World Factbook
Trinidad and Tobago
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Military - note
the primary responsibilities of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) are conducting border and maritime security, assisting civil authorities in times of crisis or disaster, providing search and rescue services, securing ports, and supporting civil law enforcement, particularly in countering gang-related crime and trafficking of narcotics and other illicit goods; the Police Service maintains internal security (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Regiment (Army/Land Forces), Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves (2026)
note: the Ministry of Homeland Security oversees both the TTDF and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS)
Military service age and obligation
generally 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the TTDF's ground force inventory consists of light weapons, while the Coast Guard and Air Guard field mostly secondhand equipment from several countries, including Australia, China, Italy, the Netherlands, and the US (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 5,000 Defense Forces (2025)