Yemen - Armed forces

In 2002, the active armed forces of Yemen numbered 66,500 with some 40,000 reserves. The army of 60,000 was equipped with 790 main battle tanks and some 310 towed artillery pieces. The navy of 1,500 operated 11 patrol and coast combatants and nine other vessels. The air force, with 5,000 members, had 76 combat aircraft and eight attack helicopters. The paramilitary included a national security force of 50,000, and at least 20,000 tribal levies. A coast guard is slowly being established. Yemen spent $482.5 million for defense in 2001, or 5.2% of GDP.