Jump to content

Benin Armed Forces

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromMilitary of Benin)

Benin Armed Forces
Forces Armées Béninoises
Coat of arms of Benin
Founded1960
Service branchesArmy
Benin Navy
Benin Air Force
National Gendarmerie
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefPatrice Talon
Minister of DefenceYarou Robert Theophile
Chief of the Defence StaffFructueux Gbaguidi
Personnel
ConscriptionNo
Active personnel4,750[1]
Expenditure
Budget$US73 million (2011)[1]
Percent of GDP1% (2011)[1]
Industry
Foreign suppliersUnited StatesUnited States
RussiaRussia
FranceFrance
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Benin

TheBenin Armed Forces(French:Forces Armées Béninoises;FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie ofBenin.For a number of years, theBelgian Armed Forceshave had an active programme of co-operation with Benin, offering training and coaching, donating redundant military equipment and using the country for limited military exercises.[2]

History

[edit]

Theconstitution of 11 December 1990ordered the Benin Armed Forces to ensure effective, permanent and efficient security coverage of the territory, as well as border vigilance.[citation needed]

The national gendarmerie no longer exists since 2018. It has been merged with the national police.[3]

Branches

[edit]

Army

[edit]

As of 2012,the Army had a strength of 4,300.[1]It includes 1armouredsquadron, 3infantrybattalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1artillerybattery, and 1 engineer battalion, and 1 National Fire Brigade.[1]The army has the following units:

  • 1st Parachute Commando Battalion
  • 1st Motorized Intervention Battalion
  • 1st Armoured Group
  • National Group of Firefighters
  • 1st Combined Arms Battalion
  • 2nd Combined Arms Battalion
  • 3rd Combined Arms Battalion
  • 7th Combined Arms Battalion
  • 8th Combined Arms Battalion
  • 1st Mixed Artillery Battalion
  • 1st Engineer Battalion
  • 1st Signal Battalion
  • 1st Materiel Battalion
  • 1st Train Battalion
  • Headquarters Group

Air Force

[edit]

After achieving independence from France in 1960 theBenin Air Forcewas transport equipped with seven French-suppliedDouglas C-47s,fourMH.1521 Broussardsand twoAgusta-Bell 47Gs.TwoF-27sentered service in 1978 for transport duties before being transferred to Air Benin. Also during the same era, two AN-26s were acquired. In late 1985 two Dornier Do-28s entered service to replace the C-47s. A single DHC-6 Twin Otter was acquired in 1989.

[edit]

As of 2012, the navy has a strength of approximately 200 personnel. It operates two ex-Chinese patrol boats, which are designated theMatelot Brice Kpomasseclass.[1]

Republican Guard

[edit]

The Republican Guard is responsible for the security of the President of the Republic, ministers, members of the government, institutions of the Republic and their leader.

Equipment

[edit]

Small arms

[edit]
Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
TT-33[4] 7.62x25mm Semi-automatic pistol Soviet Union
Submachine guns
MAT-49[4] 9×19mm Submachine gun France
Rifles
SKS[4] 7.62×39mm Semi-automatic rifle Soviet Union
AK-47[4] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle Soviet Union
AKM[4] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle Soviet Union
MAS-49/56[4] 7.5×54mm Semi-automatic rifle France
Machine guns
RPD[4] 7.62×39mm Light machine gun Soviet Union
RP-46[4] 7.62×54mmR Light machine gun Soviet Union
FM 24/29[4] 7.5×54mm Light machine gun France
AA-52[4] 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun France
KPV[4] 14.5×114mm Heavy machine gun Soviet Union
Browning M2 .50 BMG Heavy machine gun United States M2HB variant used.[4]
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7[4] 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade Soviet Union

Artillery

[edit]
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
Field artillery
M101 Howitzer United States 4[5]
L118 Howitzer United Kingdom 12[5]
PP-87[5] Mortar China 81 mm mortar
W-86[5] Mortar China 120 mm mortar

Tanks

[edit]
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
PT-76 Light tank Soviet Union 18 Serviceability doubtful.[5]

Armoured fighting vehicles

[edit]
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
BRDM-2 Scout car Soviet Union 14[5]
Panhard VBL Scout car France 10[5]
Eland armoured car Armoured car South Africa 3[6][7]
M8 Greyhound Armoured car United States 7[5]
M113 Armoured personnel carrier United States 22[5]
ACMAT Bastion Armoured personnel carrier France 2[5]
VAB Armoured personnel carrier France 15[5]
Casspir NG MRAP South Africa 10[5]
Dongfeng Mengshi MRAP China 9[5]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • International Institute for Strategic Studies(2024)."Chapter Eight: Sub-Saharan Africa".The Military Balance.124(1). Taylor & Francis: 458–531.doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298597.ISSN0459-7222.Retrieved17 April2024.
  • Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland, eds. (2010).Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011(36th ed.). Janes Information Group.ISBN978-0-7106-2908-1.

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefIISS (2012), p. 422
  2. ^Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Benin, 78.
  3. ^"Décret n° 2017-41 portant création de la Police républicaine en République du Bénin".Présidence de la République du Bénin(in French). 29 December 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 3 June 2023.Retrieved27 February2022.
  4. ^abcdefghijklmJones & Ness 2010,p. 904.
  5. ^abcdefghijklmIISS 2024,p. 473.
  6. ^"DIO blindé au Bénin".Cotonou:Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.7 December 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 2 February 2014.Retrieved23 May2024.
  7. ^Hounsou, Ludovic (June 2017)."Levée des indisponibilités de trois pelotons".Le Mirador.1(11): 23. Archived fromthe originalon 23 May 2024.

Public DomainThis article incorporatespublic domain materialfromThe World Factbook.CIA.

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toMilitary of Benin.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benin_Armed_Forces&oldid=1226206678"