Military of Brunei
|
|
The Sultan is both Minister of Defense and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (RBAF). All servicement in the Brunei Army, Royal Brunei Navy, and Royal Brunei Air Force units are made up of volunteers. There are two infantry brigades, equipped with armored reconnaissance vehicles and armored personnel carriers and supported by Rapier air defense missiles and a flotilla of coastal patrol vessels armed with surface-to-surface missiles.
Brunei has a defense agreement with the United Kingdom, under which a battalion of the British Army Royal Gurkha Rifles is permanently stationed in Seria, near the centre of Brunei's oil industry. The RBAF has joint exercises, training programs, and other military cooperation with the United Kingdom and many other countries, including the United States.
Military branches: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49:
104,447 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49:
60,395 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males:
2,957 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $343 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.1% (FY98)