Rwandan Defence Forces

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The Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF, in French Forces rwandaises de défense), is made up mainly by former Rwanda Patriotic Army(RPA) fighters, is the national army of Rwanda.

After the successful conquest of the country, the RPF decided to split the RPF into a political division (which retained the RPF name) and a military division, which was to serve as the official army of the Rwandan state in two distinct and independent institutions.

Many soldiers from the former Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR), the national army under the previous regime, have been incorporated into the RDF since 1994.

Military branches: Rwandan Defense Forces: Army, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 2,004,750 females age 16-49: 1,990,935 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,103,823 females age 16-49: 1,096,644 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 13.3% (2006 est.)