View source for Panama Defense Forces

{{more citations needed|date=February 2025}}
{{Short description|Armed forces of Panama from 1983 to 1989}}
{{Infobox national military
| name               = Panama Defense Forces
| native_name        = {{lang|es|Fuerzas de Defensa de Panamá}}
| image              = PanamaDFlogo.png
| alt                = 
| caption            = Emblem
| image2             = Coat of arms of Panama (1925-1941, 1946-2006).svg
| alt2               = 
| caption2           = [[Coat of arms of Panama|Cap badge]]
| motto              = {{lang|es|Todo por la patria}}<br />(All for the homeland)
| founded            = 1946
| current_form       = 1983
| disbanded          = 1990
| branches           = Army<br>Air Force<br>Navy<br>Police
| headquarters       = [[El Chorrillo]]
| flying_hours       = 
| website            = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = [[Manuel Noriega]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[List of heads of state of Panama|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister     = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister           = 
| minister_title     = 
| commander          = Colonel [[Marcos Justine]]
| commander_title    = Chief of staff
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                = 
| conscription       = 
| manpower_data      = 
| manpower_age       = 
| available          = 
| available_f        = 
| fit                = 
| fit_f              = 
| reaching           = 
| reaching_f         = 
| active             = 16,300
| ranked             = 
| reserve            = 
| deployed           = 
<!-- Financial -->
| amount             = 
| percent_GDP        = 
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers  = 
| imports            = 
| exports            = 
<!-- Related articles -->
| history            = '''[[List of wars involving Panama|Wars and Battles]]'''
*[[Cuban invasion of Panama]]
*[[1968 Panamanian coup d'état]]
*[[Insurgency in Chiriquí]]
*[[Nicaraguan Revolution]]
*[[1989 Panamanian coup attempt]]
*[[United States invasion of Panama|US invasion of Panamá]]
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Panama#Historic ranks|Military ranks of Panama]]
}}

The '''Panama Defense Forces''' ({{langx|es|Fuerzas de Defensa de Panamá}}; FFDD), formerly the '''National Guard (of Panama)''' ({{langx|es|Guardia Nacional}}),<ref>{{Cite book |last=American Forces Information Service |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D2-302e230a2f40d5f99e8f92c01255db62/pdf/GOVPUB-D2-302e230a2f40d5f99e8f92c01255db62.pdf |title=A Pocket Guide to Panama |publisher=[[U.S. Department of Defense]] |year=1981 |location=Washington, D.C. |oclc=777341317 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427133812/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D2-302e230a2f40d5f99e8f92c01255db62/pdf/GOVPUB-D2-302e230a2f40d5f99e8f92c01255db62.pdf |archive-format=PDF |archive-date=2023-04-27 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/centam/pa-gn.htm | title=Panama - National Guard (Guardia Nacional) }}</ref> were the armed forces of the [[Panama|Republic of Panama]].

It was created in 1983, led by Panama's dictator General [[Manuel Noriega]] and his general staff. It was dismantled by the [[United States Armed Forces]] after the [[U.S. invasion of Panama]] in 1989.

== History ==
{{Cleanup rewrite|2=section|date=August 2021}}
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2023}}

Before the coup d'état in Panama of 1968 that overthrew President [[Arnulfo Arias Madrid]], the military police were called National Guard. Since the 1950s and under the command of Colonel and President [[José Antonio Remón Cantera]]. He negotiated with the U.S. president [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] issues of [[sovereignty]] and [[Civil defense|defense]] of the [[Panama Canal]], obtaining important equipment for the police and the National Guard, as well as the training of pilots in [[Colombia]] and [[military officer|officer]]s in the [[United States Military Academy]]. In 1964, the National Guard of Panama avoided having a conflict with the Armed Forces of the United States on [[Martyrs' Day (Panama)|Martyrs Day]], staying quartered. In 1968, after the triumph of Arnulfo Arias in the elections and a few days after the swearing in of the same, there was a meeting between Arias and the high officers of the National Guard, General Vallarino, Colonels Pinilla and Urrutia and Lieutenant Colonel Torrijos, to agree on Vallarino's retirement, in return Arias would respect the law of the ladder.

President Arnulfo Arias Madrid assumed on October 1, 1968, on October 10, the retirement ceremony of General Bolívar Vallarino, outgoing commander of the National Guard and unexpectedly the forced retirement of Colonel José María Pinilla Fábrega incoming commander, was held appointed Colonel Bolívar Urrutia as commander in chief and Lieutenant Colonel Aristides Hassán, second commander in chief of the National Guard, as well as a series of abrupt changes and transfers which violated the law of the ranks and the agreement reached between President Arias and the high command of the National Guard. In response to this, on October 11, Major Boris Martínez, head of the Chiriquí military zone and Lieutenant Colonel [[Omar Torrijos|Omar Torrijos Herrera]], who until now served as Executive Secretary of the National Guard command commanded the military coup against President Arias Madrid, the coup leaders offered the presidency to [[Ricardo J. Alfaro]] and [[Raúl Arango]], who at the time of the coup was the vice president of the republic and commander of the Benemérito Fire Corps of Panama who declined the offer of the military, Therefore, they decided to create the Government Military Board, which was headed by Colonels José María Pinilla and Bolívar Urrutia. All liberties and political rights of Panamanian citizenship were abolished, the 1946 Constitution was repealed and major transformations of political and social order in the Panamanian nation were initiated. During this time there were guerrilla movements in the city and in the interior of the country by the Panamanian left and the supporters of the ousted President Arias Madrid. There were also acts of war and sabotage against the government and the National Guard, freedom of expression was strongly censored by closing newspapers. The issuance of pamphlets and clandestine writings was developed. On February 24, 1969, Colonel Torrijos with a group of officers who supported in a maneuver as part of the intestine fights stun Colonel Boris Martínez and sent him on a plane to Miami as a military attache which he rejected and never had ties with the military staying to live there as an asylee.

By December 1969, while General Omar Torrijos already attended an equestrian competition which his friend Fernando Eleta Almarán had invited his friend, a conspiracy composed of Colonels José María Pinilla, Bolívar Urrutia, Amado Sanjur, they tried to overthrow him, but Torrijos was supported by the then Major Manuel Antonio Noriega who served as head of the [[Chiriquí Province|Chiriquí]] military zone, receiving him on the night of December 16, 1969, this day is called Loyalty Day, once Torrijos entered Chiriquí the caravan of military and civilians who supported him grew as he went along from Chiriquí, to the presidency of the republic which defeated all coup attempts, definitively consolidating Torrijos in power. The National Guard crushed all opposition movements towards 1970.

After crushing the opposition movements, the already general Omar Torrijos Herrera took control and established in 1972 a National Assembly of Representatives, who immediately named him "Chief of State of the Panamanian Revolution." This military body established a system of nationalist vindication, to which part of the private sector joined, and the country went through a period of social and cultural transformations, with the recovery of the Panama Canal as the main objective of Torrijos, and the creation of the ruling party, Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). At the same time, harmful and denounced characteristics were evidenced, such as armed repression, censorship of the printed press and the disappearance of political opponents at the beginning of said government. The [[Torrijos–Carter Treaties|Torrijos-Carter Treaties]] signed in 1977, demanded from the regime (called "the process" by its militants) democratization, its quartering and the call for elections.

By 1978, General Torrijos abandoned power, but maintained control of the National Guard. After his death in a strange plane crash on July 31, 1981, - where the main suspect was the [[CIA]] for not complying with the requirements of the World Bank - the National Guard was involved in a power struggle between the military commanders involved. Colonel Florencio Flores took possession of the position of commander in chief for a few months, until after a conspiracy among senior officials of the General Staff they overthrow him by sending him to retirement. Given this, the conspiracy officers create a succession agreement to the command known as the Torrijos plan in which the first to ascend to the command would be Lieutenant Colonel [[Rubén Darío Paredes]], then Lieutenant Colonel Armando Contreras will follow, Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Antonio Noriega would follow and culminate with Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Díaz Herrera, the self-proclaimed General Rubén Darío Paredes Del Río decided with his staff to carry out certain repressive actions against the media opposing the regime censuring some media. In a maneuver for power General Paredes retires Colonel Armando Contreras who had already reached the time to ascend to the command, maintaining links in front of the command until 1983.

On August 20, 1983, Colonel Noriega was promoted to general and the National Guard Command and began a period marked by dictatorial decisions. His first decree was the change of the name of the military entity to the Defense Forces of Panama, with the mentality of converting the military police into an army for the joint tasks of the defense of the Panama Canal along with the [[United States Army]]. For the reorganization of the military institution, he had the military advice of Israeli intelligence experts and reputed military officers, among them the Argentine Colonel [[Mohamed Alí Seineldín|Mohamed Ali Seineldín]], veteran of the [[Falklands War]] and, at that time, military attaché of the [[Republic of Argentina|Republic Argentina]] in Panama.

That year the closure of the [[Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation|School of the Americas]] was ordered, which for the CIA meant losing its base in [[Central America]]. At the end of 1983 the political strategies were prepared to launch the official candidate of the 1984 elections: Colonel Noriega convinces General Paredes to benefit from his retirement and receive the support of the State and the Defense Forces to aspire to the presidency. Then, Paredes is betrayed, since the Comandancia and the PRD launch at the last moment Dr. Nicolás Ardito Barletta as the official candidate. Once orchestrated the electoral fraud by presidential decree, Noriega is promoted to General.

=== Military coup of October 3, 1989 ===
{{Main|1989 Panamanian coup attempt}}
On October 3, 1989, a military coup was planned, in which some officers, under the command of Lt. Col. [[Moisés Giroldi|Moisés Giroldi Vera]], tried to overthrow General Noriega. Although they successfully captured Noriega, a loyalist counter-attack forced the officers to surrender. They were later tortured and killed. Giroldi and his subordinates intended to end the economic embargo imposed by the United States, and negotiate with the U.S. military a political solution to a war action and create a commission to review the outcome of the 1989 elections, which were cancelled to deliver the presidency to the true winner, in this case to the political party ADO Civilista, headed by [[Guillermo Endara]], [[Ricardo Arias Calderón]] and [[Guillermo Ford]]. This would mean withdrawing General Noriega and his entire staff, as some of colonels had been in retirement for more than 12 years and were still in their positions, earning high salaries, in contrast to the troops that failed to collect more than $250 per month.

In order to clean the deteriorated image of the Defense Forces, it was decided to withdraw Noriega, but they did not count on the general already having counterattack plans when changing power. The events led to terrorist actions, such as the cyanide contamination of the Chilibre water treatment plant, and then blamed the Americans for such action. Against this plan were Lieutenant Colonel Moisés Giroldi Vera and his followers, who obviously rejected him. Moisés Giroldi was captured along with 400 other police and coup soldiers and sent to Fuerte Cimarrón, the basic military training school in Panama, and then sent to the Tinajitas Prison and [[Coiba]], where many were tortured and subsequently executed. General Manuel Antonio Noriega then ordered all the barracks to deliver any weapons of heavy caliber, which were stored in containers under the custody of the G-2 under the command of Colonel Luis Córdoba.

[[File:Operation Just Cause Rangers 3rd sqd la comadancia small.jpg|thumb|288x288px|American [[75th Ranger Regiment|Rangers]] during the attack on the Panama Defense Forces Command.]]

=== Post-invasion democratic government ===
When the Defense Forces were dismantled, the government of [[Guillermo Endara]] (1989–1994) was commissioned to form a new institution with the help of the U.S. Army. The force, initially a police vocation, was attached to the Public Force, idealized by the then Vice President [[Ricardo Arias Calderón]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Historia |url=http://www.policia.gob.pa/Policia_Nacional.html |access-date=13 February 2020 |website=www.policia.gob.pa |language=es}}</ref> The new government organized it as a police force of the Panamanian state, subordinated to the executive branch; calling it [[National Police of Panama|National Police]] with the explicit purpose of providing protection to the life, honor and property of nationals wherever they are and of foreigners under the jurisdiction of their territory.<ref name=":2" /> Colonel Roberto Armijo was appointed as the first head of this police force.<ref name=":2" />

In order to grant legal bases to the new police organization, Executive Decree No. 38 of February 10, 1990 was issued, through which the Public Force was organized, one of whose components is the National Police.<ref name=":2" /> The Executive appointed Colonel Eduardo Herrera Hassan as Director of that Force.<ref name=":2" />  Herrera Hassán was then dismissed on charges of conspiracy in August, being replaced Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Quezada, who in turn was dismissed in October of the same year, by opening a public discussion with the director of a newspaper.<ref name=":2" /> Hassán attempted a coup d'état on December 5, 1990, giving his reason as a final consequence to the level of senior officers in the institution.

== Structure ==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2020}}

=== Land Forces ===
[[File:Three 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) soldiers inspect a Soviet-made ZPU-4 14.5mm anti-aircraft machine gun left behind by Panamanian Defense Force soldiers who fled the base during the early stages of Operation Just Cause.jpg|thumb|U.S. Army 5th Infantry Division (mechanized) soldiers inspecting a Soviet-made [[ZPU-4]] which was abandoned by Panama Defense Forces.]]

As an army corps, members of the land forces considered themselves as police and soldiers at the same time. Until 1989 there were a total of 16,300 troops and about 3800 reservists and civil collaborators called the Dignity Battalions, trained to  resist the possible invasion of a foreign country.

The Panama Defense Forces had four battalions and eight infantry companies, plus special forces units.  The country was divided into twelve military zones, which were generally led by a [[Major (rank)|major]] or a [[lieutenant colonel]]. Each military zone had one or two reaction squads.

As weapons, the infantry had fifty light cannons, eight hundred heavy mortars and one thousand light mortars; Fifty [[KPV]] 14.5 x 114 Russian anti-aircraft machine guns (known as "4 Mouths"), armored vehicles [[Cadillac Gage Commando|V150]] and [[LAV-300|V300]]. The infantry was armed with Russian [[AK-47]] and [[AKM]] rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers [[RPG-2]], [[RPG-7]] and [[RPG-18]], in addition to U.S. weapons such as the [[M16 rifle|M16-A1]], [[M60 machine gun|M-60]] machine guns and .[[.45 ACP|45 caliber]] service pistols.

=== Notable units ===
The following are notable units of the PDF:

====Battalions====
The PDF's four battalions consisted of 600 to 700 men. A fifth battalion, "Atlantica", based around 8th Infantry/Military Police Company, was planned but never formed.
* Battalion 2000 (Prov. de Panamá ) - based at Fort Cimarron and had three line companies; "Eagle", "Fury", and "Mechanized" (with AFV's) plus Fire Support Company. Bn 2000 also had two attached units, 1st Infantry and Fire Support Company "Tiger" and 2nd Infantry Airborne Company "Puma" which was the nationwide rapid reaction force. 
* Cémaco Battalion (Prov. del Darién ) - located at Las Palmas and consisted only of 1st Mountain Company was to secure the Panama-Columbia Border, 
* 2e Paz Battalion (Prov. de Chiriquí ) - The 2nd Peace Battalion was based in 5th Military Zone and tasked with protecting the Panama-Costa Rica Border. It consisted of a Command Company, and Air Assault Companies A "Fortuna" and B "Copal"
* Military Police Battalion "Victoriano Lorenzo" -  Infantry crossed trained as Military Police, consisted of the 5th (Ft Amador) and 8th (Ft Espinar) Infantry Companies

====Numbered Companies====
[[File:Escudo de la Séptima Compañía de Infantería Macho de Monte.png|thumb|Emblem of the [[7th Macho de Monte Infantry Company]].]]
* First Tigres de Tinajita Infantry and Fire Support Company
* Second Pumas de Tocumen Infantry Company, airborne
* Third Red Devils Infantry Company of Chiriquí, support for the Paz Battalion
* Fourth Infantry Company Urraca, Custody of the General Staff
* Fifth Victoriano Lorenzo Infantry Company, Custodiar Canal Security
* Sixth Expeditionary Infantry Company, Mechanized
* [[Seventh Macho de Monte Infantry Company]], Commander Escort
* Eighth Military Police Company

=== Support units ===
* Mounted Unit - a company size horse cavalry unit whose primary duty was as a presidential escort, maintained several dozen horses.
* Commando Unit - Unidad de Commandoes containing two Tactical Operations Groups all located at Fort Espinar.
* G-2 Intelligence and Counterintelligence Section. Directed by Colonels Wong, Purcell and Luis "Papo" Córdoba in 1989
* Civic action: military engineering works section, composed of reservists
* UESAT (Unidad Especial de Seguidad Antiterror): Special Anti-Terror Security Units one of which was a 70 counter-terrorism force and the other was a platoon sized bodyguard for Noriega. Originally based out of Flamenco Island near Fort Amador, moved to Panama Viejo by Noriega after the October 1989 coup.<ref>{{cite book | last = Thomas| first = Donnelly| date = 1992| title = Operation Just Cause| publisher = Lexington Books| page = 74| isbn = 0669249750}}</ref>
* [[Dignity Battalions]]: Popular militia created in 1988, in accordance with the constitutional precept that states that: "All Panamanians are required to take up arms to defend national independence and territorial integrity of the State" (Art.310), formed by volunteers of all social classes, in order to collaborate in the national defense before the imminence of a foreign military invasion of Panama, a fact that arose in December 1989. Consisted of 11 organized and seven paper battalions consisting of 25 to 250 volunteers.
* CODEPADI (Commission for the Defense of Homeland and Dignity): Civil Protection Corps, created to assist in the event of a foreign military invasion of Panama. Formed primarily by personnel of the civil service and led by officials of state agencies.

===Police Force===
The green uniformed Fuerza Policia was the national law enforcement force providing police and highway patrol duties nationwide. The around 5,000 police personnel were under the jurisdiction of the PDF. The following two "[[riot police|Public Order]]" companies were formed; 1st Centurions, disbanded after the October coup attempt for not supporting Noriega, and 2nd Doberman, who helped defend the "[[La Comandancia]]". Other components of the FP were the Transit Police and the Highway patrol.

The DENI (Departmento de Nacionalde Investigationes) was both a criminal police and secret police maintaining a large network of informers throughout the population and government, and possibly US Forces in Panama. During the 1989 US invasion DENI was led by Nivaldo Madriñán.

The National Guard continued to exist but as an umbrella agency under the PF containing the Presidential Guard, Penitentiary Guard, Port Guard, and Forestry Guard.

=== Special Forces ===
The '''Special Forces Group''' consisted of the Explosives Unit, the Frog Men Unit, the Command Unit, the School of Commandos and Special Operations (ECOE) and the UESAT (Special Counter-Terrorism Unit) and Counterintelligence Unit.

=== Panamanian Air Force ===
[[Image:Roundel of Panama.svg|thumb|Roundel]]
The '''Panamanian Air Force''' (Fuerza Aerea Panamena, FAP), also known as "Los Gallinazos", was founded on 17 January 1969 and its motto was ''Desde el Aire, Orden Paz y Lealtad'' (From the Air, Order Peace and Loyalty). It was headquartered in [[Tocumen]] and had bases at [[Curundú]], [[David District|David]], Paitilla and [[Santiago District, Veraguas|Santiago]].<ref name="OoB"/> It was composed of a squad of helicopters and a squad of fixed-wing aircraft. The helicopter squad was composed of 22 helicopters that were mostly Huey or [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|UH-1N]] type armed with [[M60 machine gun|M60]] machine guns and an [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma|AS 332]] Super Puma Eurocopter. The fixed-wing squadron was composed of 38 aircraft [[ENAER T-35 Pillán|T-35 Pillán]], [[Cessna]], [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|Twin Otter]], [[CASA/IPTN CN-235|CASA CN-235]], called by the FAP in codename "Elektra", used for paratrooper and infantry forces, [[CASA C-212 Aviocar]], [[Cessna 208 Caravan]] and a [[Boeing 727]]. It had around 500 personnel.

=== Panamanian National Navy ===
[[File:Escudo de la Marina Nacional de Panamá.png|thumb|Naval badge]]

The '''National Naval Force''' (Fuerza de Marina Nacional, FMN) was composed of a small group of patrollers and landing units. It also had a Marine Corps Company. It was founded on 17 January 1969 and its motto was ''"Con Bien Viento y Buena Mar"'' (By good wind and good sea).<ref name="OoB"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/30/3a/ca/303aca517efbf9e107ebfa2c35987d91.jpg|title=Fuerza de Marina Nacional|language=es}}</ref> Its headquarters was [[Fort Amador]]. It had two fleets, an [[Atlantic]] fleet based at [[Coco Solo]] and a [[Pacific]] fleet based at the [[Balboa, Panama|Port of Balboa]]. It had smaller bases at [[Pearl Islands|Cocos Island]], [[Colón Island]] and [[Pedregal, Panamá District|Pedregal]].<ref name="OoB"/> It had around 500 personal and operated 8 landing craft, 2 logistics support ships made from converted landing craft, and a single troop transport.

==Ranks==
{{see also|Military ranks of Panama}}

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia for [[Commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Panama (1968-1989)}}
<!--{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Panama}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Panama}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}-->
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia for [[Non-commissioned officer]]s and enlisted personnel.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Panama (1968-1989)}}
<!--{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Panama (1968-1989)}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Panama (1968-1989)}}-->
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
|}

==Military regions==
The Panama Defense Forces were organized by military regions which were further divided into military zones. In total there were 4 military regions and 12 military zones.<ref name="OoB">{{cite web|url=https://history.army.mil/documents/panama/pdfob.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214085213/http://www.history.army.mil/documents/panama/pdfob.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 14, 2007|title=Panamanian Defense Forces Order of Battle|website=history.army.mil|access-date=19 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="countrystudy">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgHPw7kH0LQC&dq=GC10+Panquiaco&pg=PA182|title=Panama: A Country Study|first=Richard F.|last= Nyrop|page=183|date=1981|publisher=Department of the Army}}</ref>
[[File:Panama (1983).svg|thumb|700px|Map of the [[Provinces of Panama|Provinces and Regions of Panama]] in 1983 ]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Military Region
!Provinces
!Military Zone
!Provinces
|-
| rowspan="4" |First Military Region
| rowspan="4" |
* [[Panamá Province]]
* [[Panamá Oeste Province]]
* [[Colón Province]]
* [[San Miguelito District]]
|1st Military Zone
|[[Panamá Province]]
|-
|2nd Military Zone
|[[Colón Province]]
|-
|10th Military Zone
|[[Panamá Oeste Province]]
|-
|11th Military Zone
|[[San Miguelito District]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |Second Military Region
| rowspan="2" |
* [[Darién Province]]
* [[Guna Yala|San Blas Region]]
|9th Military Zone
|[[Darién Province]]
|-
|12th Military Zone
|[[Guna Yala|San Blas Region]]
|-
| rowspan="4" |Third Military Region
| rowspan="4" |
* [[Veraguas Province]]
* [[Coclé Province]]
* [[Herrera Province]]
* [[Los Santos Province]]
|3rd Military Zone
|[[Veraguas Province]]
|-
|4th Military Zone
|[[Herrera Province]]
|-
|6th Military Zone
|[[Coclé Province]]
|-
|7th Military Zone
|[[Los Santos Province]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |Fourth Military Region
| rowspan="2" |
* [[Chiriquí Province]]
* [[Bocas del Toro Province]]
|5th Military Zone
|[[Chiriquí Province]]
|-
|8th Military Zone
|[[Bocas del Toro Province]]
|}

==Equipment==
===Small arms===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Handguns
|-
| [[Browning Hi-Power]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| Unknown
| [[File:FN Hi Power.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps">{{cite book| last = Rottman| first = Gordon| author-link = Gordon L. Rottman| title = Panama 1989-90| url=https://issuu.com/eduardoalexiscamargoallen/docs/elite_037_-_g.rottman_-_panama_1989| publisher = Osprey Publishing| series = Elite| volume = 37| date = 2010| pages = 14, 15, 57, 62, 63| language = English| isbn = 9781855321564}}</ref><ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama">{{cite book| last = Ezell| first = Edward| author-link = Edward C. Ezell| title = Small Arms Today| publisher = Stackpole Books| volume = 2nd| edition = | date = 1988
| pages = 299–300| language = English | isbn = 0811722805| jfm =}}</ref> FN origin
|-
| [[Colt M1911A1]]
| rowspan="3" | {{USA}}
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| 227 before 1975
| [[File:Remington Rand M1911A1 revers (6825681426).jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="JanesInfantry8081"/> US Origin, Foreign Military Sales and Military Assistance Program.
|-
| [[Smith & Wesson Model 10|S&W Model 10-2]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Revolver]]
| Unknown, 218 by 1977 
| [[File:S&WModel15-4 01.jpg|120px]]
| Service revolver for Panamanian Police Force.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[Colt Official Police|Colt .38 Special Revolver]]
| Unknown
| [[File:Colt Official Police 38 Revolver-NMAH-AHB2015q021271.jpg|120px]]
|<ref name="JanesInfantry8081">{{cite book| last = Weeks| first = John| author-link = Col. John Weeks| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons 1980-1981| publisher = Jane's Publishing Company| volume = Sixth| edition = | date = 1980
| pages = 676| language = English | isbn = 0710607024| jfm =}}</ref>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Carbines
|-
| [[M1 Carbine]]
| rowspan="2" | {{US}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Carbine]]
| 138 before 1964
| [[File:M1_Carbine_Mk_I_-_USA_-_Armémuseum_noBG_croped.jpg|120px]]
| rowspan="2" | US origin, Military Assistance Program. 7 in 1958 <ref name="OspPanweaps"/><ref name="ICAFP58"/>
|-
| [[M2 Carbine]]
| 809
| [[File:M2 Carbine Left Side SPAR1288 FEB. 17. 2005.jpg|120px]]
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Assault rifles
|-
| [[AKM]]
| {{flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="6" | [[Assault rifle]]
| Unknown
| [[File:AKM automatkarbin Ryssland - 7,62x39mm - Armémuseum rightside noBG.png|120px]]
| Standard service rifle.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M16A1]]
| {{USA}}
| 2300 by 1978
| [[File:Sam16a1.jpg|120px]]
| 1,650 acquired directly from Colt, Sherwood International delivered 650 to police units in 1978. Service rifle alongside the T65 rifle, being replaced by AK series rifles at the time of the US Invasion.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[T65 assault rifle|T65]]
| {{flag|Taiwan}}
| rowspan="4" | Unknown
| [[File:TwT65.JPG|120px]]
| Delivered in 1986. Service rifle alongside the M16A1 rifle, being replaced by AK series rifles at the time of the US Invasion.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[AKM|MPi Kms 72]]
| {{flag|East Germany}}
| [[File:MPi KmS 72.jpg|120px]]
| rowspan="2" |  <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[AK-47]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[File:AK-47 type II noBG.png|120px]]
|-
| [[IMI Galil]]
| {{flag|Israel}}
| [[File:Galil noBG.png|120px]]
| Only known to be used by UESAT.<ref name="Fuerza">{{cite web
| url = https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/090525/elite-fuerza-noriega
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117040432/https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/090525/elite-fuerza-noriega
| archive-date= November 17, 2022
| title = La Estrella De Panama
| date = May 29, 2009
| website = La Estrella De Panama
| access-date = November 16, 2022}}</ref>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Battle rifles
|-
| [[FN FAL|FAL]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[Battle rifle]]
| Unknown
| [[File:FN-FAL belgian.jpeg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M1 Garand]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Semi-automatic rifle]]
| 213 before 1975
| [[File:M1 Garand rifle USA noBg cropped.jpg|120px]]
| US Origin, Military Assistance Program <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[Breda PG]]
| {{flag|Italy}}
| [[Battle Rifle]]
| 1 in 1958
| [[File:Breda PG colorized.png|120px]]
| A single 7mm rifle was found during a US Government Audit in 1958.<ref name="ICAFP58"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Sniper rifles
|-
| [[M21 Sniper Weapon System]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Sniper rifle]]
| rowspan="2" | Unknown
| [[File:Rifle M21 3.jpg|120px]]
| rowspan="2" | <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[SVD (rifle)|SVD Dragunov]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Designated marksman rifle]]
| [[File:SVD Dragunov-removebg-preview.png|120px]]
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Machine guns
|-
| [[M60 machine gun|M60]]
| {{USA}}
| rowspan="2" | [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| rowspan="2" | Unknown
| [[File:M60 Medium Machine Gun (7414626098).jpg|120px]]
| rowspan="2" | Standard general-purpose machine gun alongside the FN MAG.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[FN MAG]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[File:IDF-FN-MAG.png|120px]]
|-
| [[M16A1|Colt Model 611 Heavy Barrel Automatic Rifle]]
| rowspan="3" | {{USA}}
| [[Light machine gun]]
| 200
| [[File:Sam16a1.jpg|120px]]
| Heavy Barreled Colt M16A1 "Model 611" with M60 type bipod.<ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama"/>
|-
| [[Browning M2]]
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
| Unknown
| [[File:M2 machine gun at Musee de l Armee-IMG 7566-white.jpg|120px]]
| Standard heavy machine gun.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919A4]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Medium machine gun]]
| 15 in 1958
| [[File:Browning M1919a.png|120px]]
| Surplus National Guard weaponry. Numbers are as of 1958.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/><ref name="ICAFP58"/>
|-
| [[ZB-53]]
| {{flag|Czechoslovakia}}
| rowspan="2" | Unknown
| [[File:7,92-мм югославский станковый пулемет системы В. Холека обр. 1938-40 годов (2).jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[MG-42]]
| {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| 
| <ref name="RioHatoUXOs"/>
|-
| [[M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| [[Automatic rifle]]
| 18 before 1975
| [[File:Army Heritage Museum B.A.R..jpg|120px]]
|  National Guard Surplus, 7 in 1958.<ref name="ICAFP58"/> Used by PDF Commandos defending Paitilla Airport from [[US Navy Seals]] during the [[Battle of Paitilla Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Melissa |first=Healy |date=27 January 1990 |title=Tactics Switch May Have Boosted Navy’s Invasion Toll : Panama: A last-minute change increased the exposure of commandos sent to sabotage Noriega’s plane. Four died in the ensuing exchange with the dictator’s loyalists. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-27-mn-625-story.html|publisher=Los Angeles Times |access-date=25 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[M1917 Browning machine gun]]
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
| 3 in 1958
| [[File:Browning_Heavy_Machine_Gun,_water_cooled,_M1917,_1918,_WWI_(32916860696).jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="ICAFP58"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Submachine guns
|-
| [[Uzi]]
| {{flag|Israel}}
| [[Submachine gun]]
| Unknown
| [[File:uzi.jpg|120px]]
| Both Fixed and Folding butt-stocks used.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/> Known to be used by UESAT soldiers.<ref name="Fuerza"/> Believed to be FN origin. Mini Uzi reported but not confirmed.<ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama"/>
|-
| [[M1 Thompson|M1928A1 Thompson]]
| rowspan="3" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Submachine gun]]
| 101 in 1958
| [[File:Submachine gun M1928 Thompson.jpg|120px]]
| US Origin, M1A1 and M1928A1. Mainly used by police organizations.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M3 Grease Gun|M3A1]]
| 2 in 1958
| [[File:M3 submachine gun.jpg|120px]]
|  Surplus National Guard weaponry. Numbers are as of 1958.<ref name="ICAFP58">{{cite web| last1 = Hardin| first1 = Herbert O.| author-link = Herbert O. Harden| last2 = Neely | first2 = J.| title = Report On The Police Forces Of The Republic Of Panama| website = [[USAID]]
| publisher = [[International Cooperation Agency]]| date = September 1958| url = https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadw902.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111023110847/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADW902.pdf| url-status = dead| archive-date = October 23, 2011| access-date = November 17, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[M50 Reising]]
| 112 in 1958
| [[File:Model-50.jpg|120px]]
| Surplus National Guard weaponry. Numbers are as of 1958.<ref name="ICAFP58"/><ref name="RioHatoUXOs"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Grenade launchers
|-
| [[M79 Grenade Launcher|M79]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="3" | [[grenade launcher]]
| Unknown
| [[File:M79 Grenade Launcher (7414625716).jpg|120px]]
| rowspan="3" | <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M203]]
| 200 <ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama"/>
| [[File:M16A1 M203.jpg|120px]]
|-
| [[Heckler & Koch HK69A1|H&K 69]]
| {{GER}}
| Unknown
| [[File:HK69 Granatpistole 40mm noBG.jpg|120px]]
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Bolt-action rifles
|-
| [[M1917 Enfield]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="4" | [[Bolt-action rifle]]
| 1,350 in 1958
| [[File:M1917 Enfield right side.jpg|120px]]
| National Guard surplus, manufactured by Eddystone, Winchester, and Remington.<ref name="ICAFP58"/> 
|-
| [[M1903 Springfield]]
| 434 in 1958
| [[File:Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle-NMAH-JN2016-02641.jpg|120px]]
| National Guard surplus, manufactured by Springfield and Lee.<ref name="ICAFP58"/> 
|-
| [[Mauser Model 1893]]
| {{flag|German Empire}}
| 1,500 in 1958
| [[File:Spanish Mauser 1893.png|120px]]
| rowspan="2" | National Guard surplus '7mm' <ref name="ICAFP58"/> 
|-
| [[FN Model 24 and Model 30|FN Carbine]]
| {{BEL}}
| 302 in 1958
| [[File:M1924 Yugoslavian right side.jpg|120px]]
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Shotguns
|-
| [[Remington 870]]
| rowspan="4" | {{flag|USA}}
| rowspan="4" | [[Pump action]] [[shotgun]]
| Unknown
| [[File:Remington 870 Wmaster.jpg|120px]]
| 12 gauge, 870P Folding stock
<ref name="JustCauseConcord">{{cite book| last1 = Rottman| first1 = Gordon| author-link = Gordon Rottman| title = Just Cause 'Intervention in Panama 1989-90'| publisher = Concord Publications Company| date = 2007
| pages = 4, 5| language = English | isbn = 978-9623616331| jfm =}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ithaca 37]]
| 36
| [[File:Ithaca 37.jpg|120px]]
| 12 gauge, US Origin Military Assistance Program
<ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama"/>
|-
| [[Stevens Model 77E]]
| 6
| 
| 12 gauge, US Origin Military Assistance Program
<ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama"/>
|-
| [[Winchester 1200]]
| Unknown
| [[File:Winchester_1200_Defender.png|120px]]
| 12 gauge, US Origin
<ref name="SmallArmsToday88panama"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Hand grenades
|-
| [[RGD-5]]
| {{flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Grenade|Hand grenade]]
| rowspan="3" | Unknown
| [[File:Rgd 5 hand grenade.jpeg|120px]]
| Used alongside US made hand-grenades.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M67 grenade]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| [[File:m67b.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="RioHatoUXOs">{{cite report |author=Fundación de ParquesNacionales y Medio Ambiente |date=December 2015 |title=Humanitarian Clearance of Contaminated withUXOs lands at Rio Hato Bombing & Firing Range, Cocle Province, Panama. |url=https://fundacionpanama.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Non-Technical-Survey-Jan13-2016-rev-GM.pdf |publisher=Fundación de ParquesNacionales y Medio Ambiente |page=16 |access-date=November 20, 2022 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mk2 grenade]]
| [[File:MkII 07.JPG|120px]]
| <ref name="RioHatoUXOs"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Land mines
|-
| [[M18A1 Claymore]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Anti-personnel mine]]
| Unknown
| [[File:US M18a1 claymore mine.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="RioHatoUXOs"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Rocket-propelled grenade launchers
|-
| [[RPG-7]]
| rowspan="5" | {{flag|Soviet Union}}
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| rowspan="7" | Unknown
| [[File:Rpg-7.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[RPG-2]]
| Shoulder-fired [[Recoilless gun]]
| [[File:RPG2 and PG2 TBiU 37.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[RPG-18]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| [[File:RPG-18-cutaway.JPG|120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[RPG-2|Type 56 RPG]]
| [[File:RPG2 and PG2 TBiU 37.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord" /> Chinese copy of RPG-2
|-
| [[Type 69 RPG]]
| [[File:Type 69 RPG @ PA 122nd Anniversary Caravan.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord" /> Chinese copy of RPG-7
|-
| [[M20 Super Bazooka|M20A1B1 Super Bazooka]]
| {{USA}}
| [[File:Rocket Launcher, M20A1B1 "Super Bazooka" AM.031317 (1).jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[LRAC F1]]
| {{FRA}}
| [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon]]
| [[File:LRAC F1-detoured.jpg|120px]]
| <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
|}

===Crew served weapons===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Recoilless rifles
|-
| [[M67 recoilless rifle]]
| {{USA}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Recoilless rifle]]
| rowspan="2" | Unknown
| [[File:M67 recoilless rifle 01.jpg|120px]]
| 90mm Recoilless Rifle <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M20 recoilless rifle|Type 52]]
| {{PRC}}
| [[File:Recoilless-rifle-batey-haosef-1-1.jpg|120px]]
| Chinese copy of US 75mm M20 Recoilless Rifle.<ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Mortars
|-
| [[M2 Mortar]]
| {{US}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Mortar (weapon)|Infantry mortar]]
| rowspan="6" | Unknown
| [[File:Replica of a M2 mortar during the VII Aircraft Picnic in Kraków.jpg|120px]]
| 60mm Mortar <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[Soltam Systems#/Mortars|Soltam C03 60mm Mortar]]
| {{flag|israel}}
| [[File:Mortar-60mm-latrun-exhibition-1-1.jpg|120px]]
| 60mm Mortar <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M29 Mortar]]
| rowspan="3" | {{US}}
| [[File:Mortar M29.jpg|120px]]
|  81mm Mortar <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M30 Mortar]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Mortar (weapon)|Heavy mortar]]
| [[File:M30 mortar schematic.gif|120px]]
| 106.7mm Mortar <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[M2 4.2-inch mortar]]
| [[File:M2_107mm_Mortar_NOLA.png|120px]]
| 106.7mm Mortar <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|MO-120-RT]]
| {{FRA}}
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Heavy mortar]]
| [[File:Mortier 120mm fh000021.jpg|120px]]
| 120 mm Mortar <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Anti-aircraft guns
|-
| [[ZPU-4]] 
| rowspan="2" | {{USSR}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Anti-aircraft gun]]
| ~20 
| [[File:14.5 mm ZPU-4 2017-12-24.JPG|120px]]
| 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft gun <ref name="OspPanweaps"/>
|-
| [[ZPU-1]] 
| Unknown
| [[File:ZPU-1 in Iraq, 2003.JPEG|120px]]
| 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft gun 
<ref name="OnlTankmus">
{{cite web
| url          = https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/1989-us-invasion-of-panama/
| title        = 1989 US Invasion of Panama
| last         = Hill
| first        = Andrew
| date         = July 14, 2021
| website      = The Online Tank Museum
| access-date  = October 30, 2022
}}</ref>
|-
|}

===Less Lethal Weapons===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Less lethal weapons
|-
| [[Federal Riot Gun]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| [[Riot gun]]
| rowspan="2" | Unknown
| [[File:Federal M201-Z 37mm Launcher.png|frameless|120x120px]]
| 38mm Tear gas gun
|-
| [[Tear Gas|Federal Laboratories Model 515 Triple Chaser]]
| [[Tear Gas]]
| 
| A CS gas grenade that splits up into three parts upon deployment.
|-
|}

===Armoured Vehicles===
<ref name="OnlTankmus" />
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Armored Personnel Carriers
|-
| [[Cadillac Gage Commando|V-150]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Armored Personnel Carrier]]
| ~17
| [[File:LAV-150 Commando.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| 4 Command Vehicles, and 13 Armored Personnel Carriers, Fitted with mounted 7.62mm Machine guns/and or Browning .50 Machine guns, also a '90' version with a 20mm cannon.
|-
| [[LAV-300|V-300]]
| 13
| [[File:LAV-300 Vehicle @ 2018 Kalayaan Parade.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| Multiple versions- APC versions, Recovery Versions, and a Fire Support Vehicle version fitted with Belgian Cockerel 90mm MK III gun and 7.62mm Machine guns.
|-
|}

===Unarmored Vehicles===
<ref name="OnlTankmus"/>
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Utility Vehicles
|-
| [[M151]]
| rowspan="4" | {{USA}}
| [[Military light utility vehicle]]
| rowspan="4" | Unknown
| [[File:AMG M151 A2 (1978) GB (owner Gavin Broad).JPG|frameless|120x120px]]
| 
|-
| [[CUCV]]
| [[Pickup Truck]]
| [[File:M1009cucv.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JML88">{{cite encyclopedia
| editor-last = Foss
| editor-first = Christopher
| title = Jane's Military Logistics 1988
| encyclopedia = Jane's Military Logistics
| volume = Ninth Edition
| pages = 520, 528, 532
| publisher = Jane's Publishing Inc
}}</ref> US Foreign Military Sales
|-
| [[M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck|M35]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Military truck]]
| [[File:Truck M35.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref>
{{cite web
| url          = https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-panamanian-m-35-25-ton-truck-carrying-members-of-1st-battalion-509th-infantry-1dcb21
| title        = 1989 US Invasion of Panama
| website      = NARA AND DVIDS PUBLIC DOMAIN ARCHIVES
| date = January 1990
| access-date  = October 30, 2022
| quote = A Panamanian M-35 2.5-ton truck carrying members of 1ST Battalion, 509th Infantry, and their parachutes backs up to the loading ramp of a C-130E Hercules aircraft at the David airport. The soldiers parachuted into a drop zone outside the city to conduct operations in support of Operation Just Cause. Exact Date Shot Unknown
}}</ref><ref name="JML88"/> {{frac|2|1|2}}-ton Truck 
|-
| [[M809 series 5-ton 6x6 truck|M809]]
| [[File:M813 fr 260-10.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JML88"/> 5 ton Truck
|-
| [[Robur (truck)|Robur All Wheel Drive Truck]]
| {{GDR}}
| [[Truck]]
| 32
| [[File:Robur LO 2002 pic9.JPG|frameless|120x120px]]
| In port of Balboa, Panama, 32 were confiscated from Danish Cargo ship 'Pia Vesta' originating from East German Port of Rostock in 1986, later found in Panama Defense Force service.<ref name="OnlTankmus"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=June 19, 1986 |title=Star-Phoenix |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/512232327/ |location=Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |access-date=November 17, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Willys M38A1|M38A1]]
| rowspan="3" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Military light utility vehicle]]
| 2
| [[File:'67 Kaiser Jeep (Auto classique VAQ St-Lambert '12).jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="ICAFP58"/> National Guard era, numbers are as of 1958
|-
| [[Willys M38|M38]]
| 8
| [[File:Willys M38 JT-23-70 pic3.JPG|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="ICAFP58"/> National Guard era, numbers are as of 1958
|-
| [[Willys MB|Willys MB/Ford GPW]]
| 3
| [[File:Covered Willy's jeep Wings Over Wine Country 2007.JPG|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="ICAFP58"/> National Guard era, numbers are as of 1958
|-
| [[Land Rover|Land Rover Series I]]
| {{UK}}
| [[Military light utility vehicle]]
| 6
| [[File:Land Rover Series 1 HT (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="ICAFP58"/> National Guard era, numbers are as of 1958
|-
|-
| [[Gurgel|Gurgel X12]]
| {{BRA}}
| [[Truck]]
| Unknown
|   [[File:Gurgel X12 TR (1978) Classic-Days 2022 DSC 0107.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="WDF1989">{{cite encyclopedia
| editor-last = Schumacher
| editor-first = Rose
| title = Panama
| encyclopedia = World Defense Forces 
| volume = Second Edition 1989
| pages = 114
| publisher = ABC Clio
}}</ref> 
|-
|}

===Aircraft===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Helicopters
|-
| [[Bell 204/205|Bell 205A1]]
| rowspan="2" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Utility Helicopter]]
| 21
| [[File:Agusta-Bell AB-205A Huey, Italy - Army JP7113745.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|  Armed with [[M60D]] machine guns in each door. At least 1 with [[FN MAG]] machineguns fitted in gunpods.<ref name="JustCauseConcord"/> According to ''World Defense Forces Second Edition (1989)'': 9 UH-1H Iroquois, 8 Bell UH-1B, 4 Bell UH-1N.<ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
| [[Fairchild Hiller FH-1100]]
| 3
| [[File:Fairchild-Hiller FH1100 Le Bourget 03.06.67.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|  <ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201681.html |title= World Air Forces 1975: Panama |magazine=[[Flight International]] |date=28 August 1975 |page= 307 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224659/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201681.html |archive-date=4 April 2019 |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=12 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
| [[Eurocopter Super Puma]]
| {{flag|France}}
| 1
| [[File:Aerospatiale_AS-332B1_Super_Puma_-_Lofting.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|  <ref name="PDFPhotiusPuma">
{{cite web
| url          = https://photius.com/countries/panama/national_security/panama_national_security_panamanian_air_force~750.html
| title        = Panama Panamanian Air Force and National Navy
| website      = Countries of the World
| date = 10 November 2004
| access-date  = May 14, 2023
}}</ref>
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Airplanes
|-
| [[CASA C-212]]
| {{flag|Spain}}
| Medium STOL [[military transport aircraft]]
| 3
| [[File:( FAP- ) 225 Casa C.212 Panama Air Force (7488486058).jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]]
| rowspan="2" | {{CAN}}
| rowspan="2" | [[STOL]] utility transport
| 1
| [[File:Harbour Air De Havilland Canada DHC-3T Vazar Turbine Otter C-FHAS 3 (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
| 2
| [[File:WinAir De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Breidenstein.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/> One was destroyed in  the [[1981 Panamanian Air Force Twin Otter crash]]
|-
| [[Short SC.7 Skyvan]]
| {{UK}}
| [[Utility aircraft]]
| 1
| [[File:Short Skyvan SC.7 (G-BEOL) arrives at RIAT Fairford 12July2018 arp.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[Boeing 727]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Narrow-body aircraft|Narrow-body jet airliner]]
| 1
| [[File:B-727 Iberia (cropped).jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[ENAER T-35 Pillán]]
| {{flag|Chile}}
| [[Trainer Aircraft]]
| 10
| [[File:Spanish Air Force CASA T-35C Tamiz (ECH-51) Lofting.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|  B and D model, used for search work.<ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[Cessna 172]]
| rowspan="3" | {{USA}}
| Civil [[utility aircraft]]
| rowspan="2" | 2
| [[File:Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, Private JP6817606.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="JustCauseConcord"/>
|-
| [[Cessna 185 Skywagon|Cessna U17B Skywagon]]
| Military [[utility aircraft]]
| [[File:Cessna U-17 Skywagon seen at Stefanovikion 3.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
| [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]]
| [[Turboprop]] [[airliner]]
| 1
| [[File:Panama - Air Force Lockheed L-188C Electra.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| 188C model, in service from 1973 to 1984.
|-
| [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander]]
| {{UK}}
| [[utility aircraft]]
| 2
| [[File:BN-2T_Islander_-_RIAT_2014_(16372337311).jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
| [[Dassault Falcon 20]]
| {{FRA}}
| [[Business jet]]
| 1
| [[File:Dassault_Falcon_20E_Belgium_-_Air_Force,_LUX_Luxembourg_(Findel),_Luxembourg_PP1278001849.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
| <ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
|}

===Naval Vessels===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; width:8%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:18%;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left;width:8%;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left;width:47%;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7"  | Ships
|-
| [[Landing Ship Medium#LSM(R)-501-class Landing Ship Medium (Rocket)|Landing Ship Medium (R)]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Amphibious assault ship]]
| 1
| [[File:Uss Pee Dee River LSMR-517.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|  Former USS Smoky Hill River (LFR-531) <ref name="NavSourceSmokyHill">>
{{cite web
| url          = https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/06/06531.htm
| title        = USS Smoky Hill River (LFR-531)
| last         = Priolo
| first        = Gary P.
| date         = April 20, 2007
| website      = NavSource Online
| access-date  = March 7, 2023
}}</ref>
|-
| [[Vosper Thornycroft|Vosper Thornycroft 103 Foot, 96 ton Patrol Boat]]
| {{UK}}
| [[Patrol Boat|Rough-Water Patrol Craft]]
| rowspan="4" | 2
| 
|  GC10 Panquiaco and GC11 Ligia Elena, fitted with 2 20mm cannons each. 23 man complement.<ref name="PanamaNavyGlobSec">
{{cite web
| url          = https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/centam/pa-navy.htm
| title        = Panama Navy
| last         = Pike
| first        = John
| date         = July 6, 2017
| website      = Globalsecurity.org
| access-date  = March 7, 2023
}}</ref><ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
| Unspecified 19 meter, 13 ton Utility Coastal Patrol Craft
| rowspan="3" | {{USA}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Patrol Boat]]
|  
|  Armed with a pair of 12.7mm machineguns each, 10 man complement. Transferred from the US Coast Guard in the mid-1960's.<ref name="PanamaNavyGlobSec"/><ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
| Unspecified 12 meter 35 ton Coastal Patrol Craft
|  
|  Armed with 1 12.7mm machineguns each, 4 man complement. Transferred from the US Navy in the mid-1960's.<ref name="PanamaNavyGlobSec"/><ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
| Unspecified 35 Ton Swift Ships 
| Unspecified Vessel
|  
|  MN GC-201 Comandante Torrijos and MN GC-202 Presidente Porras received in the 1980s and constructed in the USA.<ref name="PanamaNavyGlobSec"/><ref name="WDF1989"/>
|-
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* https://panamadefenseforce.carrd.co/ A website containing a large amount of photographs of Panama Defense Forces troops.
* https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/1989-us-invasion-of-panama/ A website detailing operation just cause, with specific information on the PDF.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214085213/http://www.history.army.mil/documents/panama/pdfob.htm army.mil] US Military documentation of the Panama Defense Forces Order of Battle

{{Panama topics}}

[[Category:Disbanded armed forces]]
[[Category:Panama history-related lists]]
[[Category:Military history of Panama]]