Angola has one of the region’s largest defense forces in number, but has much older material. Traditionally, Angola has defense policy ties with Russia, and in recent years increasingly with China.
The total force figures for Angola’s armed forces are 107,000 active personnel (2018, IISS). In addition, 10,000 semi-military police forces.
Army
The army has a workforce of 100,000 active personnel. Materials include about 300 tanks (about 200 T-55, 50 T-62 and 50 T-72), 10 light PT-76 type tanks, 250 storm tanks, 246 armored personnel vehicles, and about 16 self-propelled artillery. In addition, the army has heavy artillery, short range air defense missiles and light air defense artillery.
Air Force
The Air Force has a personnel force of 6,000 active personnel. Materials include 26 fighter jets (six Su-27, two Su-30 and 18 MiG-23), 42 fighter jets (20 MiG-21, eight MiG-23, 13 Su-22 and one Su-24), 10 attack aircraft by type Su-25, one ELINT aircraft, 56 transport aircraft, 42 training aircraft (10 of which can also be used as light attack aircraft) and 124 helicopters, of which 56 combat helicopters (34 Mi-24 and 22 Mi-35). In addition, the Air Force has medium range air defense missiles.
The Navy
The Navy has a personnel force of about 1,000 active personnel, and 21 patrol vessels. In addition, the Navy has coastal batteries with cruise missiles.
