Military of Suriname
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Suriname's armed forces consist of the national army under the control of the Minister of Defense and a smaller civil police force, which is responsible to the Minister of Justice and Police. The national armed forces comprise some 2200 personnel, the majority of whom are deployed as light infantry security forces. A small air force, navy and military police also exist.
After the creation of the Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Army was entrusted with the defense of Suriname, while the defense of the Netherlands Antilles was the responsability of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The army set up a separate Troepenmacht in Suriname (Forces in Suriname, TRIS). Upon independence in 1975, this force was turned into the Nationaal Leger, National Army. The Netherlands has provided limited military assistance to the Surinamese armed forces since the election of a democratic government in 1991. In recent years, the USA has provided training to military officers and policymakers to promote a better understanding of the role of the military in a civilian government. Also, since the mid-1990s, the People's Republic of China has been donating military equipment and logistical material to the Surinamese Armed Forces.
Military branches: National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements), Civil Police
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 123072 (2002 estimate)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 72059 (2002 estimate)
Military expenditures: NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1,6% (FY 1997 estimate)