The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force is stepping up recruitment and plans to add an initial batch of 50 soldiers this year as part of a broader expansion effort.

Chief of Defence Staff Telbert Benjamin said the recruitment process has already begun through the Defence Force’s Public Relations and Human Resource departments. He confirmed the drive is expected to continue over the next four years, subject to budgetary allocations.

Benjamin said the force aims to recruit about 50 personnel annually, drawing not only from open applications but also from succession planning and the Antiguan and Barbudan National Cadet Corps. He noted that the Cadet Corps is intended to give secondary-level students early exposure and opportunities, underscoring the need for adequate staffing to sustain the programme.

The Defence Force is also seeking civilians to fill support roles, including positions in strategic programming and outreach, office administration and logistics. Applications for those posts, officials said, have been strong, with interest coming from both Antigua and the wider Caribbean region.

The expanded recruitment is intended to strengthen the ABDF’s capacity across a range of responsibilities, including border security, disaster response, health, education and food security.