The Strategic Planning Group was guided in its work by the Constitution of Lesotho and the National Security Strategy/Policy. The planning kick-started with the restructuring of the force which included extensive training of personnel. A new Act of Parliament governing administration of the military was promulgated as the Lesotho Defence Force Act No.4 of 1996. Another round of intra-military disturbances surfaced within the army in 1998.Toxic political divisions within the country appeared to have been the major cause. The Troika countries which were led by South Africa had to intervene in the process of bringing stability in the army. The disturbances raised skepticism about the professionalism of the LDF.

In order to further strengthen professionalization within the LDF, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of India ratified a Military Cooperation Agreement, which resulted in the dispatching of the Indian army Training Team (IATT) to Lesotho in 2001 to assist in the process. However, this move did not hinder operation of already existing training bilateral agreements with countries such as Botswana, Republic of South Africa, Nigeria, United State of America, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These are some of the countries which help the LDF, among others, in the training of junior and senior officers in various fields, inclusive of staff and command training courses.

The Lesotho is a member state in the United Nations, African Union and Southern African Development Cooperation. Its membership in the AU Peace and Security Council contributed to the success of the restructuring and accorded the LDF an opportunity to flex its muscles with other forces in credible international exercises and operations. To date, the LDF has participated in various joint regional peacekeeping exercises including such as Zimbabwe ("Blue Hungwe"1997), RSA ("Blue Grane"1999), Tanzania ("Tanzanite" 2002), Zambia ("Blue Angel" 2003), Botswana ("Thokgamo" 2005) as well as Tanzania ("Revuma" 2006). In these exercises countries participated on a self-contained basis.

In addition to international and regional training involvement, the LDF has also conducted bilateral exercises with South Africa and Botswana. In 2007 and 2008, the LDF held joint exercises with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), code-named "Ex-Maluti" and "Ex-Sekaka" in Lesotho and Botswana respectively. In 2008 "Ex-Pegasus" was conducted in Lesotho by the LDF and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) air forces. These exercises were done in accordance with UN chapter VII aimed at strengthening and maintaining peace in the African continent and the world at large.

At present, countries such as Italy, UK, USA, France, Kenya, Mali and Zimbabwe offer peacekeeping training for the individual LDF officers on regular basis. Following the launch of the Southern African Development Cooperation Brigade (SADCBRIG), based in Gaborone, Botswana, the LDF has been represented in various positions by officers of the rank of Colonel; the Interim Planning Element in 2005, the SADCBRIG Permanent Planning Element from January 2006 to December 2007 and currently represented at the Military Information Office from 2008 to date.

Lesotho, as a co-founding member of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU, nominated a colonel representing the LDF at the Military Staff Committee (MSC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from October 2004 to March 2006. In a move to show commitment to the AU's provisions of peace support missions, the LDF deployed five officers as Military Observers (MILOBs), following the invitation from the AU, under African Mission in Sudan (AMIS). The mission was on annual rotational basis focusing on the strife-torn Sudanese region of Darfur from July 2005. The last batch arrived in Lesotho in July 2008 with the anticipation of possible extended invitation.

The LDF's participation in Peacekeeping Observer Missions was a highlight in the LDF's military history as it was the initial step that has opened a gateway for the LDF's role in broader Peace Support Operations (PSOs). LDF participated directly under UN from January 2008 in the UNAMID in war-torn Area of Sudan, Darfur.

In its many years of history, the LDF has grown in terms of infrastructure, equipment and personnel. The first major infrastructure facility was the building of the Makoanyane Barracks, which was inaugurated in 1982. Subsequently, a number of other bases were constructed strategically throughout the country. This included a base constructed in the vicinity of the multi-million Lesotho Highlands Water Project, at Mohale.

Since the arrival of the IATT, the capability and professionalism have developed considerably. The restructuring of the LDF excelled, and various units of contemporary nature such as Special Force being established. The capabilities of the Engineering Unit expanded to Combat Engineering while the Military Band was also strengthened with the founding of a Pipe Band.

The rebirth of Para-trooping Company resurfaced with the assistance of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in continuation of exchange training programs between the two defence forces.

In continuation of the restructuring process, in early 2000, the LDF accomplished a mammoth task of building a fully-fledged Light Infantry Brigade with the correct structure in place thereby marking another step in the right direction which gave an impetus to the 2028 LDF restructuring master plan. As a follow up to the plan, in 2007 a Manning Policy and Promotion Policy for the LDF personnel were introduced and kick started as a move to enhance transparency. 2008 marked a milestone in the LDF, where for the first time members were promoted based on standardized merits. Members had to pass the examination as per requirements.

This was complemented by Officer Cadet Course Serial No 1 of 2008 held locally where 29 personnel including Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates were promoted to the rank of second lieutenant; comprising the second batch in the history of the LDF. That was the second of its nature while the first was held in Lesotho by the British Instructors in 1995. Peace-support capability has been reinforced with the development of a Peacekeeping Company to meet international army standards.

The LDF refurbished the Military Police Service (MPS) into the present day Military Police (MP) unit as the custodian and overseer of army discipline. Members of the MP had their basic policing training in Botswana, and to-date are skilled Sniffer-Dog handlers – a commendable global modern skill in crime detection, including anti-terrorism and drug prevention; to name but few.

In 1977, a medical clinic supervised by the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital was opened at Ratjomose Barracks in pursuit of proximity, centralization and accessibility of medical services to the army personnel and their close relatives. In 1988 the Makoanyane Military Hospital was constructed with the assistance of the then South African Defence Force (SADF). In the same vein, a wellness clinic, catering for various health services, was constructed in 2007 at Makoanyane Military Base. The project was financed by the United States Department of Defence.

In 1997, the LDF inaugurated Public Affairs Office (PAO), in a bid to impart information to the public to foster accountability; one of the pillars of democracy. This was followed by the launch of the army newsmagazine, MARA, in 2001. Although the magazine has met major challenges leading to its ceasing to publish, it is expected that it will be re-invented with renewed impetus.