World Factbook
Timor-Leste
Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e (Tetum)/ Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste (Portuguese)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Military - note
the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) has both external defense and internal security roles; it also engages in national development missions, international peacekeeping, and regional security cooperation; the F-FDTL has ties with a variety of partners, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, the UN, and the US (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Land Component, Air Force Component, Naval Component Ministry of Interior: National Police of Timor-Leste (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; according to Timorese law on military service, all citizens 18-30 must contribute to the defense of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country and render their contribution through defense and security institutions (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military is lightly armed with a limited inventory consisting mostly of donated equipment from countries such as Australia, China, Portugal, South Korea, and the US (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 2,000 Defense Forces (2025)