Benin Armed Forces
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox national military
The Benin Armed Forces (Template:Langx; 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.<ref>Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Benin, 78.</ref>
History
[edit]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.Template:Fact
The national gendarmerie no longer exists since 2018. It has been merged with the national police.<ref name="Dec41">Template:Cite web</ref>
Branches
[edit]Army
[edit]Template:As of, the Army had a strength of 4,300.<ref name="IISS_2012_422">IISS (2012), p. 422</ref> It includes 1 armoured squadron, 3 infantry battalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1 artillery battery, and 1 engineer battalion, and 1 National Fire Brigade.<ref name=IISS_2012_422 /> 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
[edit]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
[edit]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.<ref name="IISS_2012_422" />
Republican Guard
[edit]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
[edit]Small arms
[edit]
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Artillery
[edit]| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field artillery | |||||
| M101 | File:JGSDF 105mm Howitzer M2A1(Type 58 105mm Howitzer) left front view at Camp Nihonbara October 1, 2017.jpg | Howitzer | Template:US | 4Template:Sfn | |
| L118 | File:M119a trimmed.jpg | Howitzer | Template:Flag | 12Template:Sfn | |
| PP-87Template:Sfn | File:Zagan 82 mm moździerz wz 37.jpg | Mortar | Template:CHN | 81 mm mortar | |
| W-86Template:Sfn | Mortar | Template:CHN | 120 mm mortar | ||
_left_front_view_at_Camp_Nihonbara_October_1,_2017.jpg){kind=link}
Tanks
[edit]| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PT-76 | File:ParkPatriot2015part2-40.jpg | Light tank | Template:URS | 18 | Serviceability doubtful.Template:Sfn |
Armoured fighting vehicles
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Bibliography
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Paris and EU to deliver new armoured vehicles to Beninese army, Africa Intelligence, 13 September 2024 (requires free registration)