00:00The total approved permanent manpower strength of the TTDF is 5,970 soles.
00:08Presently, the complement of filled positions stands at 4,633.
00:14With Defence Force personnel balancing their regular duties,
00:18supporting the closed area operation in Maloney,
00:22and leading search efforts following the Chagaramas boating tragedy,
00:25Defence Minister Wayne Sturge updated Parliament on the current strength of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
00:32and the government's plans to bolster its ranks.
00:36Men and women of the TTDF continue to serve with professionalism, discipline and dedication in the execution of their duties.
00:44The Defence Force is comprised of the regiment, the Coast Guard, the Air Guard and the Reserves.
00:50To speak, existing vacancies have resulted in a manpower deficit of approximately 1,146 positions.
00:59Ongoing recruit exercises are therefore intended to progressively narrow this gap
01:03and strengthen force capacity within the approved establishment.
01:08Beyond addressing current vacancies, government is evaluating proposals
01:12aimed at expanding the overall manpower capacity of the Defence Force
01:16by approximately 3,300 additional personnel,
01:21bringing the total number of personnel in the Defence Force, 9,270, across all formations.
01:27Defence Minister Sturge said proposals to expand the Defence Force
01:31should reach Cabinet by early 2027,
01:34as he also highlighted the need to address compensation for military personnel.
01:39The Senate, at its meeting on January 22, 2026,
01:43approved the revised salaries and allowances for members of the Defence Force
01:47for the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2022.
01:52The additional cost of implementing the above-mentioned revised rates of pay
01:56and agreed allowances is estimated at $61.25 million,
02:01while the recurrent annual additional cost of implementing the revised rates of pay
02:06and agreed allowances is estimated at $56.42 million.
02:11The Defence Minister added that the settlement provides for accumulated salary increases
02:16of 5% over that three-year period,
02:18together with revisions to certain military allowances and the benefits.
02:23It is anticipated that approximately 4,633 serving members will benefit from the approved settlement.
02:31In addition, an estimated 220 former members who retired during the review period
02:37are expected to benefit through adjustments to pensions,
02:40gratuities and other retirement-related entitlements arising from the revised salary structure.
02:46Another matter was highlighted where the pensionable age in the Defence Force is concerned.
02:52Pursue retirement age for officeholders holding the rank of major in the regiment
02:57and equivalent ranks in the Coast Guard and Air Guard.
03:01These ranks and below have been increased.
03:03The age has been increased from 47 years to 50 years.
03:08Similar adjustments have also been approved for staff, sergeants, corporals and junior ranks in the regiment
03:14and corresponding ranks in the Coast Guard and Air Guard.
03:17The Defence Minister also announced an allocation of more than $30 million
03:22for the acquisition of new operational vehicles and equipment for the Defence Force.
03:28Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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