2026 military data comparison
El Salvador vs Nicaragua Military Power
Compare El Salvador and Nicaragua across 21 available personnel, equipment and spending indicators. MilitaryDex ranks El Salvador #116 and Nicaragua #84 in the 2026 edition.
El Salvador
0.7Strength Score
4 indicators higher
Nicaragua
1.5Strength Score
8 indicators higher
Comparison at a glance
Higher MSS score
Nicaragua
0.7 vs 1.5
Indicators higher
4–8
9 tied
Global ranks
#116 / #84
of 145 profiles
Defense budgets
$1.0B
vs $1.3B
Category scorecard
Manpower1 – 1 – 1
Air force3 – 2 – 0
Navy0 – 4 – 1
Army and ground forces0 – 1 – 4
Financial and strategic0 – 1 – 2
Largest reported differences
Attack aircraft: El Salvador
El Salvador 15 · Nicaragua 0
Tanks: Nicaragua
El Salvador 0 · Nicaragua 186
Multiple-launch rocket systems: Nicaragua
El Salvador 0 · Nicaragua 151
Towed artillery: Nicaragua
El Salvador 76 · Nicaragua 347