The Benin Armed Forces (; FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of
Benin
Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It was formerly known as Dahomey. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its po ...
. For a number of years, the
Belgian Armed Forces
The Belgian Armed Forces (; , ) are the combined national military forces of Belgium. The Monarchy of Belgium, King of the Belgians is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The Belgian Armed Forces was established after Belgium Belgian Rev ...
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.
[Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Benin, 78.]
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.
The national gendarmerie no longer exists since 2018. It has been merged with the national police.
Branches
Army
, the Army had a strength of 4,300.
[IISS (2012), p. 422] It includes 1
armoured squadron, 3
infantry
Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
battalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1
artillery
Artillery consists of ranged weapons that launch Ammunition, munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and l ...
battery, and 1 engineer battalion, and 1 National Fire Brigade.
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-47
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. During the war the C-47 was used for troo ...
s, 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.
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
Artillery
Tanks
Armoured fighting vehicles
Bibliography
*
*
References
External links
Paris and EU to deliver new armoured vehicles to Beninese army Africa Intelligence, 13 September 2024 (requires free registration)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Military of Benin
Military of Benin