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[]
- Berreta AR-70\90 5.56mm AR Italy
- IMI Galil 5.56mm AR Israel
- Colt M16 5.56mm AR United States
- FN MAG 7.62mm LMG Belgium
- SMG Soviet Union
- 7.62mm MMG Soviet Union
- Bren Mk-III LMG United Kingdom
- Panhard AML-90 4x4,90mm ARV (x 10) France
- Ramta RAM-2-V 4x4 APC (x 6) Israel
- Ramta RBY Mk-II 4x4 APC (x 10) Israel
- Shorland S-52 4x4 APC (x 8) United Kingdom
- M40 105mm RCL (x 6) United States
- RPG-7 Light ATRL Russia\ Soviet Union
- L-118 105mm Light-Gun Towed Howitzer (x 2) United Kingdom
- L-16 81mm Medium-Mortar (x 10) United Kingdom
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 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.
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The original article can be found at Military of Lesotho and the edit history here.