Editing Benin Armed Forces

{{short description|Military of Benin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox national military
| name               = Benin Armed Forces
| native_name        = {{lang|fr|Forces Armées Béninoises}}
| image              = Coat of arms of Benin.svg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Coat of arms of Benin
| image2             =
| alt2               = 
| caption2           =
| motto              =
| founded            = 1960
| current_form       =
| disbanded          =
| branches           = Army <br>Benin Navy <br>[[File:Roundel of Benin.svg|20px]] [[Benin Air Force]] <br>National Gendarmerie
| headquarters       =
| flying_hours       =
| website            = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = [[Patrice Talon]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[List of presidents of Benin|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister     =
| chief minister_title =
| minister           = Yarou Robert Theophile
| minister_title     = Minister of Defence
| commander          = Fructueux Gbaguidi
| commander_title    = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Benin)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                =
| conscription       = No
| manpower_data      =
| manpower_age       =
| available          =
| available_f        =
| fit                =
| fit_f              =
| reaching           =
| reaching_f         =
| active             = 4,750<ref name=IISS_2012_422 />
| ranked             =
| reserve            =
| deployed           =
<!-- Financial -->
| amount             = $US73 million (2011)<ref name=IISS_2012_422 />
| percent_GDP        = 1% (2011)<ref name=IISS_2012_422 />
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers =
| foreign_suppliers  = {{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]] <br/>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]] <br/>{{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
| imports            =
| exports            =
<!-- Related aricles -->
| history            =
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Benin]]
}}

The '''Benin Armed Forces''' ({{langx|fr|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.<ref>Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Benin, 78.</ref>

== History ==
The [[Constitution of Benin|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.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

The national gendarmerie no longer exists since 2018. It has been merged with the national police.<ref name="Dec41">{{cite web|access-date=27 February 2022|archive-date=3 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603034634/https://sgg.gouv.bj/doc/loi-2017-41/|date=29 December 2017|language=fr|title=Décret n° 2017-41 portant création de la Police républicaine en République du Bénin|url=https://sgg.gouv.bj/doc/loi-2017-41|website=Présidence de la République du Bénin}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
== Branches ==

===Army===
{{As of|2012}}, the Army had a strength of 4,300.<ref name="IISS_2012_422">IISS (2012), p. 422</ref> It includes 1 [[armoured warfare|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===
After achieving independence from France in 1960 the [[Benin Air Force]] was transport equipped with seven French-supplied [[Douglas C-47]]s, four [[Max Holste Broussard|MH.1521 Broussards]] and two [[Bell 47|Agusta-Bell 47Gs]]. Two [[Fokker F27 Friendship|F-27]]s 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|''Matelot Brice Kpomasse'' class]].<ref name="IISS_2012_422" />

=== 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===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=16%| Name
! width=10%| Image
! width=15%| Caliber
! width=12%| Type
! width=10%| Origin
! width=28%| Notes
|-
! colspan="6"| Pistols
|-
| [[TT-33]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:TT33.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.62x25mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| {{URS}}
|
|-
! colspan="6"| Submachine guns
|-
| [[MAT-49]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:MAT Submachine Gun.jpg|150px]]
| [[9×19mm]]
| [[Submachine gun]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 
|-
! colspan="6"| Rifles
|-
| [[SKS]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:Simonov-SKS-45.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic rifle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 
|-
| [[AK-47]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:AK-47 assault rifle.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{URS}}
|-
| [[AKM]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:AKM automatkarbin Ryssland - 7,62x39mm - Armémuseum rightside noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 
|-
| [[MAS-49/56]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:MAS 49 56.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.5×54mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic rifle]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 
|-
|-
! colspan="6"| Machine guns
|-
| [[RPD machine gun|RPD]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Light machine gun]]
| {{URS}}
| 
|-
| [[:ru:РП-46|RP-46]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:DM-ST-89-01130.JPEG|150px]]
| [[7.62×54mmR]]
| [[Light machine gun]]
| {{URS}}
| 
|-
| [[FM 24/29 light machine gun|FM 24/29]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:LMG 24 29 2.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.5×54mm]]
| [[Light machine gun]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 
|-
| [[AA-52 machine gun|AA-52]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:Mitrailleuse-IMG 1728.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×51mm]]
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 
|-
| [[KPV heavy machine gun|KPV]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:Iraqi Police gun-carriage (cropped).jpg|150px]]
| [[14.5×114mm]]
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
| {{URS}}
| 
|-
| [[Browning M2]]
| [[File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg|150px]]
| [[.50 BMG]]
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
| {{US}}
| M2HB variant used.{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
|-
! colspan="6"| Rocket propelled grenade launchers
|-
| [[RPG-7]]{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=904}}
| [[File:Rpg-7.jpg|150px]]
| 40mm
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 
|-
|}

===Artillery===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=24%| Notes
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Field artillery]]
|-
| [[M101 howitzer|M101]]
| [[File:JGSDF 105mm Howitzer M2A1(Type 58 105mm Howitzer) left front view at Camp Nihonbara October 1, 2017.jpg|150px]]
| [[Howitzer]]
| {{US}}
| 4{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|
|-
| [[L118 light gun|L118]]
| [[File:M119a trimmed.jpg|150px]]
| [[Howitzer]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| 12{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|
|-
|[[Type 87 mortar|PP-87]]{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|[[File:Zagan_82_mm_moździerz_wz_37.jpg|150px]]
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
| {{CHN}}
| 
| 81&nbsp;mm mortar
|-
| W-86{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
| 
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
| {{CHN}}
| 
| 120&nbsp;mm mortar
|-
|}

===Tanks===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=24%| Notes
|-
| [[PT-76]]
| [[File:ParkPatriot2015part2-40.jpg|150px]]
| [[Light tank]]
| {{URS}}
| 18
| Serviceability doubtful.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|}

===Armoured fighting vehicles===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=24%| Notes
|-
| [[BRDM-2]]
| [[File:BRDM-2 (1964) owned by James Stewart pic7.JPG|150px]]
| [[Scout car]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 14{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
| 
|-
| [[Panhard VBL]]
| [[File:Panhard_VBL_(Vèhicule_Blindé_Legér),_French_army_licence_registration_'6924_0057'_pic2.JPG|150px]]
| [[Scout car]]
| {{FRA}}
| 10{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
| 
|-
|-
| [[Eland armoured car]]
| [[File:Noddymain.png|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armoured car]]
| {{Flag|South Africa}}
| 3<ref name="DIO">{{cite web|title=DIO blindé au Bénin|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.ambafrance-bj.org/DIO-blinde-au-Benin|location=Cotonou|publisher=[[Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (France)|Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs]] |date=7 December 2010|access-date=23 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111509/http://www.ambafrance-bj.org/DIO-blinde-au-Benin|archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="Mirador">{{cite journal|last=Hounsou |first=Ludovic |url=https://docplayer.fr/155087255-Organe-d-information-et-de-liaison-des-forces-armees-beninoises-n-11-avril-mai-juin-grande-tournee-dans-les-garnisons.html |date=June 2017 |title=Levée des indisponibilités de trois pelotons |journal=Le Mirador |volume=1 |issue=11 |page=23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523205258/https://docplayer.fr/155087255-Organe-d-information-et-de-liaison-des-forces-armees-beninoises-n-11-avril-mai-juin-grande-tournee-dans-les-garnisons.html |archive-date=23 May 2024 }}</ref>
| 
|-
| [[M8 Greyhound]]
| [[File:Light Armored Car M8 Greyhound, Army registration number USA 603332 pic2.JPG|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armoured car]]
| {{US}}
| 7{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
| 
|-
| [[M113]]
| [[File:US M113 in Samarra Iraq.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armoured personnel carrier]] 
| {{US}}
| 22{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|
|-
| [[ACMAT Bastion]]
| [[File:MINUSMA Goundam 2015.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armoured personnel carrier]] 
| {{Flag|France}}
| 2{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|
|-
| [[Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé|VAB]]
| [[File:French VAB APC during Operation Desert Shield.JPEG|150px]]
| [[Armoured personnel carrier]] 
| {{Flag|France}}
| 15{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|
|-
| [[Casspir#Variants|Casspir NG]]
| [[File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg|150px]]
| [[MRAP]] 
| {{Flag|South Africa}}
| 10{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
|
|-
| [[Dongfeng Mengshi]]
| [[File:Dongfeng_EQ2050_Xiamen_01_2019-10-25.jpg|150px]]
| [[MRAP]]
| {{CHN}}
| 9{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=473}}
| 
|-
|}

== Bibliography == 
*{{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Eight: Sub-Saharan Africa |journal=The Military Balance |date=2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=458–531 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298597 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298597 |access-date=17 April 2024 |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}}}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Jones |editor1-first=Richard D. |editor2-last=Ness |editor2-first=Leland |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011 |date=2010 |publisher=Janes Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-2908-1 |edition=36th}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{CIA World Factbook}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of Benin}}
* [https://www.africaintelligence.com/west-africa/2024/09/13/paris-and-eu-to-deliver-new-armoured-vehicles-to-beninese-army,110285540-gra Paris and EU to deliver new armoured vehicles to Beninese army], Africa Intelligence, 13 September 2024 (requires free registration)

{{Benin topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military of Benin}}
[[Category:Military of Benin]]