Landlocked Countries With a Navy

When you think of a navy, the image that likely comes to mind is warships patrolling the high seas. But did you know that some landlocked countries also maintain naval forces?

While they lack access to the ocean, these nations have strategic rivers, lakes, or major inland waterways that require defense. In this blog, we’ll explore the most notable landlocked countries with navies, the reasons behind their naval forces, and how they operate.

What Does “Landlocked” Mean?

A landlocked country is one that is entirely surrounded by land or whose coastlines lie only along landlocked seas (like the Caspian Sea). These nations do not have access to open oceans.

There are 44 landlocked countries globally, and surprisingly, a number of them operate naval or paramilitary forces.

Why Would a Landlocked Country Need a Navy?

Here are key reasons:

1. Control and Patrol of Inland Waterways:
   Major lakes, rivers, or inland seas can be strategically significant.
2. Border Security:
   Rivers often form international borders. Navies help protect against smuggling, illegal crossings, or territorial disputes.
3. Military Training & Traditions:
   Some maintain navies for training or historical legacy reasons.
4. Participation in Peacekeeping Missions:
   Naval units may assist in UN or regional peacekeeping efforts.

List of Landlocked Countries With a Navy

1. Bolivia 🇧🇴

• Water Body: Lake Titicaca
• Details: Bolivia lost its coastline in the 19th century to Chile but maintains a navy as a symbol of hope to regain sea access. The Bolivian Navy patrols Lake Titicaca and other rivers.
• Fun Fact: Bolivia celebrates a “Day of the Sea” every year.

2. Paraguay 🇵🇾

• Water Body: Paraguay and Paraná Rivers
• Details: Despite being landlocked, Paraguay has a significant river-based navy. It maintains several patrol boats and even trains naval officers.
• Strategic Purpose: The rivers provide access to the Atlantic Ocean via Argentina.

3. Laos 🇱🇦

• Water Body: Mekong River
• Details: The Laotian Navy operates small patrol boats for riverine defense, drug interdiction, and border control.

4. Serbia 🇷🇸

• Water Body: Danube River
• Details: Serbia maintains a River Flotilla that operates along the Danube and Sava rivers for national defense and civil assistance.

5. Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

• Water Body: Caspian Sea (landlocked sea)
• Details: Technically landlocked, Kazakhstan maintains a naval force on the Caspian Sea, shared with Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.

6. Azerbaijan 🇦🇿

• Water Body: Caspian Sea
• Details: Though landlocked from oceans, Azerbaijan has a strong navy that operates in the Caspian Sea for oil platform protection and national defense.

7. Uganda 🇺🇬

• Water Body: Lake Victoria
• Details: Uganda has a small naval unit that patrols Lake Victoria to combat piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.

8. Ethiopia 🇪🇹

• Water Body: N/A (historical navy)
• Details: Ethiopia had a navy before becoming landlocked in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence. Today, it maintains naval personnel and plans to establish naval bases abroad (e.g., Djibouti).

Bonus: Landlocked Countries With Maritime Ambitions

• Nepal 🇳🇵: No navy but has a small marine police unit for river security.
• Czech Republic 🇨🇿 & Slovakia 🇸🇰: Use the Danube River for shipping and maintain water police but no formal navy.

FAQs About Landlocked Navies

Q1: Can a landlocked country really have a navy?

Yes. While they don’t patrol oceans, many landlocked countries maintain naval units on rivers, lakes, or inland seas for security and strategic purposes.

Q2: Which is the most powerful landlocked navy?

Paraguay and Kazakhstan are among the most advanced, with Paraguay having river access to the Atlantic and Kazakhstan operating on the Caspian Sea.

Q3: Why does Bolivia have a navy without a sea?

Bolivia lost its coastline during the War of the Pacific in the 1800s. Today, its navy is both a symbol of its maritime aspirations and a functioning riverine force.

Final Thoughts

The idea of landlocked countries with a navy may sound contradictory, but in today’s world, inland waterways can be just as important as oceans for trade, security, and sovereignty. These naval forces show that geography doesn’t limit strategic military planning.

Whether for symbolism, security, or sovereignty, these nations continue to prove that you don’t need a coastline to have a capable and meaningful naval presence.