Military of Sao Tome and Principe
| Military branches: | Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Navy, Presidential Guard (2007) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 18 years of age (est.) (2004) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 18-49: 33,438 females age 18-49: 35,279 (2005 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 18-49: 25,950 females age 18-49: 28,660 (2005 est.) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP: | 0.8% (2006) |
| Military - note: | Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005) |