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

Be the first to react!

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.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

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.

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

Armament of the world’s smallest army

Uniforms, protection, and service equipment

Arsenal maintained in the Vatican and training in Switzerland

Seven world powers including the US, China, and Russia are spending €22 billion on a reactor in the south of France that aims to confine plasma at 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times the temperature of the Sun’s core, using a magnetic field capable of lifting an entire aircraft carrier.

While Brazil has been discussing bullet trains for 16 years, China delivers 5 new high-speed lines in 2026, surpasses 50,000 km of HSR, and moves 1 billion passengers in a single year.

With a wingspan of 152 meters, 76 tires, and a capacity to carry 1,270 tons, the Boeing Pelican was the giant “flying ship” that promised to cross oceans close to the water on an invisible air cushion beneath its wings.

Elon Musk’s internet comes to mobile: Starlink technology connects smartphones without an antenna via satellite, works even without carrier signal, already costs just US$10 extra in the US, and could arrive in Brazil as an included benefit.

While countries spend billions to draw water from the sea, a Nobel-winning scientist creates a container-sized machine that extracts up to 1,000 liters per day from dry air and uses ultrasound to release water in minutes, even in the middle of the desert.

Belgium will sink 23 giant concrete caissons, each weighing 22,000 tons, in the North Sea to build the world’s first artificial energy island 45 km off the coast, forming offshore electrical walls.

The United Kingdom removed approximately 1.8 million cubic meters of sand from the seabed and is depositing it all on 6 kilometers of beaches in Norfolk, in a mega-operation to curb erosion, protect coastal villages, and shield a vital gas terminal against the encroaching Atlantic.

Arizona wants to seek water in Mexico with a US$5.5 billion project, a 300 km pipeline, and offshore desalination to sustain growing desert cities as the Colorado River and aquifers lose strength with each new extreme summer recorded in the state.

Avelloz left the Northeast to become Brazil’s 5th top-selling motorcycle brand, surpassing 130,000 units sold, and is now targeting expansion in the South and Southeast with new models, a national network, and a focus on the popular entry-level segment.

Anvisa decides this Wednesday (13) whether to maintain the suspension of Ypê detergents, disinfectants, and laundry detergents. The company filed an appeal but kept two factories in Amparo (SP) idled. The agency’s guidance is not to use the products.

While heat evaporates water from reservoirs and countries seek new areas for clean energy, Morocco is testing floating solar panels that function as an energy lid and also generate electricity.

Researchers from the Australian RV Investigator map the Tasmantid Seamount Chain in the Coral Sea between 200 and 3,600 meters deep and identify 110 new species on extinct underwater volcanoes

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

Armament of the world’s smallest army

Uniforms, protection, and service equipment

Arsenal maintained in the Vatican and training in Switzerland

Seven world powers including the US, China, and Russia are spending €22 billion on a reactor in the south of France that aims to confine plasma at 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times the temperature of the Sun’s core, using a magnetic field capable of lifting an entire aircraft carrier.

While Brazil has been discussing bullet trains for 16 years, China delivers 5 new high-speed lines in 2026, surpasses 50,000 km of HSR, and moves 1 billion passengers in a single year.

With a wingspan of 152 meters, 76 tires, and a capacity to carry 1,270 tons, the Boeing Pelican was the giant “flying ship” that promised to cross oceans close to the water on an invisible air cushion beneath its wings.

Elon Musk’s internet comes to mobile: Starlink technology connects smartphones without an antenna via satellite, works even without carrier signal, already costs just US$10 extra in the US, and could arrive in Brazil as an included benefit.

While countries spend billions to draw water from the sea, a Nobel-winning scientist creates a container-sized machine that extracts up to 1,000 liters per day from dry air and uses ultrasound to release water in minutes, even in the middle of the desert.

Belgium will sink 23 giant concrete caissons, each weighing 22,000 tons, in the North Sea to build the world’s first artificial energy island 45 km off the coast, forming offshore electrical walls.

The United Kingdom removed approximately 1.8 million cubic meters of sand from the seabed and is depositing it all on 6 kilometers of beaches in Norfolk, in a mega-operation to curb erosion, protect coastal villages, and shield a vital gas terminal against the encroaching Atlantic.

While tons of plastic clog streets and schools face classroom shortages, Ivory Coast uses recycled waste as walls to build study environments and expand access to education.

With propellers spinning at 3,000 rpm and generating sound waves so intense they incapacitated mechanics on the ground, the Republic XF-84H was the loudest conventional aircraft ever built, and the USAF canceled the project after tests made it impossible to work at the airfield.

How much it costs to build a house in 2026 surprises those who dream of building their own home, because even a low-standard one already requires more than R$ 120 thousand.

Government launches plan on 4 axes to ‘suffocate finances’ of factions, strengthen prisons, and expand action with the US against organized crime

Psychology shows that the most silent pain in aging comes from being treated as incapable prematurely, erasing the autonomy, dignity, and social participation of millions.

Arizona wants to seek water in Mexico with a US$5.5 billion project, a 300 km pipeline, and offshore desalination to sustain growing desert cities as the Colorado River and aquifers lose strength with each new extreme summer recorded in the state.

Avelloz left the Northeast to become Brazil’s 5th top-selling motorcycle brand, surpassing 130,000 units sold, and is now targeting expansion in the South and Southeast with new models, a national network, and a focus on the popular entry-level segment.

Anvisa decides this Wednesday (13) whether to maintain the suspension of Ypê detergents, disinfectants, and laundry detergents. The company filed an appeal but kept two factories in Amparo (SP) idled. The agency’s guidance is not to use the products.

While heat evaporates water from reservoirs and countries seek new areas for clean energy, Morocco is testing floating solar panels that function as an energy lid and also generate electricity.

Researchers from the Australian RV Investigator map the Tasmantid Seamount Chain in the Coral Sea between 200 and 3,600 meters deep and identify 110 new species on extinct underwater volcanoes