This is the weaponry that the smallest army in the world uses on a daily basis.

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 09/04/2026 at 18:28

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The revelation of the Swiss Guard’s arsenal exposed a little-known side of the world’s smallest army: in addition to halberds and historical uniforms, the corporation with 135 soldiers in the Vatican uses Glock pistols, assault rifles, Tasers, ballistic vests, and shooting training in Switzerland

The Swiss Guard, known as the world’s smallest army, maintains a modern arsenal of firearms and protective equipment to ensure the safety of the Pope and the Vatican City. The defense structure also includes the Vatican Gendarmerie, a police force with around 150 officers.

The fame of the Swiss Guard is often linked to the colorful ceremonial uniforms and the white weapons displayed at official events. Behind this public image, however, the corporation comprises 135 soldiers and possesses contemporary weaponry for its guard and protection duties.

Armament of the world’s smallest army

In 2022, the Swiss Guard published a 16-page brochure on its official website describing its armament. The document stated that, up to the rank of sergeant, each guard’s main weapon is a short sword with an S-shaped guard, while officers use a fencing-type sword with a basket-shaped handguard, except for the chaplain.

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Uniforms, protection, and service equipment

In addition to the ceremonial uniforms and the blue and vintage models for daily use, the Swiss Guard uses dark blue service uniforms with matching caps and berets. This clothing follows military standards and is accompanied by Haix Black Eagle High 2.0 boots, belts, Safariland Model 739 holsters, double magazine pouches, multifunctional tool holsters, handcuffs, and a small first aid kit.

Each member also has an NBC protective mask, WILEY X Rogue 2852 glasses, and Kinetixx X-Mamba gloves. The world’s smallest army also uses bulletproof vests for internal and external use and maintains communication with DP 3441 and 3661 radios.

These equipment expand the lesser-known facet of the corporation, more commonly associated by the public with the visual tradition of the Vatican. The combination of modern weaponry, individual protection, and communication reinforces the practical role of the Swiss Guard in security missions.

Arsenal maintained in the Vatican and training in Switzerland

Despite the variety of weapons, the Swiss Guard does not possess a large arsenal. At its headquarters in Vatican City, old rifles are kept, including two SIG SG 550s with their respective bayonets, as well as a German MP-40 submachine gun from World War II.

The physical limitations of the Vatican prevent shooting training from being conducted on-site. Therefore, the Swiss guards practice outside the territory, in Switzerland, where training with the Glock 19 pistol was recorded in the canton of Ticino in June 2020.

Other images released by the corporation show training in Vatican City using the beret and service uniform. There are also target shooting exercises with Glock 19 pistols in Ticino and a march held in Nijmegen in July 2017, when Swiss Guard soldiers wore camouflage uniforms from the Swiss Army with a badge on the right arm.

This badge identifies members of the Swiss Guard and displays the name of the corporation in German at the top and in Italian at the bottom. Thus, the world’s smallest army preserves its historical and ceremonial image but operates with equipment, training, and weaponry compatible with its current protective functions in the Vatican.

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This is the weaponry that the smallest army in the world uses on a daily basis.

Armament of the world’s smallest army

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