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Military of Swaziland

Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force
Founded June 1979
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief King Mswati III
Commander Major General Stanley Dlamini
Manpower
Military age 18-30
Conscription No
Available for
military service
344,038, age 18–49 (2010 est.)
Fit for
military service
201,853 males, age 18–49 (2010 est.),
175,477 females, age 18–49 (2010 est.)
Reaching military
age annually
16,168 males (2010 est.),
15,763 females (2010 est.)
Active personnel 3000+ (ranked n/a)
Reserve personnel 0
Deployed personnel 0
Expenditures
Budget $115 million (2011 est.)
Percent of GDP 3.0% of GDP (2011 est.)

The Military of Swaziland (Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force) is used primarily during domestic protests, with some border and customs duties; the force has never been involved in a foreign conflict. The army has struggled with high rates of HIV infection. Since measures were put in place the rate is dropping.

The USDF replaced the Royal Swaziland Defence Force, which was created in 1973 to replace the role of the British Army following independence in 1968.

The King is the Commander-in-Chief of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF), and the substantive Minister of the Ministry of Defence. However, he delegates the responsibilities of the day-to-day activities of the executive arm of the government.

There is a Defence Council, which is responsible for inter alia advising the King on all matters pertaining to the USDF. The USDF is commanded by Major General Stanley Dlamini; the deputy commander is Brigadier General Patrick Motsa, and the formation commander is Brigadier General Jeffry S. Tshabalala.

Swaziland also maintains a relatively small air wing, part of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF). The air wing is mainly used for transporting the King as well as cargo, and personnel; surveying land with search and rescue functions, and mobilizing in case of a national emergency.

Both Arava 201 have crashed; the first was on a demo flight in the 1980s, leaving both pilots dead. The second was lost in 2004, after bad weather caused the pilots to miss the runway and crash into a sugar cane field. Although no injuries were reported, the incident left the air force temporarily crippled.

The army, called the Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF), is the main component of Swaziland's military.

Due to Swaziland being landlocked, the country does not maintain a navy.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2010 edition".


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