Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force
| Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force | |
|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force emblem | |
Flag of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force | |
| Motto | Paratus ad serviendum (Ready to serve) |
| Founded | 1 June 1956 |
| Current form | 20 December 1995 |
| Service branches | |
| Headquarters | Camp Blizzard, Saint George |
| Website | Official website |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Charles III, King of Antigua and Barbuda represented by Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda |
| Prime Minister | Gaston Browne |
| Chief of Defence Staff | Telbert Benjamin |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18 |
| Available for military service | 18,952 males, age 15–49 (1998), 18,360 females, age 15–49 (1998) |
| Fit for military service | 14,859 males, age 15–49 (1998), 14,947 females, age 15–49 (1998) |
| Reaching military age annually | 507 males (1998), 494 females (1998) |
| Active personnel | 240 |
| Reserve personnel | 75 |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | £6,153,420.00 (2009) |
| Percent of GDP | 0.7% |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Antigua and Barbuda |
The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) is the armed forces of Antigua and Barbuda. The ABDF has responsibility for several different roles: internal security, prevention of drug smuggling, the protection and support of fishing rights, prevention of marine pollution, search and rescue, ceremonial duties, assistance to government programs, provision of relief during natural disasters, assistance in the maintenance of essential services, and support of the police in maintaining law and order. The force entered its current form on 20 December 1995.
The ABDF is one of the world's smallest militaries, consisting of 245 personnel. The first militia in Antigua was established in the 1600s, having fought against the French capture of the island in 1666. The governor oversaw the force, and by 1820 the island had a 945-man militia. The island continued to maintain this force for much of the colonial era, and by 1 September 1981 the Antigua Volunteer Defence Force was renamed to the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force preceding independence. The force has undergone various reforms, and the present force was reestablished on 1 June 1956.