Editing Suriname National Army

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is already sufficiently detailed; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->

{{Infobox national military
| name               = Suriname National Army
| native_name        = {{langx|nl|Nationaal Leger}} 
| image              = 
| alt                = 
| caption            = 
| image2             = 
| alt2               = 
| caption2           = 
| motto              = 
| founded            = 1975
| current_form       = 
| disbanded          = 
| branches           =  [[Surinamese Land Forces]]<br/>[[File:Roundel of Suriname.svg|30px]] [[Suriname Air Force]]<br/> [[Suriname Coast Guard]]
| headquarters       = [[Paramaribo]] 
| flying_hours       = 
| website            = [https://web.archive.org/web/20190603143636/http://defense.gov.sr/]
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Suriname.svg|size=23px}} [[President of Suriname|Chan Santhokhi]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Suriname|Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister     = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister           = {{flagicon image|Flag of Suriname.svg|size=23px}} [[Krishna Mathoera]]
| minister_title     = [[Minister of Defense (Suriname)|Minister of Defense]]
| chief_of_staff     = 
| chief_of_staff_title = 
| commander          = {{flagicon image|Flag of Suriname.svg|size=23px}} [[Brigadier general|Brigade general]] [[Werner Kioe A Sen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/83090|title=Bevelhebber Kioe A Sen bevorderd tot brigade-generaal|website=Starnieuws.com|access-date=2024-10-03}}</ref>
| commander_title    = [[Commander of the Armed Forces (Suriname)|Commander of the Armed Forces]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                = 18
| conscription       = 
| manpower_data      = 2021
| manpower_age       = 18&ndash;49
| available          = 134,105
| available_f        = 
| fit                = 79,122
| fit_f              = 
| reaching           = 3,086
| reaching_f         = 
| active             = 2,000
| ranked             = 
| reserve            = 
| deployed           = 
<!-- Financial -->
| amount             = [[US$]]60,000,000
| percent_GDP        = 0.7%
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers  = *{{EU}}
*{{BRA}}
*{{IND}}
*{{CHN}} 
| imports            = 
| exports            = 
<!-- Related articles -->
| history            = [[1980 Surinamese coup d'état]]<br>
[[Surinamese Interior War]]
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Suriname]]
}}

After the creation of the [[Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands]], the [[Royal Netherlands Army]] was entrusted with the defence of [[Suriname]], while the defence of the [[Netherlands Antilles]] was the responsibility of the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]. The army set up a separate [[Netherlands Armed Forces in Suriname]] ({{langx|nl|Troepenmacht in Suriname}}, TRIS). Upon independence in 1975, this force was turned into the '''Surinamese Armed Forces''' ({{lang|nl|Surinaamse Krijgsmacht}}, SKM). On February 25, 1980, a group of 15 [[non-commissioned officer]]s and one junior [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]], under the leadership of [[sergeant major]] [[Dési Bouterse]], staged a [[1980 Surinamese coup d'état|coup d'état]] and overthrew the Government. Subsequently, the SKM was rebranded as the '''National Army''' ({{lang|nl|Nationaal Leger}}, NL).

The [[Netherlands]] has provided limited military assistance to the Surinamese armed forces since the election of a democratic government in 1991. In recent years, the [[United States]] has provided training to military officers and [[policy]]makers to promote a better understanding of the role of the military in a civilian government. Also, since the mid-1990s, the [[People's Republic of China]] has been donating military equipment and logistical material to the Surinamese Armed Forces, as has [[Brazil]].

==Organization==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}
Suriname's  National Armed Forces are composed of some 2,500 personnel, the majority of whom are deployed in the Army of Suriname.

[[File:Surinamearmy.jpg|thumb|Suriname soldiers in [[Brazil]]|350px]]

===Army===
*A [[Light Infantry]] [[Battalion]] (33ste Bataljon der Infanterie) Formed in 1987.
*A [[Special Forces]] Corps.
*A Support Arm. ({{lang|de|Staf verzorgings Bataljon}})
*A [[Military Police]] Corps.

===Air Force===
[[File:Roundel of Suriname.svg|thumb|Roundel of the Suriname Air Force|150px]]
In 1982 a small air arm was formed within the Suriname defense force called "Surinaamse Luchtmacht" in short also called LUMA. The first military aircraft of the young air force was a [[Hughes 500]] - Model 369D helicopter, simply registered SAF-100 and being used for light observation tasks. However the aircraft crashed in March 1982 killing all five occupants (Major Henk Fernandes, second lieutenant Norman de Miranda, soldier Tjon a Kon and soldier Kowid and American pilot Foster Ford),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=94928|title=Accident Hughes 500D (369D) SAF-100, 31 Mar 1982|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709105846/http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=94928|archive-date=9 July 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> but from May of the same year the [[Suriname Air Force]] was being equipped with four (Pilatus) [[Britten Norman]] BN-2B Defenders. Registered with the numbers SAF-001, SAF-002, SAF-003 and SAF-004. Later on during the decade a [[Cessna 172]] Skyhawk ''(SAF-007)'', a [[Cessna 206]] ''(SAF-200)'' and in 1993 a [[Cessna 303|Cessna T303]] Crusader ''(SAF-008)'' was acquired. The first official [[Suriname Air Force]] Commander from 1983 until 1989 was air force [[Pilot (aeronautics)|pilot]] [[lieutenant]] Eddie Alenso Savalie Djoe. He was one of the passenger victims of the [[Surinam Airways Flight 764]] accident in June 1989, by then he was already promoted to the rank of [[Major (rank)|Major]].

All aircraft of the [[Suriname Air Force]] undertake border patrols, utility transport and SAR (Search & Rescue) missions from the main base at Paramaribo - [[Zorg en Hoop Airport|Zorg en Hoop]] and are occasionally detached to Zanderij - [[Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport]], Nieuw Nickerie - [[Major Henk Fernandes Airport|Major Fernandes Airfield]], [[Albina Airstrip]] and [[Moengo Airstrip]]. In 1986 anti-government guerrilla activity prompted the government to acquire a pair of [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Aérospatiale SA.316B Alouette III]] ''(SAF-400 & SAF-500)'' helicopters from the [[Portuguese Air Force]] (''Portuguese: Força Aérea Portuguesa''), formerly registered ''FAP9350'' & ''FAP9386''. In the same year also three [[Pilatus PC-7]]'s ''(SAF-111, SAF-112 & SAF-113)'' were ordered in Switzerland for COIN (Counter-Insurgency) missions. One of the Alouettes crashed and both delivered [[PC-7]]s were returned to Switzerland but one was later re-delivered. In 1987 a [[Bell 205]] Iroquois ''(SAF-300)'' was acquired from Venezuela and used as a gunship for five years prior to sale to the US as N6594S in 1991. It crashed in July 1987<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=167180|title=Accident Bell 205A-1 Iroquois SAF-300, 07 Jul 1987|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104720/http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=167180|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> due to a mechanical failure killing the American pilot Billy Pearson, seriously injuring the American mechanic and four other Surinamese crewmembers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/619535e33fb28f3150800cc784f2a260|title=One Of Two Americans Reported Killed In Crash Of Army Helicopter|website=Apnewsarchive.com|access-date=2015-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402194253/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1987/One-Of-Two-Americans-Reported-Killed-In-Crash-Of-Army-Helicopter/id-619535e33fb28f3150800cc784f2a260|archive-date=2015-04-02|url-status=live}}</ref> The helicopter was later repaired and back in action.

Two [[CASA 212]]-400s Aviocar transports ''(SAF-212 & SAF-214)'' [[Garrett TPE331|Garret AiResearch TPE331-10HR]] turbo-prop engined aircraft were delivered in 1999. One of these two Spanish built CASA 212-400s is a Maritime Patrol Aircraft version ''(SAF-214)'' which was modified for the maritime patrol role with a Bendix RDR-1500 surveillance radar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1999/1999%20-%202285.html?search=surinam%20air%20force|title=casa - 1999 - 2285 - Flight Archive|website=Flightglobal.com|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203084333/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1999/1999%20-%202285.html?search=surinam%20air%20force|archive-date=3 February 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Lack of spares and funding has hampered maintenance and sometimes grounding much of the SAF fleet. In 2012 six experts from Venezuela made an assessment for the Suriname Air Force on the rehabilitation of the Casa 212 airplanes and now the Suriname Air Force has sold them to Fayard Enterprises in the USA.

Three single engined Indian [[HAL Chetak]] helicopters were ordered in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aame.in/2013/02/hal-executes-export-order-for-chetak.html|title=HAL Executes Export Order For Chetak Helicopters To Suriname - Hands Over 2 Of The 3 Contracted - AA Me, IN|website=Aame.in|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114951/http://www.aame.in/2013/02/hal-executes-export-order-for-chetak.html|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In a deal worth US$13.4 million with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL], facilitated through a line of credit from India. The deal was previous rumoured to include the more modern twin engined HAL Dhruv helicopters, but this proved to be wrong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/194139-india-ready-deliver-three-dhruv-copters-suriname-army.html|title=India ready to deliver three Dhruv copters to Suriname army|work=Pakistan Defence|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715021542/http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/194139-india-ready-deliver-three-dhruv-copters-suriname-army.html|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avianet.eu/meer_nieuws.php?ID=4261|title=::Avianet.eu:: De luchtvaartsite van Nederland.|website=Avianet.eu|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref> On 26 December 2012 ten technical personnel of the Suriname Air Force left to India to be trained to become certified helicopter mechanics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.sr/sr/ministerie-van-defensie/actueel/technici-luchtmacht-naar-india-voor-bijscholing.aspx|title=Republiek Suriname - Overheid - TECHNICI LUCHTMACHT NAAR INDIA VOOR BIJSCHOLING|website=Gov.sr|access-date=15 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913150112/http://www.gov.sr/sr/ministerie-van-defensie/actueel/technici-luchtmacht-naar-india-voor-bijscholing.aspx|archive-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> In 2014 eight helicopter pilots from the Suriname Air Force were trained on operating the HAL Chetak helicopters in Bangalore, India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surinametimes.com/indian-helicopters-already-being-flown-by-surinamese-pilots/|title=Indian helicopters already being flown by Surinamese pilots - Times of Suriname – grootste landelijke dagblad van Suriname|work=Times of Suriname - grootste landelijke dagblad van Suriname|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913150943/http://www.surinametimes.com/indian-helicopters-already-being-flown-by-surinamese-pilots/|archive-date=13 September 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2014 it was announced that Suriname's order for helicopters from India was in fact for HAL Chetak and not the HAL Dhruv even as the Chetak production line was planned to be shut down. Rumours aside, by the end of January 2015 the three Indian Chetak helicopters were assembled and delivered in Suriname as SAF-H001 ''(c/n AH-350)'', SAF-H002 ''(c/n AH-351)'' & SAF-H003 ''(c/n AH-352)''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/27332/1|title=Starnieuws - Eerste Chetak helikopter in elkaar gezet op basis Luchtmacht|website=m.starnieuws.com|access-date=2015-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203083012/http://m.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/27332/1|archive-date=2015-02-03|url-status=live}}</ref> These registrations later changed to SAF-153, SAF-303 and SAF-811 when operational training started. The plan is to have one helicopter each based at the city of Paramaribo ([[Zorg en Hoop Airport]]), Nickerie ([[Major Henk Fernandes Airport]]) and Albina ([[Albina Airstrip]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.de-surinaamse-krant.com/2015/01/eerste-van-drie-indiase-chetak.html |title=Eerste van drie indiase Chetak helikopters gemonteerd |access-date=2015-03-15 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203080638/http://www.de-surinaamse-krant.com/2015/01/eerste-van-drie-indiase-chetak.html |archive-date=2015-02-03 }}</ref> Finally on 13 March 2015 the helicopter fleet of three Chetaks was officially handed over by the Indian ambassador Subashini Murgesan to the Minister of Defence of Suriname Lamuré Latour in a ceremony at Zorg en Hoop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/28044|title=Starnieuws - Luchtmacht weer operationeel met eigen heli's|website=Starnieuws.com|access-date=2015-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223073708/http://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/28044|archive-date=2018-12-23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://parbonieuws.com/rss/3616-helikopters-snl-ceremonieel-overgedragen.html |title=Helikopters SNL ceremonieel overgedragen |access-date=2015-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320013012/http://parbonieuws.com/rss/3616-helikopters-snl-ceremonieel-overgedragen.html |archive-date=2015-03-20 }}</ref> On the same day and occasion the Minister announced that a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter was about to be added to the airfleet of the [[Suriname Air Force]] shortly, with pilots already in training. Because of the financial crisis in Suriname, the Air Force has had to decommission one of its Chetaks.

====Current inventory====
{| class="wikitable"
! Aircraft
! Origin
! Type
! Variant
! In service
! Notes
|-
! colspan="7" | [[Helicopters]]
|-
| [[HAL Chetak]]
| {{IND}}
|[[Search and rescue|SAR]]/Utility 
| 
| 3
| 1 Chetak attached with a [[M2 Browning]]
|}

====Retired aircraft====
Previous aircraft operated by the Air Wing include the [[Cessna 206]], [[Pilatus PC-7]], and [[Britten-Norman Islander]].  Helicopters included the [[Bell 205]] and [[Alouette III]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202035.html |title=World Air Forces pg. 57 |website=Flightglobal.com |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701002941/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202035.html |archive-date=1 July 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Navy and Coast Guard===
 
In 1977 the Navy (Marine) of Suriname received three large patrol vessels from the Dutch, built by De Vries Scheepsbouw. With a length of 32 meters each ship had two Paxman 12YHMC diesel engines of 1200HP performing a maximum speed of 20 knots. Delivery was between February 1977 and 1978 and the hull numbers were S-401, S-402 and S-403. Now all three are out of service, the last one S-401 later P-401 is still moored at the Marine Harbor. One was re-built as a luxurious yacht. All ships had their base at the Marine harbor on the Suriname river.

Today most of the fleet of the navy are based at Boxel, close to the resort town of [[Domburg, Suriname|Domburg]] in the [[Wanica District]] on the Suriname river.

In November 2012 The Ministry of Defense bought three patrol vessels for the [[Coast Guard]]. This order was worth 16 million euros. These patrol vessels will be used for fishery protection and to counterattack piracy in Surinamese waters. The first [[Patrol Boat|Fast Patrol Boat]] (P201), a 32 meters long, 6,3 meters wide FPB 98 type, was delivered in June 2013. The first boat arrived in Paramaribo with a container vessel from the port of Saint-Nazaire, France. The vessels can reach speeds of 30 knots. Delivery of the remaining two vessels (P101 & P102), [[Ocea FPB 72|FPB 72]] types (24 meters long), occurred by the end of July, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://obsession-magazine.nl/?p=38270|title=Kustwacht heeft nog geen personeel voor drie nieuwe Franse patrouilleboten – Laatste twee schepen nu ook in Suriname - Obsession Magazine|work=Obsession Magazine|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060312/http://obsession-magazine.nl/?p=38270|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Surinamese Government ordered the three vessels, accelerating planning to set up a coast guard for Suriname that will be deployed to conduct patrol duties and fight maritime crime activities like [[illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing|illegal fishing]], drug trafficking, and piracy.

The coast guard is a branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Soldiers were transferred from the Navy, to form the initial coast guard staff. The Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS) is currently training 16 students from the Nature Technical Institute (NaTIn) and Technical Faculty of [[Anton de Kom University of Suriname|University of Suriname]] on how to conduct technical maintenance of the vessels. While the first three boats will barely be sufficient to patrol Suriname's territorial waters and combat maritime crime activities such piracy, rapid reaction is now possible.

The unit has its own base on the banks of the [[Suriname River]] in [[Paramaribo]], with posts at the border with [[Guyana]] (in western District Nickerie) and  [[French Guiana]] (in eastern District Marowijne). Legislation on which the coast guard will be founded is almost finished. It will soon be tabled in the Council of Ministers and the Council of State, after which it will head for the National Assembly for approval. The new unit is a civil organisation, with authority to enforce the law in Suriname territorial waters. The Surinamese government does not intend to make cuts to the Navy (Marine), once the Coast Guard is fully operational. The Navy will keep operating in the high seas outside the {{convert|100|nmi|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} zone.

==Command structure==
[[ File:surinamearmy17.jpg|thumb|Then president [[Dési Bouterse]], the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces |300px]]
The President of the Republic is the head of the armed forces, with the title of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (''Opperbevelhebber van de Strijdkrachten'').The President is assisted by the Minister of Defence in his role over the armed forces. 

Beneath the President and Minister of Defense is the Commander of the Armed Forces (''Bevelhebber van de Strijdkrachten''), [[Colonel]] Hedwig Gilaard, whose headquarters is in Paramaribo, was followed-up after three years by [[Colonel]] Ronni Benschop, who in turn was promoted to [[Brigade General]] in February 2014. This is the highest-ranked officer in the Armed Forces of Suriname ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/21400|title=Starnieuws - Benschop wordt officieel legerleider en brigade-generaal|website=Starnieuws.com|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113443/http://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/21400|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.sr/sr/ministerie-van-defensie/het-nationaal-leger.aspx|title=Ministerie van Defensie - Het Nationaal Leger|website=Gov.sr|access-date=15 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020220525/http://www.gov.sr/sr/ministerie-van-defensie/het-nationaal-leger.aspx|archive-date=20 October 2014}}</ref>

The Commander called "Bevelhebber", is the Military Chief, charged with command over the different Military Branches. 
The Military Branches and regional Military Commands report to the Commander.

==Commanding officers of the Suriname Armed Forces at present== 
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gov.sr/ministeries/ministerie-van-defensie/minister-en-staf/|title=Minister en staf|date=}}</ref> 
* [[President (government title)|President]] [[Chan Santokhi]] Supreme Commander-in-Chief
* [[Krishna Mathoera]], Minister of Defence
* Jayant Bidesie, Interim Director of the Ministry of Defence 
* [[Brigadier general|Brigade general]] Werner Kioe A Sen, Commander of the Armed Forces 
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Bob Mangal, Chief of Staff
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Johny Ebeciljodi, Commander of the Navy 
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Marven van Huisduinen, Commander of the [[Suriname Air Force|Air Force]] (Luchtmacht)
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Ashokkoemar Jagdew, Commander of the [[Army]] (Landmacht)
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Roy Samuel, Commander of the Military Police Corps
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Dennis Duurham, Deputy Director of Human Resources
* [[Major (rank)|Major]] Joeri Kasandiredjo, Deputy Director of Materials and Logistics

===Commanders of the Suriname Armed Forces===
{{main|Commander of the Armed Forces (Suriname)}}

The Armed Forces is headquartered in Paramaribo.

The task of the national army of Suriname is defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Suriname against foreign armed military aggression. That is, the defense of not only the territory but also the territorial waters and the airspace above it.

The Ministry of Defence consists of the Policy Centre and the operational part (the national army) that makes up the Defence Organization. The Ministry of Defence has no departments. There are various services and units. The Policy Centre is responsible for the care of the armed forces so that timely and adequate it can perform the duties or missions assigned to it by law in an efficient and effective manner.
Providing assistance to international organizations, if and to the extent that command is given for that purpose by the relevant authority. This is e.g. for humanitarian operations of the United Nations. Also providing assistance in the preparation and implementation of projects related to the socio-economic development of Suriname

There are several military installations, barracks and detachments in the various districts including the [[Memre Boekoe barracks]] (Paramaribo), the Naval Marine base ([[Wanica District]]), the Air Force Luma base ([[Zorg en Hoop Airport|Zorg en Hoop]], Paramaribo), the training centre for recruits namely the {{ill|Ayoko barracks|nl|Ayoko Kazerne}} and the detachment Zanderij, the eastern border post, the Akontoe Velantie Kazerne at [[Albina, Suriname|Albina]], in [[Nickerie District|Nickerie]] the western border post, the Professor Dr. Ali Kazerne and on the Kennedy Highway to Concordia the 1st Sgt Martowidjojo Kazerne. There are also various detachments and the so-called small stations throughout Suriname in the districts [[Sipaliwini District|Sipaliwini]], [[Saramacca District|Saramacca]], [[Brokopondo District|Brokopondo]] and [[Para District|Para]]. But also the protection of important objects such as the [[Afobaka Dam]] or the bridge over the [[Coppename River]] in [[Bitagron]] belong to the protective task of the National Army of Suriname.

==Conflicts==
===Surinamese Interior War===
The Armed Forces of Suriname were engaged in [[Surinamese Interior War|a domestic war]] against a few hundred [[Resistance movement|rebels]] who named themselves "[[Jungle Commando]]s" led by [[Ronnie Brunswijk]] between 1986 and 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Latin American Para-Military Groups|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/jungle-commando.htm|access-date=2021-05-15|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

Surinamese armed forces also fought against the Resistance Amerindian groups who called themselves "[[Tucayana Amazonas]]" and were led by Alex Jubitana and Thomas Sabajo. These Amerindian insurgents fought from 1986 to 1989. They opposed the expropriation of land owned by indigenous people and discrimination by the military regime.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==Role==
* Defend the territorial integrity of Suriname.
* Assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required.
* Contribute to the economic development of Suriname.

The Army also participated in the Multi-National Force in Haiti in the 90's and were redeployed in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/D2610B07EF9BB687C22576AE00576AF9?OpenDocument|title=Naharnet — Lebanon's leading news destination|work=Naharnet|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref>

==Army ranks==
[[Suriname]] shares a rank structure similar to that of the [[Military ranks of the Netherlands armed forces|Netherlands]].<ref name="Dyer 1979 - Surinamb">{{cite book |last1=Dyer |first1=Gwynne |editor1-last=Keegan |editor1-first=John |title=World armies |date=1979 |publisher=[[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Royal Military Academy]] |location=Sandhurst |lccn=79-9217 |page=663 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/worldarmies00keeg/page/662/mode/2up |chapter-url-access=registration |access-date=9 March 2022 |chapter=Surinam|isbn=9780871964076 }}</ref>

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Suriname}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Suriname}}
|}

==Naval equipment==
* 7 patrol boats
* [[River Patrol Boat]]
* [[Inflatable boat]]
* Tug T-001 - ex-[[East German Navy]] Project 1381 Type 414 Karl Heinz I<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1500850|title=KARL HEINZ 1 - IMO 8872203 - Ship Photos and Ship Tracker|website=Shipspotting.com|access-date=2016-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126132217/http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1500850|archive-date=2016-11-26|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Patrol Vessels (5)
*P201 (FPB 98 type patrol boat)
*P101 ([[Ocea FPB 72|FPB 72]] type patrol boat)
*P102 ([[Ocea FPB 72|FPB 72]] type patrol boat)

==Future==
With latest procurement of three HAL Chetak helicopters from India for the Air Force and three patrol vessels from France for the new Coast Guard the Armed Forces of Suriname should be better equipped to fulfill its roles in the future.

On 12 September 2012, Surinamese defense minister, Lamouré Latour, discussed with the Brazilian defense minister the possibility of the Military of Suriname acquiring from two to four Brazilian Embraer AT-29B [[Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano|Super Tucano]] light attack (COIN) trainer planes, 500 ton light patrol ships and the revitalization of the armoured vehicles supplied from Brazil in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forte.jor.br/2012/09/12/brasil-moderniza-estruturas-de-defesa-da-guiana-e-do-suriname/|title=Brasil moderniza estruturas de defesa da Guiana e do Suriname - Forças Terrestres - ForTe - Estratégia, Tecnologia Militar e Segurança|work=Forças Terrestres - ForTe - Estratégia, Tecnologia Militar e Segurança|date=12 September 2012 |access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029132319/http://www.forte.jor.br/2012/09/12/brasil-moderniza-estruturas-de-defesa-da-guiana-e-do-suriname/|archive-date=29 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Equipment==
[[Beretta 92]]- seen in use during training with U.S. Forces.

[[FN FAL]]- main rifle used by Army.

[[FN F2000]]- used by some units.

[[CETME Model L]]- seen in a parade.

[[FAMAS]] - France has donated several hundred FAMAS bullpup rifles to Suriname’s armed forces.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news_september_2023_global_security_army_industry/suriname_armed_forces_receive_french_famas_assault_rifles.html | title=Suriname armed forces receive French FAMAS assault rifles &#124; Defense News September 2023 Global Security army industry &#124; Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 &#124; Archive News year | date=25 September 2023 }}</ref>

[[EE-9 Cascavel]] Armoured car (45)

[[EE-11 Urutu]] Armoured personnel carrier (16)

[[DAF YP-408]] Dutch made 6x8 armoured vehicle (5)

[[DAF trucks|DAF]] YA440 trucks with M-55 anti-aircraft guns

[[ZPU|ZPU-1]] Towed anti-aircraft guns

==See also==
*[[Suriname Air Force]]
*[[Sportvereniging Nationaal Leger]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Military of Suriname}}

{{Clear}}
{{Suriname topics}}
{{Military of South America}}
{{Coast guards}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Suriname National Army}}
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1975]]
[[Category:Military of Suriname| ]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Suriname]]