[Home]Botswana/Military

HomePage | Botswana | Recent Changes | Preferences

The president is commander in chief of the Botswana Defense Force (BDF). A defense council is presidentially appointed. The BDF was formed in 1977 and has approximately 8,000 members.

The BDF is a capable and well-disciplined military force. Following positive political changes in South Africa and the region, the BDF's missions have increasingly focused on anti-poaching activities, disaster-preparedness, and foreign peacekeeping. The United States has been the largest single contributor to the development of the BDF, and a large segment of its officer corps has received U.S. training. It is considered an apolitical and professional institution.

Military branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police

Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 373,990 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 196,572 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 19,132 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $61 million (FY99/00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY99/00)


HomePage | Botswana | Recent Changes | Preferences
This page is read-only | View other revisions
Last edited August 14, 2001 4:50 am by Koyaanis Qatsi (diff)
Search: