Military of Lesotho
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The security forces are composed of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service. The LDF consists of an army, an air wing, and a newly formed paramilitary wing. The LDF is answerable to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Defense, while the Lesotho Mounted Police report to the Minister of Home Affairs. There also is a National Security Service, Intelligence, which is directly accountable to the Prime Minister. Relations between the police and the army have been tense, and in 1997 the army was called upon to put down a serious police mutiny.
Military branches: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF; includes Army and Air Wing), Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS)
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49:
526,332 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49:
283,203 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $34 million (1999)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Military - note: The Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening in political affairs.