Military & Security

Military - note

The primary duty of the NDF is to safeguard Namibia's territorial sovereignty and national interests; additional tasks encompass aiding civil authorities and engaging in peacekeeping and stability operations under the auspices of the African Union, Southern African Development Community, and the United Nations. Namibia maintains defense partnerships with various nations, including Botswana, India, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The NDF was established in 1990, primarily by integrating demobilized former members of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF). The PLAN served as the military wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), while the SWATF acted as a support unit to the South African Defense Force, representing the military forces of the former South West Africa from 1977 until 1989. Between 1990 and 1995, the British military played a crucial role in the formation and training of the NDF (2025).

Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Namibian Army, Namibian Navy, Namibian Air Force (2025).

Military service age and obligation

Voluntary military service is available for individuals aged 18 to 25 years, applicable to both men and women; there is no conscription (2026).

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The NDF's arsenal is predominantly composed of weapons and equipment from the Soviet era; in the past decade, it has acquired a limited selection of modern weapon systems from China and South Africa. Additionally, Namibia has a modest defense manufacturing sector that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2025).

Military and security service personnel strengths

The estimated number of active personnel in the Namibian Defense Forces is around 12,000 (2025).