Sudan Military & Security — Data & Facts 2026

Military - note

The main duties of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) encompass border security, external defense, and internal stability. Traditionally, operations of the SAF have been bolstered by militia and paramilitary groups, notably the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In the spring of 2023, conflict erupted between the SAF and the RSF, particularly in the vicinity of the capital, Khartoum, and the western region of Darfur, amid disagreements regarding an internationally supported initiative for transitioning to civilian governance. The fighting subsequently escalated and persisted into 2025, with reports indicating atrocities, ethnic cleansing, severe food insecurity, high civilian casualties, and millions of internally displaced individuals. Both factions are backed by allied militias and are believed to have received foreign assistance.

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2017

3.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

Military Expenditures 2018

2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military Expenditures 2019

2.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

1% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military and security forces

note 1: the RSF is a semi-autonomous paramilitary unit established in 2013 to combat armed insurgent groups in Sudan, led by Mohammed Hamdan DAGALO (commonly known as Hemeti). Initially under the National Intelligence and Security Service, it later came under the direct oversight of former president Omar al-BASHIR, who enhanced the RSF as his personal security force. Consequently, the RSF was better funded and better equipped than conventional armed forces. Although the RSF has since expanded its recruitment beyond its original composition of Darfuri Arab groups, it remains under the personal patronage and authority of DAGALO.

note 2: the Central Reserve Police, also referred to as Abu Tira, is a combat-ready paramilitary force.

note 3: the peace agreement reached in October 2020 mandated the creation of Joint Security Keeping Forces (JSKF) responsible for securing the Darfur region, replacing the UN African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), which functioned in the conflict-affected area from 2007 until December 2020. This new force was intended to comprise personnel from the SAF, RSF, police, intelligence, and representatives from armed factions involved in peace talks. While the initial 2,000 members of the JSKF completed their training in September 2022, the current status of the force since the onset of civil war is unknown.

note 4: various armed militias are also active in Sudan.

Components of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) include the Ground Force (Sudanese Army), Sudanese Navy, Sudanese Air Force, and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as Border Guards.

The Ministry of Interior oversees the Sudan Police Forces (SPF) and the Central Reserve Police (CRP) (2025).

Military service age and obligation

Individuals aged 18 to 33 are subject to compulsory or voluntary military service, which lasts between 12 to 24 months (2025).

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The inventory of the SAF includes a variety of weapon systems, primarily of Chinese and Russian/Soviet origin, along with some domestically produced arms. Sudan possesses a state-run defense industry that primarily manufactures replicas of foreign-supplied weaponry, such as armored vehicles, under license (2025).

Military and security service personnel strengths

Before the onset of clashes between the SAF and the RSF in 2023, estimates of the size of Sudan's armed forces varied significantly: up to 200,000 for the SAF; up to 100,000 for the RSF; and up to 80,000 for the Central Reserve Police (2023).