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Benin Armed Forces

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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 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

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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

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Army

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Small arms

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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

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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

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

Armoured fighting vehicles

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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

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  • 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

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  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 IISS 2024, p. 473.
  6. ^ "DIO blindé au Bénin". Cotonou: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. 7 December 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  7. ^ Hounsou, Ludovic (June 2017). "Levée des indisponibilités de trois pelotons". Le Mirador. 1 (11): 23. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024.

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

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