Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force
The Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force is the armed forces of Antigua and Barbuda. The RABDF has responsibility for several different roles: internal security, prevention of drug smuggling, the protection and support of fishing rights, prevention of marine pollution, search and rescue, ceremonial duties, assistance to government programs, provision of relief during natural disasters, assistance in the maintenance of essential services, and support of the police in maintaining law and order.
| Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Paratus ad serviendum (Ready to serve) |
| Founded | 1 November 1981 |
| Current form | 1995 |
| Service branches |
|
| Headquarters | Camp Blizard, Saint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda |
| Website | Official website |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Gaston Browne |
| Chief of Defence Staff | Colonel Sir Trevor Thomas |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 18 |
| Available for military service | 18,952 males, age 15–49 (1998), 18,360 females, age 15–49 (1998) |
| Fit for military service | 14,859 males, age 15–49 (1998), 14,947 females, age 15–49 (1998) |
| Reaching military age annually | 507 males (1998), 494 females (1998) |
| Active personnel | 240 |
| Reserve personnel | 75 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | £6,153,420.00 (2009) |
| Percent of GDP | 0.7% |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Antigua and Barbuda |
The RABDF is one of the world's smallest militaries, consisting of 245 personnel. It is much better equipped for fulfilling its civil roles as opposed to providing a deterrence against would-be aggressors or in defending the nation during a war.
Organisation
380X Defender of the RABDF Coast Guard during the "Tradewinds 2013" joint training-exercise
The RABDF consists of four major units:
- Antigua and Barbuda Regiment — comprises four line companies and is the infantry unit and fighting arm of the defence force.
- Service and Support Unit — provides administrative, logistic and engineer support to the rest of the defence force.
- Coast Guard — the maritime element of the defence force, and is divided into four units:
- Commanding Officer's Office
- Engineer Unit
- Administration Unit
- Flotilla — the flotilla is the operational part of the Coast Guard, and consists of the following water-craft:
- 1 Swiftships Shipbuilders 19.81-metre Commercial Cruiser-class patrol boat (P-01 Liberta), in service since 1984[1]
- 1 SeaArk Boats Dauntless-class patrol boat (P-02 Palmetto), in service since 1995[1]
- 1 Point-class cutter (P-03 Hermitage), transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1998[1]
- 1 Defender 380X-class all-weather interceptor (D-8), date of acquisition unknown[2]
- 2 Boston Whaler 8.23-metre launches (071 and 072), in service since 1988[1]
- 1 Zodiac Marine & Pool 8.23-metre Hurricane-type rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) in service since 1998[1]
- Antigua and Barbuda Cadet Corps
Former deployments
- In 1983, fourteen men of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force were deployed to Grenada during the Operation Urgent Fury.[3]
- In 1990, twelve soldiers were sent to Trinidad and Tobago after a failed coup attempt by radical Black Muslims against the constitutionally elected government headed by Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson.
- In 1995, members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force were deployed in Haiti as a part of Operation Uphold Democracy.[4]
Alliances
See also
References
- Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 6. ISBN 9781591149552. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- Okula, Christopher (30 May 2013). "130524-N-HP195-034". DefenseImagery.mil. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- "Dion E. Phillips - Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: A Preliminary Look". www.open.uwi.edu. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Phillips, Dion E. "Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: A Preliminary Look". Conference papers, 2004. University of the West Indies. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
External links
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