Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force

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Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force
MottoParatus ad serviendum (Ready to serve)
Founded1 November 1981
Current form1995
Service branches
Headquarters, Saint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda
WebsiteOfficial website
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefElizabeth II
Prime MinisterGaston Browne
[1]
Manpower
Military age18
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 personnel240
Reserve personnel75
Expenditures
Budget£6,153,420.00 (2009)
Percent of GDP0.7%
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Antigua and Barbuda

The Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force is the armed forces of Antigua and Barbuda. The RABDF 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 RABDF is one of the world's smallest militaries, consisting of 245 personnel. It is much better equipped for fulfilling its civil roles as opposed to providing a deterrence against would-be aggressors or in defending the nation during a war.

Organisation[]

380X Defender of the RABDF Coast Guard during the "Tradewinds 2013" joint training-exercise

The RABDF consists of four major units:

  • Antigua and Barbuda Regiment — comprises four line companies and is the infantry unit and fighting arm of the defence force.
  • Service and Support Unit — provides administrative, logistic and engineer support to the rest of the defence force.
  • Coast Guard — the maritime element of the defence force, and is divided into four units:
  • Antigua and Barbuda Cadet Corps

Former deployments[]

  • In 1983, fourteen men of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force were deployed to Grenada during the Operation Urgent Fury.[4]
  • In 1990, twelve soldiers were sent to Trinidad and Tobago after a failed coup attempt by radical Black Muslims against the constitutionally elected government headed by Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson.
  • In 1995, members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force were deployed in Haiti as a part of Operation Uphold Democracy.[5]

Alliances[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "New Colonel to take command of Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force". 7 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 6. ISBN 9781591149552. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  3. ^ Okula, Christopher (30 May 2013). "130524-N-HP195-034". DefenseImagery.mil. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Dion E. Phillips - Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: A Preliminary Look". www.open.uwi.edu. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  5. ^ Phillips, Dion E. "Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: A Preliminary Look". Conference papers, 2004. University of the West Indies. Retrieved 24 November 2013.

External links[]

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