National security is crucial for countries around the globe. It’s no surprise that nations invest significantly in developing strong armed forces to protect their borders, deter potential threats, and assert their influence. Typically, we think of military strength in terms of active personnel, advanced weaponry, and the ability to deploy forces internationally. However, we often overlook the importance of reserve military personnel.
These reserves are a vital backup defence and can expand military operations when necessary. Reserve military personnel are individuals who have undergone military training and can be called up when needed, even though they are not part of the regular armed forces.
They are usually mobilised during emergencies, conflicts, or when active-duty troops require extra support. Their value lies in providing a quick source of additional manpower, enhancing a country’s defence capabilities without the hefty costs of maintaining a large full-time army.
Many countries maintain reserve forces, but the size, structure, and utilisation of these forces can vary significantly based on geopolitical factors, historical experiences, and national defence strategies.
According to a recent index by Global Firepower, which ranks 145 countries based on their reserve military personnel, Egypt is in 15th place globally, boasting a reserve force of 480,000. Morocco follows as the second in Africa, with 150,000 reserve troops, placing it 32nd in the world.
Here are the top 5 African countries with the highest reserve military manpower in 2024: