Albanian army
10. Albania - Fewer than 8,000 active military personnel, and the Navy and Air Force are even smaller. There are ethnic tensions with Serbia and Kosovo.
The Albanian army has about 8,000 people on active duty. Among them, the army has about 7,000 personnel, and its equipment is relatively old, mainly equipped with Chinese-made AK series automatic rifles, light machine guns, RPG shoulder mounts and other light weapons. It also has a small number of Soviet-made tanks and armored vehicles, but their numbers and performance are relatively limited. The Navy and Air Force are even smaller, numbering about 1,000 people. The navy is mainly responsible for coastal defense, equipped with several small speedboats and old minesweepers, and does not have large surface combat ships. The Air Force has several transport aircraft and helicopters for supply and observation missions, and has no fighter staff.
From an institutional point of view, the Albanian army has a compulsory military service system with a period of one year. Military spending is about 1.4 percent of GDP, or about $3.6 billion, which is low among NATO countries. Due to the importance of its geographical location, Albania has always had the idea of joining NATO. He officially joined NATO in 2009 and has participated in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, its own military power is still very limited.
In terms of defense strategy, Albania is more dependent on the collective defense of the NATO system and cannot play an important role alone. The main threat is regional conflicts from neighboring countries, such as nationalist tensions with Serbia and Kosovo. This is also related to the complex religious and political situation in Albania.
Therefore, despite Albania's membership in NATO, its military strength is still relatively weak and cannot take on major defense tasks alone. Its army is small in size and outdated in equipment, especially in the navy and air force. In the foreseeable future, the role of the Albanian army will be manifested primarily in the participation and enhancement of NATO's strategic depth in the defense system of the Balkans.
Armenian army
9. Armenia - The military is mainly concentrated in light infantry, with weak armor and air power. There are territorial disputes with neighboring countries.
The active number of the Armenian army is about 45,000 people, and the defense budget spends about 4% of GDP. The army is the main branch of the army, with more than 40,000 men, but most of them are infantry and light equipment. There are more than 300 tanks and armored vehicles, most of which are old Soviet-made T-72 tanks. The number of ballistic missiles and heavy artillery is also relatively limited. The air force and air defense are weak, with less than 10 fighters, and the ability to locate and attack targets is limited. The Navy has only one small border guard unit, which patrols the lakes and coasts.
From a geopolitical point of view, Armenia has territorial disputes with neighboring countries Azerbaijan and Turkey, which affect its defense and security. At the same time, its mountainous terrain also poses a natural obstacle to the offensive of mechanized troops. With these factors in mind, the strategic focus of the Armenian army is on light infantry and defensive equipment. Its military strategy is relatively defensive, and its main purpose is to defend the homeland, and it is difficult to project regional power.
To sum up, the Armenian military is dominated by army infantry, which is smaller, older and has limited heavy strike capabilities. The security environment it faces is complex and changeable, and its military strength is not very resistant. For the foreseeable future, Armenia will remain dependent on its ally Russia for military support and assistance.
Lithuanian army
8. Lithuania - With only about 8,000 troops, it relies on the support and protection of its neighboring allies.
The Lithuanian army has about 18,000 active personnel and budget expenditures of about 2% of GDP. The Army is the main service force, with more than 16,000 personnel, but most of them are infantry and light equipment. There were less than 100 tanks and armored vehicles, and there were no heavy artillery or ballistic missiles. The Navy and Air Force are even weaker, and the Navy has only a few small patrol ships of the combat boat class; The Air Force has less than 10 fighters, and it is difficult to form an effective air defense system.
Considering Lithuania's small size and geographical location, the strategic positioning of its army was primarily home defense. Relying on the NATO system for security guarantees makes it difficult to project power externally on its own. Lithuania has also sent a small number of troops to participate in NATO's overseas peacekeeping operations, but the impact has been very limited.
It can be seen that Lithuania's own military strength is relatively weak, and it faces great constraints in terms of scale, equipment and strategic positioning. Its security is largely dependent on the defense support of the NATO alliance, and in particular, it needs the United States to provide nuclear deterrence and military assistance. Lithuania's defense system can be said to be a typical example of "Allied dependence".
Therefore, in the foreseeable future, Lithuania will continue to strengthen cooperation with NATO allies, relying on the collective defense system to deal with potential threats from Russia and other potential threats, and it will be difficult to form a strong military force independently.
Estonian army
7. Estonia - There are about 6,000 military personnel and a lack of equipment such as heavy artillery and tanks. Emphasis on mobile defense capabilities.
The Estonian army has about 6,000 active personnel and spends about 2% of GDP on its defense budget. The Army is the main service force, with more than 5,000 personnel, organized into a brigade-sized unit, mainly equipped with light weapons. The number of tanks and armored vehicles was small, and there was no heavy strike firepower such as heavy artillery. The navy and air force are smaller, and the navy has only a few patrol boats; The Air Force has less than 10 aircraft, mainly for transport and observation purposes.
Considering that Estonia has a population of only 450,000 and a small territory, its army is strategically positioned primarily for light and mobile defense. At the same time, it will also focus on cyber warfare and intelligence capacity building to give full play to its own advantages. Estonia also sends a small number of troops to participate in NATO's overseas peacekeeping operations. However, its military strength is mainly dependent on the defense support of the NATO system, and it especially needs nuclear deterrence and military assistance from the United States.
As a result, Estonia's own military strength is very limited, and it is very weak and fragile in terms of the size of its troops and its heavy equipment. Its national defense and security basically rely on the collective defense system of the NATO alliance to provide strategic depth, and it is difficult to form a military deterrent to the outside world alone. To a certain extent, this constrained Estonia's independent foreign policy options.
Slovenian Army
6. Slovenia - There are only less than 8,000 professional soldiers, mainly light infantry units. But the training and equipment are relatively advanced.
The Slovenian army has about 7,250 active personnel and spends about 1% of GDP on the defense budget. The Army is the main service force, with more than 6,500 personnel organized into a brigade-sized unit equipped with relatively advanced infantry weapons and protective equipment. But there is no heavy strike force, only a few dozen wheeled armored personnel carriers and mortars. The navy and air force are smaller, and the navy is mainly coastal patrol speedboats; The Air Force has only a few light transport and helicopters.
Given the small size of the country, the strategic focus of the Slovenian army is on mobile defense. At the same time, it also develops elite units in specialized areas, such as mountain assault and special forces. Slovenia also sends a small number of troops to participate in the NATO alliance's peacekeeping operations abroad. However, its defense dependence is very high, and it needs nuclear deterrence and military support from the United States.
Therefore, Slovenia's own military strength is relatively limited, and its strength in terms of force size and equipment is relatively weak, and it is difficult to form a full military deterrent to the outside world. Its national security is mainly guaranteed by defensive strikes and support from the NATO system. This is the strategic consideration of Slovenia's accession to NATO.
Cypriot Army
5. Cyprus - The largest National Guard, with only around 10,000 men, is outdated. Geographical location is of high importance.
The Cyprus army has about 12,000 active personnel and spends about 1.8% of GDP on the defence budget. Its Chinese National Guard is the main army force, with more than 10,000 men, an establishment of nearly a division, and is mainly equipped with light weapons. The number of tanks and heavy artillery was small. The navy and air force are smaller, and the navy is mainly composed of a few patrol boats and speedboats; The Air Force has only a few transport aircraft and helicopters.
Affected by the separatist situation, the Cypriot army was mainly on the defensive, giving priority to the arrangement of guards and checkpoints, and also relying on the support of British bases in Cyprus. Its arms purchases come mainly from Russia, but its military power projection and strike capabilities are limited.
Therefore, on the whole, Cyprus' own military strength is relatively weak, mainly used for domestic defense, and it is difficult to undertake regional projection tasks. Its small army, outdated equipment, and single heavy firepower make it difficult to confront potential adversaries in the vicinity. This mainly depends on its important strategic location in the Mediterranean, receiving military support from external powers.
Maltese Army
4. Malta - All three branches of the armed forces are relatively weak and have low military spending. The Mediterranean location is of strategic value.
The Maltese army has only about 1,100 active personnel and spends about 0.5% of GDP on its defence budget. The size of the three armed forces is relatively small, with about one battalion in the army and even fewer in the navy and air force. The armament is mainly light weapons, with no heavy strike force, only light boats and a few helicopters.
Taking into account the small geographical size and the importance of the location, the Maltese army was deployed on the defensive. At the same time, the United Nations and other channels will be used to invest in the construction of military infrastructure such as military ports and airports on a large scale, so as to facilitate the transit and auxiliary operations of NATO allies.
As a result, Malta's own military is relatively weak and can only be used for base support purposes. Its security and defense are entirely dependent on nuclear deterrence and military assistance from the United Kingdom and NATO. Malta's defence model can be described as typical of the "outsourcing dependent" type.
In the future, Malta may appropriately expand its military and upgrade its equipment, but its military strength is still mainly auxiliary in nature, and it is difficult to form a completely independent and autonomous national defense system. Its security basically depends on the strategic defense and rescue capabilities of the NATO system.
Montenegrin Army
3. Montenegro - The army has about 2,400 men and lacks heavy equipment. The strength of the Navy and Air Force is also limited.
The Montenegrin army has about 2,400 active personnel and spends 1.66% of GDP on its defense budget. All three services are relatively small, with an army of about 2,000 and a navy and air force to a lesser extent. The equipment is mainly light, mainly infantry weapons, mortars, etc. There are less than 50 old tanks and armoured vehicles. The Navy has only a few patrol speedboats; The Air Force is even less powerful.
Considering the small territorial scope and complex geopolitical environment, the Montenegrin army mainly carries out the task of guarding borders and important places. At the same time, he actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations to improve the combat experience of soldiers. After Montenegro became independent in 2006, it established NATO membership as its strategic goal and received military assistance from NATO.
Therefore, Montenegro's own military strength is obviously short, and it is seriously insufficient in terms of the size of the troops and the quality of equipment. Its defense and security depend critically on its alliance with NATO to gain strategic depth through collective defense. This is the main strategic consideration for Montenegro's accession to NATO.
In the future, Montenegro will further increase its investment in national defense and arms procurement. However, the strategic positioning of its military is still mainly home defense and strengthening the depth of NATO's southeast flank. It is difficult for the actual military force to grow rapidly and rapidly.
Luxembourg Army
2. Luxembourg - The army is small, with only about 900 volunteer troops. The main focus is on logistics and medical support.
The Luxembourg army has only about 900 active personnel and spends 0.6% of GDP on its defense budget. The size of the three armed forces is extremely small, with about 800 people in the army organized into a company-level unit, and the navy and air force can be negligible. Equipped only with light weapons, it is mainly responsible for honor guards and guard duties.
Given its small size, Luxembourg is unable to build an army with an independent and autonomous deterrent. Its security and defense depend entirely on the NATO system, especially the military protection and assistance of Germany and France. The only role of the Luxembourg army is to become a miniature component of NATO's collective line of defense, acting in concert with the forces of the allies.
Therefore, Luxembourg can be said to have almost no military power of its own. Its defense system is completely "outsourced" to the NATO alliance, supporting rear support by providing bases and transit points. This "free-rider" defense model will remain in the development model of this small European country for a long time.
Icelandic Army
1. Iceland - there is no standing army, only a light coastal guard. Geographically isolated and of limited military value.
Iceland has no regular army, only a coast guard of less than 300 people, which is responsible for maritime patrols and disaster relief. There is also no armed force or armed police. The defense budget is only about 0.1% of GDP, which can only meet basic law enforcement needs.
Given the island's nature and remote location, Iceland's defense model is "no military force". Its national security is entirely dependent on the NATO system, with bilateral military agreements with the United States in exchange for security guarantees. At the same time, it uses its strategic position in the North Atlantic to give NATO allies the right to use military bases and transit arrangements.
Therefore, it can be said that Iceland is the country with the most blank military power in the NATO alliance. It does not possess and does not pursue any military strike or deterrence capability. This "100% outsourced" approach to defense will continue to be a fundamental choice of Iceland's security strategy in the long term.
Iceland is unlikely to have an independent defence system or armed forces in the foreseeable future. Its national security will continue to depend on the extension of the NATO system and the nuclear protection of the United States. This has shaped Iceland's unique geostrategic positioning and policy choices.