Bhutan Military - 2021

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard, an air wing); National Militia; Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Royal Bhutan Police (2020)

note - the Royal Bhutan Army is a lightly armed infantry force focused on border protection and internal security; India is responsible for military training, arms supplies, and the air defense of Bhutan

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Royal Bhutan Army has an estimated 8,000 personnel (2020)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

India has provided most of the Royal Bhutan Army's equipment (2020)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2019)

NOTE: The information regarding Bhutan 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 Bhutan 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Bhutan 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.