Military of Lesotho
Encyclopedia
The security forces are composed of the Lesotho Defence Force
(LDF) and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service. The LDF consists of an army, an air wing, and a newly formed paramilitary wing. The LDF is answerable to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Defence, while the Lesotho Mounted Police report to the Minister of Home Affairs. There also is a National Security Service, Intelligence, which is directly accountable to the Prime Minister. Relations between the police and the army have been tense, and in 1997 the army was called upon to put down a serious police mutiny.
Military branches:
Lesotho Defence Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49:
526,332 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for mili
tary service:
males age 15-49:
283,203 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$34 million (1999)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
NA%
Military - note:
The Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defence Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs.
Lesotho Defence Force
The Lesotho Defence Force is the army and Air Wing of Lesotho.There is no conscription in Lesotho.Of 400,457 males age 18-49, the CIA estimates 162,857 are fit for military service.Military expenditures: $32.3 million...
(LDF) and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service. The LDF consists of an army, an air wing, and a newly formed paramilitary wing. The LDF is answerable to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Defence, while the Lesotho Mounted Police report to the Minister of Home Affairs. There also is a National Security Service, Intelligence, which is directly accountable to the Prime Minister. Relations between the police and the army have been tense, and in 1997 the army was called upon to put down a serious police mutiny.
EQUIPMENT:
- FN-FAL SAR
Belgium - IMI-Galil AR
Israel - FN-MAG LMG Belgium
- 10 Panhard AML-90 90mm 4x4 ARV
Early Modern France - 5 RAM-2V 4x4 APC Israel
- 10 RBY MK-1 4x4 APC Israel
- 8 Shorland S-52 4x4 APC
- L-16 81mm Medium Mortar
- Land-Rover 4x4
AIRCRAFT:-
- 4 CASA C-212-300(3)\CASA C-212-400(1}
Spain - 1 Gippsland GA-8 Airvan
Australia - 2 Short Skyvan M-3
- 1 Boeing 707
- 1 Beech B-300 Super Kingair
HELICOPTERS:-
Military branches:
Lesotho Defence Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49:
526,332 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for mili
tary service:
males age 15-49:
283,203 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$34 million (1999)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
NA%
Military - note:
The Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defence Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs.