Military & Security
Guyana
Military - note
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was founded in 1965, with its main responsibilities encompassing territorial defense, maritime security, search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, aviation and engineering support, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, peace support missions, and community involvement. Significant concerns for the GDF include illegal fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, insecure borders, and threats from Venezuela regarding territorial disputes. The GDF is engaged in both bilateral and multinational training exercises and maintains partnerships with Brazil, China, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In 2022, Guyana became a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS). The RSS member states, which include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, have committed to developing contingency plans and providing mutual assistance in times of national emergencies, smuggling prevention, search and rescue operations, immigration enforcement, fishery protection, customs and excise management, maritime law enforcement, safeguarding offshore installations, pollution management, and responding to national disasters and security threats (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) operates as a unified entity that includes ground, air, and coast guard divisions, in addition to the Guyana National Reserve (2026).
Military service age and obligation
Individuals 18 years or older may voluntarily enlist in the military; there is no conscription (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military possesses a limited array of equipment, primarily consisting of older or second-hand systems sourced from various international suppliers, including Brazil, China, India, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active-duty strength of the Guyana Defense Force is approximately 3,500 personnel (2025).