Wikipedia

Benin Armed Forces

The Benin Armed Forces (French: Forces Armées Béninoises; FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. For a number of years, the Belgian Armed Forces have 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]

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]
Expenditures
Budget$US73 million (2011)[1]
Percent of GDP1% (2011)[1]
Industry
Foreign suppliersUnited States United States
Russia Russia
France France
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Benin

History edit

The constitution of 11 December 1990 ordered 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 1 armoured squadron, 3 infantry battalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1 artillery battery, 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 the Benin Air Force was transport equipped with seven French-supplied Douglas C-47s, four MH.1521 Broussards and two Agusta-Bell 47Gs. Two F-27s entered 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.

Navy edit

As of 2012, the navy has a strength of approximately 200 personnel. It operates two ex-Chinese patrol boats, which are designated the Matelot Brice Kpomasse class.[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]   9×19mm 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]
Panhard AML-90   Armoured car   France 3[5]
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. ISSN 0459-7222. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  • Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland, eds. (2010). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011 (36th ed.). Janes Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2908-1.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f IISS (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 from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Jones & Ness 2010, p. 904.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n IISS 2024, p. 473.

  This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Benin.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benin_Armed_Forces&oldid=1219813164"