A country without a national army. Countries that do not have an army
In the 20th century alone, more than 150 million people lost their lives to war. War is not only the death of people, but great financial losses. Today, the world's top military powers easily spend trillions of dollars each year to maintain and improve their armies. Despite the huge costs, most governments see defense spending as a major necessity. After all, the world is not ready for peace .. Nevertheless, there are a small number of countries that have decided not to have an army at all. Let's see why they came to this decision and how they protect themselves.
DID YOU KNOW?
On May 23, 2003, Paul Bremer III, the civilian head of US forces in post-war Iraq, issued a highly controversial directive calling for the dissolution of 500,000 Iraqi troops. Although plans to create a new Iraqi army were announced shortly thereafter, for a short time Iraq did not have an army of its own.
List of countries without an army
Andorra
The people of Andorra have a small number of military personnel who perform purely ceremonial functions. To protect itself from external threats, the country has signed treaties with neighboring countries: France and Spain. NATO forces will also protect this country if necessary. Andorra has a small paramilitary unit, but it is part of the national police.
Costa Rica
After civil war in 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer disbanded the army. In 1949, he added a ban on the creation of a standing army to the Costa Rican constitution. This South American country has security forces for the public, but their duties extend only to the territory of the state. Costa Rica also has significant, well-trained military units, civilian and rural security units, and border security police.
Dominica
Following an attempted military coup in 1981, the Dominica government disbanded its military. External security is currently the responsibility of the Regional Security System (RSS), which is formed by the island states of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and and Nevis.
Grenada
Following the 1983 United States invasion, Grenada lost a regular army. But there is a paramilitary force as part of the Royal Grenada Police that is involved in internal security matters. External security is the responsibility of the Regional Security System (RSS).
Haiti
The Haitian army was disbanded in 1995. Since then, the Haitian National Police have been in charge of security. It consists of several paramilitary and coastal patrol units. In 2012, Haitian President Michel Martelli announced the rebuilding of the Haitian army to stabilize the country. This means that Haiti may soon disappear from this list.
Iceland
There was a regular army in Iceland until 1869. After a period of insecurity, the country signed agreements with the United States to maintain Iceland's defense forces, and from 1951 to 2006 there was a US military base there. At the moment, Iceland has a military expeditionary peacekeeping force called the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit, which is an active part of NATO. It also means that fellow NATO members take turns guarding Icelandic airspace. The country also has an air defense system, armed coast guards and tactical police, which means that despite the absence of an army, Iceland is far from defenseless.
Kiribati
In the constitution of Kiribati, only the police are allowed, which includes a naval guard unit that is used only for internal security. For external protection, there are informal agreements with neighboring countries New Zealand and Australia.
Liechtenstein
The principality is considered one of the richest countries in the world, so it is surprising that Liechtenstein disbanded its army in 1868 because it was considered too costly to maintain. But there is a provision for the formation of an army if the country is under the threat of war. So far, such a situation has never arisen. Internal security is the responsibility of the police and special forces.
Marshall Islands
Since its founding in 1979, the Marshall Islands have only been permitted to have a police force and a Marine Internal Security Department. External protection is handled by the United States.
Mauritius
Mauritius has not had a standing army since 1968, but there are three groups that deal with security - the National Police for Internal Law Enforcement, the National Coast Guard for Maritime Surveillance, and a special mobile paramilitary unit. All of these forces are led by a Police Commissioner. Mauritius is advised by the United States on counter-terrorism matters, and the Coast Guard regularly trains with the Indian Navy.
Micronesia
Until the end of World War II, these islands in Pacific were ruled by Japan. However, since independence and founding, Federated States Micronesia only allows the formation of a police force. Like the Marshall Islands, the United States is involved in the defense of Micronesia. With its small size and the absence of external enemies, the maintenance of the army is considered impractical.
Monaco
There has been no army in Monaco since the 17th century. However, the country still has two small military units, one protecting royalties and the judiciary, and the other dealing with firefighting and internal civil security. There is also a National Police of up to 300 people. France is in charge of external protection.
Nauru
Nauru looks after internal security through a sizable, well-armed police force with many active and standby forces. The island nation also has an informal agreement with Australia to defend against external threats.
Palau
The country has similar security systems to the Marshall Islands and Micronesia: a small police force, a naval police unit, and relies on the United States for external security.
Panama
Following the US invasion of Panama to overthrow the military dictator Manuel Noriega, the army was disbanded in 1990. Panama now has a National Police, a National Border Service, an Institutional Guard Service and a National Air Maritime Service, which are considered the Panamanian community forces. Each of these units has limited opportunities to wage war.
Saint Lucia
The country's internal security is handled by the Royal Police and Coast Guard, and the External Defense is the regional security system.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Internal security issues are handled by the Royal Police Force, and paramilitary forces from the Special and Coast Guard, which are deployed throughout the country. Most of the Coast Guard commanders are former officers of the British Royal Navy.
Samoa
Like Palau and the Marshall Islands, Samoa has a small police force and a maritime internal security and border guard unit. Under the Treaty of Friendship, the protection of Samoa is the responsibility of New Zealand.
San Marino
San Marino has a very small military unit whose duties are solemn. It also has a small but heavily armed police force. This small country is completely dependent on Italy for national defense.
Solomon islands
The Solomon Islands had its own army, which disintegrated during the ethnic conflict between the two peoples of this country in 1998-2003. Law and order was restored through the joint mission of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Samoa, Palau, Niue, Nauru, Kiribati, Micronesia, Cook Islands, and the Marshalls Islands). The mission was named the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RMASO). Today, internal security is under the responsibility of a sizable police force and the Maritime Coast Guard. External threats continue to be dealt with by RAMSI.
Tuvalu
Since its founding, Tuvalu has never had its own army. There is only a small but well-armed police force and coast guard to maintain order. For external security, the country relies on informal partnerships with other countries in the Pacific region.
Vanuatu
Although the country never had a proper army, the Vanuatu police force includes a well-trained paramilitary unit called the Vanuatu Mobile Force. This country is also dependent on other Pacific peoples for external threats.
Vatican
Two military units of the smallest country in the world, namely the Palatine Guard and the Noble Guard, were disbanded at the Vatican in 1970. Since then, the Pontifical Swiss Guard and the Gendarmerie Corps are responsible for internal security. The Vatican is a neutral state, but there is an unofficial defense treaty with Italy. The Vatican's limited security forces are not designed to wage war. Their tasks primarily include law enforcement, border security and anti-smuggling.
As Otto von Bismarck said: Do you want to live in peace? Prepare for War! However, not all countries in the world have their own army. Below are 10 states that do not have their own army.
1. Vatican
An enclave state within the territory of Rome, completely independent from Italy. Vatican's status international law- an auxiliary sovereign territory of the Holy See, the seat of the highest spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.2. Republic of Nauru
State on the coral island of the same name in the western part of the Pacific Ocean with a population of 14 thousand people. Independence was proclaimed in 1968. Who is protecting? There is an informal agreement between Australia and Nauru for military assistance. In 1940, Germany attacked Nauru and the Australian Armed Forces came to the defense of the state. 3. Liechtenstein
State in Central Europe. The capital is Vaduz. Liechtenstein borders with Austria in the east and Switzerland in the west, its territory is completely surrounded by the territories of these states. The form state structure- a constitutional monarchy. Who is protecting? No country is responsible for the defense of Liechtenstein, but Liechtenstein itself insists that such agreements have been reached with a number of countries in negotiations in Switzerland. 4. Republic of the Marshall Islands
Pacific State in Micronesia, capital - Majuro. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands of the Marshall Islands archipelago, which consists of the Ralik and Ratak chains. The population of the republic as of 2008 is 63,174 people. Who is protecting? The state is a member of the free association of the United States, is under the protection of the United States and the armed forces of the "states" are responsible for the defense of this part of the Earth. 5. Grenada
Island state in the southeast Caribbean, occupies the island of Grenada and the southern part of the Grenadines in the Small Antilles, 120 km north of Trinidad. Who is protecting? A number of countries provide protection to Grenada - these are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, but these countries do not have sufficiently equipped armed forces and in case of danger, Grenada has to count only to the aid of the United States. 6. Principality of Andorra
A small European landlocked state located in the eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain. The name of the country comes from Basque. andurrial - "wasteland". Who is protecting? This country has as many as three defenders: France, Spain and NATO forces. 7. Palau
An island nation in the Philippine Pacific Sea, located 800 km east of the Philippines. Located on 328 islands. The population of the country was in 2008 - 20.9 thousand. The capital of the country is the city of Melekeok. Who is protecting? It is a member of the free association of the United States, and according to the 1983 free association agreement, the protectorate of such states is carried out by the United States. 8. Samoa
An island nation in the South Pacific, occupying western part of the archipelago of the same name. The capital of the country - the city of Apia is located on the island of Upolu. Who is protecting? Has a treaty of friendship with New Zealand, which guarantees the Samoan state the necessary military assistance. 9. Costa Rica
One of the smallest states in Central America. Located in the narrowest part of the isthmus connecting two continents. Despite its location, Costa Rica is a predominantly "white" country. The capital of Costa Rica is the city of San Jose. Who is protecting? Thanks to the 1947 Inter-American Mutual Assistance Treaty, it is under the protection of a number of countries, such as the United States, Chile, Cuba, and in the event of aggression can count on the military support of these countries. 10. Solomon Islands
A state in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia, which occupies most of the archipelago of the same name, as well as some other island groups. Consists of 992 islands. Who is protecting? The state is under the protection of several powers, but the main aid in the Solomon Islands is expected to be received from Australia. Thinking of a country without an army sounds a little unusual. In our minds, the army is one of the obligatory attributes of an independent state. But is it possible? Are there countries that do not have their own armies and do not spend money on maintaining the military?
Take a look at this list so you know which countries do not have an army.
The costs that most countries incur to maintain their armies are simply obscene. Military conflicts around the planet have generated surprisingly high profits for weapons companies. Naturally, war will be encouraged at all levels so that every independent state in the world invests as much as possible in the maintenance of its armed forces and armies, with increasingly sophisticated types of weapons of the latest generation.
The ending " cold war"In the late 1980s, partially suspended world military spending. But in 2000, especially in the aftermath of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York, those costs rose again. The beginning of the 21st century also gives no reason for optimism. Expenditures continue to grow in the context of "security": the fight against international terrorism, the fight against organized crime, local military conflicts.
Perhaps the US spending is, in this sense, the most symbolic. The military budget of this most powerful country in the military sense in 2016 amounted to 534 billion dollars!
On the other hand, there are several countries that have decided to exclude the costs of maintaining the army from their expenses altogether. They either abandoned armies altogether, or delegated their defense functions to other states under international treaties.
1. Costa Rica
This country eliminated its army in 1948, after the end of a lightning-fast civil war (only 44 days). The government that came to power decided to use the money intended to purchase new weapons in the education and maintenance of the police. Despite significant spending on internal security, the police are also responsible for border security and perform some functions that could be called “militarized”. Today it is one of the most stable and democratic countries in America. Costa Rica has also joined the Organization of American States (OAS) Mutual Assistance Treaty if they ultimately need protection.
2. Liechtenstein
The last time this tiny European country had its own army, it was 1866 during the Austro-Prussian War. But even then, the Liechtenstein army did not enter the battle. They were forced to have armed forces because they were members of the German Confederation. But when the Confederation was disbanded, the country no longer allocated resources for military spending.
3. Andorra
The protection of this tiny state is entrusted to Spain and France in accordance with international treaties signed in 1993. This is one of the smallest states in the world, and it would be ridiculous to support your own army.
Panama does not have a National Guard, and after the United States eliminated the regime of Manuel Antonio Noriega, the military was also disbanded.
But it should be noted that Panama shares a border with Colombia, and there is a Border Security Corps whose job is to patrol and deal with possible clashes with guerrillas, gangs and other armed groups. In theory, this is a police force with some military function. However, today it is believed that there is no army in Panama.
5. Iceland
Iceland has no army since 1859, although it is a member of NATO (NATO has its own army with soldiers from different countries). There is a procedure according to which, for specific cases, the Pacific Fleet Forces, the police, the coast guard and a special police unit are created. If someone attacks Iceland, there is an agreement signed with the United States according to which the American army will defend this ice country.
Monaco is not fully a country, but rather a city-state located on French Riviera... Therefore, back in the seventeenth century, he abandoned the cost of maintaining the military. His protection is entirely entrusted to the French government.
7. Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu and Nauru
These countries, scattered on small islands in the Pacific Ocean, have a small population. Some of them have defense treaties with New Zealand or Australia, or even both, in the event of an attack.
In June 1995, the Haitian army was eliminated. But there is a UN-mandated Peacekeeping Force operating on the island. There is also a National Police to maintain law and order.
There are other small countries, especially the island ones - in both the Caribbean and the Pacific - that also do not have military forces. These are states such as Grenada, Dominica, Barbados, Mauritius, Micronesia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Marshall Islands, Saint Lucia. They mainly have special police units and are part of various security systems in the region.
Let's not be naive. We know that cutting military spending is, today, one of the great human utopias that people want to bring to life. But we are also confident that war is the worst way to resolve any conflict. And let's not forget about the economic dimension of the arms race. Imagine that the money spent by poor countries in Africa or Asia would go to the creation of education infrastructure, housing, new jobs, food production. So why isn't it?
As the famous French politician Georges Clemenceau said, “War is too serious a matter to be trusted by the military,” and even today his statement does not lose its relevance. While most countries have strong army and can organize their own defense at any time, some other countries do not have their own army at all. You can find out more by reading the article 10 largest armies in the world.
Below is a list of ten countries, and they all have very different reasons for the lack of an army, for example, the history of the country or its geographical location. And let many believe that the state needs an army, 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 contingency plan in the event of a surprise attack or outright declaration of war. Also take a look at the 10 most peaceful countries in the world.
So let's take a look at 10 countries without armed forces.
10. SOLOMON ISLANDS 
The amazing Solomon Islands is made up of as many as 1,000 islands. Since the United Kingdom colonized the country in 1893, it has never had a large army. During World War II, there were British defenses in the Solomon Islands. Then in 1976 the Solomon Islands established a government that lasted until 1998.
In 1998-2006. the country was engulfed in crime (including political) and ethnic conflict. To address these issues, New Zealand and Australia jointly invaded the Solomon Islands to restore peace and disarm the country. Today, there is only the Solomon Islands Police Force inside the country.
So who is the protector?
The Solomon Islands has no defender. However, the Islands paid Australia for certain defensive weaponry. 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 does not have one. On December 1, 1948, Costa Rican President José Figuers Ferrer signed a decree disbanding the armed forces following 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, patrolling territories, and also performs many other duties usually inherent in the police.
So who is the protector?
Thanks to the 1947 Inter-American Mutual Assistance Treaty, Costa Rica, in the event of an attack or a declaration of war, can count on reinforcements from 21 countries, including the United States, Chile and Cuba. The agreement says that if one of the above countries is attacked, the rest of the countries will consider the issue of military assistance.
8. SAMOA 
Samoa today does not have an army to use when needed. Instead, Samoa relies on friendship with external neighbors to help defend against war time... There is a police force in Samoa, but they naturally cannot be counted military force the state.
And who is the protector here?
There is a friendly treaty between Samoa and New Zealand, concluded in 1962. In the event of war or foreign invasion, Samoa can seek military assistance from its ally. However, there is a clause in the agreement that either of these two countries can terminate the agreement.
7. PALAU 
Despite the absence of a national military force, Palau has a National Police Department established to protect citizens. Like most police forces, the Palau National Police Force must maintain peace and respond to any internal instability. And if ever there is a war, Palau will ask for help from other countries.
Who is the protector?
By remaining an annexed state, Palau will be protected by the United States in the event of an attack or declaration of war. This is due to the Free Association Agreement reached in 1983 in the United States.
6. ANDORRA 
Despite the lack of a real regular 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 did not achieve anything outstanding, and therefore was not taken seriously. And although Andorra officially took a certain side then, she was not invited to the peace talks at Versailles, which subsequently led to the Versailles Peace Treaty.
In 1931 a group of people, conventionally called the army, was replaced by the Andorran National Police. This group of 240 people was created to keep the peace, and they were even trained to free hostages. police work there is the responsibility of any man with a gun.
Who is the protector?
Andorra has not one defender, but three. France and Spain are the protectorate of a small state, due to geographic location(landlocked). So, in 1933 the French Military establishment 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 been unable to build a stable army. The invasion was caused by a military coup and a 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 transformed the communist state into a democratic nation, the country does not have a regular army, but relies on the Royal Grenada Police as well as the Regional Security System.
Who is the protector here?
There is no specific country that would defend Grenada from wars. Thanks to the Regional Security System, the country can apply for military assistance to Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis (Saint Lucia), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; however, most of these countries have very weak armies, so 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 associated with the United States.
This means that the United States will serve as their protectorate and that the Marshall Islands will not have a regular army or make any efforts to defend itself in wartime. The Marshall Islands Police are called upon to carry out general policing duties within the state.
And who is the protector?
Since the Marshall Islands is considered an associated state of the United States, it is the United States that is fully responsible for the country's defense and security. If the Marshall Islands are attacked, the US will have to provide the necessary military support.
3. LICHTENSTEIN 
Like some of the 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 freed from the German Confederation, it was obliged to maintain its own army, but there was simply no money 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 protector?
Liechtenstein also does not have a specific defender country. Liechtenstein has the right to organize an army if war breaks out, but this army will most likely be useless, help can come only 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. Due to its size, this state does not have a capital. But even the size does not prevent Nauru from having its own police, whose task is to maintain internal stability. Situated on a group of thousands of small islands called Micronesia, Nauru exists thanks to its 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 entered into an informal agreement under which Australia provides basic defense and troops to Nauru. So, in December 1940, the Australian fleet repulsed 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 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 Gurdia, 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 the Gendarme Corps, but this is more of a police than a military establishment. The Gendarme Corps is responsible for public order, regulation road traffic, border security and crime investigation.
Who protects the Vatican?
Since the Vatican is located in Rome, Italy bears full responsibility for protecting the small country located within its own capital. Italy has an army of 186,798 units, of which 43,882 are the navy and 109,703 are the rest of the army. Also in Italy there is Air Force able to protect her at the right time.
Most countries have numerous armed forces capable of defending and attacking at any given time (the largest army in currently belongs to China - approximately 1,600,000 soldiers), while some countries have no armed forces at all. This collection contains 10 countries without an army. Each of them has its own reasons - some have a story, some have a location. While there is no need for these countries to maintain an army, many of them still have a contingency plan in the event of an attack.
Nauru
Australia has taken full responsibility for protecting Nauru with an agreement. However, the country has a relatively large armed police force as well as internal security forces. 
Solomon islands
The country had its own armed forces until the severe interethnic conflict, in which Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific countries intervened, determined to restore law and order. Since then, the military has been abolished, and only the police and naval patrol for internal security have survived. 
Liechtenstein
Having abolished his army in 1868, Liechtenstein found it too expensive. Armed forces are permissible in times of war, but such a need has not yet arisen. However, the Principality of Liechtenstein has several intelligence agencies and tactical teams that carry out internal security duties. 
Army of Grenada
Grenada has not had an army since 1983 due to a partnership agreement with the Americans. The Royal Grenada Police maintain all internal security functions. A special service is responsible for the regional security system. 
Andorra
Andorra does not have a regular army, but has a signed defense agreement with France. The country's small volunteer army is exclusively ceremonial. The paramilitary unit GIPA (Counter Terrorism and Prisoner Management) is a component of the state police.
Some countries choose to spend their tax revenues not on the army, but on education. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the list of the 10 most educated countries in the world with the highest literacy rate.
Loading...