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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Libya
Index
Armed Forces: In 1986 military manpower estimated at over
90,000; components were army (over 70,000), air force (10,000), and
navy (6,500). Compulsory Military Service Statute of 1978 made all
eligible males between ages of seventeen and thirty-five subject to
draft commitment of three years of active service in army or four
years in air force or navy. A 1984 statute mandated compulsory
military training for all Libyans coming of age, whether male or
female, to achieve total mobilization of population in event of
national emergency. Law strengthened People's Militia (formerly
known as Popular Resistance Force) into 45,000-person paramilitary
force. All forces were under control of Qadhafi in his role as
commander in chief of military establishment.
Police: Civil force, under Secretariat of the Interior, known
after 1985 as People's Security Force (formerly known as Police at
the Service of the People and the Revolution). Total number of
personnel not available 1987.
Major Tactical Military Units: In 1987 army composed of twenty
armored battalions, thirty mechanized infantry battalions, ten
artillery battalions, two special forces groups comprising ten
paratroop battalions, and eight air defense battalions. Air force
organized into one medium bomber squadron, three fighterinterceptor squadrons, five forward ground attack squadrons, one
counterinsurgency squadron, nine helicopter squadrons, and three
air defense brigades. Although navy configured to carry out
essentially coast guard role, inventory included six Soviet- built
submarines.
Major Equipment Suppliers: Between 1980 and 1985, Soviet Union
leading supplier of military equipment to Libya (US$4.6 billion)
followed by Czechoslovakia (US$875 million), Italy (US$850
million), France (US$725 million), and People's Republic of China
(US$320 million). In early 1987, however, Soviet deliveries
reportedly curtailed or cut off. Policy of refusing to ship arms to
Libya was agreed to in Tokyo Declaration on International Terrorism
signed in 1986 by United States, Canada, the Federal Republic of
Germany (West Germany), Britain, Italy, France, and Japan. In 1987,
Libya turning to peripheral suppliers such as Greece, Brazil, and
Yugoslavia.
Military Costs: According to Libyan figures, 1984 defense budget
was LD340 million, which constituted 23.6 percent of total budget.
In 1985, defense expenditures omitted entirely from budget.
According to United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency,
Libyan defense spending in 1985 estimated at $5.1 billion.
Data as of 1987
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