Rank #89 · Americas
Uruguay spends approximately $480 million on defence — about 1.5% of GDP — maintaining a professional, modestly equipped military with no external threats and a proud tradition of UN peacekeeping contributions. The Uruguayan Armed Forces are best known internationally for their consistent participation in MINUSTAH (Haiti), MONUSCO (DRC), and MINUSMA (Mali), contributing a disproportionately large number of peacekeepers per capita relative to the country's size.
Uruguay's defence budget reflects a stable democracy with no external military threats and a strong tradition of civilian oversight. The 2025 appropriation of approximately 24 billion UYU ($480 million USD) funds three services plus the Prefectura Naval (maritime police) and Air Force. Personnel costs dominate at over 70% of the budget, constraining modernization. Defence spending as a share of GDP has hovered around 1.5% for two decades — well below the South American average. The new Orsi government (took office March 2025) prioritized social spending; any significant defence increase is politically unlikely. US International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds officer training.
The Uruguayan Armed Forces field approximately 22,100 active personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army operates a small armour capability with M24 Chaffee light tanks and Condor APCs, and is primarily configured for peacekeeping deployment and border security. The Navy operates offshore patrol vessels, a survey ship, and operates Uruguay's Antarctic programme. The Air Force flies T-6C Texan II trainers (received from US) and A-37 Dragonfly light attack aircraft. Uruguay abolished conscription in 1985 after the return to democracy; the force is fully professional. The Prefectura Naval handles maritime law enforcement in the Río de la Plata estuary.
Uruguay has no significant domestic defence industry capable of producing major weapons platforms. A small state enterprise (CALEN) manages ammunition storage and limited small-arms maintenance. All major systems — aircraft, armoured vehicles, naval vessels — are imported, primarily from the United States, Brazil, and European surplus. Uruguay participates in South American defence industrial discussions within UNASUR's defence council framework but has no production agreements. The country's strategic value to the region lies in its political stability, reliable rule of law, and consistent troop contributions to multilateral operations rather than industrial capacity.
Uruguay has no active military conflicts and no significant territorial disputes. Relations with Argentina and Brazil are cooperative within MERCOSUR. The primary domestic security concern is organized crime and narcotrafficking — addressed primarily by police and justice institutions rather than military forces. Uruguay has been used as a transshipment point for cocaine heading to Europe, driving some pressure for expanded military maritime patrol roles. Internationally, Uruguay maintains a policy of active multilateralism: consistent UN peacekeeping contributions, support for arms control treaties, and neutrality in great-power competition. Uruguay hosted talks between Venezuelan government and opposition factions in 2019.
Uruguay elected Yamandú Orsi (Frente Amplio) as president in November 2024; he took office in March 2025, marking a return of the left-wing coalition after five years of the centre-right Lacalle Pou government. The transition did not produce significant changes to defence policy. Uruguay continued its UN peacekeeping contributions to MONUSCO in DRC through 2025. The Air Force completed the retirement of its remaining A-37 Dragonfly aircraft in late 2024, leaving the service without a fast jet capability; replacement options under evaluation include Brazilian-built Embraer Super Tucano for COIN missions. A Navy modernization study for an offshore patrol vessel purchase was initiated in 2024.
Uruguay spent approximately $480 million on defence in 2025 — about 1.5% of GDP. The budget is stable and modest, reflecting Uruguay's peaceful regional environment and strong civilian oversight tradition.
Uruguay is one of the world's top UN peacekeeping contributors per capita. It has deployed troops to MINUSTAH (Haiti), MONUSCO (DRC), MINUSMA (Mali), and other missions over decades, building a strong reputation for professional, reliable forces in multilateral operations.
As of late 2024, Uruguay retired its last A-37 Dragonfly light attack aircraft, leaving the Air Force without fast jets. The service operates T-6C Texan II trainers and transport helicopters. Options for a light COIN aircraft replacement, potentially the Embraer Super Tucano, are under evaluation.