World Factbook
Comoros
Udzima wa Komori (Comorian)/Union des Comores (French)/Al Ittihad al Qumuri (Arabic)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Military - note
the focus for the security forces is search and rescue operations and maintaining internal security; a defense treaty with France provides naval resources for the protection of territorial waters, training of Comoran military personnel, and air surveillance; France maintains a small maritime base and a Foreign Legion contingent on neighboring Mayotte (2024)
Military and security forces
National Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense or FCD; includes Comoran National Gendarmerie); Ministry of Interior: Coast Guard, Federal Police, National Directorate of Territorial Safety (customs and immigration) (2024)
note 1: when the Gendarmerie serves as the judicial police, it reports to the Minister of Justice; the Gendarmerie also has an intervention platoon that may act under the authority of the Interior Minister
note 2: the FCD is also known as the Comoran Security Force
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the AND is lightly armed and equipped with small arms, a few light aircraft, and utility vehicles (2024)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 600 Defense Force; estimated 500 Federal Police (2023)