Editing Cameroon Armed Forces

{{Short description|Military of the Republic of Cameroon}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox national military
| name               = Cameroon Armed Forces
| native_name        = {{lang|fr|Forces armées camerounaises (FAC)}}
| image              = 
| alt                =
| caption            = 
| image2             =
| alt2               =
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| motto              =
| founded            = 1960
| current_form       =
| disbanded          =
| branches           = {{bulletedlist|Army|[[Cameroonian Air Force|Air Force]]|Navy|Fire Fighter Corps|Gendarmerie}}
| headquarters       = [[Yaoundé]]
| flying_hours       =
| website            = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Cameroon|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander-in-chief = [[Paul Biya]]
| chief minister_title = [[Prime Minister of Cameroon|Deputy Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister     = [[Joseph Ngute]]
| minister_title     = [[Ministry of Defense (Cameroon)|Minister of Defense]]
| minister           = [[Joseph Beti Assomo]]
| commander_title    = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Cameroon)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
| commander          = [[René Claude Meka]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                =
| conscription       =
| manpower_data      =
| manpower_age       =
| available          =
| available_f        =
| fit                =
| fit_f              =
| reaching           =
| reaching_f         =
| active             = 40000<ref name="autogenerated1"/>{{Failed verification|date=September 2022}}
| ranked             =
| reserve            =
| deployed           =
<!-- Financial -->
| amount             = US$347 million<ref name="defenceWeb" />
| percent_GDP        = 1.6<ref name="defenceWeb">{{cite web|author1=defenceWeb|title=Cameroon|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29454:cameroon&catid=119:african-militaries&Itemid=255|website=Defence Web|access-date=27 May 2018|date=14 February 2013}}</ref>
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers =
| foreign_suppliers  = {{BRA}}{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}<br />{{CHN}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{IND}}<br />{{INA}}<br />{{ISR}}<br />{{RUS}}<br />{{SIN}}<br />{{RSA}}<br />{{VIE}}
| imports            =
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<!-- Related aricles -->
| history            = [[Bamileke War]]<br />[[Bakassi conflict]]<br />[[Central African Republic Civil War (2012–2014)|CAR Civil War]]<br />[[Boko Haram insurgency]]<br />[[Anglophone Crisis]]
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Cameroon]]
}}

The '''Cameroon Armed Forces''' ({{langx|fr|Forces armées camerounaises (FAC)}}) are the military of the [[Republic of Cameroon]]. The armed forces number 40,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Cameroon Military Strength |url=https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.php?country_id=cameroon |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.globalfirepower.com |language=en-US}}</ref> personnel in ground, air, and naval forces. There are approximately 40,000 troops in the army across three military regions. Approximately 1,300 troops are part of the Cameroonian Navy, which is headquartered at Douala. Under 600 troops are part of the Air Force. There is an additional 12,500 paramilitary troops that serve as a gendarmerie (policing force) or reconnaissance role.<ref name="autogenerated1">International Institute for Strategic Studies. (2014). Chapter Ten: Country comparisons - commitments, force levels and economics. ''The Military Balance'', 114(1), 471–492. {{doi|10.1080/04597222.2014.871887}}</ref>

The Cameroonian armed forces have bases spread all over Cameroon, including in [[Ngaoundéré]]. Air Force bases are located in [[Garoua]], [[Yaoundé]], [[Douala]] and [[Bamenda]].

It has generally remained loyal to the government and acted to ensure the stability of the regime, and not acted as an independent political force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emerging military-society interaction and political change in Cameroon |url=https://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/emerging-military-society-interaction-and-political-change-in-cameroon/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=ACCORD |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harkness |first=Kristen A. |date=2020-12-17 |title=Cameroon: The Military and Autocratic Stability |url=https://oxfordre.com/politics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-1800 |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1800|isbn=978-0-19-022863-7 }}</ref> Traditional dependence on the French defense capability, although reduced, continues to be the case as French military advisers remain closely involved in preparing the Cameroonian forces for deployment to the contested [[Bakassi Peninsula]].

==Army==
With over 40,000 troops, the Army remains the most important component in terms of numbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/actions-france_830/defense-securite_9035/cooperation-securite-defense_9037/revue-freres-armes_12582/freres-armes-258-dossier-cameroun_18857/dossier_19041/armee-terre_64741.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209022905/http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/actions-france_830/defense-securite_9035/cooperation-securite-defense_9037/revue-freres-armes_12582/freres-armes-258-dossier-cameroun_18857/dossier_19041/armee-terre_64741.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2015|title=Page d'erreur 404 - France-Diplomatie - Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement international|date=9 February 2015|website=Diplomatie.gouv.fr|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref> The Army is under the responsibility of the Chief of Staff, [[Major-General]] Nkoa Atenga, whose staff is in [[Yaoundé]].

Currently, the organization dates from 2001 with a distribution in several types of units: combat units, response units (''unités d'intervention''), ''unités de soutien et d'appui'', and finally special reserve units as part of 3 joint military régions (''interarmées'') and the 10 military land sectors.<ref>Source: ''Revue Frères Armées'', French Ministry of Foreign Affairs</ref>

Army units have been trained and equipped to fight in the swampy coastal terrain facing the [[Bakassi peninsula]]. Although prepared for an armed conflict with Nigeria in recent years, the Cameroon Army does not have operational experience against other forces, therefore, it is not possible to assess its ability to respond to changing threats and opposing tactics.

Combat units of the army include:<ref>Niagalé Bagayoko, [http://www.africansecuritynetwork.org/site/components/com_medialibrary/emedia/Cameroons%20Security%20Apparatus%20Actors%20and%20Structures.pdf Cameroon's Security Apparatus: Actors and Structures] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225331/http://www.africansecuritynetwork.org/site/components/com_medialibrary/emedia/Cameroons%20Security%20Apparatus%20Actors%20and%20Structures.pdf |date=2016-03-03 }}, 21.</ref>
* The Headquarters Brigade, located in Yaoundé. This brigade is responsible for protecting the capital and supporting the institutions. The President of the Republic has to allow any of its deployments. The brigade consists of acommand and support battalion; a support battalion; a ''bataillon honneurs et protection'' (BHP); and three infantry battalions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mindef.gov.cm/armee-de-terre/presentation/ | title=Presentation }}</ref>
* Three command and support battalions;
* The [[Rapid Intervention Battalion, Cameroon|Rapid Intervention Battalion]] (''Btaillon d'Intervention Rapide'', BIR)
* The {{ill|Rapid Response Brigade (Cameroon)|de|Brigade d’intervention rapide (Kamerun)|fr|Brigade d’intervention rapide}} (''Brigade d'Intervention Rapide'', or also BIR), (which currently has no general staff) and is made up of three rapid response battalions, stationed in Douala, Tiko and Koutaba. These three battalions are respectively the Special Amphibious Battalion (Bataillon Spécial Amphibie; BSA), the Bataillon des Troupes Aéroportées (BTAP), and the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (Bataillon Blindé de Reconnaissance; BBR)<ref>{{Cite web |title=intervention-brigade |url=https://mindef.gov.cm/armee-de-terre/en/intervention-brigade/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Armée de Terre |language=en-US}}</ref> equipped with [[Type 07P]] infantry fighting vehicle and [[PTL-02]] tank destroyer bought recently from China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/cameroon-displays-new-chinese-military-hardware/|title = Cameroon displays new Chinese military hardware|date = 23 May 2014}}</ref> The BSA is inspired by the French Special Forces. This brigade is a tactical battle unit under the authority of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces. For this to be engaged, the President's agreement is necessary.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
* Five motorised infantry brigades, supposed to be stationed in one military sector but which can then be engaged without any regard to the territorial division of the country. These brigades currently do not have a general staff. In theory, they consist of 11 motorised infantry battalions; 5 support battalions and 3 backing battalions; however, the motorised battalions are in reality not operational due to a lack of staff, equipment and vehicles.

=== Organization ===
The territory is divided into 5 combined arms [[military region]]s (RMIA):<ref name = "decrets">{{cite journal|title=Décrets du président de la République réorganisant l'armée et nommant des officiers au ministère de la défense|url=https://www.journalducameroun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/P04-11-Documents-3.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.journalducameroun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/P04-11-Documents-3.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|journal=Cameroon Tribune|date= 22 February 2018|pages=4–11}}</ref>
* RMIA1 ([[Yaoundé]])
* RMIA2 ([[Douala]])
* RMIA3 ([[Garoua]])
* RMIA4 ([[Maroua]])
* RMIA5 ([[Bamenda]])

=== 1st Military Region ===
* 11th [[Ebolowa]] Brigade:
** 11th BCS (command and support battalion) in Ebolowa
** 12th BIM (motorized infantry battalion) in Ebolowa
** 12th BIM at [[Djoum]]
** 13th BIM at [[Ambam]]
** 11th BA (support battalion) at [[Sangmélima]]
* 12th [[Bertoua]] brigade
** 12th BCS in Bertoua
** 14th BIM in Bertoua
**15th BIM to [[Yokadouma]] 
**16th BIM at [[Garoua-Boulaï]]
**12th BA in Bertoua

=== 2nd Military Region ===

* Rapid Intervention Brigade<ref name="JDC.com">{{cite web | title = Defense forces: new units created - Journal du Cameroun | date = June 26, 2015 | url = https://www.journalducameroun.com/forces-de-defense-de-nouvelles-unites-creees/|website=[[Journal du Cameroun]]}}</ref>
** Headquarters at [[Bafoussam]]
**Special Amphibious Battalion (BSA) at [[Tiko]]
**Airborne Battalion (BTAP) in [[Koutaba]]
**Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (BBR) in [[Douala]]
* 21st Motorized infantry brigade of [[Buéa]]<ref name="decrets" />
** 21st BCS in Buéa
** 21 BIM in Buéa
** 22nd BIM at [[Mamfé]]
** 23rd BIM at [[Loum, Cameroon|Loum]]
** 24th BIM at [[Akwaya]]
** 21st BA in [[Kumba (Cameroon)|Kumba]]
* 201st Douala Air Base<ref name="decrets" />
** 21st Air Transport Squadron
**211st Transport and Assault Transport Squadron
**212nd Transport and Assault Transport Squadron
**22nd Air Squadron
**221st Transport and Assault Transport Squadron
**222nd Reconnaissance Squadron

===Army equipment===
{{main|List of equipment of the Cameroon Army}}
[[File:Véhicule militaire pendant la fête nationale au Cameroun5.jpg|thumb|[[Oerlikon GDF]] of the Cameroon Armed Forces in 2016.]]

==Cameroonian Air Force==
{{main|Cameroon Air Force}}
The air force has bases in [[Garoua]], [[Koutaba]], [[Yaoundé]], [[Douala]], and [[Bamenda]]. The Cameroonian Air Force was founded in 1960, the year of independence from France. There are under 400 troops in the air force.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Cameroon's Air Force has 9 combat-capable aircraft.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

==Cameroon Navy==
[[File:Africa Partnership Station 150312-N-RU135-318.jpg|thumb|Cameroonian sailors reviewed by an American admiral in Douala, 2015.]]
There are about 1,300 troops in the navy including naval infantry.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

===History===
Around May 1999, [[Philip Njaru]] wrote a newspaper article where he alleged ill-treatment of civilians conducted by the 21st Navy Battalion based in Ekondo-Titi. In late May Njaru was approached by the local [[captain (Navy)|captain]] who asked Njaru "to stop writing such articles and to disclose his sources". Refusing to do this, Njaru five days later found his house encircled by armed soldiers, and escaped to [[Kumba]].<ref name="UN">{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/40142/Njaru-v-Cameroon-HRC-Decision |title=Njaru v Cameroon HRC Decision |access-date=2008-09-14 |website=Scribd.com |date=3 April 2007 }}</ref> Here, he was assaulted by police in June 2001, with no particular reason stated.<ref name="UN"/> Njaru complained to the local authorities, but later learned that "his complaint had not been received".<ref name="UN"/>

Cameroon's Marine Nationale République modernised and increased its capabilities during 2000 with the acquisition of a number of small Rodman patrol craft and the retirement of some small older craft. A number of small patrol boats have been acquired or ordered from France. Latest estimates indicate naval strength consists of two combat patrol vessels, three coastal patrol vessels and approximately 30 smaller inshore and river patrol craft allocated to both the navy and the local gendarmerie. These include two 135 tonne Yunnan-class landing craft, which are able to carry and launch smaller craft for troop insertions. Some effort has been made to assess equipment needs to bring L'Audacieux P103 and Bakassi P104 to an effective combat status. This has resulted in weapons capabilities being reduced in favour of an increase in serviceability and the service is now effectively without missile attack capabilities. Bakassi (a Type P 48S missile patrol craft) completed a major refit at Lorient, France in August 1999. This included removing the Exocet missile system and EW equipment, and fitting a funnel aft of the mainmast to replace the waterline exhausts. New radars were also installed. Bakassi is now armed only with 40&nbsp;mm cannon. Although the Bizerte (P48 large patrol craft) class L'Audacieux is fitted for SS-12M missiles these are not embarked and its operational status is in some doubt, having not been reported at sea since 1995. The Quartier-Maître Alfred Moto patrol boat was listed as out of service in 1991 but has since been reactivated.

===Ships===
[[File:Vehicules militaires pendant le défilé8.jpg|thumb|Cameroon Navy patrol boat during a military parade in Douala, 2019]]
List of active ships.
* 1: DIPIKAR patrol boat (former French navy "Grèbe", upgraded with LYNCEA PATROL CMS) (Gun)
* 2: FRA P-48 (Gun)
* 6: Rodman 101/46 (Gun)
* 1: Quartier class (Gun)
* 3: [[Boston Whaler]] patrol boats
* 1: Bakassi class patrol boat (P48S type)
* 1: L’Audacieux class missile FAC (P48 type)
* 1: Alfred Motto class patrol craft
* 20: [[Swiftships]] type river boats
* 2: [[Type 067 landing craft utility|Yunnan landing craft utility]]
* 8: Simoneau
* 2: Aresa 2400 CPV Defender patrol boats<ref name="defenceweb1">{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33027&Itemid=106|title=Cameroon Navy receives new patrol vessels, landing craft - defenceWeb|first=Guy|last=Martin|website=Defenceweb.co.za|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref>
* 1: Aresa 2300 landing craft
* 6: Aresa 750 Commandos RIBs
* 5: 1200 Stealth RIBs
* 1: 1200 Defcon RIB
* 2:  P108 and P109 patrol boats

<ref name="defenceweb1"/>

==Gendarmerie==
The Gendarmerie is a paramilitary force composed of about 9,000 soldiers as of 2016. It performs both law enforcement and national security responsibilities across the country. (See [https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/cm-gendarmerie.htm Gendarmerie])

== Military education ==
After an initial period of development, training requirements were formalized in an April 1967 per government decree. There was a shortage of Cameroonian instructors at that time. The two educational institutions of the nation are the following:

* [[Combined Services Military Academy (Cameroon)|Combined Services Military Academy]] (Ecole Militaire Interarmes Camerounaises—EMIAC): It is the interforce academy for officers, being the educational center for future officers of the armed forces and the National Gendarmerie. It was established in 1959 and inaugurated on 18 January 1961.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52EaC80IkcIC&q=Combined+Services+Military+Academy+%28EMIA%29&pg=RA17-PA12|title=Nouvelles du Cameroun: Cameroon News|year=1977}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://militaryschooldirectory.com/cameroon-combined-services-military-academy/|title = Combined Services Military Academy (EMIA) &#124; Yaounde, Cameroon – Military School Directory}}</ref> No officers were graduated until 1970. Every graduation of cadets takes place on 18 January.
* Non-Commissioned Officer Training School (''Ecole des sous officiers du cameroun'')

Both commissioned and noncommissioned officers were sent to various military schools in France, [[Greece]], and the [[Soviet Union]]. The total number of Cameroonian military cadets with a Russian educational background were few.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/cm-personnel-training.htm|title = Cameroon - Military Personnel}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of Cameroon}}
* [https://archive.today/20130802084927/http://www.crtv.cm/cont/nouvelles/nouvelles_sola_fr.php?idField=9048&table=nouvelles&sub=national Military appointments]

{{Cameroon topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}
{{Authority control}}

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