COUNTRIES WITH NO ARMY – YES THEY EXIST!

Vatican City

We, in India, are proud of our Army and cannot dream of being without them. Though we have never been the aggressor but we have had to defend our territory and our interest on multiple occasions and so we remain ever indebted to the courage and valor of our servicemen. They have not only defended our land but have liberated a ravaged and war torn Bangladesh and have on countless occasions helped the U.N. Peace Keeping Forces to maintain peace and tranquility in several hotspots of violence and unrest.

Our Army exists to serve the people, to defend the Nation, to protect vital national interests, and to fulfill national military responsibilities. Their mission is enduring: to provide necessary forces and capabilities to the Combatant Commanders in support of the National Security and Defense Strategies. The Army recruits, organizes, trains, and equips Soldiers who, as vital members of their units and the Joint Team, conduct prompt, sustained combat and stability operations on land. The Army is also responsible for providing logistics and support to enable the other Services to accomplish their missions, and supporting civil authorities in time of emergency, when directed. The Army continues to provide Combatant Commanders with a wide range of forces and capabilities to prevail in the war on terror, to sustain our global commitments, and to build effective multinational coalitions. In our neighborhood however the Army is responsible to run a country. In the diplomatic parlors the saying goes that while other countries have an army, the Pakistani Army has a country!

If an Army is so integral to the existence of a nation, both in war and in peace, can we imagine our existence without one? Well, we can’t but others have! These are usually small countries which can neither afford an Army and nor do they need one. They have a specially trained police force for internal security and have entered into an alliance with a large neighboring country or a group of nations to protect them against external aggression. Let us see which are these countries:

Andorra

This sovereign landlocked microstate doesn't have a standing military; instead, it has treaties with its two bordering nations — France and Spain — for protection. However, the European country has a well-equipped internal police force as well as a special unit for counter-terrorism operations.

Vatican City

The walled enclave is one of the smallest sovereign states in the world — both in terms of size and population. Vatican doesn’t have a defense treaty with Italy due to the former’s stance of staying neutral. The Noble Guard and the Palatine Guard were abolished in 1970. However, the largely ceremonial Swiss Guard is responsible for protection of the Pope, while the Gendarmerie Corps looks after internal security.

Monaco

Monaco

The principality hasn’t had a standing army since the 17th century when it was abolished. Although France looks after Monaco’s defense, the country has two small military units — one that looks after the royal family and the other after its citizens.

Iceland

The Scandinavian nation abolished its military in 1869; however, the U.S. kept a base in the country from 1951 until 2006. It is the only NATO country with no standing military, and has agreements for defense and security operations with neighboring states and other NATO members. Iceland does have an air defense system, a peacekeeping force, militarized coast guard and well-armed police forces.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

The small European state abolished its army in 1868 due to the high cost of maintenance. However, it does have a provision of forming an army in a war situation — a scenario that has never arose. The Liechtenstein National Police looks after internal security, while the country maintains close ties with neighboring states for defense.

Costa Rica

The Central American country abolished its army in 1948, following a brutal civil war, and celebrates Dec. 1 as Military Abolition Day. The nation maintains a small paramilitary force, which is responsible for policing and patrolling operations.

Grenada

After the 1983 invasion by the U.S., the Caribbean country abolished its standing army. The Royal Grenada Police Force takes care of internal security, while the Regional Security System is responsible for the country’s defense.

Dominica

The Caribbean nation abolished its standing army in 1981 and now its defense is taken care by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, which includes the Coast Guard.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Caribbean country’s defense needs are also addressed by the Regional Security System. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force are tasked with maintaining internal law and order.

Saint Lucia

This is a sovereign island country in the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Like many of its neighbors, Saint Lucia’s defense is provided by the Regional Security System. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, which was established in 1834, looks after its internal security.

Federated States of Micronesia

Spread across the Western Pacific Ocean, the island nation doesn't have a regular military as its defense and security needs are taken care by the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association agreement.

Kiribati

The constitution of the country located in the central Pacific Ocean prevents it from having a military. For its defense needs, Australia and New Zealand help the island nation, while internal security is taken care by the police.

Nauru

The Central Pacific nation does not have a military, but it has an informal agreement with Australia for defense cooperation. The world’s third smallest country by area does have a well-equipped police force for internal security.

Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

The a sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls in the central Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philippines has no regular military force, with its defense needs addressed by the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association. However, it has a police force for internal security, including a Maritime Surveillance Unit.

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands, is a nation of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific. The island nation's Royal Solomon Islands Police Force had paramilitary elements but they were disbanded and disarmed in 2003 following internal ethnic conflict. To bring an end to the conflict and to maintain law and order, New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific countries had to intervene. A police force and Maritime Surveillance Unit provide domestic security.

Palau

Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. The island country has an agreement under the Compact of Free Association with the U.S., with whom lies its defense responsibilities. The local police maintain law and order internally.

Samoa

Samoa

The Polynesian nation doesn’t have a military but has informal defense ties with New Zealand under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship. Samoa’s small police force and its Maritime Surveillance Unit are responsible for domestic security.

Tuvalu

The Polynesian island nation has never had an army but its internal security is looked after by the Tuvalu Police Force

Mauritius

The island nation, located in the Indian Ocean, has no standing army since 1968. However, it has the Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force and National Coast Guard.


So, contrary to our expectations, there are countries in the world which can manage to exist, keep their sovereignty intact and prosper without an army to protect them!