Timor-Leste
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 169th
MPR SCORE: 153
MPR Index: 0.0210 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.9278 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.783 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Timor-Leste ranks 169th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its national military, the Timor-Leste Defence Force (Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste, F-FDTL), was established upon full independence in 2002. The F-FDTL is primarily tasked with national defense, border security, and civil assistance, especially disaster relief. With a modest budget, limited heavy equipment, and no combat air arm or navy, Timor-Leste depends heavily on regional partnerships—notably with Australia and Portugal—for training, logistics support, and capacity building.
Military Strengths
Timor-Leste’s strengths derive from its professional volunteer core, civil-military coordination, and strategic regional alliances.
Professional Volunteer Force
The F-FDTL is an all-volunteer service with a reputation for discipline and commitment.
Basic and specialist training is conducted under Australian and Portuguese programs.
Civil Support and Disaster Relief
The F-FDTL plays a lead role in responding to tropical storms, flooding, and landslides, providing engineering, medical, and logistical assistance.
Works closely with the National Directorate of Civil Protection and NGOs.
Border Security and Maritime Surveillance
Patrols the land border with Indonesia and the 500 km maritime boundary, countering smuggling and protecting fisheries.
Supported by Australian-supplied patrol craft and radar systems.
Strategic Regional Partnerships
Regular joint exercises with the Australian Defence Force (e.g., Exercise Pitch Black, Exercise Dili-Latè) and Portuguese military advisers.
Participates in UN peacekeeping training and broader ASEAN and Pacific Islands Forum security dialogues.
Why Timor-Leste Is Still Ranked 169th
Limited Force Size and Equipment
Approximately 2,500 active personnel and fewer than 500 reservists.
No tanks, artillery regiments, or combat aircraft—only light infantry weapons, utility vehicles, and aging patrol boats.
Absence of Air or Naval Combat Assets
The air wing has only light helicopters for transport and medevac; no fixed-wing or attack aircraft.
The naval component consists of small coastal patrol craft with no blue-water capability.
Modest Defense Budget
Defense spending hovers around 1% of GDP, constraining procurement and modernization.
Reliance on foreign military aid for spare parts, training, and infrastructure.
Dependence on External Security Guarantees
Formal defense treaties with Australia (Joint Defence Cooperation Agreement) and Portugal provide critical backstop for high-end scenarios.
Participation in International Stabilisation Force framework during early independence cements reliance on alliance support.
Conclusion
Timor-Leste’s Defence Force serves as a small, highly motivated security institution focused on sovereignty protection, internal stability, and humanitarian assistance. While its conventional combat capacity is limited by size, budget, and equipment, the F-FDTL’s value lies in its professionalism, civil support roles, and deep regional partnerships. Its MPR ranking reflects these trade-offs: low autonomous firepower, balanced by effective niche capabilities and strategic alliances.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 3,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 1,500
Paramilitary Forces: 500 (Police)
Army Personnel: 2,500
Navy Personnel: 300
Air Force Personnel: 200
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 10+ (light vehicles)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 5+ (light artillery pieces)
Air Wing
Timor-Leste’s air wing consists of transport helicopters used for medical evacuations and disaster relief.
Helicopters: 3
Transport Aircraft: None
Naval Forces
Timor-Leste’s navy operates a small fleet of patrol boats to protect its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The navy’s primary role is fisheries protection, anti-smuggling operations, and maritime surveillance.
Patrol Boats: 3 (provided by Australia)
Missile Capabilities
Timor-Leste does not possess missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its defense focus is on internal security and maintaining territorial sovereignty.
Strategic Partnerships
Timor-Leste relies on key defense partnerships with Australia and Portugal, which provide training, equipment, and logistical support. Australia’s Defense Cooperation Program has been vital in building Timor-Leste’s defense capabilities, especially in maritime security. Portugal also provides support to the Timorese military in the form of training and equipment.
Military History & Combat Experience
Timor-Leste’s modern military history is shaped by its struggle for independence, post-conflict stabilization, and institution building under international guidance:
Resistance and Liberation (1975–1999):
After Portugal’s withdrawal, FRETILIN declared independence in 1975 but was swiftly invaded by Indonesia.
The Falintil guerrilla forces waged a 24-year asymmetric insurgency against Indonesian occupation, culminating in the 1999 UN-supervised referendum and subsequent INTERFET intervention led by Australia.
UN Transitional Period (1999–2002):
Under UNTAET, East Timorese security units were trained by international police and military advisers.
The Falintil Peace Keeping Force transitioned civilians into a nascent national defense structure.
Establishment of F-FDTL (2002):
Independence on 20 May 2002 saw the formal creation of the F-FDTL, inheriting personnel from Falintil with new doctrines emphasizing non-politicized service.
2006 Crisis and International Stabilisation Force:
Internal unrest in 2006 led to the deployment of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) (Australia, Malaysia, NZ) to restore order.
Post-crisis reforms bolstered F-FDTL’s rapid reaction company and improved civil-military coordination.
Ongoing Capacity Building (2007–Present):
Regular training exchanges with Australia, Portugal, and the U.S., focusing on peacekeeping, EOD, and maritime patrol.
Deployment of F-FDTL engineering and medical teams in domestic relief operations has solidified its role in nation-building.
Timor-Leste’s Defence Force has never engaged in interstate war but is forged in the fire of asymmetric liberation struggle, evolving into a small, modern security service tasked with guarding a still-young nation and supporting its people in times of crisis.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~1.4 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~550,000
Geographic Area: 14,874 km²
Land Boundaries: 253 km
Bordering Countries: Indonesia
Coastline: 706 km (Timor Sea and Savu Sea)
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid; distinct wet and dry seasons
Terrain: Mountainous interior with narrow coastal plains
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, gold, manganese, marble
Proven Oil Reserves: ~600 million barrels (mainly offshore)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~6.1 trillion cubic feet (Greater Sunrise field)
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$100 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.2%
GDP (PPP): ~$5.8 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$4,200
External Debt: ~$1.4 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Moderate growth supported by petroleum fund revenues and defense restructuring
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, border security, internal stability
Military Industry Base: Minimal; dependent on foreign aid and procurement
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Minimal
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste (F-FDTL) under Ministry of Defense
Missile Inventory Highlights: None; light infantry weapons only
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Low to moderate; 60–90 days
Reservist Force Size: ~3,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Defense Intelligence Service under Ministry of Defense
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Australia, Portugal, Indonesia
Airports (Total): ~6
Major Military Airports: Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport (dual-use)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: Small
Major Ports: Dili, Hera
Naval Infrastructure: Small patrol fleet; naval base at Hera
Naval Replenishment Capability: Basic coastal refueling and resupply
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~6,000 km (many unpaved and in poor condition)
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~30,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Still imports refined fuels; offshore extraction is primary export
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Small; managed via government contracts
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: None
Military Installations (Domestic): Dili, Metinaro, Baucau
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Rotational training teams from Australia, Portugal
Defense Alliances: Bilateral cooperation with Australia, Portugal, Indonesia
Strategic Airlift Capability: None
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Extremely low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: None
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Petroleum logistics, construction, maritime services
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Dili
Founding Date: May 20, 2002 (independence from Indonesia/restoration from UN administration)
System of Government: Semi-presidential republic
