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The Benin Armed Forces (french: Forces Armées Béninoises; FAB) constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of
Benin Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north ...
. For a number of years, the
Belgian Armed Forces The Belgian Defense Forces ( nl, Defensie; french: La Défense) is the national military of Belgium. The King of the Belgians is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The Belgian Armed Forces was established after Belgium became indepen ...
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 December 11, 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 2019. 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 Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or f ...
squadron, 3
infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine ...
battalions, 1 commando/airborne battalion, 1
artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch 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, ...
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, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, and SAAF 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 and remained in ...
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


Infantry weapons


Heavy weapons


Aircraft


References

;Works consulted * {{DEFAULTSORT:Military of Benin Military of Benin