Timor-Leste Defence Force
| Timor-Leste Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste | |
F-FDTL flag | |
F-FDTL emblem | |
| Motto | Pátria povo (Fatherland and people) |
| Founded | 20 August 1975 |
| Current form | 1 February 2001 |
| Service branches | Land Component Naval Component Light Air Component |
| Headquarters | Dili |
| Website | f-fdtl |
| Leadership | |
| President | Jose Ramos-Horta |
| Minister for Defence | Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus |
| Chief of Defence Force | Lieutenant general Falur Rate Laek |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18 |
| Conscription | Yes |
| Active personnel | 2,280 (IISS, 2020) |
| Reserve personnel | None |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $47.8 million USD (2025) |
| Percent of GDP | 2.25% |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Timor-Leste |
The Timor-Leste Defence Force (Tetum: Forcas Defesa Timor Lorosae, Portuguese: Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste or Falintil-FDTL, often F-FDTL) is the military of Timor-Leste. The F-FDTL was established in February 2001 and comprises two infantry battalions, small naval and air components and several supporting units.
The F-FDTL's primary role is to protect Timor-Leste from external threats. It also has an internal security role, which overlaps with that of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL). This overlap has led to tensions between the services, which have been exacerbated by poor morale and lack of discipline within the F-FDTL.
The F-FDTL's problems came to a head in 2006 when almost half the force was dismissed following protests over discrimination and poor conditions. The dismissal contributed to a general collapse of both the F-FDTL and PNTL in May and forced the government to request foreign peacekeepers to restore security. The F-FDTL is currently being rebuilt with foreign assistance and has drawn up a long-term force development plan.