San Marino Military Forces 🇸🇲

Strategic Position

The Republic of San Marino is a landlocked microstate entirely enclaved within Italian territory. Its security posture is defined by a policy of permanent neutrality and a reliance on the Italian Republic for external defense. This arrangement is formalized under the 1939 Convention of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness, which establishes that Italy is responsible for the protection of San Marinese sovereignty against external aggression.

San Marino is not a member of NATO or the European Union, but it maintains a close association with both through its relationship with Italy and its membership in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The primary security concerns for the state are internal stability, ceremonial preservation of sovereignty, and civil protection. Strategic priorities are focused on law enforcement, border monitoring, and disaster response rather than conventional military power projection. In the event of a national emergency, the Captains Regent have the authority to call upon all citizens between the ages of 16 and 60 for the defense of the state.

Military Forces

The military structure of San Marino, known as the Forze Armate Sammarinesi, consists of several specialized corps that serve police, ceremonial, and internal security functions. These forces are divided into professional units and voluntary military corps.

Corps of Gendarmerie (Corpo della Gendarmeria) The Gendarmerie is the primary professional security force with military status. It is responsible for national security, public order, and judicial police duties. The force operates under the Department of Foreign Affairs and carries out investigations, anti-drug operations, and border control. Personnel numbers for this branch are approximately 90 to 100 active members.

Guard of the Rock (Guardia di Rocca) The Guard of the Rock is a professional military unit responsible for patrolling the state borders and guarding institutional buildings, including the Public Palace. It is divided into two sections: * Uniformed Unit (Nucleo Uniformato): Performs customs duties, border surveillance, and assists the police in criminal investigations. * Artillery Unit (Compagnia di Artiglieria): A voluntary unit responsible for maintaining and firing the state's ceremonial artillery. Active professional personnel in the Guard of the Rock number approximately 40.

Guard of the Great and General Council (Guardia del Consiglio Grande e Generale) Commonly referred to as the "Noble Guard," this voluntary unit provides protection for the Captains Regent and the Great and General Council. Its role is predominantly ceremonial, appearing during state visits and national festivals. The unit consists of approximately 60 volunteers.

Company of Uniformed Militia (Compagnia di Milizia) The Militia is a voluntary force that serves as a general reserve and assists the Gendarmerie and Civil Police during major public events or emergencies. It includes the Military Band (Banda Militare), which serves as the official musical ensemble of the republic. The Militia numbers approximately 80 to 100 personnel.

Equipment and Capabilities The military forces do not operate main battle tanks, fighter aircraft, or naval vessels. Inventory is limited to small arms and light equipment. Standard issue firearms include Beretta 92FS pistols, Glock 17 pistols, and Benelli M4 shotguns. The Militia and ceremonial units utilize the Beretta BM 59 rifle for drill and honorary duties. The Artillery Unit maintains several 75mm guns used exclusively for ceremonial salutes.

Strategic Trends

The current defense and security landscape in San Marino is characterized by an increasing focus on non-kinetic threats and integration with European security frameworks.

Cybersecurity and Digital Defense As San Marino expands its financial and technology sectors, the government has prioritized the development of a national cybersecurity framework. The San Marino Cyber Security Agency oversees the protection of critical information infrastructure. This shift is driven by a reported increase in cyber incidents, leading to the adoption of regulations aligned with European Union standards to enhance national resilience against phishing and ransomware.

International Cooperation Force modernization is centered on interoperability with Italian and international law enforcement agencies. San Marino maintains active cooperation with Interpol and Europol to combat cross-border crime and money laundering. Defense spending remains stable, focused primarily on the maintenance of existing corps and the procurement of updated digital forensic and communication equipment for the Gendarmerie.

Force Structure Shifts There is a continuing emphasis on transitioning the voluntary corps into more versatile support units for civil protection. This includes specialized training for the Militia and Guard of the Rock to assist in large-scale disaster response and environmental protection, reflecting the state's broader priority of human security over traditional military preparedness.