Mexico's armed forces number about 300,000. The army makes up about three-fourths of that total. The navy is a completely autonomous cabinet agency and the President of Mexico is the Commander in Chief for both agencies. Principal military roles include national defense, narcotics control, and civic action assignments such as roadbuilding, search and rescue, and disaster relief.

Military branches: National Defense Secretariat (includes Army and Air Force), Navy Secretariat (includes Naval Air and Marines)

Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
note: starting in 2000, females will be allowed to volunteer for military service

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 26,171,141 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 19,022,012 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 1,073,809 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY99)

References and Links

• Mexico