Military of Lesotho

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.

Army units

 * 7 x Infantry Companies
 * 1 x Support Company (81mm mortars)
 * 1 x Armoured Recon. Company (AML-90\RAM-2V\RBY MK-II\Shorland)
 * 1 x Artillery Battery (L-118 Light-gun 105mm towed howitzer)
 * 1 x Logistic Support Group

Equipment
Military branches: Lesotho Defence Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS)
 * Berreta AR-70\90 5.56mm AR 🇮🇹 Italy
 * IMI Galil 5.56mm AR 🇮🇱
 * Colt M16 5.56mm AR 🇺🇸
 * FN MAG 7.62mm LMG 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * SMG
 * 7.62mm MMG
 * Bren Mk-III LMG
 * Panhard AML-90 4x4,90mm ARV (x 10) 🇫🇷
 * Ramta RAM-2-V 4x4 APC (x 6) 🇮🇱
 * Ramta RBY Mk-II 4x4 APC (x 10) 🇮🇱
 * Shorland S-52 4x4 APC (x 8)
 * M40 105mm RCL (x 6) 🇺🇸
 * RPG-7 Light ATRL 🇷🇺\
 * L-118 105mm Light-Gun Towed Howitzer (x 2)
 * L-16 81mm Medium-Mortar (x 10)

Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 526,332 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military 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.