2026 military data comparison
Portugal vs South Africa Military Power
Compare Portugal and South Africa across 21 available personnel, equipment and spending indicators. MilitaryDex ranks Portugal #68 and South Africa #59 in the 2026 edition.
Portugal
2.1Strength Score
6 indicators higher
South Africa
2.8Strength Score
12 indicators higher
Comparison at a glance
Higher MSS score
South Africa
2.1 vs 2.8
Indicators higher
6–12
3 tied
Global ranks
#68 / #59
of 145 profiles
Defense budgets
$6.8B
vs $2.9B
Category scorecard
Manpower0 – 0 – 3
Air force2 – 0 – 3
Navy2 – 2 – 1
Army and ground forces0 – 0 – 5
Financial and strategic2 – 1 – 0
Largest reported differences
Attack aircraft: Portugal
Portugal 5 · South Africa 0
Attack helicopters: South Africa
Portugal 0 · South Africa 10
Multiple-launch rocket systems: South Africa
Portugal 0 · South Africa 201
Fighter aircraft: Portugal
Portugal 28 · South Africa 2