The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard and the Defence Force Reserves.

Each of the three component services of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is responsible for a different role and domain. The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is responsible for land operations, the Air Guard is responsible for air operations, and the Coast Guard is responsible for maritime operations and simultaneously acts as a law enforcement agency in the maritime area of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Commander in Chief of the Defence Force is the country's President, Christine Kangaloo, it is mostly a ceremonial position. The Ministry of Defence is the current government department that has responsibility for the defence force, since 2025, previously it was the Ministry of National Security. The current Minister of Defence is Wayne Sturge. The operational commander of the TTDF is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the current CDS being Commodore Don Polo, the former commanding officer of the Coast Guard. He replaced Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel, on 7 October 2025, whose appointment as CDS was revoked the same day. Polo was promoted to the rank of Commodore, effective October 14, 2025, a week after first being appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as a Captain "owing to the exigencies." Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard was the previous CDS before Darryl Daniel, he retired on 25 March 2019.

Organisation

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is made up of four distinct arms; The Regiment/"Army" (TTR), the Coast Guard (TTCG), the Air Guard (TTAG) and the Defence Force Reserves (TTDFR), which all fall under the authority of the Ministry of Defence. The TTDF has the world's only Military steelband.

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) comprises 5,622 uniformed personnel, 1 permanent, 35 contracted, and 156 daily paid civilian staff. The President of Trinidad and Tobago is the Commander-in-Chief, while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is responsible for the TTDF's operational use, subject to the Minister of Defence's directions as outlined in Section 191(2) of the Defence Act, Chapter 14:01.

Defence Force Headquarters The CDS leads the Defence Force Headquarters, supported by the VCDS and the Commanding Officers of the TTDF's four formations. The TTDF Headquarters includes administrative and operational units.

Administration provides support services such as Human Resource Management, Finance, and Registry. Key roles include:

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Responsible for strategic direction, operational control, and overall management. Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS): Coordinates staff activities and assists the CDS in achieving the Force's operational mandate. Information Systems: Manages the Force's computer hardware and software. Public Relations Department: Coordinates public relations and manages public affairs. Staff Judge Advocate: Handles legal matters for the Force. Inspector General: Investigates policies and procedures related to the Force's mission. Force Development Strategy and Management: Develops, maintains, and integrates capabilities and training for Defence Force personnel. Strategic Logistics: Plans and executes the movement, supply, and maintenance of resources. Human Resources Department: Manages personnel readiness, monitors human resource management, and provides related policies and services. Finance Department: Facilitates budget planning, preparation, and manages all financial matters.

Operations utilizes a Joint/United Staff System with the following components:

Directors and Military Attachés: Integrate the Force's operational management with national security priorities. Intelligence Department: Collects data and generates intelligence for Force activities. Operations Department: Coordinates all operations within the Force. Unit Command and Administration Services: Coordinates supply, maintenance, transportation, and service functions. Medical Department: Provides technical medical advice to Command and medical services to Force members.

Regiment (Army)

The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment (TTR) is the main ground force element of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It has approximately 3000 men and women, organized into four battalions and a Regiment Headquarters. The regiment has two primary roles: maintaining the internal security of Trinidad and Tobago and support to civil law enforcement. The Commanding Officer of the Regiment is Colonel Dwayne Edwards, effective October 14, 2025. He replaced Colonel Keston Charles, whose appointment as CO Regiment was revoked by the government.

Also, as one of the larger military forces in the region, the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is also one of the main units used in peacekeeping and humanitarian situations from the Caribbean region.

Although it is called the Trinidad & Tobago Regiment, the TTR is in fact structured more like a light infantry brigade, with a pair of infantry battalions, plus engineering and logistic support units:

1st Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is a light infantry battalion. It is located at Camp Ogden, Long Circular Road, St James.

2nd Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is also a light infantry battalion. Formerly located at Camp Mausica, since then it has been relocated to the Chaguaramas Heliport and La Romain.

3rd Battalion (1st Engineer Battalion): This provides engineering support, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. It is located at Camp Cumuto, Wallerfield.

4th Battalion (Support and Service Battalion): This provides logistic and administrative support for the regiment. It is located at the Teteron Barracks, Teteron Bay, Chaguaramas.

The Regiment also maintains a Camp Omega, at Chaguaramas, which is used primarily for infantry training.

Special Forces Trinidad and Tobago has a number of Special Units; however, the notable units are assets under the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). The Special Forces Operations Detachment (SFOD) belongs to the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment with the motto "To Find a Way". SF's training mirrors the US Special Forces.

The Special Naval Unit (SNU) is the maritime component of the Special Operational Forces belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and runs heavily on US Navy SEAL doctrines and training.

These units fulfill specific roles and functions, and work collaboratively at times. Taskings from Jungle Operations (SFOD), Direct Action, Recon, PSD, Maritime Ops (SNU) and internal and foreign consultancy.

Coast Guard

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is the seagoing branch of the TTDF which was established on 1 June 1962 and commissioned into service less than 3 months later on 27 August 1962. The Coast Guard consists of a number of vessels designated CG<number>. The Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard is Captain Akenathon Isaac, with his promotion to the rank of Captain and appointment as CO effective October 14, 2025. He replaced Captain Don Riguel Polo, who was appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on October 7, 2025, and was promoted to Commodore, effective October 14, 2025.

Its mission statements is "To Defend the Sovereign Good of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and to provide on a continuous basis, quality service for security and safety within the Maritime Boundaries, and in any other area of responsibility agreed to by the State to fulfill its International Obligations".

Its motto is "Service Before Self".

The Coast Guard is primarily involved with Drug Trade interdiction as well as Search and Rescue within the waters of Trinidad and Tobago and neighbouring Islands. However, the Coast Guard has been involved in major incidents. During the 1970 Army Mutiny in Trinidad and Tobago, the Coast Guard prevented the mutineers from convoying to Port of Spain by firing on an access road from the Regiment base at Teteron Barracks in Chaguaramas. The Coast Guard also played a role during the 1990 Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt, providing logistical and naval support to the ground forces of the Regiment, posted outside the besieged city limits.

National Roles of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard include: Surveillance of the Waters under T & T Jurisdiction Logistical Support to T & T Land Forces Port Security (ISPS Code) Assistance in Scientific Research Aid to Civil Law Enforcement Anti-Smuggling / Counter-Narcotic Operations (MOF) Fisheries Protection and Enforcement (MAL&MR) Pollution Surveillance and Enforcement (MPU&E) Safety of Shipping (MOW&T)

Operational Tasks Keeping surveillance of the nation's off-shore installations Environmental protection, minor salvage and local maritime surveys Cooperating with other naval forces.

Fleet Between 2001 and 2016, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard fleet included TTS Nelson, an purchased from the Royal Navy.

In April 2007, the Coast Guard contracted for three offshore patrol vessels from VT Shipbuilding (later BAE Systems Surface Ships) in Portsmouth, England. Construction of the s Port of Spain, Scarborough and San Fernando suffered significant delays and, in September 2010, though substantially complete, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago cancelled the order. The Brazilian Navy acquired all three ships as their s.

On 29 April 2015, the Ministry of National Security placed orders with the Dutch company Damen Shipbuilders for four coastal patrol vessels, two fast utility boats and six interceptors.

In August 2018, the government contracted with Austal to build two s at Henderson, Western Australia, scheduled for delivery in mid-2020. The two vessels, Port of Spain and Scarborough, were delivered to the TTCG in May 2021.

Vessel Hull No.OriginShipbuilderIn serviceNotes Offshore patrol vessels TTS Nelson CG 20 United Kingdom Hall, Russell 2001-2016 former TTS Nelson II CG 60 China Huangpu Wenchong 2015- 1000-ton class Chinese surveillance vessel TTS Port of Spain CG 41 Australia Austal 2021- TTS Scarborough CG 42 Australia Austal 2021- Cape class Coastal patrol vessels TTS Scarlet Ibis CG 11 Australia Austal Scarlet Ibis class TTS Hibiscus CG 12 Australia Austal Scarlet Ibis class TTS Humming Bird CG 13 Australia Austal Scarlet Ibis class TTS Chanonia CG 14 Australia Austal Scarlet Ibis class TTS Poui CG 15 Australia Austal Scarlet Ibis class TTS Teak CG 16 Australia Austal Scarlet Ibis class TTS Speyside CG 25 Netherlands Damen Damen Stan Patrol 5009 TTS Quinam CG 26 Netherlands Damen Stan Patrol 5009 TTS Moruga CG 27 Netherlands Damen Stan Patrol 5009 TTS Carli Bay CG 28 Netherlands Damen Stan Patrol 5009 Support vessels TTS Point Lisas CG 23 Netherlands Damen 2015- Damen Stan Patrol 5009 TTS Brighton CG 24 Netherlands Damen Stan Patrol 5009; referred to as La Brea during construction

Air Guard

The Air Wing of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence force was formed on 15 February 1966, and was initially part of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and was called the Air Wing of the Coast Guard or the Air Wing. In 1977, it was separated as its own entity. In 2005 it was renamed the Trinidad & Tobago Air Guard (TTAG). Its bases are at Piarco International Airport, Crown Point International Airport, and the Heliport at Chaguaramas. Its purposes are to protect and patrol Trinidad and Tobago's airspace, and is also used for transport, search and rescue, and liaison. The current commander of the Air Guard is Group Captain Kemba Hannays, who took over from Kester Weekes, in a promotion and appointment ceremony on July 10, 2023. Group Captain Weekes took command of the unit in 2019, succeeding then-Air Commodore Daryl Daniel upon his promotion to Chief of Defence Staff in March 2019.

Aircraft

Current inventory