Introduction
How is the Military in Niger and how does it work to maintain Sucity and fight terrorism? In terms of Military and security forces, we have the Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie (GN)
Ministry of Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization: Niger National Guard (GNN), National Police (2025).
Ministry of Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization: Niger National Guard (GNN), National Police (2025).
In Niger, the military of Niger is responsible for territorial defense, but most of its focus is on internal and border security operations; the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and the al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) terrorist groups are active in western Niger and in adjacent strongholds in Burkina Faso and Mali, while the Nigeria-based Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa groups threaten southeast Niger; parts of Niger also face spillover from communal, criminal, and vigilante violence in neighboring Nigeria; since the 2023 coup, some former ethnic separatist rebels have taken up arms in support of deposed President BAZOUM
the military has played a significant role in Niger's domestic politics since its establishment in 1960-61; prior to seizing control of the government in 2023, it attempted coups in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and ruled the country for much of the period before 1999 (2025)
the military has played a significant role in Niger's domestic politics since its establishment in 1960-61; prior to seizing control of the government in 2023, it attempted coups in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and ruled the country for much of the period before 1999 (2025)
Security and military information of Niger
| Military and security service personnel strengths | estimated 35-40,000 active Nigerien Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie; estimated 5-10,000 National Guard (2025) |
|---|---|
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the FAN has a wide mix of mostly older, typically Soviet-era, or donated/secondhand weapons and equipment, along with small quantities of more modern items such as unmanned aerial vehicles/drones and air defense systems; suppliers have included China, Egypt, France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and the US (2024) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 is the legal minimum age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service for unmarried men and women; 24-month service term (2023). |
| Military deployments | note: in 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced they were forming a joint force of 5,000 troops to combat extremist groups in the Sahel. |
| Military expenditures | |
| Military Expenditures 2024 | 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2023 | 2% of GDP (2023 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2022 | 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2021 | 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2020 | 2% of GDP (2020 est.) |
Terrorism
In Niger, the different Terrorist group(s) inlcude: Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa (ISIS-WA); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun)
All Important Facts about Niger
Want to know more about Niger? Check all different factbooks for Niger below.
