Military of Paraguay

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The armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy (including naval aviation and marine corps) and air force.

The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief.

Paraguay has compulsory military service, and all 18-year-old males and 17-year-olds in the year of their 18th birthday are liable for one year of active duty. Although the 1992 constitution allows for conscientious objection, no enabling legislation has yet been approved.

Of the three services, the army has the majority of personnel, resources, and influence. It is organized into three corps, with six infantry divisions and three cavalry divisions. The army has two primary functions: to maintain the national defense, including internal order, and to manage some civic action projects in the countryside.

The navy consists of about 2,000 personnel divided into three service branches. Note that the Navy of Paraguay is the largest Navy of any landlocked country. The air force, the newest and smallest of the services, has about 1,500 personnel.

Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force

Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,349,800 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 974,313 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 56,701 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $125 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.4% (FY98)

In July 2005, Military aid in the form of U.S. Special Forces began arriving at Paraguay's Mariscal Estigarribia air base, a sprawling complex built in 1982.^{[1] [2]}

[edit] References

1. ^ "U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations", International Relations Center, December 14, 2005. Retrieved on April 2006.
2. ^ US Marines put a foot in Paraguay, El Clarín, September 9, 2005 (Spanish)

[edit] Links

• Paraguay