
Self-Propelled Guns: 24
Towed-Artillery: 0
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 18
South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 20, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $175,300,000.
5. Uganda (Power Index rating: 2.4767)
Uganda’s army is the fifth most powerful military in the East Africa Community and the 5th most powerful military in East Africa. Uganda is ranked 114 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review and holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.4767.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 45,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 16,000
Firepower
Tanks: 259
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 3,862
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 26
Rocket Projectors: 12
Uganda military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 51, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $985,400,000.
6. Eritrea (Power Index rating: 2.6985)
For 2025, Eritrea is ranked 120 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review making it the 6th most powerful army in East Africa and the 26th most powerful in Africa.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 120,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 130,000
Firepower
Tanks: 65
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 860
Self-Propelled Guns: 23
Towed-Artillery: 75
Rocket Projectors: 22
Eritrea’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 20, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $198,504,000.
7. Madagascar (Power Index rating: 3.0609)
Madagascar’s millitary holds a PwrIndx* score of 3.0609 making it the 7th most powerful military in East Africa.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 13,500
Active reserve personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 6
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 158
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 9
Rocket projectors: 0
The country also has a total aircraft strength of 5, 4 naval patrol vessels and a Defense Budget of $112,210,000.
8. Somalia (Power Index rating: 4.2037)
Somalia’s millitary holds a PwrIndx* score of 4.2037, making it the 8th most powerful military in East Africa.
The country also maintains a military force of 15,000 personnel, operates 10 naval patrol vessels, and has a defense budget of $171 million.
Top Strongest Military in East Africa 2024
| Rank | Country | Power Index Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethiopia | 0.9305 |
| 2 | Kenya | 1.8135 |
| 3 | Tanzania | 2.0416 |
| 4 | South Sudan | 2.4321 |
| 5 | Uganda | 2.4767 |
| 6 | Eritrea | 2.6985 |
| 7 | Madagascar | 3.0609 |
| 8 | Somalia | 4.2037 |
Strongest Military in the East African Community (2025)
1. Democratic Republic of the Congo (Power Index rating: 1.3111)
Democratic Republic of the Congo has the most powerful army in the East Africa, the 8th most powerful military in Africa and is ranked 66 of 145 out of the countries ranked in the GFP. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.3111.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 166,580
Active Reserve Personnel: 31,000
Firepower
Tanks: 105
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 916
Self-Propelled Guns: 8
Towed-Artillery: 60
Rocket Projectors: 25
South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 46, a total of 8 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $796,560,000.
2. Kenya (Power Index rating: 1.8135)
Kenya has the second most powerful military in the East African community, and holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.8135.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 50,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 188
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 4,128
Self-Propelled Guns: 18
Towed-Artillery: 53
Rocket Projectors: 0
Kenya’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 156, a total of 85 helicopters, 2 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,307,383,000.
3. Tanzania (Power Index rating: 2.0416)
For 2025, Tanzania’s military is ranked 92 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review making it the 3rd most powerful military in the East African Community. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.0416. While it does not possess the most advanced equipment on the continent, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) maintains a well-organized and disciplined structure.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 27,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 80,000
Firepower
Tanks: 62
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,072
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 0
Rocket Projectors: 0
South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 39, a total of 12 helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,406,745,000.
4. South Sudan (Power Index rating: 2.4321)
South Sudan army has the 4th most powerful military in the East African Community and the seventh most powerful military in East Africa. The country holds a PwrIndx score of 2.4321.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 185,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 30
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1950
Self-Propelled Guns: 24
Towed-Artillery: 0
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 18
South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 20, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $175,300,000.
5. Uganda (Power Index rating: 2.4767)
Uganda’s army is the fifth most powerful military in the East Africa Community and the 5th most powerful military in East Africa. Uganda is ranked 114 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review and holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.4767.
Manpower
Active Personnel: 45,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 16,000
Firepower
Tanks: 259
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 3,862
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 26
Rocket Projectors: 12
Uganda military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 51, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $985,400,000.
Top 5 Strongest Military in the East African Community (2025)
| Rank | Country | Power Index Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DR Congo | 1.3111 |
| 2 | Kenya | 1.8135 |
| 3 | Tanzania | 2.0416 |
| 4 | South Sudan | 2.4321 |
| 5 | Uganda | 2.4767 |
Methodology
The finalized Global Firepower ranking above utilizes over 50 individual factors to determine a given nation’s PowerIndex (‘PwrIndx’) score with categories ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography.
Revised in July 2025.
Kindly do your research properly, no way you can rate congo as most powerful country yet they were overwhelmed by the militias untill they got aid from Kenya and currently it is Kenya Defense Forces that are now training them so their defense can be advanced. You are under rating Kenya who has made remarkable mission including Somali mission which overwhelmed so many Eastern African countries after experiencing several casualties which made them withdrew even before they could last for one year
No country can stand against Kenya here in Eastern Africa and Africa as a whole if not may be Egypt