Military branches:
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49:
156,319
females age 16-49:
98,815 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49:
135,374
females age 16-49:
85,181 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male:
4,167
female:
3,595 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008)