Armed forces - Madagascar (original) (raw)

As of 2002, the armed forces of Madagascar were composed of about 13,500 personnel, including an army of 12,500, a navy of 500 (100 marines), and an air force of 500. The army had 12 tanks and the air force 12 combat aircraft. The last French military forces stationed in Madagascar withdrew in 1975. The paramilitary Gendarmerie National, which had a strength of 8,100, is the main force for the maintenance of public order and internal security. Military spending was $48.7 million in 2001 or about1.2% of GDP.