Editing Burundi National Defence Force

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Burundi}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Burundi National Defence Force
| native_name = {{native name|fr|Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi}}
| image = Flag of Burundi.svg{{!}}border
| alt = 
| caption = [[Flag of Burundi]]
| image2 = 
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| motto = 
| founded = 
| current_form = 
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{ubl|Ground Force|Naval Force|Air Force}}
| headquarters = 
| website = {{URL|fdnb.bi/}}
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = [[Évariste Ndayishimiye]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Burundi|Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister = [[Gervais Ndirakobuca]]
| chief minister_title = [[Prime Minister of Burundi|Prime Minister]]
| minister = Alain Tribert Mutabazi
| minister_title = [[Minister of National Defence (Burundi)|Minister of National Defense & War Veterans]]
| commander = General [[Prime Niyongabo]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Burundi)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age = 
| conscription = 
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 16–64
| available = 3,662,688
| available_f = 
| fit =  
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 30,050 (2024){{sfn|IISS|2024|pages=476—477}}
| ranked = 
| reserve = 
| deployed = 
<!-- Financial -->
| amount = $US 64 million (2011)
| percent_GDP = 3.7% (2011)
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers = 
| imports = 
| exports = 
<!-- Related articles -->
| history = {{tree list}}
* [[Burundian Civil War]]
* [[First Congo War]]
* [[Second Congo War]]
* [[Somali Civil War]]
** [[African Union Mission in Somalia]]
* [[Kivu conflict]]
** [[M23 campaign (2022–present)]]
{{tree list/end}}
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Burundi]]
}}

The '''Burundi National Defence Force''' ({{langx|fr|Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi}}; '''FDNB''') is the military of [[Burundi]]. A general staff commands the armed forces, consisting of a joint staff; a training staff, and a logistics staff. Naval and aviation commands exist, as well as specialised units.<ref name="loi1019">{{cite web|url=http://www.grandslacs.net/doc/3335.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.grandslacs.net/doc/3335.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=LOI N° 1/019 DU 31 DECEMBRE 2004 Portant Creation, Organisation, MISSIONS, COMPOSITION ET FONCTIONNEMENT DE LA FORCE DE DEFENSE NATIONALE|publisher=Grandslacs.net|access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>

==History==
===Independence and early history (1962–1993)===
Under Belgian colonial rule, the [[League of Nations mandate|mandatory status]] of [[Ruanda-Urundi]] established limits on the recruitment of Barundi for military service. Instead, Ruanda-Urundi was garrisoned by a small unit of the [[Force Publique]] recruited in the [[Belgian Congo]] which combined its military role with the role of [[gendarmerie]]. Its members were popularly known as ''Bamina'' in Burundi, after the large military base at [[Kamina]] in the Congo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bat |first1=Jean-Pierre |title=La police nationale du Burundi : quelle force pour quel ordre ? |url=http://libeafrica4.blogs.liberation.fr/2016/06/19/la-police-nationale-du-burundi-quelle-force-pour-quel-ordre/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Libération—Africa4 |agency=Libération |date=19 June 2006 |location=Paris, France.}}</ref> Amid the Congo's independence, the Belgian colonial administration formed the Burundian National Guard (''Garde Nationale Burundaise'') in 1960. It consisted of 650 men, recruited equally from the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups (though the Tutsi mostly consisted of those from the Hima subgroup). When Burundi became independent in 1962 the force was renamed the Burundian National Army (''Armée Nationale Burundaise'') and assumed a purely military function.{{sfn|Daley|2008|p=59}} The gendarmarie function was allocated to a civilian authority called the National Gendarmerie (''Gendarmerie nationale'') after independence in 1962,{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} though this became part of the army on 7 March 1967.{{sfn|Weinstein|1976|p=186}}

[[File:Burundian soldiers 1966.png|thumb|Burundian soldiers (wearing [[M1 helmet]]s) at the coronation ceremony of King Ntare V, 1 September 1966]]
Burundi became independent on 1 July 1962 with the army organised into eight platoons.<ref>{{cite news| agency= Associated Press| title = King Attends Ceremony| newspaper = The New York Times| page = 8| date = 2 July 1962}}</ref> A [[1965 Burundian coup d'état attempt|coup attempt in October 1965]] led by the Hutu-dominated police was carried out but failed. The Tutsi dominated army, then led by Tutsi officer Captain [[Michel Micombero]]<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1068991.stm |work=BBC News | title=Timeline: Burundi | date=25 February 2010 | access-date=27 April 2010}}</ref> purged Hutu from their ranks and carried out reprisal attacks which ultimately claimed the lives of up to 5,000 people in a predecessor to [[Ikiza|Burundian genocides]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peri.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/dpe/modern_conflicts/burundi.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.peri.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/dpe/modern_conflicts/burundi.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=MODERN CONFLICTS: CONFLICT PROFILE : Burundi (1993-2006)|website=Peri.umass.edu|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> Micombero then became prime minister.

[[Mwambutsa IV of Burundi|King Mwambutsa IV]], who had fled the country during the October 1965 coup attempt, was deposed by a [[July 1966 Burundian coup d'état|coup in July 1966]] and his teenage son, Crown Prince Charles Ndizeye, claimed the throne as [[Ntare V of Burundi|King Ntare V]]. Later that same year, Prime Minister, then-Colonel, Michel Micombero, carried out another [[November 1966 Burundian coup d'état|coup in November 1966]], this time deposing Ntare, abolishing the monarchy and declaring the nation a [[republic]]. His one-party government was effectively a [[military dictatorship]].<ref name="state">[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2821.htm Background Note: Burundi]. [[United States Department of State]]. February 2008. Retrieved on 28 June 2008.</ref> As president, Micombero became an advocate of [[African socialism]] and received support from [[China]]. He imposed a staunch regime of law and order and sharply repressed Hutu militarism. After Micombero's [[coup d’etat]] which deposed the monarchy, he became the first general in Burundian history. He was also commissioned by the National Council of the Revolution (French: Conseil National de la Révolution (CNR)), and made a Lieutenant Général. In his turn, Micombero raised [[Thomas Ndabemeye]] to the grade of Major General. They were the sole generals of the First Republic.

In 1972 the [[Tutsi]]-dominated Burundi Army and government carried out a series of mass killings, the [[Ikiza]], often characterised as a [[genocide]], primarily against educated and elite [[Hutu]]s who lived in the country. Conservative estimates place the death toll of the event between 100,000 and 150,000 killed, while some estimates of the death toll go as high as 300,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ikiza or Burundi Killings of 1972 {{!}} EBSCO Research Starters |url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/ikiza-or-burundi-killings-1972 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=www.ebsco.com |language=en}}</ref> This included a purge of all Hutus and some politically unfavorable Tutsis from the military, shrinking it to about 2,300 members.{{sfn|Weinstein|1976|p=187}} On 30 December 1974 a naval division was created.{{sfn|Weinstein|1976|p=61}}

In 1981–82 the IISS estimated that the Burundian armed forces were 6,000 strong, with 2 infantry battalions, 1 airborne battalion, 1 commando battalion, and an armoured car company.<ref>IISS Military Balance 1988-89</ref> The same estimate was repeated in the 1988–89 edition except that the strength figure had been dropped to 5,500.

===The Civil War and aftermath===
In 1993, [[Hutu]] President [[Melchior Ndadaye]] was elected in the [[1993 Burundian presidential election|1 June presidential election]] and was sworn in on 10 July.

On 21 October, a [[1993 Burundian coup d'état attempt|coup]] was attempted by a [[Tutsi]]–dominated National Defence Force  faction, led by Chief of Staff Lt. Col. [[Jean Bikomagu]], ex-President [[Jean-Baptiste Bagaza]], and former interior minister [[François Ngeze]].{{sfn|Lansford|2017|p=220}}<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/22/world/leader-of-burundi-reportedly-killed-in-a-coup-by-an-ethnic-rival.html |title=Leader of Burundi Reportedly Killed in a Coup by an Ethnic Rival |work=The New York Times |date=22 October 1993 |access-date=7 November 2019 }}</ref> The coup attempt resulted in the assassination of Ndadaye and numerous other casualties.<ref name="nyt"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/25/world/president-of-burundi-was-killed-in-coup-leaders-of-the-army-say.html|title=President of Burundi Was Killed In Coup, Leaders of the Army Say|date=25 October 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref> 
Following the coup, the Committee of Public Salvation (CSP) was created as the ruling [[Military junta|junta]], and François Ngeze (a prominent Hutu member of [[Union for National Progress|UPRONA]]) was installed as the new president. Ngeze himself comdemned the assassination of Ndadaye.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Au coin du feu avec François Ngeze – IWACU|url=https://www.iwacu-burundi.org/au-coin-du-feu-avec-francois-ngeze/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=www.iwacu-burundi.org}}</ref> Faced with widespread condemnation, the Army leaders urged civilian politicians to resume control. Consequently, Prime Minister [[Sylvie Kinigi]] (who took refuge in the [[France|French]] embassy with other senior government figures) was installed as Acting President on 27 October.

The [https://undocs.org/S/1996/682 1996 UN inquiry] names three units - para 122-3 indicates that at the time of the October coup, the 2e Commando were the presidential guard and the 1er Parachutiste and 11e Blinde were the units involved in the coup. (Para 115 notes that some officers of the 2e Commando were previously involved in an attempted coup in July, before Ndadaye was sworn in, but presumably by October the unit was thought to be loyal). In addition, U.S. Ambassador [[Bob Krueger]] mentions members of the 1st Parachute Battalion being active during the coup in his book.<ref>''From Bloodshed to Hope in Burundi: Our Embassy Years During Genocide'' (pp 7, 20).</ref>

The coup attempted sparked the [[Burundian Civil War]], which lasted from 1993 to 2005, killing an estimated 300,000 people. The [[Arusha Accords (Burundi)|Arusha Accords]]<ref>[[Institute for Security Studies]], {{cite web|url=http://www.issafrica.org/cdburundipeaceagreements/No%201%20arusha.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093038/http://www.issafrica.org/cdburundipeaceagreements/No%201%20arusha.pdf |archive-date=2015-05-18 }} (Protocol II, Chapter 1.)</ref> ended 12 years of war and stopped decades of ethnic killings. The [[Burundian constitutional referendum, 2005|2005 constitution]] provided guaranteed representation for both [[Hutu]] and [[Tutsi]], and [[Burundian legislative election, 2005|2005 parliamentary elections]] that led to Pierre Nkurunziza, from the Hutu [[National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy|FDD]], becoming president.

According to a 2004 report by Child Soldiers International, Burundi's military used conscripted child soldiers. Children in military service were subject to military courts which fell short of international law standards.<ref>Child Soldiers International, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202746/http://www.child-soldiers.org/user_uploads/pdf/africaoverview4900516.pdf "2004 Africa: Regional overview"]}}</ref>

The armed forces have deployed significant numbers of troops to the [[African Union Mission in Somalia]] since c. 2007. On February 1, 2007 [[Burundi]] committed to the mission, pledging up to 1,000 troops.<ref name=BURUNDI-JOINS-SOMALI-PEACE-FORCE>{{cite news|title=Burundi joins Somalia peace force|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6319937.stm|date=2007-02-01|access-date=2007-02-09
|publisher=BBC| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070210230342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6319937.stm| archive-date= 10 February 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> By March 27, it was confirmed that 1700 Burundian troops would be sent to Somalia.<ref name="Burundi1700">{{cite news|title=Burundi troops ready to join Somalia peacekeepers|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L27307695.htm|date=2007-03-27|agency=Reuters|access-date=2007-04-02 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070401180622/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L27307695.htm| archive-date= 1 April 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> In 2011 the IISS estimated that three Burundian battalions were deployed there. 

The army's forces in 2011 included, according to IISS estimates, 2 light armoured battalions (squadrons), seven infantry battalions and independent companies; and artillery, engineer, and air defence battalions (SA-7 'Grail' man-portable SAMs and 14.5mm, 23mm and 37mm guns were reported). Separately reported were the 22nd commando battalion ([[Gitega Province|Gitega]]) and 124th commando battalion ([[Bujumbura]]). Despite the elapse of another six years, the 2017 listing from the ''Military Balance'' was essentially unchanged except for an increase in size to some 30,000 and the addition of ten reserve infantry battalions.

In the wake of the [[Burundian unrest]], personnel faced a choice between supporting President [[Pierre Nkurunziza]], with whom some fought when he was a military commander, or opposing him. Interviewed by [[Reuters]] on May 14, 2015, an Africa analyst at Verisk Maplecroft said a coup then reported in progress by Major General [[Godefroid Niyombare]], former director of the intelligence service, "starkly highlight[ed] Nkurunziza’s lack of unified support among his military chiefs." "Even if Niyombare’s attempt fails, Nkurunziza’s political credibility may be damaged irreparably."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-burundi-politics-army-analysis-idUSKBN0NZ17F20150514|title=Army rifts could push Burundi back to conflict after coup bid|date=May 14, 2015|website=Reuters.com}}</ref>

The ''121e Régiment de Parachutistes'' were mentioned in French news articles as one of the units that supported the [[2015 Burundian coup d'état attempt|attempted coup]] in 2015.<ref> https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20150925-burundi-delocalisation-demantelement-camp-militaire-crise-nkurunziza  {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230630194310/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20150925-burundi-delocalisation-demantelement-camp-militaire-crise-nkurunziza|date=June 30, 2023}}</ref>

In the aftermath of the coup and the later disputed election, armed forces chief of staff Major General [[Prime Niyongabo]] survived an assassination attempt on September 11, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/09/11/witnesses-burundi-army-chief-is-targeted-in-attack |title=6 killed as Burundi army chief targeted in attempted slaying - US News |access-date=2017-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305152000/http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/09/11/witnesses-burundi-army-chief-is-targeted-in-attack |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2015/16, Laurent Touchard wrote that the BNDF included ten two-battalion infantry brigades. (Touchard 2016)

== Structure ==
[[File:Burundi troops CAR.jpg|thumb|250px|Burundi troops of the Central African Multinational Force in the [[Central African Republic]].]]
In 2011 the [[IISS]] estimated that three Burundian battalions were deployed in [[Somalia]]. The army's forces in 2011 included, according to IISS estimates, 2 light armoured battalions (squadrons), seven infantry battalions and independent companies; and artillery, engineer, and air defence battalions (SA-7 'Grail' man-portable SAMs and 14.5mm, 23mm and 37mm guns were reported).<ref>IISS Military Balance 2011, 413, 414.</ref> 

Separately reported were the 22nd commando battalion (Gitega) and 124th commando battalion (Bujumbura). 

Despite the elapse of another six years, the 2017 listing from the Military Balance was essentially unchanged except for an increase in size to some 30,000 and the addition of ten reserve infantry battalions.<ref>IISS Military Balance 2017, p.500.</ref>

As of 2024 the Burundian ground forces consist of two armored battalions, seven infantry battalions, one artillery battalion, one air defense battalion, and one engineer battalion. The navy included several patrol boats.{{sfn|IISS|2024|pages=476—477}}

==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"| Machine guns and assault rifles
|-
| [[DShK]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Thierry Vircoulon |url=http://blog.crisisgroup.org/africa/burundi/2015/10/02/insights-from-the-burundian-crisis-i-an-army-divided-and-losing-its-way/ |title=Insights from the Burundian Crisis (I): An Army Divided and Losing its Way |publisher=International Crisis Group |date=2014-10-02 |access-date=2017-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521151808/http://blog.crisisgroup.org/africa/burundi/2015/10/02/insights-from-the-burundian-crisis-i-an-army-divided-and-losing-its-way/ |archive-date=2017-05-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| [[File:12,7-мм станковый пулемёт ДШК образца 1938 года.jpg|150px]]
| [[12.7×108mm]]
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| In service
|-
| [[RPK]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africanews.com/2017/05/18/grenade-attack-kills-three-burundi-ruling-party-members/ |title=Grenade attack kills three Burundi ruling party members |agency=Reuters |date=2017-05-18 |website=Africa News |access-date=2017-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705144829/http://www.africanews.com/2017/05/18/grenade-attack-kills-three-burundi-ruling-party-members/ |archive-date=2017-07-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[File:7.62mm light machine gun RPK.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Squad automatic weapon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| In service
|-
| [[PKM machine gun|PKM]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/626280/machine-gunners |title=Machine Gunners|agency=[[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]]|date=2012-06-26 }}</ref>
| [[File:PKM DD-ST-85-01257 (1).jpg|150px ]]
| [[7.62×54mm]]
| [[General Purpose Machine Gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| In service
|-
| [[AK-47]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/558813/burundi-us-forces-enhance-regional-security-for-somalia/|title=Burundi, US forces enhance regional security for Somalia|agency=[[United States Marine Corps]]|date=2014-12-29|access-date=2017-06-25|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508112841/https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/558813/burundi-us-forces-enhance-regional-security-for-somalia/|archive-date=May 8, 2017}}</ref>
| [[File:AK-47_type_II_noBG.png|150px ]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| In service
|-
| [[Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965|PM md. 63]]<ref name="Jane1"/>
|[[File:PMmd.1963.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Socialist Republic of Romania}}
| Standard rifle
|-
| [[Vektor R4]]<ref>[https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1269160/us-marines-return-building-capacity-with-burundi-national-defense-force US Marines return from building capacity with the Burundi National Defense Force] [[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]]</ref>
| [[File:Vektor LM5 Feb 2008.jpg|150px ]]
| [[5.56x45mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|South Africa|1982}}
| In service
|}

===Anti-tank weapons===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=16%| Name
! width=21%| Image
! width=15%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Caliber
! width=26%| Notes
|-
| [[RPG-7]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kateholt.com/galleries/editorial/somalia-ii |title=Kateholt.com : Galleries |publisher=Kateholt.com |access-date=23 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414014043/http://www.kateholt.com/galleries/editorial/somalia-ii |archive-date=14 April 2015 }}</ref>
| [[File:Rpg-7.jpg|150px]]
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 40mm
| In service
|-
| [[Bazooka|M20 Super bazooka]]<ref name="IISS_2012_425">IISS (2012), p. 425.</ref>
| [[File:M20-bazooka-batey-haosef-1.jpg|150px]]
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| {{Flag|United States|1912}}
| 60mm
|  In service
|-
| [[RL-83 Blindicide]]<ref name="IISS_2012_425">IISS (2012), p. 425.</ref>
| [[File:Blindicide RL-83 noBG.png|150px]]
| [[Anti-tank warfare|Anti-tank rocket launcher]]
| {{Flag|Belgium}}
| 83mm
| In service
|-
| [[M20 recoilless rifle|Type 52]]<ref name="gander2002">{{cite book |editor1-first=Terry J.|editor1-last=Gander|editor2-first=Charles Q. |editor2-last=Cutshaw|title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001/2002 |date=2001 |edition=27th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon |isbn=9780710623171}}</ref>
| [[File:M20fort nelson.jpg|150px]]
| [[Recoilless rifle]]
| {{Flag|United States|1912}}<br>{{Flag|China}}
| 75mm
| In service
|-
| [[MILAN]]<ref name="IISS_2012_425">IISS (2012), p. 425.</ref>
| [[File:Tag der Bundeswehr Jagel 2019 HJL 13 noBG.png|150px]]
| [[Anti-tank missile]]
| {{Flag|France}}<br>{{Flag|West Germany}}
| 103mm (MILAN 1); 115mm (other variants)
| In service
|}

===Scout cars===
{| 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]]
| [[Amphibious vehicle|Amphibious]] [[Scout car|armored scout car]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 30<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Military Balance 2021 |pages=453}}</ref>
| In service
|}

===Armored personnel carriers===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=24%| Notes
|-
| [[BTR-40]]
| [[File:BTR-40.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| 29<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[BTR-80]]
| [[File:13April-Rehersal-Alabino-52.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 10<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[Walid (armored personnel carrier)|Walid]]
| [[File:Savoy Hotel attack. III.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|Egypt|1958}}
| 6<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[WZ-551]]
| [[File:Sri Lanka Military 0233.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|China}}
| 15<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[Panhard M3]]
| [[File:PanhardM3.png|150px]]
| [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 9<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|}

===Reconnaissance===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=24%| Notes
|-
| [[Panhard AML]]
| [[File:AML-90 DM-SC-91-12078.JPEG|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armored car]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 18<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
*12 AML-90
*06 AML-60
|-
| [[Shorland armoured car|Shorland S52]]
| [[File:Shorland armoured car mk1.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armored car]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| 7<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|}

===Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=06%| Notes 
|-
| [[RG-31 Nyala]]
| [[File:RG-31.JPG|150px]]
| [[MRAP]]
| {{Flag|South Africa}} / {{UK}} {{USA}}
| 12<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[RG-33|RG-33L]]
| [[File:RG-33 HV.jpg|150px]]
| [[MRAP]]
| {{Flag|South Africa}}
| 10<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[Casspir]]
| [[File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg|150px]]
| [[MRAP]]
| {{Flag|South Africa|1982}} /{{FRG}}
| 27<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[Cougar (MRAP)|Cougar]]
| [[File:U.S.Marine Cougar H EOD.jpg|150px]]
| [[MRAP]]
| {{Flag|United States}}
| 16<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|}

===Artillery===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=06%| Status
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortars]]
|-
| [[82-BM-37|BM-37]]
| [[File:Zagan 82 mm moździerz wz 37.jpg|150px]]
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| 15<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|MO-120-RT61]]
| [[File:Mortier 120mm fh000021.jpg|150px]]
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
| {{Flag|France}}
| 75<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Rocket artillery]]
|-
| [[BM-21 Grad]]
| [[File:BM-21 Grad Armed Forces of Ukraine.jpg|150px]]
| [[Multiple rocket launcher]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 12<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Field artillery]]
|-
| [[122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)|D-30]]
| [[File:Д-30А с учебного полигона Алматинского Института Сухопутных Войск.JPG|150px]]
| [[Howitzer]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 18<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|}

===Air defence systems===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image
! width=14%| Type
! width=12%| Origin
! width=10%| Quantity
! width=06%| Status
|-
| [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)|Type 55]]
| [[File:Twin-37-mm-M1939-hatzerim-1.jpg|150px]]
| [[Anti-aircraft gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}<br>{{Flag|China}}
| rowspan="2" | 135+<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[ZU-23-2]]
| [[File:MsSVU39.jpg|150px]]
| [[Autocannon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| In service
|-
| [[ZPU-4]]
| [[File:ZPU-4 DM-SC-91-12077.JPEG|150px]]
| [[SPAAG]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| 15<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|-
| [[9K32 Strela-2]]
| [[File:SA-7.jpg|150px]]
| [[MANPADS]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| Unknown<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=453|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
| In service
|}

===Aircraft inventory===
The Burundi Army's air unit operates 12 helicopters.
{| class="wikitable"
!Image
! Aircraft
! Type
! Versions
! In service
! Notes
|-
| [[File:Aérospatiale Alouette III (29444987028).jpg|150px]]
| [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]
| [[Utility helicopter]]
|SA 316
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2024 |title=World Air Forces 2025 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |access-date=1 April 2025 |publisher=Flight Global |doi=}}</ref>
|
|-

|-
| [[File:Aerospatiale SA-342L1 Gazelle..jpg|150px]]
| [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Aérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle]]
| [[Utility helicopter]]
| SA 342L
| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|-
| [[File:Mil Mi-24D (centered).jpg|150px]]
| [[Mil Mi-24|Mil Mi-24 Hind]] 
| [[Attack helicopter]]
| Mi-35
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{Commons category|Military of Burundi}}
* {{cite book| last = Daley| first = Patricia O.| title = Gender & Genocide in Burundi : The Search for Spaces of Peace in the Great Lakes Region| publisher = Indiana University Press| series = African Issues| date = 2008| location = Bloomington| isbn = 978-0-253-35171-5}}
*{{cite journal|last=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)|title=The Military Balance 2012|journal=The Military Balance: Annual Estimates of the Nature and Size of the Military Forces of the Principal Powers |year=2012|publisher=IISS|location=London|issn=0459-7222}}
*{{Cite book |author=IISS |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2024 |title=The Military Balance 2024 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London |isbn=978-1-032-78004-7 }}
*[http://issat.dcaf.ch/content/download/62427/1033023/file/Burundi%20lesson%20learned%20report_Final%20ENGLISH1.pdf Burundi Defence Review Lessons Learned] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210830215712/http://issat.dcaf.ch/content/download/62427/1033023/file/Burundi%20lesson%20learned%20report_Final%20ENGLISH1.pdf|date=August 30, 2021}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Lansford |editor-first=Tom |title=Political Handbook of the World 2016-2017. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UmNCDgAAQBAJ |date=2017 |publisher=[[SAGE Publishing]] |location=Thousand Oaks, California |isbn=978-1-5063-2718-1}}
* {{cite book| last = Weinstein| first = Warren| title = Historical Dictionary of Burundi| publisher = Scarecrow Press| date = 1976| location = Metuchen| isbn = 9780810809628 }}

{{Military of Africa}}
{{Burundi topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Burundi}}
[[Category:Military of Burundi| ]]