Top 10 countries with the fewest mine warfare fleets

Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 countries most equipped to deal with mine warfare.
This list is courtesy of Global Firepower.
Most countries on the globe do not have a single mine warfare fleet, this list covers countries that do.

One of the most effective but frequently underestimated methods of protecting maritime security is to create and maintain a sizable mine warfare fleet.

While this point has been made prevalent in humanity’s violent history, the fact remains that mine warfare doesn’t receive as much attention as other forms of attack and or defense.

Out of 198 countries, only 54 currently have a mine warfare fleet, and even those that have can only boast a modest amount.

A nation with low mine warfare capabilities may suffer substantial disadvantages in both peace and combat scenarios.

These disadvantages could be burdensome, particularly for nations that rely significantly on marine trade and want to bolster national security.

One of the most obvious consequences of having a small mine warfare fleet is greater susceptibility to naval blockades or maritime strikes.

Mines are low-cost yet powerful instruments for interrupting commerce channels, safeguarding coasts, and deterring enemy ships.

A country with limited mine warfare capabilities may struggle to protect important ports and waterways from such attacks.

A low mine warfare fleet greatly reduces a nation's deterrent capabilities. The capacity to place explosives in critical sites is a powerful deterrence to opponents considering hostile naval action.

When a government lacks an effective mine warfare fleet, it is less able to project denial threats.

A Ukrainian soldier piling unexploded land mines in a hole to be destroyed in 2023.Chris McGrath/Getty Images Business Insider USA

This may inspire prospective aggressors, who may see the country's marine defenses as weak and so vulnerable to exploitation.

After a conflict, mine removal becomes an essential duty to restore access to humanitarian and commercial shipping channels.

DON'T MISS THIS: List of African countries with some kind of engagement with Russia’s private military

Post-conflict mine clearing is challenging for nations with little mine warfare equipment, endangering people and returning commercial traffic. Long after combat has ended, unexploded naval mines may still be there, resulting in deaths and impeding efforts at restoration.

A government may have to rely on foreign aid or other countries to carry out mine clearing operations if it lacks an efficient mine warfare fleet.

In the long run, a lack of mine warfare capabilities severely limits a country's ability to assure marine security, defend important infrastructure, and deter attackers.

With that said, here are the 10 countries in the world with the fewest mine warfare fleets, as per data from Global Firepower.

PS: Most countries on the globe do not have a single mine warfare fleet, this list covers countries that do. According to Global Firepower, only 54 countries out of its listed 145 can boast of a mine warcraft fleet.