Tanzania People's Defence Force
| Tanzania People's Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania (Swahili) | |
Emblem of Tanzania People's Defence Force | |
| Founded | 12 December 1962 |
| Service branches | |
| Headquarters | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| Website | Official website |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Samia Suluhu Hassan |
| Minister of Defence and National Service | Stergomena Tax |
| Chief of Defence Force | General Jacob John Mkunda |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18–62 |
| Conscription | 2 years |
| Active personnel | 25,000 (ranked 84) |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $2.2 billion (2024) |
| Percent of GDP | 1.4% (2024 est.) |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | |
| Related articles | |
| History | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Tanzania |
The Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) (Swahili: Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania) is the military force of the United Republic of Tanzania. It was established in September 1964, following a mutiny by the former colonial military force, the Tanganyika Rifles. From its inception, it was ingrained in the troops of the new TPDF that they were a people's force under civilian control. Unlike some of its neighbouring countries, Tanzania has never suffered a coup d'état or civil war.
The TPDF's mission is to defend Tanzania and every Tanzanian, especially the people and their political ideology. Conscripts are obligated to serve 2 years as of 2004.