Editing Timor-Leste Defence Force (section)

== Organisation ==
[[File:US Navy 111127-N-ER662-545 Sideboys render honors to Brig. Gen. Filomeno da Paixao de Jesus, Deputy Chief of Defense Force for Timor-Leste, aboard.jpg|thumb|200px|Brig. Gen Filomeno da Paixao, Vice Chief of Defence Force, aboard a visiting US warship.]]
The F-FDTL is organised into a headquarters, a land component, a naval component and an air component.{{sfn|International Institute for Strategic Studies|2020|p=317}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=Decreto-Lei N.º 5 /2022 : Estatuto orgânico das FALINTIL-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) |journal=Jornal da República |date=19 January 2022 |volume=Série I |issue=4 |page=115 |url=https://www.mj.gov.tl/jornal/public/docs/2022/serie_1/SERIE_I_NO_4.pdf |publisher=Publicação Oficial Da República Democrática De Timor - Leste |language=Portuguese |oclc=318389055 |ref={{SfnRef|Jornal da República Série I No. 4|2022}}| trans-title=Organic statute of FALINTIL-Defence Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) |access-date=24 December 2024}}</ref> The headquarters of the F-FDTL is the General Staff of the armed forces.{{sfn|Jornal da República Série I No. 4|2022|p=100}} A small number of F-FDTL units report directly to the Chief of the General Staff including the military police, special forces unit and the military hospital.{{sfn|Jornal da República Série I No. 4|2022|p=100}}<ref name="Decreto-Lei n.º 66/2022" /> Following its establishment the F-FDTL also had the "largest and most sophisticated" [[HUMINT|human intelligence]] network in Timor-Leste, which was based on the clandestine resistance reporting networks built up during the Indonesian occupation.<ref>Rees (2004), p. 56</ref> However, in May 2008 the national parliament legislated to place the F-FDTL's intelligence branch under the authority of the head of the National Information Service.<ref>UNMIT (2008), p. 8</ref>

In 2011 F-FDTL had an authorised strength of 1,500 regular personnel and 1,500 reservists. It had not reached these totals as funding shortfalls prevented the reserve component from being formed and the Army's two regular battalions were under-strength.<ref name="Patrikainen_143">Patrikainen et al. (2011), p. 143</ref> While all the F-FDTL's personnel were initially FALINTIL veterans the force's composition has changed over time and few soldiers from the insurgency remained as of 2005 due to the force's narrow age requirement.<ref>La'o Hamutuk Bulletin (2005)</ref>

After the F-FDTL's 1st Battalion was established in 2001 recruitment was opened to all East Timorese above the age of 18, including women.<ref name="Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment 2007, p. 116"/> Few women have joined the F-FDTL, however. As at February 2010, only seven per cent of new recruits were female.<ref>UNMIT (2006), p. 29</ref><ref>UNMIT (2010), p. 14</ref> In 2020 women comprised 10.8 per cent of the F-DTL's personnel, with none holding a rank higher than captain.{{sfn|Sharland|Feely|2020|pp=31–32}}

=== Army ===
When initially established, the F-FDTL land force comprised two [[light infantry]] [[battalion]]s, each with an authorised strength of 600 personnel.<ref>Ball (2002), pp. 179–180</ref> {{As of|2004}} each battalion had three rifle companies, a support company and a headquarters company.<ref>Rees (2004), pp. 28–29</ref> Although the army is small, the guerrilla tacticsemployed by FALINTIL before the departure in 1999 of the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces]] were effective against overwhelming numbers and it has the potential to form a credible deterrent against invasion.<ref>Wainwright (2002), pp. 34</ref> The Army's current doctrine is focused on low-intensity infantry combat tactics as well as counter-insurgency tasks.<ref name=Patrikainen_143 /> Most of the force's training and operations are conducted at the [[Section (military unit)|section]] level, and company or battalion-sized exercises are rare.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Doran|first1=Mark|title=Timorese take to training|url=http://armynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=119635#folio=14|access-date=18 May 2015|work=Army|date=21 May 2015|page=14|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016220210/http://armynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=119635#folio=14|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:F-FDTL soldiers training in October 2012.jpg|thumb|left|F-FDTL soldiers during a training exercise in 2012]]

Up until the 2006 crisis the land component's primary fighting units were two battalions, following the original idea of the Australian major-general whose suggestion it was. These units were located in separate bases. {{As of|2004}} the 1st Battalion was based at [[Baucau]], with a contingent in the seaside coastline village of Laga.<ref name=rees29>Rees (2004), p. 29.</ref> In 2006 the 2nd Battalion was stationed at the [[Nicolau Lobato Training Centre]] near [[Metinaro]].<ref>Lowry (2006), p. 4 and Rees (2004), pp. 29–31</ref> Almost all of the 2nd Battalion's soldiers were dismissed during the 2006 crisis.<ref name=icg5/> It should be clearly noted that the listing of personnel above after the 2006 crisis refers only to a "former" 2nd Battalion. The other major Army units are a [[military police]] platoon and a logistic support company.{{sfn|International Institute for Strategic Studies|2020|p=317}} As of 2019, the F-FDTL was planning to raise a [[special forces]] company.<ref name="Dodd China’s navy is making friends">{{cite web |last1=Dodd |first1=Mark |title=China's navy is making friends in Dili |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-navy-is-making-friends-in-dili/ |website=The Strategist |publisher=Australian Strategic Policy Institute |access-date=6 February 2021 |date=23 October 2019 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126163116/https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/chinas-navy-is-making-friends-in-dili/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2020 edition of ''The Military Balance'' stated that the Army had 2,200 personnel.{{sfn|International Institute for Strategic Studies|2020|p=317}}

Logistics and service support is provided through Headquarters F-FDTL in [[Dili]]. The military police platoon polices the F-FDTL and performs traditional policing tasks, resulting in conflicting roles with the PNTL. The military police have also been responsible for presidential security since February 2007.<ref>International Crisis Group (2008), p. 15</ref> In 2010 the United States Embassy in Dili reported that the F-FDTL also planned to raise two engineer squadrons during that year; these two units were to have a total strength of 125 personnel.<ref name= "US_Embassy_2010_4">Embassy of the United States, Dili (2010), p. 4</ref>

The F-FDTL is armed only with [[small arms]] and does not have any [[crew-served weapon]]s. The 2007 edition of ''Jane's Sentinel'' stated that the F-FDTL had the following equipment in service: 1,560 [[M16 rifle]]s and 75 [[M203 grenade launcher]]s, 75 [[FN Minimi]] [[squad automatic weapon]]s, 8 [[sniper rifle]]s and 50 [[M1911|.45 M1911A1]] pistols. A further 75 Minimis were to be ordered at that time. The majority of the F-FDTL's weapons were donated by other countries.<ref>''Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment&nbsp;– Southeast Asia''. Issue 20&nbsp;– 2007, pp. 146, 152</ref> An assessment of Timor-Leste's security forces published by the [[Centre for International Governance Innovation]] in 2010 stated that "F-FDTL weapons management and control systems, while superior to that of PNTL, are underdeveloped".<ref name="Sedra_11">Sedra et al. (2010), p. 11</ref> The F-FDTL ordered eight lightly armed four wheel drive vehicles from China in 2007.{{sfn|Storey|2012|p=298}} Between 10 and 50 Malaysian [[Weststar Defence Industries|Weststar]] GS trucks were delivered in 2014.<ref name="SM">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614104428/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/east-timor-selects-weststar-cargo-military-vehicle/|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/east-timor-selects-weststar-cargo-military-vehicle/|date=2014-06-10|archive-date=2017-06-14|access-date=2017-06-14|title=East Timor selects Weststar cargo military vehicles|publisher=Shephard Media}}</ref>

=== Naval Component ===
[[File:Timor-Leste Fuzilierios board a simulated enemy vessel during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Marine Exercise Timor-Leste February 2023.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photo of two men wearing military uniforms and carrying guns on the deck of a ship|Two East Timorese marines practising boarding a ship in 2023]]
The Naval Component of the F-FDTL was established in December 2001 when Portugal transferred two small {{sclass|Albatroz|patrol boat|0}} patrol boats from the [[Portuguese Navy]]. Its establishment was not supported by the King's College study team, the UN, or Timor-Leste's other donor countries on the grounds that Timor-Leste could not afford to operate a naval force.<ref name="Ref-1" /> The role of the naval component is to conduct fishery and border protection patrols and ensure that the maritime line of communication to the [[Oecussi]] enclave remains open.{{sfn|Saunders|2011|p=203}} This is comparable to the role of the [[Portuguese Navy]], which also undertakes military and [[coast guard]] functions.{{sfn|Bateman|Bergin|2011|p=53}} All of the force's warships are based at Hera Harbour, which is located a few kilometres east of Dili.{{sfn|Saunders|2011|p=203}} A small base is located at [[Atabae]] near the Indonesian border.{{sfn|Bateman|Bergin|2011|p=53}} Under the ''Force 2020'' plan the naval component may eventually be expanded to a light patrol force equipped with [[corvette]]-sized ships and [[landing craft]].<ref>
{{Cite news|last=Wertheim |first=Eric |year=2008 |title=World Navies in Review |periodical=[[Proceedings (magazine)|Proceedings]] |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |volume=March 2008 |page=16}}</ref>
[[File:2010-05-22 New Patrols Vessels, Jaco Class, to the F-FDTL Naval Force 1.jpg|thumb|Both {{sclass|Jaco|patrol boat|1}}s in 2010]]

On 12 April 2008 Timor-Leste signed a contract for two new Chinese-built 43-metre [[Type 062 gunboat|Type 062]] gunboats. These ships were to replace the ''Albatroz''-class vessels and to be used to protect Timor-Leste's fisheries. The contract for the ships also involved 30 to 40 East Timorese personnel being trained in China.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Dodd |title=Alarm at China's influence in Timor |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23547135-31477,00.html |newspaper=The Australian |date=16 April 2008 |access-date=16 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509002541/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23547135-31477,00.html |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref name="Storey_2009">{{cite journal|last=Storey|first=Ian|year=2009|title=China's Inroads into East Timor|journal=China Brief|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|location=Washington DC|volume=9|issue=4|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34724&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=414&no_cache=1|access-date=24 May 2012|archive-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319233856/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=34724&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=414&no_cache=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The two new patrol boats arrived from China in June 2010, and were commissioned as the {{sclass|Jaco|patrol boat|4}} on the eleventh of the month.<ref>{{cite news|last=McGuirk|first=Rod|title=East Timorese president prefers 'fake Gucci' warships from China to Western military hardware|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gtnzj751wriH7DJBYAWyD4LSGfAQ|access-date=18 July 2010|date=23 June 2010|agency=The Canadian Press|archive-date=26 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626123215/http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gtnzj751wriH7DJBYAWyD4LSGfAQ|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ceremony for the Delivery of New Patrols Vessels, Jaco Class, to the F-FDTL Naval Force|url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=2865&lang=en|publisher=Government of Timor-Leste|access-date=6 August 2010|archive-date=8 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608230819/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=2865&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> This acquisition was controversial in Timor-Leste due to a perceived lack of transparency regarding the purchase and concerns that the patrol boats were not suited to the rough sea conditions and tropical weather in which they would need to operate. The academic Ian Storey has written that "corruption may have played a part in the deal".{{sfn|Storey|2012|p=299}} The East Timorese government justified the purchase by arguing that the patrol boats were needed to safeguard the country's independence.{{sfn|Strating|2013|pp=197–198}}

The South Korean Government donated one ex-[[Republic of Korea Navy]] {{sclass2|Chamsuri|patrol boat|1}} and two smaller patrol boats in 2011, and these entered service with the naval component on 26 September 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mazumdar|first=Mrityunjoy|title=East Timor commissions ex-South Korean patrol craft|newspaper=Jane's Navy International|date=4 October 2011}}</ref> The East Timorese government also ordered two fast patrol boats from the Indonesian company PT Pal in March 2011 for the price of $US40&nbsp;million.<ref name="Patrikainen_149">Patrikainen et al. (2011), p. 149</ref>

The 2020 edition of the IISS ''Military Balance'' listed the naval component's size as 80 personnel.{{sfn|International Institute for Strategic Studies|2020|p=317}} The 2011 edition of ''Jane's Sentinel'' put the strength of the naval component at 250; this source also stated that recruitment for an approximately 60-person strong [[Marine (military)|Marine]] unit began in 2011 from existing naval component personnel, members of the Army and civilians. The Marines were to serve as a [[special forces|Special Operations]] force.<ref name="Patrikainen_146">Patrikainen et al. (2011), p. 146</ref>

[[File:NRTL Aitana at Austal shipyards, Henderson, Western Australia, December 2023 03.jpg|thumb|240px|NRTL Aitana at Austal, Henderson, Western Australia, in December 2023]]
In 2017 Timor-Leste accepted an offer of two new {{sclass2|Guardian|patrol boat|1}}s and associated training and logistics assistance from the Australian Government. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered in 2023,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dominguez|first1=Gabriel|title=Timor-Leste to receive two Pacific Patrol Boats in 2023|url=http://www.janes.com/article/75469/timor-leste-to-receive-two-pacific-patrol-boats-in-2023|access-date=22 January 2018|work=Jane's Defence Weekly|date=6 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110201022/http://www.janes.com/article/75469/timor-leste-to-receive-two-pacific-patrol-boats-in-2023|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and will be named ''Aitana'' and ''Laline''.<ref name="t 2021-12-09">{{cite news |title=F-FDTL atribui naran Aitana no Laline ba ró patrollamentu rua hosi Austrália |url=http://www.tatoli.tl/2021/12/09/f-fdtl-atribui-naran-aitana-no-laline-ba-ro-patrollamentu-rua-hosi-australia/ |access-date=17 February 2022 |agency=[[Tatoli]] |date=9 December 2021 |language=tet |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124144710/http://www.tatoli.tl/2021/12/09/f-fdtl-atribui-naran-aitana-no-laline-ba-ro-patrollamentu-rua-hosi-australia/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tl 2022-02-17">{{cite web |title=Timor-Leste and Australia Prime Ministers' Meeting |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=30132&lang=en&n=1 |website=Government of Timor-Leste |access-date=17 February 2022 |language=en |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217094833/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=30132&lang=en&n=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Australia is also funding a new wharf at Hera Harbour that will enable operations of the two Guardian-class patrol boats.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aussies to revamp East Timor naval base|url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/08/30/aussies-to-revamp-east-timor-naval-base/|last=McGuirk|first=Rod|agency=The Associated Press|date=30 August 2019|website=Navy Times|language=en-US|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=27 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327132648/https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/08/30/aussies-to-revamp-east-timor-naval-base/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Current vessels
!Origin
!Class
!Type
!Notes
|-
|{{ill|NRTL Jaco|de|Jaco (Schiff)|lt=NRTL ''Jaco''}}{{sfn|Bateman|Bergin|2011|p=54}}
|China
|[[Jaco-class patrol boat|Jaco]]
|Patrol boat
|Commissioned June 2010
|-
|{{ill|NRTL Betano|de|Betano (Schiff, 2010)|lt=NRTL ''Betano''}}{{sfn|Bateman|Bergin|2011|p=54}}
|China
|Jaco
|Patrol boat
|Commissioned June 2010
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Dili}}
|South Korea
|40-ton
|Patrol boat
|Commissioned 26 September 2011
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Hera}}
|South Korea
|40-ton
|Patrol boat
|Commissioned 26 September 2011
|-
!Former vessels
!Origin
!Class
!Type
!Notes
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Oecusse|P101}}{{sfn|Bateman|Bergin|2011|p=54}}
|Portugal
|[[Albatroz-class patrol boat|Albatroz]]
|Patrol boat
|ex NRP ''Albatroz'' (P 1012), transferred in 2002
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Atauro|P102}}{{sfn|Bateman|Bergin|2011|p=54}}
|Portugal
|Albatroz
|Patrol boat
|ex NRP ''Atauro'' (P 1163), transferred in 2002
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Kamenassa}} (P217)
|South Korea
|[[Chamsuri-class patrol boat|Chamsuri]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Defense|first=R. P.|title=East Timor Naval Force Receives Three Patrol Vessels from South Korea|url=http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/article-east-timor-naval-force-receives-three-patrol-vessels-from-south-korea-85362814.html|access-date=8 September 2020|website=RP Defense|language=fr|archive-date=10 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910141421/http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/article-east-timor-naval-force-receives-three-patrol-vessels-from-south-korea-85362814.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Patrol boat
|Commissioned 26 September 2011; [[Sinking ships for wreck diving sites|sunk as a dive wreck]] 15 July 2023<ref name="dtl kamanasa">{{cite web |title=Timor Leste's Newest Shipwreck |url=https://divetimor.com/timor-lestes-newest-shipwreck/ |website=Dive Timor Lorosae |date=18 July 2023 |access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref>
|-
!Future vessels
!Origin
!Class
!Type
!Notes
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Aitana}}<ref name="austal.com">{{Cite web|date=18 April 2018|title=AUSTAL FINALISES CONTRACT WITH GOVERNMENT FOR TWO ADDITIONAL PACIFIC PATROL BOATS FOR TIMOR LESTE|url=https://www.austal.com/news/austal-finalises-contract-government-two-additional-pacific-patrol-boats-timor-leste|access-date=8 September 2020|website=Austal: Corporate|language=en|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313162712/https://www.austal.com/news/austal-finalises-contract-government-two-additional-pacific-patrol-boats-timor-leste|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="t 2021-12-09"/><ref name="tl 2022-02-17"/>
|Australia
|[[Guardian-class patrol boat|Guardian]]
|Patrol boat
|Scheduled for delivery in 2023
|-
|{{ship|NRTL|Laline}}<ref name="austal.com"/><ref name="t 2021-12-09"/><ref name="tl 2022-02-17"/>
|Australia
|Guardian
|Patrol boat
|Scheduled for delivery in 2023
|}

===Air Component===
[[File:2020-01-12 Plane of F-FDTL.jpg|thumb|The F-FDTL Air Component's Cessna 172 in 2020]]
As of 2020 the F-FDTL's Air Component operated a single [[Cessna 172|Cessna 172P]] aircraft.{{sfn|International Institute for Strategic Studies|2020|p=317}}

In 2019 the East Timorese Government was considering purchasing three Chinese variants of the [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopter, and a small number of F-FDTL personnel were trained to operate the type in the Philippines.<ref name="Dodd China’s navy is making friends" />

The United States and East Timorese governments reached an agreement in June 2021 through which the United States will contribute funding to upgrade [[Baucau Airport]] to support F-FDTL and commercial operations and donate a [[Cessna 206]] to the F-FDTL. Rehabilitation work on the airport began in January 2022. The US military has stated that the purpose of this agreement is to support the creation of an Air Component to "help the Timorese government improve its maritime awareness, respond to natural disasters, and promote economic development".<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. and Timorese Military Engineers Start Joint Rehabilitation of Baucau Airfield |url=https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2897846/us-and-timorese-military-engineers-start-joint-rehabilitation-of-baucau-airfield/ |publisher=U.S. Indo-Pacific Command |access-date=26 January 2022 |date=12 January 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126065243/https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2897846/us-and-timorese-military-engineers-start-joint-rehabilitation-of-baucau-airfield/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Cessna 206 was handed over in June 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Government Hands Over a Cessna 206 Aircraft to Timor-Leste |url=https://tl.usembassy.gov/u-s-government-hands-over-a-cessna-206-aircraft-to-timor-leste/ |website=Media release |publisher=United States Embassy in Timor Leste |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=27 June 2023}}</ref>

===Special forces===
Since 2022 the F-FDTL [[special forces]] unit Unidade Falintil has reported directly to the Chief of the General Staff.<ref name="Decreto-Lei n.º 66/2022">{{cite journal |title=Decreto-Lei n.º 66/2022 : Estatuto orgânico da Unidade FALINTIL |journal=Jornal da República |date=31 August 2022 |volume=Série I |issue=35 |pages=1606 |url=https://www.mj.gov.tl/jornal/public/docs/2022/serie_1/SERIE_I_NO_35.pdf |access-date=24 December 2024 |publisher=Publicação Oficial Da República Democrática De Timor - Leste |language=Portuguese |oclc=318389055|ref={{SfnRef|Jornal da República Série I No.35|2022}}| trans-title=Organic statute of Unidade FALINTIL}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Governo timorense aprova criação de unidade para operações especiais nas forças armadas |url=https://observador.pt/2022/07/13/governo-timorense-aprova-criacao-de-unidade-para-operacoes-especiais-nas-forcas-armadas/ |access-date=24 December 2024 |work=[[Observador]] |agency=[[Lusa News Agency]] |date=13 July 2022 |language=Portuguese|trans-title=Timorese government approves creation of unit for special operations in the armed forces}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FALINTIL Unit – Special Forces|url=https://f-fdtl.mil.tl/en/componentffdtl/land/falintil-special-unit-commander |website=[[Timor-Leste Defence Force]] |date=4 December 2024 |access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref> The unit's size is equivalent to a [[Company (military unit)|company]] with an authorised strength of 162 personnel who wear a green [[beret]].{{sfn|Jornal da República Série I No.35|2022|pp=1607, 1611-1612}}