A standing army is a nation’s permanent, active-duty, on-the-ground armed forces maintained in peacetime and wartime. It plays a major role in national defense.
However, many sovereign states operate without a conventional standing army. These sovereign countries with no standing army generally are:
- States that have never maintained armies
- States that maintained militaries but later abolished them
- States without standing armies but with limited armed or security units
These states generally depend on regional or international arrangements for broader defense.
This article discusses those nations, covering their military history, domestic security forces, external defense arrangements, geographical setting, and forms of government.
Here are the countries with no conventional standing army:
| Country | Capital | UN Membership Year | Defense Pact |
|---|---|---|---|
 Andorra | Andorra la Vella | 1993 | With France and Spain |
 Costa Rica | San José | 1945 | Limited military |
 Dominica | Roseau | 1978 | Regional Security Service |
 Grenada | St. George's | 1974 | Regional Security Service |
 Iceland | Reykjavik | 1946 | NATO nations |
 Kiribati | Tarawa | 1999 | With Australia and New Zealand |
 Liechtenstein | Vaduz | 1990 | With Austria and Switzerland |
 Marshall Island | Majuro | 1991 | With the US |
 Mauritius | Port Louis | 1968 | Limited military |
 Federated States of Micronesia | Palikir | 1991 | With the US |
 Monaco | Monaco | 1993 | With France |
 Nauru | Yaren | 1999 | With Australia |
 Palau | Ngerulmud | 1994 | With the US |
 Panama | Panama City | 1945 | Limited military |
 Saint Lucia | Castries | 1979 | Regional Security Service |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown | 1980 | Regional Security Service |
 Samoa | Apia | 1976 | With New Zealand |
 San Marino | City of San Marino | 1992 | With Italy; limited military |
 Solomon Islands | Honiara | 1978 | Royal Solomon Islands Police Force |
 Tuvalu | Funafuti | 2000 | With Australia |
 Vanuatu | Port Vila | 1981 | With Australia |
 Vatican City | Vatican City | 1964 (Permanent Observer State) | With Italy |
1. Andorra
Bordered by Spain to the south and France to the north, the Principality of Andorra has no standing army and relies on its neighboring nations for defense, as per the 1993 Treaty of Good Neighborliness. Andorra’s volunteer army has only a ceremonial function. The Police Corps of Andorra maintains civil peace and security. It also has a skilled paramilitary group for high-risk operations, known as the Grup d'Intervenció de la Policia (GIPA). Both forces work under the Ministry of Justice and Interior.
- Type of government: Parliamentary co-principality (parliamentary monarchy)
- Head of government: Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra
2. Costa Rica
The Republic of Costa Rica lies south of Nicaragua and northwest of Panama, with the Caribbean Sea to the northeast. This Central American nation officially ended military service in 1949, after the Costa Rican Civil War. The nation’s law enforcement agency, called the Public Force, oversees internal security and has an air vigilance unit mainly dedicated to busting drug cartels and airlifting civilians in case of medical emergencies.
- Type of government: Unitary presidential republic
- Head of government: President of the Republic of Costa Rica
3. Dominica
The Commonwealth of Dominica is an island country within the Windward Islands group in the Caribbean Sea. It has had no standing army since its dissolution in 1981 after attempts to overthrow then-prime minister Eugenia Charles. For defense support, Dominica relies on the Regional Security System (RSS), a security alliance of Eastern Caribbean states that cooperate on regional defense and security. It also has the Civil Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force as the nation's special service unit, and the Coast Guard provides maritime security. It can serve as a military in war and other emergencies.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic
- Head of government: Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica
4. Grenada
At the southernmost end of the Windward Islands group in the eastern Caribbean lies the island country of Grenada. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines border it to the north, and Venezuela lies farther southwest across the Caribbean Sea. After the 1983 US-led invasion of Grenada, the People's Revolutionary Army (its military) was disbanded. Since then, the country has operated with no standing army. Grenada is a member of the Regional Security System and depends on it for defense support. The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has a paramilitary unit, the Special Services Unit (SSU), that participates in the RSS. The Royal Grenada Coast Guard handles the nation’s maritime security.
- Type of government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
- Head of government: Prime Minister of Grenada
5. Iceland
Iceland is one of the few European countries without an army. It sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. As a founding member of NATO, Iceland relies on other allies, including Norway and Denmark, for security and defense. It has the Crisis Response Unit (ICRU) as its international peacekeeping unit, along with a police service. The armed Icelandic Coast Guard maintains vigilant maritime and air surveillance.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic
- Head of government: President of Iceland
6. Kiribati
The Republic of Kiribati comprises 32 low-lying atolls, ring-shaped coral formations surrounding lagoons, and one raised coral island, Banaba, scattered across the central Pacific Ocean in Oceania. It lies far northeast of New Zealand and Australia. Kiribati has no defense force. The Kiribati Police Service is responsible for internal law enforcement. Australia and New Zealand assist the nation with maritime and other security support.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive president
- Head of government: President (Te Beretitenti)
7. Liechtenstein
Nestled between Austria to the east and northeast and Switzerland to the west and south, the Principality of Liechtenstein is an inland microstate in Europe without an army. The nation disbanded its military after the Austro-Prussian War in 1868 for financial reasons and has not been at war since. Moreover, the dissolution of the German Confederation removed the obligation to maintain a standing army. The Liechtenstein National Police force maintains security within the country and can act as a military in the event of an invasion. The country also has a trilateral treaty with Austria and Switzerland for police cooperation.
- Type of government: Constitutional monarchy
- Head of government: Prime Minister of Liechtenstein
8. Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands sits north of Kiribati and east of the Federated States of Micronesia in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, comprising 29 atolls and 5 islands. As part of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA), the state has no army, and the United States handles its international security. Within the country, the Marshall Islands Police maintains law enforcement and civilian matters. The Republic of the Marshall Islands Sea Patrol is a police division that has performed maritime security functions since 1991.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive president
- Head of government: President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
9. Mauritius
The Republic of Mauritius is an archipelagic nation in the southwest Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Instead of a dedicated military force, various security units led by the Commissioner of Police handle national defense. These include the National Police Force for domestic law enforcement and two paramilitary units: the Special Mobile Force for internal security and the Coast Guard for maritime security and surveillance.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic
- Head of government: Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius
10. Federated States of Micronesia
The four island states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, spread over the western North Pacific Ocean in Oceania and situated northeast of Papua New Guinea, collectively form the Federated States of Micronesia. Under the Compact of Free Association, the United States has full authority and responsibility for security and defense-related matters. The FSM National Police enforces national laws to protect citizens. It also includes a Maritime Wing Unit.
- Type of government: Federal assembly-independent presidential republic under a non-partisan democracy
- Head of government: President of the Federated States of Micronesia
11. Monaco
The Principality of Monaco is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east, and west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Monaco is a sovereign city-state with no army, navy, or air force. It looks to France for external defense. Monaco has one of the largest police forces per capita, which maintains law enforcement. The microstate also has limited military forces, including the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (the prince's bodyguard unit) and the Sapeurs-Pompiers as its civil defense corps.
- Type of Government: Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government: Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco
12. Nauru
Northeast of Australia, in the Micronesia subregion of Oceania in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, lies a small island country called the Republic of Nauru (officially the Republic of Naoero). Like many Oceanic countries with no standing army, Nauru has none. The microstate has an informal agreement with Australia for defense and security assistance. For civilian security matters, it has its own national police force, the Nauru Police Force.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency under a non-partisan democracy
- Head of government: President of the Republic of Nauru
13. Palau
The Republic of Palau consists of more than 300 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is located southeast of the Philippines, north of Indonesia, and west of the Federated States of Micronesia. Under the Compact of Free Association, the United States provides full defense assistance and is responsible for its security. The Division of Marine Law Enforcement (DMLE) protects Palau's exclusive economic zone.
- Type of government: Unitary presidential republic under a non-partisan democracy
- Head of government: President of the Republic of Palau
14. Panama
Bridging North and South America, the Republic of Panama borders Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the southeast. In 1989, the U.S. overthrew the military dictator General Manuel Noriega and dissolved the army he controlled, the Panama Defense Forces. In 1990, the Panamanian Public Force replaced the army and upholds public security while safeguarding its land and maritime borders. Panama coordinates with allies, including the US, to maintain regional security.
- Type of government: Unitary presidential republic
- Head of government: President of the Republic of Panama
15. Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an eastern Caribbean island nation in the Lesser Antilles, northeast of Saint Vincent Island and northwest of Barbados. St. Lucia is a sovereign country with no standing army; the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force handles domestic security-related matters. The nation is part of the RSS, which coordinates regional defense cooperation.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Head of government: Prime Minister of Saint Lucia
16. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Neighboring Saint Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the eastern Caribbean. This island, together with the Grenadines islands north of the Martinique Channel, forms the nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The archipelago country has no standing army. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is responsible for internal security and also commands the Special Service Unit and Coast Guard. The country is a member of the Regional Security System, which provides defense assistance.
- Type of government: Constitutional monarchy
- Head of government: Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
17. Samoa
The Polynesian island country lies south of the equator and is equidistant from Hawaii and New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. The Independent State of Samoa is one of the few sovereign countries with no standing army. Under the 1962 Bilateral Treaty of Friendship, New Zealand can offer defense assistance to Samoa if and when required. The Samoa Police Service serves as its unitary national police force.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic
- Head of government: Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
18. San Marino
Enclosed entirely by Italy, the Republic of San Marino is a small enclave in the Apennine Mountains of southern Europe. Italy’s armed forces are responsible for San Marino's national defense, the fifth-smallest country in the world by land area. Rather than maintaining a conventional standing army, San Marino maintains a small military corps, each performing a distinctive role. For example, the Gendarmerie maintains internal law & order order, the Uniformed Militia performs ceremonial duties, and the Guard of the Grand and General Council serves as a ceremonial bodyguard for government officials and diplomats. The Civil Police Corps handles local law enforcement.
- Type of government: Parliamentary diarchic directorial republic
- Head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition (de facto, in the absence of a prime minister position)
19. Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is an island nation made up of over 1000 small and six large islands in the Melanesian sub-region of the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia. After independence, the country had no active military, with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) serving as a paramilitary force for defense and national security. Following the civil unrest, Australia led the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), supported by Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga, and disbanded the RSIPF armed factions. Over time, RAMSI restructured and strengthened the RSIPF and handed over security responsibilities to local authorities in July 2017.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Head of government: Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
20. Tuvalu
Tuvalu comprises six atolls and three reef islands in the Pacific Ocean, in Polynesia, east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands, south of Kiribati, and northwest of Samoa. Tuvalu has never had a standing military force since its foundation. The Tuvalu Police Force handles internal security and maritime surveillance. In 2023, Tuvalu and Australia signed the Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union, a bilateral treaty, under which Australia is accountable for Tuvalu’s security arrangements.
- Type of government: Constitutional monarchy
- Head of government: Prime Minister of Tuvalu
21. Vanuatu
Situated east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji, the Republic of Vanuatu is a group of Y-shaped Melanesian islands in the South Pacific Ocean. This sovereign country has no conventional army; the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) maintains law and order, and its paramilitary unit, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF), and maritime wing manage internal security. On June 29, 2026, Vanuatu signed the Nakamal Agreement with Australia to strengthen cooperation in policing, maritime security, training, and other security areas.
- Type of government: Unitary parliamentary republic
- Head of government: Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu
22. Vatican City
Vatican City State, the world’s smallest sovereign state by area and population, is an enclave within Rome, Italy. In 1970, Vatican City abolished most of its military corps except the Swiss Guard, an armed unit responsible for the pope’s security and that of other residents. The Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State maintains law and order. Although the Vatican has no formal defense treaty with Italy because it is a neutral state, the Italian Armed Forces are unofficially responsible for its security. As a cultural property under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, it has international legal protection against armed conflict.
- Type of government: Unitary theocratic elective absolute monarchy
- Head of government: President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State