Top 10 African countries with the weakest tanks at the start of 2025
Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the weakest tanks at the start of 2025.
This list is courtesy of Global Firepower.
Namibia ranks number 1 on the list.
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Having a poor tank fleet may be a major disadvantage for African nations, many of which deal with security issues, including insurgencies, territorial conflicts, and cross-border threats.
A weak tank fleet exposes a country to possible invasions or border incursions. Tanks act as a frontline deterrent, particularly against nations with greater military capability.
Without a significant armored presence, an African country may struggle to maintain its sovereignty against external attack, jeopardizing its territorial integrity.
Tanks are indispensable in modern ground combat, providing better firepower, mobility, and protection. If a country's army is exclusively made up of poorly armed troops or old armored vehicles, it will struggle against rivals equipped with modern battle tanks.
This disadvantage is especially important in confrontations involving heavily armed insurgent groups, rebels, or hostile bordering governments.
M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training Ukrainian soldiers await offloading at Grafenwoehr, Germany on May 14, 2023.US Army photo by Spc. Christian Carrillo
M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training Ukrainian soldiers await offloading at Grafenwoehr, Germany on May 14, 2023.US Army photo by Spc. Christian Carrillo
Deterrence is just as important to military might as active participation in conflict. An adversary may find it simpler to target a nation with a weak or antiquated tank fleet because it is unable to project power.
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Given that its ground troops don't have enough armored backing, neighboring governments or militant organizations would feel more confident challenging its authority.
African countries frequently participate in peacekeeping operations in neighboring countries or inside their borders. A nation's capacity to successfully contribute to these tasks is limited by a poor tank fleet, which also reduces that nation's influence in regional security issues.
Furthermore, threats to internal security in many African countries include armed militias, insurgencies, and terrorist organizations.
Despite their traditional employment in conventional warfare, tanks are essential to counterinsurgency operations because they can shatter enemy defensive lines, secure vital strategic areas, and provide heavy fire support.
An army's capacity to effectively respond to these threats is hampered by a poor tank fleet.
With that said, here are the 10 African countries with the weakest tank fleet strength, according to Global Firepower.
PS: This list contains African countries with atleast one tank, so countries such as Somalia, Sengal, Ghana and Benin with zero tanks are not included.
Top 10 African countries with the weakest tanks at the start of 2025
Rank Country Combat tank fleet strength by country (2025) Global rank
1. Namibia 4 34th
2. Ivory Coast 5 35th
3. Madagascar 6 38th
4. Mali 10 40th
5. Zimbabwe 15 42nd
6. Mauritania 25 45th
7. South Sudan 30 46th
8. Republic of Congo 30 47th
9. Mozambique 30 48th
10. Zambia 35 51st
6th
8. Republic of Congo 30 47th
9. Mozambique 30 48th
10. Zambia 35 51st
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