Military 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]
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

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]

History

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

Army

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

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

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

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

Small arms

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

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

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

Armoured fighting vehicles

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

References

  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.

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

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Benin.