Benin Armed Forces

Military of Benin From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Benin Armed Forces (French: Forces Armées Béninoises; FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and republican guard of the Republic of Benin. For several years, the Belgian Armed Forces have had an active programme of co-operation with Benin, offering training and coaching, donating surplus military equipment, and conducting limited military exercises in the country.[2]

Founded1960
Service branchesArmy
Navy
Air Force
Republican Guard
Commander-in-ChiefRomuald Wadagni
Minister of DefenceYarou Robert Theophile
Quick facts Founded, Service branches ...
Benin Armed Forces
Forces Armées Béninoises
Flag of the Benin Armed Forces
Founded1960
Service branchesArmy
Navy
Air Force
Republican Guard
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefRomuald Wadagni
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 suppliers United States
Russia
France
China
South Africa
United Kingdom
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Benin
Close

History

Beninese peacekeepers, part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, 2018

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

Beninese Army soldier on range at Bembèrèkè, 2012
A Beninese military honor guard, 2025

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

Main article: Benin Air Force

After achieving independence from France in 1960, the Benin Air Force was 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.

As of 2012, the navy had 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

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
TT-30/33[4] 7.62×25mm Semi-automatic pistol Soviet Union
Submachine guns
MAT-49[5] 9×19mm SMG France
Rifles
AK[6] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle Soviet Union
AKM[5] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle Soviet Union
Type 56 7.62x39mm Assault rifle China
Type 81[7] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle China
M16 5.56×45mm Assault rifle United States
SKS[5] 7.62×39mm Semi-automatic rifle Soviet Union
MAS-49/56[4] 7.5×54mm Semi-automatic rifle France
Shotguns
Remington Model 1100[8] .410 bore Semi-automatic shotgun United States
Machine guns
FM 24/29[4] 7.5×54mm LMG France
RP-46[4] 7.62×54mmR LMG Soviet Union
RPD[5] 7.62×39mm LMG Soviet Union
AA-52[4] 7.62×51mm GPMG France
M240G 7.62×51mm GPMG United States
KPV[9] 14.5×114mm HMG Soviet Union
Browning M2[5] .50 BMG HMG United States
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7[5] 40mm RPG Soviet Union
Grenade launchers
LRAC F1[10] 83mm Shoulder-launched missile weapon France
Close

Tanks

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
PT-76[11] Amphibious Light tank Soviet Union 18 Delivered by Soviet Union from 1982
Close

Scout cars

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
BRDM-2[11] Amphibious Scout car Soviet Union 14
MBTS Cayman[12][13] Scout car Belarus 9
Eland-90[14][15] Armored car Scout car South Africa 3
Panhard VBL[11] Scout car France 10 Delivered by France from 1986
M8 Greyhound[11] Armored car Scout car United States 7
Close

Armored personnel carriers

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
M113[11] Armoured personnel carrier United States 22
ACMAT Bastion[11] Armoured personnel carrier France 2
VAB[11] Armoured personnel carrier France 15
Close

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
Casspir NG[11] MRAP South Africa 10
Close

Artillery

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
Mortars
MO-81-61[16] Mortar France Unknown
W-86[11] Mortar China Unknown
Field artillery
L118[11] Howitzer United Kingdom 12
M101A1[11] Howitzer United States 4
Close

Man-portable air-defense systems

More information Name, Image ...
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Notes
9K32 Strela-2 MANPADS Soviet Union
Close

Bibliography

  • 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

External links

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI