This article relies largely or entirely on a single source .(July 2024) |
This is a list of currently flags flown by military powers worldwide. All flags in this list are for specific use for a branch of or the whole national military of a given state.
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Albanian Land Forces | Army | 2010–present | |
Albanian Naval Forces | Navy | 2010–present | |
Albanian Air Force | Air force | 2010–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Algerian National Navy | Navy | ||
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard | Coast guard | ||
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Argentine National Gendarmerie | National guard | ||
Argentine Naval Prefecture | National coast guard | ||
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Royal Australian Army | Army | ||
Royal Australian Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Australian Air Force | Air force | ||
Australian Defence Force | Military | ||
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Bangladesh Armed Forces | Military | ||
Bangladesh Army | Army | ||
Bangladesh Navy | Navy | ||
Bangladesh Air Force | Air force | ||
Bangladesh Coast Guard | Coast guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Armed Forces of Belarus | Military | ||
Land Forces of Belarus | Army | ||
Belarusian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Belgian Land Component | Army | 1982–present | |
Belgian Navy | Navy | ||
Belgian Air Component | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Brazilian Army | Army | 1987–present | |
Brazilian Marine Corps | Marines | 1931–present | |
Brazilian Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Canadian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Canadian Army | Army | 2016–present | |
Royal Canadian Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Canadian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Canadian Army | Army | 1939–1944 | |
Canadian Mobile Command / Canadian Land Force Command | Army | 1968–1998 | |
Canadian Army | Army (limited use) | 2013–2016 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Colombian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Colombian Army | Army | ||
Colombian Navy | Navy | ||
Colombian Air Force | Air force | ||
Colombian Marine Infantry | Marines |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
People's Liberation Army | Military | ||
People's Liberation Army Ground Force | Army | ||
People's Liberation Army Navy | Navy | ||
People's Liberation Army Air Force | Air force | ||
People's Liberation Army Rocket Force | Strategic forces | ||
People's Armed Police | Police forces |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Egyptian Air Defense Command | Air defence force | ||
Egyptian Air Force | Air force | ||
Egyptian Navy | Navy | ||
Egyptian Army | Army |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Finnish Defense Forces | Military | 1918–present | |
Finnish Navy | Navy | ||
Finnish Air Force | Air force | ||
Finnish Army | Army | ||
Finnish Border Guard | Border guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
French Defense Forces | Military | ||
French Navy | Navy | ||
French Air and Space Force | Air force | ||
French Army | Army |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | 'Notes 6 |
Estonian Defense Forces | Military | ||
Estonian Land Forces | Army | ||
Estonian Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Georgian Land Forces | Army | ||
Coast Guard of Georgia | Coast guard | ||
Aviation and Air Defense command | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Used |
Georgian Navy | Navy | 2004–2009 | |
Georgian Navy | Navy | 1997–2004 | |
Georgian Air Force | Air force | 2004–2010 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Bundeswehr | Military | ||
German Army | Army | ||
German Navy | Navy | ||
German Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Wehrmacht | Military | 1938–1945 | |
Heer | Army | ||
Kriegsmarine | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Indian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Indian Army | Army | ||
Indian Navy | Navy | ||
Indian Air Force | Air force | ||
Indian Coast Guard | Coast guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
British Indian Army | Army | ||
Royal Indian Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Indian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Indonesian National Armed Forces | Military | ||
Indonesian Army | Army | ||
Indonesian Air Force | Air Force | ||
Indonesian Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Islamic Republic of Iran Army | Military | ||
Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces | Army | ||
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force | Air force | ||
Islamic Republic of Iran Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Iraqi Army | Army | ||
Iraqi Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Iraqi Navy | Navy | Until 2003 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Irish Defence Forces | Military | ||
Irish Naval Service | Navy | ||
Irish Air Corps | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Israel Defense Forces | Military | 1949–present | |
Israeli Navy | Navy | 1948–present | |
Israeli Air Force | Air force | 1991–present | |
Israeli Ground Forces | Ground forces | 2021-present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Italian Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Japan Self-Defense Forces and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force | Military and ground forces | 1954–present | |
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | Navy | 1954–present | |
Japan Air Self-Defense Force | Air force | 1972–present | |
Japan Space Operations Squadron | Space force | 2020–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Royal Jordanian Army | Ground forces | ||
Royal Naval Force | Navy | ||
Royal Jordanian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Kenya Defence Forces | Military | ||
Kenya Army | Ground forces | ||
Kenya Navy | Navy | ||
Kenya Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Korean People's Army Ground Force | Ground forces | Flag is two-sided; obverse shown. | |
Korean People's Navy | Navy | Flag is two-sided; obverse shown. | |
Korean People's Air Force | Air force | Flag is two-sided; obverse shown. | |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Korean People's Army [1] | Military | 1948 | |
Korean People's Army | Military | 1992–1993 | |
Korean People's Army Ground Force | Ground forces | 1993–2023 | |
Korean People's Navy | Navy | 1993–2023 | |
Korean People's Air Force | Air force | 1993–2023 | |
Korean People's Army Strategic Force | Strategic force | 2018–2020 | |
Korean People's Army Special Operation Force | Special forces | 2018–2020 | |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Republic of Korea Armed Forces | Military | ||
Republic of Korea Army | Ground forces | ||
Republic of Korea Navy | Navy | 1955–present | |
Republic of Korea Air Force | Air force | ||
Republic of Korea Marine Corps | Naval infantry (subordinate unit of the navy) |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Lithuanian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Lithuanian Army | Ground forces | ||
Lithuanian Air Force | Air force | ||
Lithuanian Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Malaysian Army | Ground forces | ||
Royal Malaysian Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Malaysian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Mexican Army | Ground forces | Unofficial | |
Mexican Navy | Navy | ||
Mexican Air Force | Air force | Unofficial | |
Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue | Coast guard | ||
Mexican Naval Infantry Corps | Naval infantry | ||
Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue | Coast guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Mongolian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Mongolian Ground Force | Ground forces |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Royal Moroccan Armed Forces | Military | ||
Royal Moroccan Army | Ground forces | ||
Royal Moroccan Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Moroccan Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) | Military | ||
Myanmar Army | Army | ||
Myanmar Air Force | Air force | ||
Myanmar Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Namibian Defense Force | Military | ||
Namibian Army | Army | ||
Namibian Air Force | Air force | ||
Namibian Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Royal Netherlands Army | Army | ||
Royal Netherlands Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Netherlands Air Force | Air force | ||
Royal Marechaussee | gendarmerie force/military police |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Royal New Zealand Navy | Navy | ||
Royal New Zealand Air Force | Air force | ||
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Nigerian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Nigerian Army | Ground forces | ||
Nigerian Navy | Navy | ||
Nigerian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Norwegian Army | Army | ||
Royal Norwegian Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Norwegian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Pakistan Armed Forces | Military | ||
Pakistan Army | Ground forces | ||
Pakistan Navy | Navy | ||
Pakistan Air Force | Air force | ||
Pakistan Coast Guards | Coast guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Peruvian Army | Ground forces | ||
Peruvian Navy | Navy | ||
Peruvian Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Philippine Armed Forces | Military | ||
Philippine Army | Ground forces | ||
Philippine Navy | Navy | ||
Philippine Air Force | Air force | ||
Philippine Marine Corps | Naval infantry (subordinate unit of the navy) | ||
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Polish Land Forces | Ground forces | ||
Polish Navy | Navy | ||
Polish Air Force | Air force | ||
Polish Special Forces | Special forces |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation | Military | ||
Russian Ground Forces | Army | ||
Russian Aerospace Forces | Air force | ||
Russian Navy | Navy | ||
Russian Airborne Troops | Airborne forces (subordinate branch of the air force) | ||
Strategic Rocket Forces | Strategic forces (subordinate branch of the army) | ||
Russian National Guard | Republican guard | 2016–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Soviet Air Force | Air force | 1924–1991 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia | Military | ||
Saudi Arabian Army | Ground forces | ||
Royal Saudi Air | Air force | ||
Royal Saudi Navy | Navy | ||
Royal Saudi Air Defense | Air defense force | ||
Royal Saudi Strategic Missile | Strategic forces | ||
Saudi Arabian National Guard | National guard | ||
Saudi Arabian Border Guards | Border guards | ||
Saudi Royal Guard Regiment | Royal guard regiment |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Serbian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Serbian Army | Ground forces | ||
Serbian Air Force | Air force | ||
Serbian River Flotilla | Navy | Subordinate unit of the army. |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Federal Yugoslav Navy / Serbia and Montenegro Navy | Navy | 1992–2006 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Slovenian Armed Forces | Military | ||
Slovenian Navy | Navy | 1996–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Somali Armed Forces | Military | 1960–present | |
Somali Navy | Navy | 1960–present | |
Somali Air Force | Air Force | 1960–present | |
Somali Police Force | Police | 1960–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
South African National Defence Force | Military | 2003–present | |
South African Army | Ground forces | 2003–present | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 2003–present | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1994–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
South African National Defence Force | Military | 1994–2003 | |
South African Defence Force | Military | 1981–1994 | |
Union Defence Force / South African Defence Force | Military | 1947–1981 | |
South African Army | Ground forces | 2002–2003 | |
South African Army | Ground forces | 1994–2002 | |
South African Army | Ground forces | 1973–1994 | |
South African Army | Ground forces | 1966–1973 | |
South African Army | Ground forces | 1951–1966 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1994–2003 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1982–1994 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1981–1982 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1967–1970 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1958–1967, 1970–1981 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1951–1958 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1940–1951 | |
South African Air Force | Air force | 1920–1940 | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1981–1994 | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1959–1981 | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1952–1959 | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1951–1952 | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1946–1951 | |
South African Navy | Navy | 1922–1946 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Sri Lanka Army | Ground forces | 1972–present | |
Sri Lanka Navy | Navy | 1972–present | |
Sri Lanka Air Force | Air Force | 2000–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Swedish Armed Forces | Military | ||
Swedish Navy | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Republic of China Army | Ground forces | ||
Republic of China Navy | Navy | ||
Republic of China Marine Corps | Naval infantry | ||
Republic of China Air Force | Air force |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Royal Thai Armed Forces | Military | 1979–present | |
Royal Thai Army | Army | 1979–present | |
Royal Thai Navy | Navy | 1979–present | |
Royal Thai Air Force | Air force | 1979–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Turkmen Ground Forces | Army | ||
Turkmen Air Force | Air force | ||
Turkmen Naval Forces | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Turkish Land Forces | Army | ||
Turkish Air Force | Air force | ||
Turkish Naval Forces | Navy |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
UAE Armed Forces | Military | ||
United Arab Emirates Air Force | Air force | ||
UAE Army | Army |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Ukrainian Armed Forces | Military | 2009–present | |
Ukrainian Ground Forces | Army | 2009–present | |
Ukrainian Air Force | Air force | 2009–present | |
National Guard of Ukraine | Gendarmerie | 2014–present | |
Ukrainian Security Service | Security forces | 2002–present | |
Ukrainian Navy | Navy | 2009–present | |
Sea Guard | Coast guard | 2001–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
British Army | Army | 1938–present | |
Royal Navy | Navy | 1864–present | |
Royal Air Force | Air force | ||
Royal Marines | Marines | ||
Royal Engineers | Engineers (subordinate branch of the army) |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
United States Army | Army | 1956–present | |
United States Navy | Navy | 1959–present | |
United States Air Force | Air force | 1951–present | |
United States Marine Corps | Marines | 1939–present | |
United States Coast Guard | Coast guard | 1964–present | |
United States Space Force | Space force | 2019–present |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
United States Marine Corps | Marines | 1914–1939 | |
United States Navy | Navy | 1864–1959 |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Uruguayan National Army | Army | ||
Uruguayan Air Force | Air force | ||
Uruguayan National Navy | Navy | Also used as Naval Jack |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela | Navy | ||
National Army of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela | Army | ||
Venezuelan National Bolivarian Military Aviation | Air force | ||
Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela | National guard | ||
National Bolivarian Militia of Venezuela | Republican guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | Notes |
Vietnam People's Army | Military | ||
Vietnam People's Ground Force | Army | ||
Vietnam People's Air Force | Air force | ||
Vietnam People's Navy | Navy | ||
Naval ensign | |||
Vietnam Border Guard | Border guard | ||
Vietnam Coast Guard | Coast guard |
Organization | Organization type | Flag | In use |
Republic of Vietnam Military Forces | Military | 1955–1975 | |
Army of the Republic of Vietnam | Army | Until 1975 | |
Republic of Vietnam Air Force | Air force | Until 1975 | |
Republic of Vietnam Navy | Navy | Until 1975 | |
Republic of Vietnam Marine Division | Marines (subordinate branch of the navy) | 1968–1975 |
The Korean People's Army encompasses the combined military forces of North Korea and the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The KPA consists of five branches: the Ground Force, the Naval Force, the Air Force, Strategic Force, and the Special Operation Force. It is commanded by the WPK Central Military Commission, which is chaired by the WPK general secretary, and the president of the State Affairs; both posts are currently headed by Kim Jong Un.
A salute is usually a formal hand gesture or other action used to display respect in military situations. Salutes are primarily associated with the military and law enforcement, but many civilian organizations, such as Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and the Salvation Army use formal salutes. Ordinary civilians also salute informally to greet or acknowledge the presence of another person, such as a tip of the hat or a hand wave to a friend or neighbor.
In military organizations, a colour guard is a detachment of soldiers assigned to the protection of regimental colours and the national flag. This duty is highly prestigious, and the military colour is generally carried by a young officer (ensign), while experienced non-commissioned officers are assigned to the protection of the national flag. These non-commissioned officers, accompanied in several countries by warrant officers, can be ceremonially armed with either sabres or rifles to protect the colour. Colour guards are generally dismounted, but there are also mounted colour guard formations as well.
This is a collection of lists of flags, including the flags of states or territories, groups or movements and individual people. There are also lists of historical flags and military flag galleries. Many of the flag images are on Wikimedia Commons.
A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.
The national flag of Greece, popularly referred to as the Blue-and-White or the Cyan-and-White, is officially recognised by Greece as one of its national symbols and has 5 equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. There is a blue canton in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolises Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The blazon of the flag is Azure, four bars Argent; on a canton of the field a Greek cross throughout of the second. The official flag ratio is 2:3. The shade of blue used in the flag has varied throughout its history, from light blue to dark blue, the latter being increasingly used since the late 1960s. It was officially adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus on 13 January 1822.
The several branches of the United States Armed Forces are represented by flags. Within the U.S. military, various flags fly on various occasions, and on various ships, bases, camps, and military academies.
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards, flags, or guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago. The Roman Empire also made battle standards reading SPQR a part of their vast armies. It was formalized in the armies of Europe in the High Middle Ages, with standards being emblazoned with the commander's coat of arms.
A war ensign, also known as a military flag, battle flag, or standard, is a variant of a national flag for use by a country's military forces when on land. The nautical equivalent is a naval ensign. Under the strictest sense of the term, few countries today currently have distinct war flags, most using a flag design that is also the state flag or general national flag for this purpose.
A roundel is a circular disc used as a symbol. The term is used in heraldry, but also commonly used to refer to a type of national insignia used on military aircraft, generally circular in shape and usually comprising concentric rings of different colours. Other symbols also often use round shapes.
Campaign streamers are decorations attached to military flags to recognize particular achievements or events of a military unit or service. Attached to the headpiece of the assigned flag, the streamer often is an inscribed ribbon with the name and date denoting participation in a particular battle, military campaign, or theater of war; the ribbon's colors are chosen accordingly and frequently match an associated campaign medal or ribbon bar. They often are physical manifestations of battle honours, though this does not mean all streamers are battle honours. They should not be confused with a tassel, which is usually purely decorative in nature.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, JGSDF, also referred to as the Japanese Army, is the land warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Created on July 1, 1954, it is the largest of the three service branches.
In the United States Armed Forces, a lieutenant general is a three-star general officer in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
The Ministry of Aviation was a government department during the period of Nazi Germany (1933–45). It is also the original name of the Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus building on the Wilhelmstrasse in central Berlin, Germany, which today houses the German Finance Ministry.
The Rising Sun Flag is a Japanese flag that consists of a red disc and sixteen red rays emanating from the disc. Like the Japanese national flag, the Rising Sun Flag symbolizes the Sun.
The Texian Army, also known as the Revolutionary Army and Army of the People, was the land warfare branch of the Texian armed forces during the Texas Revolution. It spontaneously formed from the Texian Militia in October 1835 following the Battle of Gonzales. Along with the Texian Navy, it helped the Republic of Texas win independence from the Centralist Republic of Mexico on May 14, 1836 at the Treaties of Velasco. Although the Texas Army was officially established by the Consultation of the Republic of Texas on November 13, 1835, it did not replace the Texian Army until after the Battle of San Jacinto.
The Indian Armed Forces follow the UK/Commonwealth ranking system, and their general and flag officers use rank flags.
The extensive system of uniforms of the Russian Armed Forces was inherited from the Soviet Armed Forces and modified across the years.
The modern design of the flags appeared in 1993, when Kim Jong Il replaced the flag of the KPA with three separate ones for the army, navy, and air force .... despite some claims, there has been no design for a unified flag for all the Armed Forces since: the DPRK occasionally, however, uses the Ground Forces flag as a substitute to symbolize the entire military.