Top 10 Strongest Army in East Africa, 2023 (Updated)

As of March 2023, 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 top 10 most powerful militaries in East Africa 2022.

***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.

Ethiopia was ranked as having the strongest military in East Africa with an index rating of1.0798, while the Democratic Republic of Congo was ranked second strongest army in East Africa. Kenya, Zambia and Uganda round up the top 5 strongest military in East Africa in 2022.

Top 10 Most Powerful Militaries In Africa (2022)

1. Ethiopia (Power Index Rating 1.0798)

Ethiopia’s millitary is the most powerful military in East Africa and the 6th most powerful military in Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.0798.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 162,000
Active reserve personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 365
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 130
Self-Propelled Guns: 65
Towed-Artillery: 480
Rocket projectors: 180

The country also has a total aircraft strength of 92, and a Defense Budget of $520,000,000.

2. DRC (Power Index rating: 1.4171)

Democratic Republic of the Congo has the second most powerful army in East Africa and the eleventh most powerful military in Africa, ranking 76 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 100,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 212
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 201
Self-Propelled Guns: 16
Towed-Artillery: 125
Rocket Projectors: 55

DRC’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 46, a total of 8 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $299,220,000.

3. Kenya (Power Index rating: 1.5252)

Kenya is ranked 81 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The country has the third most powerful military in East Africa and holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.5252.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 24,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 109
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 959
Self-Propelled Guns: 30
Towed-Artillery: 50
Rocket Projectors: 5

Kenya’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 151, a total of 87 helicopters, 2 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,186,080,000.

4. Zambia (Power Index rating: 2.1966)

Zambia’s millitary is the fourth most powerful military in East Africa and the 14th most powerful military in Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.1966.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 16,500
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 75
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 226
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 42
Rocket Projectors: 50

Zambia’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 97, a total of 27 helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $251,160,000.

5. Uganda (Power Index rating: 2.2436)

Uganda’s army is the fifth most powerful military in East Africa and the 15th most powerful military in Africa. Uganda is ranked 92 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review and holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.2436.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 47,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 10,000
Firepower
Tanks: 237
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1056
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 35
Rocket Projectors: 26

Uganda’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 49, a total of 5 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $934,250,000.

6. Zimbabwe (Power Index rating: 2.2498)

For 2022, Zimbabwe is ranked 93 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review making it the 6th most powerful army in East Africa and the 16th most powerful in Africa.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 30,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 50
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 318
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 60
Rocket Projectors: 23

Zimbabwe’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 90, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $117,390,000.

7. South Sudan (Power Index rating: 2.5072)

South Sudan army has the seventh most powerful military in East Africa and the nineteenth most powerful military in Africa. The country holds a PwrIndx score of 2.5072.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 175,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 55
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 150
Self-Propelled Guns: 12
Towed-Artillery: 0
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 7

South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 18, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $276,000,000.

8. Tanzania (Power Index rating: 2.8437)

For 2022, Tanzania’s military is ranked 113 of 142 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 2.8437.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 26,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 40,000
Firepower
Tanks: 42
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 89
Self-Propelled Guns: 12

Tanzania’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 36, a total of 10 naval patrol vessels, and a Defense Budget of $748,920,000.

9. Mozambique (Power Index rating: 3.1746)

Mozambique’s millitary is the 9th most powerful military in East Africa and the 25th most powerful in Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 3.1746.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 11,000
Active reserve personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 90
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 317
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 270
Rocket projectors: 12

The country also has a total aircraft strength of 18, 2 attack helicopters and a Defense Budget of $140,200,000.

10. Madagascar (Power Index rating: 4.4351)

Madagascar’s millitary holds a PwrIndx* score of 4.4351 making it the 10th most powerful military in East Africa.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 13,000
Active reserve personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 12
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 109
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 17
Rocket projectors: 0

The country also has a total aircraft strength of 5, 9 naval patrol vessels and a Defense Budget of $109,760,000.

Top 10 Strongest Military in East Africa

Strongest Military in the East African Community

1. Democratic Republic of the Congo (Power Index rating: 1.4171)

Democratic Republic of the Congo has the most powerful army in the East Africa community and the eleventh most powerful military in Africa, ranking 76 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 100,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 212
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 201
Self-Propelled Guns: 16
Towed-Artillery: 125
Rocket Projectors: 55

DRC’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 46, a total of 8 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $299,220,000.

2. Kenya (Power Index rating: 1.5252)

Kenya has the second most powerful military in the East african community.

Kenya is ranked 81 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The country also has the third most powerful military in East Africa and holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.5252.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 24,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 109
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 959
Self-Propelled Guns: 30
Towed-Artillery: 50
Rocket Projectors: 5

Kenya’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 151, a total of 87 helicopters, 2 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,186,080,000.

3. Uganda (Power Index rating: 2.2436)

Uganda’s army is the third most powerful military in the East Africa Community and the 5th most powerful military in East Africa. Uganda is ranked 92 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review and holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.2436.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 47,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 10,000
Firepower
Tanks: 237
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1056
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 35
Rocket Projectors: 26

Uganda military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 49, a total of 5 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $934,250,000.

4. South Sudan (Power Index rating: 2.5072)

Top 20 Most strongest military in East Africa

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 2.5072.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 175,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 55
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 150
Self-Propelled Guns: 12
Towed-Artillery: 0
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 7

South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 18, a total of 6 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $276,000,000.

5. Tanzania (Power Index rating: 2.8437)

For 2022, Tanzania’s military is ranked 113 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review making it the 5th most powerful in the East African Community. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.8437.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 26,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 40,000
Firepower
Tanks: 42
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 89
Self-Propelled Guns: 12

Tanzania’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 36, a total of 10 naval patrol vessels, and a Defense Budget of $748,920,000.

Top 5 Strongest Military in the East African Community

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.