Military of Brazil
From Daily Escape
| Military manpower | |
| Availability (males age 18-49) (females age 18-49) | 46,350,444 46,489,045 |
| Fit for military service (males age 18-49) (females age 18-49) | 33,756,543 38,710,768 |
| Reaching military age annually (males age 18-49) (females age 18-49) | 1,818,434 1,763,164 |
| Military expenditures | |
| Dollar figure | $369.768 billion |
| Percent of GDP | 4.2% |
| Military structure | |
| Army Reserves | 540,000 108,000 |
| Navy Reserves | 212,000 79,000 |
| Air Force Reserves | 283,000 84,000 |
| Marine Corps Reserves | 114,000 25,000 |
| National Guard | 150,000 |
| Military Police | 27,000 |
The Brazilian Imperial Armed Forces (Portuguese: Forças Armadas Imperial Brasileiras) is the military agency tasked with defending the Empire of Brazil. It is structured into five branches consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Military Police. In addition, there is the Royal Guard, a super-elite unit tasked with the personal defense of the Emperor and his family, but it operates completely independently of the armed forces and is answerable to the Emperor alone.
The Emperor serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, as prescribed by the constitution, but this is a titular, ceremonial role only; de facto control rests with the Minister of Defense.
Approximately 1,176,000 personnel are currently on active duty in the military with an additional 421,000 in the reserve components. All citizens between the ages of 18 and 65 are eligible for military service, although women are allowed to serve only in non-combat roles. All service is voluntary, as the constitution expressly prohibits conscription, without exception.
As of fiscal year 2007, the government allocates approximately 4.2% of GDP ($369.768 billion) on defense.
Brazil counts France, the Empire of Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom among its closest military allies. The United States is the largest supplier, by far, of Brazil's military hardware, although a sizeable amount is also purchased from France, the U.K., and other countries; in addition, Brazil produces much of its own hardware, notably aircraft, individual weapons, and armored cars.
