Which countries do not have their own army. Countries that live without an army

The most defenseless and peaceful countries that do not have an army PHOTO

The British newspaper "The Telegraph" published a list of countries that are "peaceful" by default, not having their own army. The article comes after it was announced that this year's Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for "resolving the conflict between the government and militants in Colombia." According to the newspaper, these countries a priori cannot qualify for the Peace Prize, since such a precedent cannot arise there due to the lack of military forces inside the country.

2. The State of Liechtenstein abolished its armed forces in 1868 in order to save money. However, military service is compulsory for citizens in order to be able to defend the small Alpine country in hostilities in the event of a military conflict.

3. Lacking an army, Samoans in the Pacific will be protected by New Zealand in case of conflict.4. Andorra also does not want to spend money on maintaining its own army. France and Spain are responsible for its protection.
5. Pirate-infested Caribbean country Dominica hasn't had an army since 1981.
6. The state of Samoa, Tuvalu, also located in the Pacific Ocean, has never had its own army.

7. Despite the fact that the Vatican does not have an army, the Swiss Guard is directly dependent on the Holy See.

8. A small "Caribbean paradise" - the state of Granada has no army since the US invasion in 1983.

9. Inhabitants of other Pacific Islands, Kiribati, rely, in case of military conflict, on neighboring Australia and New Zealand, counting on their protection.
10. Australia also guarantees the protection of the State of Nauru.

11. The microstate in the Caribbean, Saint Lucia, has two small paramilitary garrisons, but this cannot be called an army.
12. Like the State of Saint Lucia, the States of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines do not have an army and are protected by a regional security system.
13. The Solomon Islands have delegated their security to the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand.
14. Under the free association agreement, the US is responsible for the security of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific.
Micronesia does not have an army, but has a defensive treaty with the US
16. Another Pacific nation under US protection is Palau.

As the famous French politician Georges Clemenceau said, “War is too serious a matter to be entrusted to the military,” and even today his statement does not lose its relevance. While most countries have a strong military and can organize their own defense at any time, some other countries do not have their own army at all. You can learn more by reading the article 10 largest armies in the world.

Below is a list of ten countries, and all of them have very different reasons for not having an army, such as the history of the country or its geographical location. And although many people believe that the army is necessary for the state, there are states that do not have or simply do not see the need for it. However, in most cases, such a country has a backup plan in case of a surprise attack or an outright declaration of war. Also pay attention to the 10 most peaceful countries in the world.
So let's look at 10 countries without military forces.

10. SOLOMON ISLANDS


The amazing Solomon Islands consist of as many as a thousand islands. Since the United Kingdom colonized the country in 1893, it has never had a large army. During the Second World War, there were British defense forces in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands then established a government in 1976 that lasted until 1998.

In 1998-2006 the country was engulfed in crime (including political) and ethnic conflict. To solve these problems, New Zealand and Australia jointly invaded the Solomon Islands to restore peace and disarm that country. Today, only the Solomon Islands Police Force exists within the country.

So who is the protector?

The Solomon Islands have no protector. However, the Islands paid Australia for certain defensive weapons. So if war is declared on the Solomon Islands, then Australia will be one of the first to help with defense.

9. COSTA RICA


Although this state used to have an army, today Costa Rica is one of those countries that do not have one. On December 1, 1948, Costa Rican President José Figueres Ferrer signed a decree to dissolve the armed forces after a civil war that claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people. And in order for everyone to correctly understand the meaning of the decree, the president personally broke the wall of the Bellavista barracks, the former headquarters of the army.

Today, the country has a Public Police, which provides law enforcement, security, patrols the territory, and also performs many other duties that are usually inherent in the police.

So who is the protector?

Thanks to the 1947 Inter-American Mutual Assistance Treaty, Costa Rica can count on reinforcements from 21 countries, including the United States, Chile and Cuba, in the event of an attack or declaration of war. The treaty says that if one of the above countries is attacked, then the rest of the countries will consider the issue of military assistance.

8 SAMOA


Samoa today does not have an army that could be used if necessary. Instead, Samoa relies on friendships with outside neighbors who can help with defense in times of war. Samoa has a police force, but, of course, it cannot be considered the military force of the state.

Who is the defender here?

There is a friendly treaty between Samoa and New Zealand concluded in 1962. In case of war or foreign invasion, Samoa can turn to its ally for military assistance. However, there is a clause in the treaty that either of these two countries can terminate the treaty.

7. PALAU


Despite the absence of a national military, Palau has a National Police Department established to protect citizens. Like most police forces, the Palau National Police Force must keep the peace and respond to any internal instability. And if there ever was a war, Palau would ask for help from other countries.

Who is the protector?

While remaining an annexed state, Palau would be protected by the US in case of attack or declaration of war. This is due to the Free Association Agreement reached in 1983 in the USA.

6. ANDORRA


Despite having no real standing army, the small state of Andorra was strong enough to declare war on Germany in 1914 and join the so-called Great War. With an army of 10 people, the country has not achieved anything outstanding, and therefore was not taken seriously. And although Andorra officially then took a certain side, she was not invited to the peace negotiations in Versailles, which subsequently led to the Versailles Peace Treaty.

In 1931 a group of people tentatively called the army was replaced by the Andorran National Police. This group, which consisted of 240 people, was created in order to keep the peace, and they were even trained to free hostages. police work there is the duty of any man with a gun.

And who is the protector?

Andorra has not one defender, but three. France and Spain are protectorates of a small state, due to their geographical position (landlocked). So, in 1933 the French Armed Forces were forced to suppress civil unrest in the country. In addition to these two countries, NATO forces also take part in the defense of the country when required.

5. GRENADA


Since the American invasion, Grenada has not been able to build a stable army. The reason for the invasion was a military coup and the struggle within the government, as a result of which the Prime Minister of Grenada, Maurice Bishop, came to power. Due to the invasion, which successfully remade a communist state into a democratic nation, the country does not have a regular army, but it relies on the Royal Grenada Police Force as well as the Regional Security System.

Who is the defender here?

There is no specific country that would protect Grenada from wars. Thanks to the Regional Security System, a country can seek military assistance from Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis (St. Lucia), and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; however, most of these countries have very weak armies, so that they cannot be a reliable support for Grenada. It seems that the United States will also have to help this state in the future.

4. MARSHALL ISLANDS


Under the Free Association Agreement of 1983, the Marshall Islands were granted the status of a sovereign state. There is also a pact between the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. According to this pact, the three countries will be free, but at the same time they will be as associated states in the United States.

This means that the US will serve as a protectorate and that the Marshall Islands will not have a regular army or make any effort to defend itself in wartime. The Marshall Islands Police are called upon to carry out general police duties within the state.

And who is the defender?

Since the Marshall Islands is considered an associated state of the United States, it is the United States that is fully responsible for the defense and security of the country. If the Marshall Islands were attacked, the US would have to provide the necessary military support.

3. LIECHTENSTEIN


Like some other countries on the list, Liechtenstein is a country that has decided to completely abandon the regular army. This state got rid of its troops in 1868 after the Austro-Prussian War because the army was too expensive. And after the country was liberated from the German Confederation, it was obliged to maintain its own army, but there simply were no funds for this. But in order to keep the peace, a police force was organized, the name of which is known as the National Police of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

And who is the defender?

Liechtenstein also does not have a specific defender country. Liechtenstein has the right to organize an army if there is a war, but this army will most likely be useless, help can only come from Switzerland. There was talk that Switzerland was responsible for the defense of Liechtenstein, but Switzerland itself neither confirmed nor denied such statements.

2. NAURU


Known as the smallest island country in the world, Nauru is indeed unique in many ways, although it is similar to all the other countries on the list in that it does not have an army. This state does not have a capital because of its size. But even the size does not prevent Nauru from having its own police, whose task is to maintain internal stability. Located on a group of thousands of small islands called Micronesia, Nauru is supported by readily available phosphates. Today, the country maintains close ties with neighboring Australia and the other islands of Micronesia.

Who is protecting Nauru?

Nauru and Australia are said to have an informal agreement whereby Australia provides Nauru with basic defense and troops. So, in December 1940, the Australian fleet repelled a German attack on a small island country.

1. VATICAN


This country, which bears the title of the smallest country in the world, also does not have an official army. However, this was not always the case. Previously, the state had a certain number of military groups designed to protect the country and the Pope - the latter task had the highest priority. There were two groups - the Noble Guard and the Palatine Guard, but Pope Paul VI abolished both in 1970.

Today, the Vatican has a Swiss Military Corps, which is designed to protect both the Pope himself and the Vatican Palace. There is also a Gendarmerie Corps, but it is more of a police force than a military institution. The Gendarmerie Corps is responsible for public order, traffic regulation, border protection and crime investigation.

Who defends the Vatican?

Since the Vatican is located in Rome, Italy is fully responsible for the defense of a small country located inside their own capital. Italy has an army of 186,798 units, of which 43,882 are navy and 109,703 are the rest of the army. Also in Italy there is an Air Force capable of protecting it at the right time.

Most European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, supported this idea, noting, however, that this is a project of the future that requires serious expenses.

"Abroad" decided to recall the countries in which there is no regular army.

Japan

After World War II, Japan passed a law prohibiting having an official regular army and participating in international conflicts. Today, there are Self-Defense Forces in the country, which have the status of a civil organization. And despite the fact that they include infantry, air and sea forces, navy and anti-missile systems, the term "army" is forbidden to use the term "army" in relation to them.

In the event of a military conflict, Japan can count on the US army.

Iceland

The country is confident in its security and has no army, no naval and air forces. The largest military structure in Iceland is the Coast Guard. It consists of 130 people, three patrol ships, three helicopters, a boat and a plane.

If one of the inhabitants of Iceland wants to go to serve and receive military training, then, according to a bilateral agreement, he can join the army of Norway. In the event of an external threat, Iceland can count on the NATO army.

Panama

As a result of the US military operation, the Panamanian army officially ceased to exist, the Panamanian military was disarmed, and their weapons were stored under the protection of US soldiers. In 1990, the President passed a law prohibiting the creation of military forces.

Today, the “civilian defense forces”, which number 12,000 people, are responsible for the country's security. They include the police, aviation and maritime services. In the event of an external threat, Panama has the right to turn to the United States for help.

Liechtenstein

In 1868, the state abolished its army in order to save money. At the time of dissolution, the armed forces of Liechtenstein consisted of only 80 people.

At the moment, in the event of an external threat, no country is officially responsible for protecting Liechtenstein, however, the government of one of the smallest states in the world claims that agreements have been reached with several European powers at once, including Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Andorra

Officially, Andorra does not have a regular army. The police force, numbering only 1,500 people, is responsible for the internal security of the country. However, in case of danger, every resident of Andorra who owns a firearm is obliged to immediately join the police squad.

In addition, the country has a dedicated ceremonial army of volunteers used for official receptions and big celebrations. In the event of a military attack, Andorra can count on France, Spain or NATO forces.

Costa Rica

The army of Costa Rica was disbanded after the end of the civil war in 1948 by decree of the country's president, José Ferrer. In confirmation of his firm intentions to put an end to any hostilities, the president personally broke the wall of the building that housed the army headquarters.

Today, the internal security of Costa Rica is the responsibility of the civil guard, police and coast guard, numbering a total of about 10 thousand people. In the event of an external threat, the country has the right to count on US assistance.

Solomon islands

There is no regular army on the islands. Previously, the Royal Police Force, headed by a commissioner, was responsible for the security of the country, but after 1998, when a whole wave of armed clashes broke out between the tribes on the islands, the organization broke up, and the prime minister was forced to turn to Australia and New Zealand for help.

Today, the country still has no armed forces, and the national intelligence and surveillance service and the maritime patrol are responsible for security. In the event of a serious military threat, the islands can still count on the Australian army.

Tuvalu

There has never been an army in the country: since its founding, a symbolic police detachment and a sea patrol with one boat have been responsible for security in Tuvalu.

To date, law enforcement also includes customs, prison and immigration units, with a total of only 81 people.

In fairness, it should be noted that Tuvalu has never had the need to use the services of the army. However, if it does arise, the country has the right to seek help from NATO forces.

8 chose

And for world peace! We hear this phrase from film and television screens and even at the festive table. Everyone wants peace, and yet they also repeat: "If you want peace, prepare for war." The largest army in the world, for example, China has more than one and a half million soldiers. But some countries not only do not prepare for defense or attack, but do not have their own army at all. Some of them have developed this historically, others because of territorial features, the third have an "elder brother" who is ready to protect his "sister", and the fourth are building some kind of "backup plans" in case of encroachments on their territory. What states have abandoned their own armed forces?

Protected by Big Brother

Marshall Islands, Palau

Since its founding, the only armed formation of the Marshall Islands has been the maritime police, the power of which is represented by a patrol boat and several policemen. The United States assumed responsibility for protecting the islands, looking after Palau at the same time. Palau is more powerful than the Marshall Islands, as it has a Marine Surveillance Detachment of 30 people and a Pacific patrol vessel.

Samoa

New Zealand took responsibility for the peaceful skies over Samoa. And the inhabitants of the country themselves were satisfied with the Marine Surveillance Group, patrolling on a single ship and a small police detachment.

Nauru

Nauru is wholly under Australian protection by mutual agreement. However, the country has a large staff of armed police and internal security forces.

Deprived of an army

Solomon islands

The Solomon Islands once possessed a large military force, which they have lost due to a major internal conflict and due to the intervention of their neighbors.

Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific countries intervened in the armed conflict, abolishing the Solomon Islands army, retaining only the police and the maritime patrol.

Grenada

Grenada has had no army since 1983 under an agreement with the United States. The Royal Constabulary maintains internal security, while the secret services support regional security.

They don't need an army

Vatican

The Vatican is a neutral territory, which not only does not have its own army, but also has not signed agreements with its only territorial neighbor, Italy. However, the Italian army is already guarding the territory of the Vatican, behind the scenes and unofficially. Only the corps of the Gendarmerie remained in the Vatican, since in 1970 the Guard of the Palatines and the Noble Guard were abolished.

Tuvalu

A country that does not have an army, simply because it has never needed its services. Even the police here are very symbolic, as is the marine patrol on a single boat. By the way, do you know where this state is located?

Liechtenstein

The state of Liechtenstein abolished its army back in 1868, as it considered it too expensive for itself. True, with one caveat, that in the event of war, the Liechtenstein army will be put under arms, having mobilized its citizens. But such a need has not yet arisen. Liechtenstein maintains several intelligence and tactical teams exclusively for internal security.

Macedonia (2006)

The Macedonian army as an independent armed force arose in 1992 after the collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and inherited not only part of its arsenal (albeit a very small one), but also the recruiting principle. However, the fighting during the Balkan war quickly proved to the country's leadership that conscripts are a much less effective military force than professionals.

Montenegro (2006)

Mandatory military conscription in Montenegro was abolished immediately after the country declared its independence. However, the Montenegrin army, which after all the reforms should have no more than 2,500 people, will certainly not have problems with professional volunteers. Moreover, after the reform, only three bases will be assigned to accommodate the military: land, coast guard and air force, which will not have a single aircraft - only helicopters.

Morocco (2006)

In Morocco, any citizen who is over 20 years old can enter the service of his own free will, while the mandatory term of the first contract is 1.5 years. The human resources available to the Moroccan army are very large: more than 14 million people, and men and women among them are almost equally divided. True, the Moroccan army itself has more than 266,000 people, and the kingdom uses weapons for them from all over the world, but most of all - Soviet and Russian, as well as American and French production.

Romania (2006)

The Romanian armed forces were once part of the combined armed forces of the Warsaw Pact countries. Accordingly, both the weapons and the principle of acquisition of the Romanians were Soviet. Romania largely abandoned the first shortly after the overthrow of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in December 1989, and the second 17 years later.

Latvia (2007)

The Latvian constitution treats military service in the national armed forces not as a duty, but as a right that any citizen over 18 years of age can use. Today, a total of about 9,000 people serve in the combat units of the regular army and in the border troops of the country, and twice as many are in the trained reserve.

Croatia (2008)

Citizens over the age of 18 can serve in the Croatian armed forces at their own request. They had such an opportunity a year before the country was admitted to NATO. The Croatian army is quite large compared to its neighbors: 25,000 people, of which 2,500 are military sailors, and a little less are pilots.

Bulgaria (2007)

The Bulgarian armed forces switched to the contract principle of manning gradually. Moreover, the timing of the transition depended on the type of troops: pilots and sailors became the first professionals (in 2006), and two years later, conscription into the ground forces was finally canceled. The last conscripts went to the units at the end of 2007, and they were supposed to serve only 9 months.

Lithuania (2008)

On July 1, 2009, the last conscripts retired from the Lithuanian armed forces - the Lithuanian army became fully professional. The conscription principle of recruitment has lasted in this Baltic republic for almost two decades, if you count from the declaration of independence in 1990. Today, the strength of the Lithuanian armed forces does not exceed 9,000 people, if we do not take into account almost 6,000 fighters of the Volunteer Guard Forces.

Poland (2010)

After the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the Polish armed forces numbered more than half a million people, and now - five times less. With such a reduction in numbers, it is not surprising that the country abandoned the drafting of young men for military service and switched to the contract principle of manning the army. It is noteworthy that back in 2004, Polish experts and journalists believed that the country could not afford a fully professional army, and only 6 years later there was not a single conscript left in the troops.

Sweden (2010)

This country was one of the last to refuse conscription for military service and, moreover, was one of the first European countries in which this duty was really honorable. At the beginning of the 20th century, the campaign for the suffrage of men was under the slogan "One Swede - one rifle - one vote." But more than a century later, Sweden completely switched to a contract army: today the number of the Swedish armed forces is about 25,000 people, but at the same time they are armed with the most modern weapons systems, and almost all of them are of their own production, from automatic rifles to fighters.

Serbia (2011)

The youngest professional army in Europe is relatively small in size - only about 37,000 people - and does not have its own navy (since Serbia lost access to the sea after the secession of Montenegro). In addition, like the Swedish army, it adheres to the doctrine of the “neutral army”: if there is no threat to its own security and the territorial integrity of the country, its soldiers cannot participate in any other wars. But the Serbian military is actively involved in UN peacekeeping missions - in particular, in Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Congo, Lebanon and Liberia.