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In this day and age, it's hard to imagine a country without their own military. Ensuring defense is a top priority for most countries, but not all have a standing army, or indeed any type of armed forces. Some of these nations have very close relationships with other countries, while others rely of alliances and agreements to ensure they remain safe and are protected in case things go wrong.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to find out which nations don't have armed forces.
Located in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain, this small nation doesn't have its own military force. Responsibility for defense is shared between the two neighboring countries instead.
A constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Caribbean island doesn't have its own military. Instead, Aruba can count on the Netherlands.
Part of the British Overseas Territories, the Cayman Islands have their own national police force. As for military power, they have Great Britain.
The Southern Pacific island state named after Captain James Cook also doesn't have armed forces. New Zealand, however, would intervene if required.
The Central American nation hasn't had an army since 1949. Though Costa Rica can count on the help of the US, if needed.
This self-governing nation is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçao counts with the help of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, but they don't have their own military.
This state in the Lesser Antilles has the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, but no standing army.
Located in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands count on the Danish government for defense, as they have no military.
Comprising over 100 islands in the South Pacific, French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France, and as such the nation doesn't have its own armed forces. France is responsible for ensuring the country's defense.
The world's largest island is geographically part of North America, but it's actually an autonomous part of Denmark, and as such is protected by the Danish armed forces.
The Royal Grenada Police Force ensures the population is safe, but the nation also relies on the Regional Security System, which is a defense agreement between several islands in the eastern Caribbean region.
Although Iceland is a member of NATO, the country hasn't had a standing army since 1869. Iceland therefore relies on NATO forces for its defense.
Like many other nations on this list, Kiribati doesn't have armed forces, but they do have a police force.
Right in between Austria and Switzerland, you'll find the small nation of Liechtenstein. The country doesn't have their own army, though they do have a national police force.
The Marshall Islands have been independent from the United States since 1986. But without armed forces of their own, the nation relies on the US for defense of its territory.
This island state in the Indian Ocean was under British rule until 1968. Mauritius has a paramilitary unit called the Special Mobile Force, but the country has no dedicated military as such.
This former United Nations trust territory in the Western Pacific merged in 1979 and became independent from the US in 1986. Still, the Federated States of Micronesia can count on the US for their defense.
Home to numerous millionaires and billionaires, this European tax haven does have the Public Services, which has a military unit in charge of protecting the prince. Still, France is ultimately responsible for the defense of the city-state.
A British overseas territory since 1783, this Caribbean island relies on the UK's military, as they only have a police force.
This former British colony is the smallest republic in the world. It became independent in 1968, and currently counts on Australia to keep its people safe.
This small South Pacific island nation counts on New Zealand to help them with defense. Though Niue does have a police force to keep their little-over-1,600 inhabitants safe.
This archipelago in the Western Pacific has been independent from the United States since 1978. Thought the US provides defense assistance to Palau under the Compact of Free Association agreement.
The country actually abolished its military in 1990. Though they created the Panamanian Public Forces, which has some paramilitary units. The forces include the National Police, National Borders Service, National Aeronaval Service, and the Institutional Protection Service.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police have two paramilitary forces, but no army as such. Defense is assured by the Regional Security System, an international agreement for the defense of the eastern Caribbean region.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines were under British rule until 1979. They do have a police force, but not an official military force.
While Samoa doesn't have a formal defense force, New Zealand has been informally ensuring the island's protection since its independence in 1962.
This tiny European country is the oldest republic in the world. This microstate surrounded by Italy has voluntary military corps, but the country's defense is assured by Italy.
Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Caribbean island is a constituent country. It sits on the southern part of an island divided with Saint Martin and it's protected by the Netherlands, as there are no armed forces on the island.
Despite the many conflicts over the years, the Solomon Islands have no standing army. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is responsible for maintaining law and order in these hundreds of islands in the South Pacific.
The former British colony (then known as Ellice Islands) is the fourth-smallest state in the world. Tuvalu does have a police force, but no military.
The over 80 islands that make up this Pacific island state are not protected by armed forces. They do, however, have police forces. Prior to 1980, Vanuatu belonged to the New Hebrides, a territory ruled by the British and the French.
Vatican City is the world's smallest independent nation-state. They do have the famous Swiss Guards to protect the pope, but no armed forces as such.
Sources: (Insider) (CIA) (Grunge) (Regional Security System) (U.S. Department of the Interior)
See also: The 30 least populated countries and territories in the world
These countries have no armed forces
None of these nations have their own military
LIFESTYLE Military
In this day and age, it's hard to imagine a country without their own military. Ensuring defense is a top priority for most countries, but not all have a standing army, or indeed any type of armed forces. Some of these nations have very close relationships with other countries, while others rely of alliances and agreements to ensure they remain safe and are protected in case things go wrong.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to find out which nations don't have armed forces.