Cape Verde Military Forces

Strategic Position

Cabo Verde occupies a maritime territory of approximately 734,000 square kilometers in the central Atlantic Ocean, positioning the archipelago as a transit point between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The nation's defense doctrine focuses on maritime domain awareness and the protection of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against transnational threats, including narcotics trafficking, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and piracy.

Security policy is guided by the Strategic Concept of Defense and Security, approved in November 2024, which prioritizes maritime security and the protection of national sovereignty. Cabo Verde maintains active memberships in the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

The government maintains a "Tailored Partnership Programme" with NATO, focused on cooperative maritime security. While the administration clarified in 2025 that it does not seek full NATO membership, it continues to host Allied naval vessels and participates in regional security exercises. Bilateral defense cooperation is most active with Portugal, the United States, and France. The nation also participates in the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N), headquartered in Lisbon, to coordinate Atlantic interdiction efforts.

Military Forces

The Armed Forces of Cabo Verde (Forças Armadas de Cabo Verde - FACV) are structured into two primary service branches: the National Guard and the Coast Guard. The military operates under civilian control through the Ministry of National Defense, with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces providing operational command.

Total active personnel is approximately 1,200, supplemented by a reserve force of roughly 600. Military service is mandatory for citizens aged 18, typically involving a 24-month commitment.

National Guard (Guarda Nacional) The National Guard is the primary land component, organized into three military regions based on the islands of Santiago, São Vicente, and Sal. Its responsibilities include territorial defense, supporting internal security, and providing disaster relief.

• Equipment: Inventory consists primarily of light infantry weapons and light armored vehicles, including BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles. Artillery assets are limited to mortars and small-caliber anti-aircraft guns.

Coast Guard (Guarda Costeira) The Coast Guard is the most active branch due to the nation's maritime geography. It incorporates both naval and air squadrons and operates the Maritime Security Operations Center (COSMAR) to monitor archipelagic waters.

• Naval Squadron: Operates a fleet of patrol vessels, including Damen Stan Patrol 5111 craft (notably the Guardião) and various smaller patrol boats provided by donors such as China and the United States.

• Air Squadron: Conducts maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and medical evacuations. In April 2025, the squadron officially inducted a Beechcraft King Air 360ER to modernize its aerial patrol and emergency response capabilities. The fleet also includes Harbin Y-12 transport aircraft.

Strategic Trends

Defense spending in Cabo Verde remains low relative to regional averages, typically hovering around 0.5% of GDP. However, the military budget saw an increase in 2024 and 2025 to support modernization and personnel retention.

A primary strategic priority for 2026 is the implementation of an incentive policy for mandatory military service. The 2026 state budget allocates approximately 100 million escudos for increased financial compensation for enlisted personnel and recruits, aiming to improve the professionalization and morale of the force.

Modernization efforts are centered on "Blue Economy" security. Procurement priorities emphasize the acquisition and maintenance of maritime and air assets to ensure continuous surveillance of the EEZ. The force remains reliant on international partnerships for equipment and training; Portugal and the United States provide the bulk of technical training and maintenance support. Challenges facing the FACV include the high cost of maintaining specialized naval and aviation hardware across a dispersed archipelago and the ongoing requirement to interdict high-volume drug shipments transiting the Atlantic.