The Benin Armed Forces (French: Forces Armées Béninoises; FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. For a number of years, the Belgian Armed Forces have had an active programme of co-operation with Benin, offering training and coaching, donating redundant military equipment and using the country for limited military exercises.[2]
| Benin Armed Forces | |
|---|---|
| Forces Armées Béninoises | |
 Coat of arms of Benin | |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Service branches | Army Benin Navy  Benin Air Force National Gendarmerie |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Patrice Talon |
| Minister of Defence | Yarou Robert Theophile |
| Chief of the Defence Staff | Fructueux Gbaguidi |
| Personnel | |
| Conscription | No |
| Active personnel | 4,750[1] |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $US73 million (2011)[1] |
| Percent of GDP | 1% (2011)[1] |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers |  United States  Russia  France |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Benin |
History
The constitution of 11 December 1990 ordered the Benin Armed Forces to ensure effective, permanent and efficient security coverage of the territory, as well as border vigilance.[citation needed]
The national gendarmerie no longer exists since 2018. It has been merged with the national police.[3]
Branches
Army
As of 2012[update], the Army had a strength of 4,300.[1] It includes 1 armoured squadron, 3 infantry battalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1 artillery battery, and 1 engineer battalion, and 1 National Fire Brigade.[1] The army has the following units:
- 1st Parachute Commando Battalion
- 1st Motorized Intervention Battalion
- 1st Armoured Group
- National Group of Firefighters
- 1st Combined Arms Battalion
- 2nd Combined Arms Battalion
- 3rd Combined Arms Battalion
- 7th Combined Arms Battalion
- 8th Combined Arms Battalion
- 1st Mixed Artillery Battalion
- 1st Engineer Battalion
- 1st Signal Battalion
- 1st Materiel Battalion
- 1st Train Battalion
- Headquarters Group
Air Force
After achieving independence from France in 1960 the Benin Air Force was transport equipped with seven French-supplied Douglas C-47s, four MH.1521 Broussards and two Agusta-Bell 47Gs. Two F-27s entered service in 1978 for transport duties before being transferred to Air Benin. Also during the same era, two AN-26s were acquired. In late 1985 two Dornier Do-28s entered service to replace the C-47s. A single DHC-6 Twin Otter was acquired in 1989.
Navy
As of 2012, the navy has a strength of approximately 200 personnel. It operates two ex-Chinese patrol boats, which are designated the Matelot Brice Kpomasse class.[1]
Republican Guard
The Republican Guard is responsible for the security of the President of the Republic, ministers, members of the government, institutions of the Republic and their leader.
Equipment
Small arms
| Name | Image | Caliber | Type | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pistols | |||||
| TT-33[4] |  | 7.62x25mm | Semi-automatic pistol |  Soviet Union | |
| Submachine guns | |||||
| MAT-49[4] |  | 9×19mm | Submachine gun | France | |
| Rifles | |||||
| SKS[4] |  | 7.62×39mm | Semi-automatic rifle | Soviet Union | |
| AK-47[4] |  | 7.62×39mm | Assault rifle | Soviet Union | |
| AKM[4] |  | 7.62×39mm | Assault rifle | Soviet Union | |
| MAS-49/56[4] |  | 7.5×54mm | Semi-automatic rifle | France | |
| Machine guns | |||||
| RPD[4] |  | 7.62×39mm | Light machine gun | Soviet Union | |
| RP-46[4] |  | 7.62×54mmR | Light machine gun | Soviet Union | |
| FM 24/29[4] |  | 7.5×54mm | Light machine gun | France | |
| AA-52[4] |  | 7.62×51mm | General-purpose machine gun | France | |
| KPV[4] | .jpg){kind=small} | 14.5×114mm | Heavy machine gun | Soviet Union | |
| Browning M2 | .jpg) | .50 BMG | Heavy machine gun |  United States | M2HB variant used.[4] |
| Rocket propelled grenade launchers | |||||
| RPG-7[4] |  | 40mm | Rocket-propelled grenade | Soviet Union | |
Artillery
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field artillery | |||||
| M101 | _left_front_view_at_Camp_Nihonbara_October_1,_2017.jpg) | Howitzer | United States | 4[5] | |
| L118 |  | Howitzer |  United Kingdom | 12[5] | |
| PP-87[5] |  | Mortar |  China | 81 mm mortar | |
| W-86[5] | Mortar | China | 120 mm mortar | ||
Tanks
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PT-76 |  | Light tank | Soviet Union | 18 | Serviceability doubtful.[5] |
Armoured fighting vehicles
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Bibliography
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (2024). "Chapter Eight: Sub-Saharan Africa". The Military Balance. 124 (1). Taylor & Francis: 458–531. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298597. ISSN 0459-7222. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland, eds. (2010). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011 (36th ed.). Janes Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2908-1.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
External links
