Countries with absolutely no military force
Whereas many of us believe that a military force is a necessity, there are countries that see or have no need for them. Below is a list of 10 countries without armed forces. Each of them with variable reasons why, some because of the country’s history other because of its location
1. Andorra
Andorra has no standing army but signed treaties with Spain and France for its protection. Its small volunteer army is purely ceremonial in function. The paramilitary GIPA (trained in counter-terrorism and hostage management) is part of the national police.
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2. Costa Rica
The constitution has forbidden a standing military since 1949. It does have a public security force, whose role includes law enforcement and internal security. For this reason Costa Rica is the headquarters for the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and also the United Nations' University for Peace.
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3. Dominica
Dominica has not had a standing army since 1981. Defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System.
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4. Grenada
Has not had a standing army since 1983 because of an American-led invasion. The Royal Grenada Police Force maintains a paramilitary special service unit for internal security purposes. Defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System.
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5. Kiribati
Under the Constitution the only forces permitted are the police, which includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Teanoai. Defense assistance is provided by Australiaand New Zealand under an informal agreement between the three countries.
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6. Liechtenstein
Abolished its army in 1868 because it was deemed too costly. An army is only permitted in times of war, but that situation has never occurred. However, Liechtenstein maintains a police force and a SWAT team, equipped with small arms to carry out internal security duties.
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7. Marshall Islands
Since the country's foundation the only forces permitted are the police, which includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Lomor. Under the Compact of Free Association, defense is the responsibility of the United States.
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8. Federated States of Micronesia
Since the country's foundation no military has been formed. The only forces permitted are the police, which maintain a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Independence. Defense is the responsibility of the United States under the Compact of Free Association.
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9. Nauru
Australia is responsible for Nauru"s defense under an informal agreement between the two countries. However, there is a relatively large armed police force, and an auxiliary police force for internal security.
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10. Palau
Since the country's foundation the only forces permitted are the police, which includes a 30-person Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the President H.I. Remeliik. Defense assistance is provided by the United States under the Compact of Free Association.
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11. Saint Lucia
The Royal Saint Lucia Police maintain two small paramilitary forces consisting of 116 people, the Special Service Unit, and the Coast Guard, both units are responsible for internal security. Defense is the responsibility of Regional Security System.
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12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force maintain two small paramilitary forces consisting of 94 people, called the Special Service Unit, and the Coast Guard, both units are responsible for internal security purposes. All Coastguard Commanders with the exception of Lieutenant Commander David Robin have been officers from the Royal Navy. Defense is the responsibility of Regional Security System.
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13. Samoa
Since the country"s foundation no military has been formed; however, there is a small police force, and a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Nafanua. In accordance to a 1962 Treaty of Friendship, New Zealand is responsible for defense.
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14. Solomon Islands
Maintained a paramilitary force until a heavy ethnic conflict, in which Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific countries intervened to restore law and order. Since then no military has been maintained, however, there is a relatively large police force, and a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains two Pacific-class patrol boats, the Auki and the Lata. Defense and policing assistance is the responsibility of the RAMSI.
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15. Tuvalu
Since the country's foundation no military has been formed; however, there is a small police force, and a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is equipped with small arms, and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat, the Te Mataili.
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16. Vatican City
Maintains a Gendarmerie Corps for internal policing. The Pontificial Swiss Guard is an armed unit charged with protecting the Pope, although it is officially under the authority of the Holy See, not the Vatican City State. There is no defense treaty with Italy, as it would violate the Vatican's neutrality, but informally the Italian Armed Forces protect Vatican City. The Palatine Guard and Noble Guard were abolished in 1970.
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