Countries Without Armed Forces

16 Oct,2023

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Andorra has no standing army but has 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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Andorra

Dominica has not had a standing army since 1981. Defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System.

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Dominica

In 1948, after its victory in the civil war, the country put an end to having any armed force. Every year, Costa Rica celebrates Army Abolition Day on December 1. The police force currently handles the internal security of the country.

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Costa Rica

The smallest country in the world, Vatican City used to have many armed forces to protect the pope and the country but Pope Paul VI abolished all the forces in 1970. However, since the little country is located in Rome, Italy protects the Vatican City.

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Vatican City

Iceland had an army in 1869 but after that, the country had defense agreements with the U.S. to maintain an Iceland Defense Force that existed from 1951-to 2006. In 2006, America announced that it will provide Iceland with its security without any stationed forces in the country.

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Iceland

The 1962 Treaty of Friendship signed between Samoa and New Zealand established informal defence ties between two countries. This has allowed the Polynesian country to not have its own armed forces. However, the nature of the treaty being informal, Samoa would have to ask New Zealand for assistance before it would be provided.

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Samoa

However, this country has something called the Vanuatu mobile force which maintains internal security and is equipped with small arms.

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Vanuatu

Initially, this country maintained its own force. After a heavy ethnic conflict, which forced countries like Australia and New Zealand to intervene, this country has not maintained any military of its own. However, the country does have a relatively large police force.

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Solomon Islands

Abolished its standing army in 1868 because it was deemed too costly. An army is only permitted in times of war, but that situation has never occurred. Liechtenstein maintains a police force with a police tactical unit, equipped with small arms to carry out internal security duties.

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Liechtenstein

Abolished its standing army in 1868 because it was deemed too costly. An army is only permitted in times of war, but that situation has never occurred. Liechtenstein maintains a police force with a police tactical unit, equipped with small arms to carry out internal security duties.

Credit: Google Images

Kiribati