Tanzania People's Defence Force

Tanzania People's Defence Force
Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania
Emblem of Tanzania People's Defence Force
Founded1 September 1964; 60 years ago (1964-09-01)
Service branches
HeadquartersChamwino, Dodoma
WebsiteOfficial website
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefSamia Suluhu
Minister of Defence and National ServiceStargomena Tax
Chief of Defence ForceJacob John Mkunda
Personnel
Military age18
Conscription2 years
Available for
military service
9,985,445, age 16–49 (2010)
Fit for
military service
5,860,339 males, age 16–49 (2010),
5,882,279 females, age 16–49 (2010)
Reaching military
age annually
512,294 males (2010),
514,164 females (2010)
Active personnel27,000[1]
Reserve personnel80,000
Expenditure
Budget$827 million (2019)
Industry
Foreign suppliers Brazil
 China
 India
 Indonesia
 Israel
 Russia
 South Africa
 Turkey
 Ukraine
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Vietnam
Related articles
HistoryWorld War II (1939-45)
Uganda–Tanzania War (1978-79)
Mozambican Civil War
2008 invasion of Anjouan
M23 rebellion
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
RanksRank and insignia of the Tanzanian Armed Forces

The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) (Swahili: Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania) is the military force of the United Republic of Tanzania. It was established in September 1964, following a mutiny by the former colonial military force, the Tanganyika Rifles. From its inception, it was ingrained in the troops of the new TPDF that they were a people's force under civilian control. Unlike some of its neighbouring countries, Tanzania has never suffered a coup d'état or civil war.

The TPDF's mission is to defend Tanzania and every Tanzanian, especially the people and their political ideology. Conscripts are obligated to serve 2 years as of 2004.

  1. ^ "CIA World Factbook: Tanzania". The World Factbook. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.