As the United States deepens its involvement in Ukraine by allowing military contractors to maintain and repair weapons, it is a timely reminder of how crucial military backing can be for nations under threat.
While most nations maintain armed forces for national defense, several countries have chosen not to maintain a standing army, navy, or air force.
These countries rely on international agreements, regional partnerships, or police and security services for their protection and internal order.
Below are examples of countries that do not have any military forces, along with explanations of how they handle defense and security..
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has no military since 1948 when it was constitutionally abolished after a civil war and the government chose to invest in education and healthcare instead relying on a national police force and specialized units for internal security and disaster response while international defense and military agreements are handled through diplomacy and international partnerships.
2. Iceland
Iceland has no standing army but maintains a coast guard and civilian crisis response units relying on its NATO membership and a defense agreement with the United States for military protection while focusing on diplomatic neutrality and internal security through police and special units
3. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein abolished its military in 1868 due to high costs and since then has had no armed forces relying on Switzerland for diplomatic protection and maintaining only a small national police force for internal affairs
4. Panama
Panama eliminated its army in 1990 after the U.S. invasion that ousted its military regime and since then has relied on public security forces such as the National Police and the National Border Service while constitutional reforms prohibit the establishment of a standing military
5. Vatican City
Vatican City has no military of its own instead it relies on the Swiss Guard for protection of the Pope and its grounds and on Italian police for broader security under agreements with the Italian government as part of the Lateran Treaty
6. Monaco
Monaco has no regular military forces and its defense is handled by France through long-standing agreements while internal security is maintained by a small national police force and ceremonial guards
7. Andorra
Andorra has no standing army and its defense is jointly the responsibility of France and Spain under a historic co-principality arrangement while the country itself maintains a small force for ceremonial duties and civil emergencies
8. Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands has no military and relies on the United States for defense under a Compact of Free Association which also provides economic aid and access to U.S. military and disaster response support while the country operates a small maritime police unit for internal matters
9. Palau
Palau also does not have a military and like the Marshall Islands depends on the United States for defense and security under a Compact of Free Association maintaining internal order through police and maritime surveillance units
10. Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia has no standing military and relies on the United States for defense through its own Compact of Free Association while maintaining internal policing and coast guard capabilities for local enforcement and environmental protection
