Panama Military Profile 2003

Military branches

an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)

Manpower available for military service

males age 15-49: 797,456 (2003 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 15-49: 544,967 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$128 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.3% (FY99)

Military - note

on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"