Armed Forces of Senegal

Template:Short description Template:Infobox national military

The Armed Forces of Senegal (Template:Langx) consists of about 17,000 personnel in the army, air force, navy, and gendarmerie. The Senegal military force receives most of its training, equipment, and support from France and the United States. Germany also provides support but on a smaller scale.

Military noninterference in political affairs has contributed to Senegal's stability since independence. Senegal has participated in many international and regional peacekeeping missions. Most recently, in 2000, Senegal sent a battalion to the Democratic Republic of Congo to participate in MONUC, the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Senegal also agreed to deploy a United States-trained battalion to Sierra Leone to participate in UNAMSIL, another UN peacekeeping mission. The training operation was designated Operation Focus Relief and involved U.S. Army Special Forces from 3rd Special Forces Group training a number of West African battalions, including Nigerian ones.

As one of the largest troop contributors in Africa (per capita) to African Union missions, United Nations missions, and other regional security organizations, the Senegalese military has proven itself to be one of the most effective and reliable militaries on the African continent. This is remarkable given that Senegal is poorer than the average Sub-Saharan African country. Most importantly, the army of Senegal is multi-ethnic, not coup-proofed, and has never attempted a coup d'état, which is a rarity in Africa. Harmonious Senegalese civil-military relations since independence have permitted the creation of an effective 'military enclave' that is a capable institution not a threat to the political leadership in Dakar.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Summary of past military actions

File:Senegalese navy Adm. Ousmane Ibrahima Sall, left, the deputy chief of staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, inspects a formation of troops with military leaders from other nations during exercise Western Accord 120714-M-XI134-0407.jpg

Commando battalion of Thiès.

In October 1980 and August 1981, the Senegalese military was invited into the Gambia by President Dawda Kairaba Jawara to put down a coup attempt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In August 1989, Senegalese-Gambian military cooperation ceased with the dissolution of the Senegambian Confederation.
In 1990, 500 Senegalese troops were deployed to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Gulf War. 92 of them were killed after the end of the conflict in a plane crash on 21 March 1991.
In 1992 1,500 men were sent to the ECOMOG peacekeeping group in Liberia.
In 1994, a battalion-sized force was sent to Rwanda to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission there.
Senegal intervened in the Guinea-Bissau civil war in 1998 at the request of former President Vieira.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A Senegalese contingent deployed on a peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic in 1997.
In 2017, Senegal deployed troops into the Gambia to support newly elected President Adama Barrow, an action legally justified by UN resolution 2337.

The Army (Template:Lang) is the leading force within the Senegalese armed forces and provides the chief of staff and the Template:Lang.

Army

File:M-16 carbine marksmanship range training during African Lion 22 in Dodji, Senegal 220624-A-OA230-0056.jpg

Senegalese soldiers during a training exercise.

Since independence from France in 1960, the army has gone through a large number of reorganisations. The army's heritage includes the Tirailleurs sénégalais. In 1978, Senegal dispatched a battalion to the Inter-African Force in Zaire, in the aftermath of the Shaba II fighting. The Senegalese contingent was under the command of Colonel Osmane Ndoye.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Senegalese force comprised a parachute battalion from Thiaroye.

The Army currently consists of two divisions, the Operations Division and the Logistic Division. The IISS estimated in 2012 that the Army had a strength of 11,900 soldiers, three armoured battalions the 22nd, 24th, and 25th (at Bignona) and the 26th Template:Lang at Kolda; there are six infantry battalions numbered 1st to 6th.<ref>IISS Military Balance 2012, 449.</ref> 3rd Battalion may have been at Kaolack with 4th at Tambacounda at one point.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Also reported is the 12th Battalion of the 2nd Military Zone at Saint Louis (Dakhar Bango),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> along with the Prytanée militaire de Saint-Louis, a military secondary school.

Although the Senegalese Air Force is geared towards supporting it, the army may have previously maintained its own very small aviation branch, called the "Template:Lang" (like the French army's equivalent), which may have counted up to five light helicopters and two SA330 Puma transport helicopters. The IISS Military Balance 2012 does not list any helicopters in army service.

National Gendarmerie

Template:Main

File:Spahis sénégalais lors de l'Investiture de Macky Sall - 2 avril 2012 (3).jpg

Red Guard of Senegal.

The Gendarmerie is a military force which provides policing and security. It includes a Territorial Gendarmerie with general policing duties, and a Mobile Gendarmerie for special tasks and serious public disorder.

The Senegalese gendarmerie evolved out of a French colonial Spahi detachment sent to Senegal in 1845. This detachment (which became today's Red Guard of Senegal) was the cadre around which the "Colonial Gendarmerie" was formed. On independence this became the National Gendarmerie.

The commander is General Abdoulaye Fall (a different person from the current Armed Forces Chief of Staff of the same name), whose rank is divisional general, and whose full job title is "High Commander of the Gendarmerie and Director of Military Justice".

Navy

File:Fouladou Senegal Patrol.jpg

The Senegalese patrol boat Fouladou

File:US Navy 090808-G-3885B-136 The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912), left, patrols along side the Senegalese Navy vessel, Poponquine, during joint operations as part of the Africa Partnership Station.jpg

Template:Ship training with a United States Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Senegal

The navy (Template:Lang), also known as the Template:Lang, is of small size and is commanded by a ship-of-the-line captain. It is responsible for securing Senegal's Template:Convert Atlantic coastline which is strategically located on the extreme west of the African continent. The coastline is divided in two by The Gambia. The navy was created in 1975.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Navy operates two bases, one at Dakar and the other at Elinkine. The navy also patrols the Template:Convert territorial waters as well as a declared Template:Convert exclusive economic zone.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

The Navy is divided into three branches known as "groupings":<ref>Bryden & N'Diaye (eds), 'Security Sector Governance in Francophone West Africa, DCAF, 2011, 207.</ref>

The Operational Naval Grouping (Template:Lang), which is divided into three flotillas and one group:
- The High Seas Patrol Boats (Template:Lang),
- The Coastal Surveillance Vessels (Template:Lang),
- The Fast Coastal Boats (Template:Lang) and
- The Transport Group (Template:Lang).
The Naval Support Grouping (Template:Lang) responsible for ports, repairs, training, and logistics.
The Fluvial-Maritime Surveillance Grouping.

Air Force

File:Roundel of Senegal.svg

Air Force Roundel.

Template:Main The air force (Template:Lang) is orientated towards providing support for ground forces and resembles an army aviation corps. It possesses Mil Mi-24 gunship helicopters, as well as transport and reconnaissance aircraft.

Military Areas

File:Zones militaires sénégal carte map.png

Senegal's Military zones.

At the present time, there are seven military zones:<ref>État Major des Armees, Zones militaires Template:Webarchive, accessed August 2009</ref>

Zone n°1 - Dakar
Zone n°2 - Saint-Louis
Zone n°3 - Kaolack
Zone n°4 - Tambacounda
Zone n°5 - Ziguinchor
Zone n°6 - Kolda
Zone n°7 - Thiès

Each zone comprises a garrison office that caters to military issues and a social service office. The IISS Military Balance listed four zones in 2007.

Equipment

Small arms

Name	Image	Caliber	Type	Origin	Notes
Pistols
Walther PP<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). Template:ISBN.</ref>	File:1972 Walther PP.jpg	.25 ACP	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
PAMAS G1<ref name="jones2009" />	File:DCB-Shooting MAS G1S.jpg	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag Template:Flag
MAC 50<ref name="jones2009" />	File:MAC-50 detoured.jpg	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
Manurhin MR 73<ref name="jones2009" />	File:Manurhin-MR-73.jpg	.357 Magnum	Revolver	Template:Flag
Submachine guns
MAS-38<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>	File:MAS 1938 submachine gun-IMG 7409-white.jpg	7.65×20mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag
MAT-49<ref name="jones2009" />	File:MAT Submachine Gun.jpg	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag
SMT9<ref>Moss, Matthew (June 8th, 2020) "Senegal's Security Forces Buy Taurus Carbines & SMGs" TheFirearmBlog.com, 2024, https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/06/08/taurus-sells-carbines-smgs-to-senegal/, Date accessed: 8/10/2024</ref>			Submachine gun	Template:Flag
Rifles
FAMAS<ref name="NMAA" />	File:FAMAS-img 1016.jpg	5.56×45mm	Bullpup Assault rifle	Template:Flag
M16<ref name="NMAA">Template:Cite web</ref>	File:M16A2 rightside noBG.jpg	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
M4<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.png	5.56×45mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag
CAR-15<ref name="jones2009" />	File:USAF GAU 5A noBG.png	5.56×45mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Taurus T4<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Moss, Matthew (June 8th, 2020) "Senegal's Security Forces Buy Taurus Carbines & SMGs" TheFirearmBlog.com, 2024, https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/06/08/taurus-sells-carbines-smgs-to-senegal/, Date accessed: 8/10/2024</ref>	File:Fuzil T4.jpg	5.56×45mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Norinco CQ<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:NORINCO Type CQ 5'56x45mm assault rifle.jpg	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Daewoo K1<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:South Korean K1 carbine No.1 0.jpg	.223 Remington	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag	Received 280 K1A rifles in 2003.
Daewoo K2<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Daewoo K2 rifle 0.jpg	5.56×45mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag
IWI Tavor<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:IWI-Tavor-TAR-21w1.jpg	5.56×45mm	Bullpup Assault rifle	Template:Flag
IWI Tavor X95<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:MicroTavorX95MARS-white.jpg	5.56×45mm	Bullpup Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Heckler & Koch G3<ref name="jones2009" />	File:H&K G3FS.jpg	7.62×51mm	Battle rifle	Template:Flag Template:Flag	French-made G3s
SIG SG 540<ref name="jones2009" />	File:SG 540 Manurhin noBG.png	7.62×51mm	Battle rifle	Template:Flag
MAS-36<ref name="wwii equipment used after the war">Template:Cite web</ref>	File:MAS Modèle 36 right side.jpg	7.5×54mm	Bolt-action rifle	Template:Flag
MAS-49/56<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>	File:MAS 49 56.JPG	7.5×54mm	Semi-automatic rifle	Template:Flag
Sniper rifles
SVD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:SVD Dragunov.jpg	7.62×54mmR	Sniper rifle Designated marksman rifle	Template:Flag
KNT-76<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:MPT-76 Assault Rifle noBG.png	7.62×51mm	Designated marksman rifle	Template:Flag
IWI Galatz<ref name="NMAA" />	File:Galil-Sniper-Galatz-r001.jpg	5.56×45mm	Designated marksman rifle	Template:Flag
Machine guns
IWI Negev<ref name="NMAA" />	File:IWI-Negev-Zachi-Evenor-01-white.jpg	5.56×45mm	Light machine gun	Template:Flag
AA-52<ref name="jones2009" />	File:Mitrailleuse-IMG 1728.jpg	7.62×51mm	General-purpose machine gun	Template:Flag
Heckler & Koch HK21<ref name="jones2009" />	File:HK 21 LMG RIGHT SIDE.jpg	7.62×51mm	General-purpose machine gun	Template:Flag
M60<ref name="dsca.mil">Template:Cite web</ref>	File:M60 Medium Machine Gun (7414626098).jpg	7.62×51mm	General-purpose machine gun	Template:Flag
Browning M2<ref name="jones2009" />	File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg	.50 BMG	Heavy machine gun	Template:Flag
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7<ref name="jones2009" />	File:Rpg-7.jpg	40mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Template:Flag
LRAC F1<ref name="Shea2010">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	File:LRAC F1-detoured-cropped.png	89mm	Shoulder-launched missile weapon	Template:Flag

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Caliber	Notes
MILAN<ref name="Military Balance 2020">Template:Cite book</ref>	File:Tag der Bundeswehr Jagel 2019 HJL 13 noBG.png	Anti-tank missile	Template:Flag Template:Flag		496

Anti-aircraft weapons

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
Bofors L/60 Template:Sfn	File:40mm bofors AA-gun in Finland.JPG	Autocannon	Template:Flag	12
20 mm modèle F2 gun	File:20mm F2 gun.jpg	Autocannon	Template:Flag	21		Used for air defence.

Artillery

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity
Rocket artillery
Bastion-01	File:Ukrainian BM-21 Grad Bastion-01 in Kyiv, Ukraine on 22 of August, 2014 IMG 7655 01.JPG	Multiple rocket launcher	Template:Flag	6<ref name="janes_com">Template:Cite web</ref>
Field artillery
M101	File:JGSDF 105mm Howitzer M2A1(Type 58 105mm Howitzer) left front view at Camp Nihonbara October 1, 2017.jpg	Howitzer	Template:Flag	6Template:Sfn
M-50	File:M-1950-beyt-hatotchan-2.jpg	Howitzer	Template:Flag	6<ref name=trade>Template:Cite web</ref>
TRF1	File:TRM-10000 - TRF-1 003 FR.JPG	Howitzer	Template:Flag	8<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mortars
MO-120-RT-61	File:Mortier 120mm fh000021.jpg	Towed mortar	Template:Flag	32

Tank destroyers

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
WMA-301	File:WMA-301 tank destroyers of Djiboutian Army.jpg	Tank destroyer	Template:Flag	12<ref name="SenegalParadeJanes">Template:Cite web</ref>

Infantry fighting vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
Ratel IFV	File:Ratel 90 armyrecognition South-Africa 008.jpg	Infantry fighting vehicle	Template:Flag	26<ref name="IISS2016">Template:Cite book</ref>

Armored personnel carriers

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity
Panhard M3	File:PanhardM3.png	Armoured personnel carrier	Template:Flag	16<ref name="trade" />
M3 half-track	File:M3 half track 9-08-2008 14-47-56.JPG	Half-track Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	12<ref name="trade" />
WZ-551	File:Sri Lanka Military 0233.jpg	Command post	Template:Flag	1<ref name="SenegalParadeJanes" />
EE-11 Urutu	File:EE-11 Urutu — 15RcMecEs.jpg	Amphibious Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	Unknown<ref name="Senegal">Template:Cite news</ref>
RG-31 Nyala	File:RG-31.JPG	Infantry mobility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
Dozor-B	File:Dozor-B, Kyiv 2018, 01.jpg	Infantry mobility vehicle	Template:Flag	6<ref name="janes_com" />

Reconnaissance

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity
Panhard AML	File:AML-90 DM-SC-91-12078.JPEG	Armored car	Template:Flag	53<ref name="trade" />
Eland-90	File:Eland Armoured Vehicle.jpg	Armored car	Template:Flag	47<ref name=sipri>Template:Cite web</ref>
RAM MK3	File:RAM2000vehicle.jpg	Armored Car	Template:Flag	55<ref name="NMAA" />

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity
Casspir	File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg	MRAP	Template:Flag	9<ref name="SAarms">Template:Cite web</ref>
Katmerciler Hizir II	File:Hızır4x4 zırhlı araç.jpg	MRAP	Template:Flag	N/A
PUMA M26-15	File:OTT Puma M26-15 MRAP (9686047211).jpg	MRAP	Template:Flag	30<ref name="NMAA" />
Ejder Yalçın	File:Ejder Yalçın.jpg	MRAP	Template:Flag	25<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Utility vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
Humvee	File:2015 MCAS Beaufort Air Show 041215-M-CG676-161.jpg	Light utility vehicle	Template:Flag	23<ref name="dakar.usembassy.gov">Template:Cite web</ref>
M151	File:AMG M151 A2 (1978) GB (owner Gavin Broad).JPG	Utility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown<ref name="BDAR">Template:Cite book</ref>