Mauritius Military - 2022

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) under the Ministry of Defense includes a paramilitary unit known as the Special Mobile Force, which includes some motorized infantry and light armored units; the MPF also has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support Unit (riot police), and the National Coast Guard (also includes an air squadron) (2022)

Military expenditures

0.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

0.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $80 million)

0.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $80 million)

0.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $80 million)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 1,700 Special Mobile Force; approximately 800 National Coast Guard (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the MPF's inventory is comprised of mostly second-hand equipment from Western European countries and India; since 2010, India has been the primary supplier (2022)

Military service age and obligation

service is voluntary (2022)

Military - note

as of 2022, the country’s primary security partner was India, and Indian naval vessels often patrol Mauritian waters; the MPF has also received assistance and training from France, the UK, and the US; the MPF’s chief security concerns were piracy and narcotics trafficking

the Special Mobile Force was created in 1960 following the withdrawal of the British garrison (2022)

NOTE: The information regarding Mauritius on this page is re-published from the 2022 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Mauritius 2022 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Mauritius 2022 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.