Belize Military - 2021

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard (independent from the BDF, but under the Ministry of Defense) (2021)

Military expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2019)

1.2% of GDP (2018)

1.3% of GDP (2017)

1.3% of GDP (2016)

1.2% of GDP (2015)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Belize Defense Force (BDF) has approximately 1,300 active personnel; approximately 300 Belize Coast Guard (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the BDF's inventory is limited and consists mostly of UK- and US-origin equipment (2020)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2012)

NOTE: The information regarding Belize on this page is re-published from the 2021 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Belize 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Belize 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.