Top 10 African countries with the most armoured fighting vehicles in 2025

Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), encompassing tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers, play critical roles in military strategies.

These vehicles enhance ground force protection, facilitate troop transport, and support offensive and defensive operations. For African nations facing a variety of security challenges, AFVs provide a strategic edge by safeguarding personnel and boosting operational effectiveness.

Africa’s armoured fleets are sourced through a blend of domestic production and international partnerships. Countries such as South Africa, with its well-established defense industry, manufacture AFVs locally, exemplified by the Rooikat armoured reconnaissance vehicle.

Other nations, including Egypt and Algeria, collaborate with global defence manufacturers for technology transfer and local assembly initiatives, strengthening their defence capabilities.

Leading global suppliers to African countries include Russia, the United States, China, and Turkey, offering a wide array of modern, cost-effective armoured solutions.

According to Global Firepower (GFP), AFVs and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) significantly bolster ground force capabilities and are key metrics in the GFP annual rankings.

Examples of widely used AFV/APC models include the American M2 Bradley, the Russian/Soviet BMP and BTR series, and various Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

These vehicles, along with tracked and wheeled variants, are essential for advancing ground operations. GFP also includes mortar carriers in its assessments but excludes vehicles still in development or on order for the upcoming year.

Egypt leads Africa with the largest stock of combat tanks, securing the 12th position globally. Algeria follows as the second in Africa, with a substantial 26,000 tanks, ranking 16th worldwide. South Africa holds third place on the continent, maintaining a stock of 18,692 tanks and ranking 27th globally.