2026 military data comparison

South Africa vs Madagascar Military Power

Compare South Africa and Madagascar across 21 available personnel, equipment and spending indicators. MilitaryDex ranks South Africa #59 and Madagascar #140 in the 2026 edition.

South Africa flag

South Africa

2.8Strength Score

16 indicators higher

Madagascar flag

Madagascar

0.2Strength Score

0 indicators higher

Comparison at a glance

Higher MSS score

South Africa

2.8 vs 0.2

Indicators higher

160

5 tied

Global ranks

#59 / #140

of 145 profiles

Defense budgets

$2.9B

vs $147.6M

Category scorecard

Manpower300
Air force410
Navy320
Army and ground forces500
Financial and strategic120

Largest reported differences

Reserve troops: South Africa

South Africa 29,350 · Madagascar 0

Fighter aircraft: South Africa

South Africa 2 · Madagascar 0

Attack helicopters: South Africa

South Africa 10 · Madagascar 0

Submarines: South Africa

South Africa 3 · Madagascar 0

Manpower

Active troops

68.7K
VS
13.5K

Reserve troops

29.4K
VS
0

Paramilitary

50.0K
VS
8.1K

Air force

Total aircraft

181
VS
6

Fighter aircraft

2
VS
0

Attack aircraft

0
VS
0

Helicopters

87
VS
5

Attack helicopters

10
VS
0

Navy

Total naval assets

53
VS
5

Aircraft carriers

0
VS
0

Destroyers

0
VS
0

Submarines

3
VS
0

Frigates

4
VS
0

Army and ground forces

Tanks

248
VS
12

Armored vehicles

23.0K
VS
316

Self-propelled artillery

52
VS
0

Towed artillery

434
VS
17

Multiple-launch rocket systems

201
VS
0

Financial and strategic

Defense budget

$2.9B
VS
$147.6M

Defense budget share of GDP

0.3%
VS
0.3%

Estimated nuclear warheads

0
VS
0

RELATED COMPARISONS

View South Africa military profile View Madagascar military profile