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
Founded	1960
Service branches	Army Benin Navy Benin Air Force National Gendarmerie
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Patrice Talon
Minister of Defence	Yarou Robert Theophile
Chief of the Defence Staff	Fructueux Gbaguidi
Personnel
Conscription	No
Active personnel	4,750[1]
Expenditure
Budget	$US73 million (2011)[1]
Percent of GDP	1% (2011)[1]
Industry
Foreign suppliers	United States Russia France
Related articles
Ranks	Military ranks of Benin

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^[update], 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]		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

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]
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

• 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

1. 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. Jones & Ness 2010, p. 904.
5. 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.

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

External links

• Paris and EU to deliver new armoured vehicles to Beninese army, Africa Intelligence, 13 September 2024 (requires free registration)