Military branches:
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 38,211
[see also: Manpower available for military service - males age 16-49 country ranks ]
females age 16-49:
38,929 (2010 est.)
[see also: Manpower available for military service - females age 16-49 country ranks ]
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,530
[see also: Manpower fit for military service - males age 16-49 country ranks ]
females age 16-49:
28,450 (2010 est.)
[see also: Manpower fit for military service - females age 16-49 country ranks ]
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
male: 1,997
[see also: Manpower reaching military service age annually - male country ranks ]
female:
1,922 (2010 est.)
[see also: Manpower reaching military service age annually - female country ranks ]
Military expenditures: Military - note:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 147
[see also: Military expenditures country ranks ]
Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
