Timor Leste Defence Force

Timor-Leste Defence Force
Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste
F-FDTL flag
F-FDTL emblem
MottoPátria povo
Founded2001
Service branchesTimor-Leste Army
Timor-Leste Naval Component
Timor-Leste Air Component
HeadquartersDili
Leadership
PresidentJose Ramos-Horta
Minister for DefenceFilomeno da Paixão de Jesus
Chief of Defence ForceLieutenant general Falur Rate Laek
Personnel
Military age18
Available for
military service
299,008 males, age 16–49 (2010 est),
286,465 females, age 16–49 (2010 est)
Fit for
military service
236,996 males, age 16–49 (2010 est),
245,033 females, age 16–49 (2010 est)
Reaching military
age annually
12,795 males (2010 est),
12,443 females (2010 est)
Active personnel2,280 (IISS, 2020)[1]
Reserve personnelNone
Expenditure
Budget$31.1 million USD (2019)[1]
Industry
Domestic suppliersNone
Foreign suppliersDonations from foreign governments, mostly
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of East Timor

The Timor Leste Defence Force (Tetum: Forcas Defesa Timor Lorosae, Portuguese: Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste or Falintil-FDTL, often F-FDTL) is the military of East Timor. The F-FDTL was established in February 2001 and comprises two infantry battalions, small naval and air components and several supporting units.

The F-FDTL's primary role is to protect East Timor from external threats. It also has an internal security role, which overlaps with that of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL). This overlap has led to tensions between the services, which have been exacerbated by poor morale and lack of discipline within the F-FDTL.

The F-FDTL's problems came to a head in 2006 when almost half the force was dismissed following protests over discrimination and poor conditions. The dismissal contributed to a general collapse of both the F-FDTL and PNTL in May and forced the government to request foreign peacekeepers to restore security. The F-FDTL is currently being rebuilt with foreign assistance and has drawn up a long-term force development plan.