Armed Forces of Gabon: Difference between revisions
No edit summary Tag: Reverted |
m replaced: 105mm → 105 mm (8) |
||
(27 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|none}} |
|||
{{Infobox national military |
{{Infobox national military |
||
|country=Gabon |
|country=Gabon |
||
Line 14: | Line 15: | ||
|headquarters=[[Libreville]] |
|headquarters=[[Libreville]] |
||
<!-- Leadership --> |
<!-- Leadership --> |
||
|commander-in-chief= [[ |
|commander-in-chief= General [[Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema]] |
||
|commander-in-chief_title= [[President of Gabon|Commander in Chief]] |
|commander-in-chief_title= [[President of Gabon|Commander in Chief]] |
||
|minister= [[Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili]]<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.gabonreview.com/gabon-qui-est-felicite-ongouori-ngoubili-nouvelle-ministre-de-la-defense-nationale/|title= Gabon:Qui est Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili, nouvelle ministre de la Défense nationale?|date=2021-03-09|access-date=2021-08-31|website=Gabon Review|last=Mounombou|first=Stevie}}</ref> |
|minister= [[Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili]]<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.gabonreview.com/gabon-qui-est-felicite-ongouori-ngoubili-nouvelle-ministre-de-la-defense-nationale/|title= Gabon:Qui est Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili, nouvelle ministre de la Défense nationale?|date=2021-03-09|access-date=2021-08-31|website=Gabon Review|last=Mounombou|first=Stevie}}</ref> |
||
Line 31: | Line 32: | ||
<!-- Industrial --> |
<!-- Industrial --> |
||
|domestic_suppliers= |
|domestic_suppliers= |
||
|foreign_suppliers=[[France]]<br/>[[ |
|foreign_suppliers=[[France]]<br/>[[United States]] |
||
|imports= |
|imports= |
||
|exports= |
|exports= |
||
<!-- Related articles --> |
<!-- Related articles --> |
||
|history= [[1964 Gabonese coup d'état]]<br/>[[Central African Republic Civil War |
|history= [[1964 Gabonese coup d'état]]<br/>[[Central African Republic Civil War]]<br/>[[2019 Gabonese coup d'état attempt]] <br> [[2023 Gabonese coup d'état]] |
||
|ranks=[[Military ranks of the Armed Forces of Gabon|Military ranks of Gabon]] |
|ranks=[[Military ranks of the Armed Forces of Gabon|Military ranks of Gabon]] |
||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Armed Forces of Gabon''' ({{lang-fr|Forces armées gabonaises}}) |
The '''Armed Forces of Gabon''' ({{lang-fr|Forces armées gabonaises}}), officially the '''Gabonese Defense and Security Forces''' ({{lang-fr|forces de défense et de sécurité gabonaises}}), is the national professional military of [[Gabon]], divided into the Army, Air Force, Navy, and a National Gendarmerie, consisting of about 5,000 personnel. The armed forces includes a well-trained, well-equipped 1,800-member guard that provides security for the [[President of Gabon]]. |
||
==Organizational structure== |
==Organizational structure== |
||
Line 45: | Line 46: | ||
[[File:Exercise Central Accord 2016 kicks-off in Gabon (27628084966) (2).jpg|thumb|Personnel of the Armed Forces stand in formation during the opening day ceremony of the Central Accord Exercise in Libreville.]] |
[[File:Exercise Central Accord 2016 kicks-off in Gabon (27628084966) (2).jpg|thumb|Personnel of the Armed Forces stand in formation during the opening day ceremony of the Central Accord Exercise in Libreville.]] |
||
The '''Gabonese Army''' ({{lang-fr|Armée de terre gabonaise}}) is the land component of the armed forces, specializing in infantry and mechanized reconnaissance. It was created on December 6, 1960 by decree of president [[ |
The '''Gabonese Army''' ({{lang-fr|Armée de terre gabonaise}}) is the land component of the armed forces, specializing in infantry and mechanized reconnaissance. It was created on December 6, 1960 by decree of president [[Léon M'ba]] from non-commissioned officers who served in the French colonial army, mainly the 2nd company of the 21st BIMA. Following independence, Gabon signed defense agreements with France, mainly on technical assistance and training. Until June 1964, the title of Chief of Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces was held by a senior [[French Army]] officer. In 1962 a detachment of the Auxiliary Women of the Gabonese Armed Forces (AFFAG), commanded by Lieutenant Ba Oumar at the military camp of Owendo, was created. President M'ba promoted the initiative following a visit to [[Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]], where he met female staff in its [[Israel Defence Forces|Defense Forces]]. |
||
====Order of battle==== |
====Order of battle==== |
||
Line 110: | Line 111: | ||
===Small arms=== |
===Small arms=== |
||
[[File:FAMAS-img 1018.jpg|thumb|right|A [[FAMAS]] similar to this one is used by Gabon]] |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name |
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name |
||
Line 166: | Line 166: | ||
| [[Bullpup]] design |
| [[Bullpup]] design |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[MILAN]]<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=466|isbn=9781032012278}}</ref> |
| [[MILAN]]<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=466|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref> |
||
| [[France]] |
| [[France]] |
||
| [[Anti-tank guided missile]] |
| [[Anti-tank guided missile]] |
||
Line 180: | Line 180: | ||
===Armour=== |
===Armour=== |
||
[[File:Panhard AML-90 img 2308.jpg|thumb|right |[[Panhard AML-90]]]] |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name |
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name |
||
Line 191: | Line 190: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[Panhard AML|AML-60/AML-90]] |
| [[Panhard AML|AML-60/AML-90]] |
||
| [[France]] |
| [[France]]/[[South Africa]] |
||
| [[Reconnaissance vehicle]] |
| [[Reconnaissance vehicle]] |
||
| 24<ref name=IISS/> |
| 24<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| Including the South African [[Eland armoured car|Eland]] derivative.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Steenkamp | first1=Willem | last2=Helmoed-Römer | first2=Heitman | title=Mobility Conquers: The Story Of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1978-2005 | date=September 2016 | page=142 | publisher=Helion & Company | location=Solihull | isbn=978-1-911096-52-8}}</ref> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[EE-3 Jararaca]] |
| [[EE-3 Jararaca]] |
||
Line 230: | Line 229: | ||
| [[Infantry fighting vehicle]] |
| [[Infantry fighting vehicle]] |
||
| 12<ref name=IISS/> |
| 12<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| Armed with |
| Armed with 20 mm gun.<ref name=IISS/> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[Type_08|VN-1]] |
| [[Type_08|VN-1]] |
||
Line 315: | Line 314: | ||
| [[M101 howitzer|M101]] |
| [[M101 howitzer|M101]] |
||
| [[United States]] |
| [[United States]] |
||
| [[Howitzer| |
| [[Howitzer|105 mm towed howitzer]] |
||
| 4<ref name=IISS/> |
| 4<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 321: | Line 320: | ||
| [[Type 63 multiple rocket launcher|Type 63]] |
| [[Type 63 multiple rocket launcher|Type 63]] |
||
| [[China]] |
| [[China]] |
||
| [[Multiple rocket launcher| |
| [[Multiple rocket launcher|107 mm multiple rocket launcher]] |
||
| 16<ref name=IISS/> |
| 16<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 327: | Line 326: | ||
| [[PHL-81|Type 90]] |
| [[PHL-81|Type 90]] |
||
| [[China]] |
| [[China]] |
||
| [[Multiple rocket launcher| |
| [[Multiple rocket launcher|122 mm multiple rocket launcher]] |
||
| 4<ref name="armstrade.sipri.org"/> |
| 4<ref name="armstrade.sipri.org"/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 333: | Line 332: | ||
| [[Teruel MRL|Teruel]] |
| [[Teruel MRL|Teruel]] |
||
| [[Spain]] |
| [[Spain]] |
||
| [[Multiple rocket launcher| |
| [[Multiple rocket launcher|140 mm multiple rocket launcher]] |
||
| 8<ref name=IISS/> |
| 8<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 339: | Line 338: | ||
| [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|MO-120-RT]] |
| [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|MO-120-RT]] |
||
| [[France]] |
| [[France]] |
||
| [[Mortar (weapon)| |
| [[Mortar (weapon)|120 mm mortar]] |
||
| 4<ref name=IISS/><ref name="armstrade.sipri.org"/> |
| 4<ref name=IISS/><ref name="armstrade.sipri.org"/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 366: | Line 365: | ||
| [[ZU-23-2]] |
| [[ZU-23-2]] |
||
| [[Soviet Union]] |
| [[Soviet Union]] |
||
| [[Anti-aircraft warfare| |
| [[Anti-aircraft warfare|23 mm towed anti-aircraft gun]] |
||
| 24<ref name=IISS/> |
| 24<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 372: | Line 371: | ||
| [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)|M1939]] |
| [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)|M1939]] |
||
| [[Soviet Union]] |
| [[Soviet Union]] |
||
| [[Anti-aircraft warfare| |
| [[Anti-aircraft warfare|37 mm towed anti-aircraft gun]] |
||
| 10<ref name=IISS/> |
| 10<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 378: | Line 377: | ||
| [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|L/70]] |
| [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|L/70]] |
||
| [[Sweden]] |
| [[Sweden]] |
||
| [[Anti-aircraft warfare| |
| [[Anti-aircraft warfare|40 mm towed anti-aircraft gun]] |
||
| 3<ref name=IISS/> |
| 3<ref name=IISS/> |
||
| |
| |
||
|} |
|} |
||
=== Current inventory === |
=== Current inventory === |
||
{{main|Gabonese Air Force#Current inventory}} |
|||
[[File:ATR 42-300M Gabon Government TR-KJD - MSN 131 (9900039856).jpg|thumb|right|A Gabonses ATR-42 on approach]] |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft |
|||
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin |
|||
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type |
|||
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant |
|||
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service |
|||
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |
|||
|- |
|||
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat Aircraft]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Dassault Mirage F1| Mirage F1]] |
|||
| [[France]] |
|||
|fighter |
|||
| |
|||
| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2021 |doi = |accessdate= 25 June 2021|url-access=registration}}</ref> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[ATR 42]] |
|||
| [[France]] / [[Italy]] |
|||
| [[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP]] |
|||
| |
|||
| 1<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/TR-KJD.html |title= ATR42 Gabon TR-KJD |publisher= airport-data.com flightglobal.com |date=|accessdate=1 June 2015}}</ref> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[CASA/IPTN CN-235|CASA CN-235]] |
|||
| [[Spain]] / [[Indonesia]] |
|||
| transport |
|||
| |
|||
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] |
|||
| United States |
|||
| transport |
|||
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130H]] |
|||
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Alouette III]] |
|||
| France |
|||
| light utility |
|||
| |
|||
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|SA342 Gazelle]] |
|||
| [[France]] |
|||
| scout / attack |
|||
| |
|||
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma| Eurocopter AS332]] |
|||
| France |
|||
| transport |
|||
| |
|||
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma| Aérospatiale SA 330]] |
|||
| France |
|||
| transport / utility |
|||
| |
|||
| 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Eurocopter EC135]] |
|||
| France |
|||
| utility |
|||
| |
|||
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[Eurocopter EC120]] |
|||
| France |
|||
| light utility |
|||
| |
|||
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> |
|||
| |
|||
|} |
|||
=== Retired aircraft === |
=== Retired aircraft === |
||
Previous aircraft operated |
Previous aircraft operated were the [[Fouga CM.170 Magister| CM.170 Magister]], [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante| Embraer EMB 110]], [[Fokker F28 Fellowship| Fokker F28]], [[Aérospatiale N 262]], [[Cessna Skymaster|Reims C.337]], and the [[Alouette II]] helicopter.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202506.html |title=World Air Forces 1987 pg. 56 |publisher= flightglobal.com |date=|accessdate=1 June 2015}}</ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1971/1971%20-%202091.html |title=World Military Helicopter Markey 1971 pg. 577|publisher= flightglobal.com |date=|accessdate=1 June 2015}}</ref> |
||
===Naval |
===Naval equipment=== |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Vessel |
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Vessel |
||
Line 486: | Line 401: | ||
| [[Patrol boat|Offshore patrol]] |
| [[Patrol boat|Offshore patrol]] |
||
| |
| |
||
| 1 on order<ref name="nt">{{Cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newskership-to-deliver-two-offshore-patrol-vessels-to-gabonese-navy-4427093 |title=Kership to deliver two offshore patrol vessels to Gabonese Navy - Naval Technology |access-date=2014-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107090713/http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newskership-to-deliver-two-offshore-patrol-vessels-to-gabonese-navy-4427093 |archive-date=2014-11-07 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
| 1 on order<ref name="nt">{{Cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newskership-to-deliver-two-offshore-patrol-vessels-to-gabonese-navy-4427093 |title=Kership to deliver two offshore patrol vessels to Gabonese Navy - Naval Technology |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=2014-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107090713/http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newskership-to-deliver-two-offshore-patrol-vessels-to-gabonese-navy-4427093 |archive-date=2014-11-07 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[P400-class patrol vessel|P400]] |
| [[P400-class patrol vessel|P400]] |
||
Line 502: | Line 417: | ||
== Ceremonial traditions == |
== Ceremonial traditions == |
||
* In April 2001, then-Defense Minister Bongo visited China, during which he reviewed the [[Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion|PLA honor guard]] upon arrival, and proposed to his Chinese counterpart [[Chi Haotian]] that members of the battalion will go to Gabon to help set up and train professional ceremonial units in the Gabonese military. In March 2003, after just under three years, the [[Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Ministry of National Defense]] sent four officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Wang Yuanjing to [[Libreville]] by the end of November of that year, after which they stayed to train the Gabonese guard of honour for more than six months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/200405/21/eng20040521_143989.html|title=People's Daily Online -- PLA helps traing [sic] honor guard for Gabon|website=en.people.cn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.cn/misc/2009-09/29/content_1429235.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012211510/http://www.gov.cn/misc/2009-09/29/content_1429235.htm|url-status=dead|title=Gabon's Communication minister appreciates good Gabono-Chinese relations|archive-date=2019-10-12|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
* In April 2001, then-Defense Minister Bongo visited China, during which he reviewed the [[Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion|PLA honor guard]] upon arrival, and proposed to his Chinese counterpart [[Chi Haotian]] that members of the battalion will go to Gabon to help set up and train professional ceremonial units in the Gabonese military. In March 2003, after just under three years, the [[Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Ministry of National Defense]] sent four officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Wang Yuanjing to [[Libreville]] by the end of November of that year, after which they stayed to train the Gabonese guard of honour for more than six months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/200405/21/eng20040521_143989.html|title=People's Daily Online -- PLA helps traing [sic] honor guard for Gabon|website=en.people.cn|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2022-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326090352/http://en.people.cn/200405/21/eng20040521_143989.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.cn/misc/2009-09/29/content_1429235.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012211510/http://www.gov.cn/misc/2009-09/29/content_1429235.htm|url-status=dead|title=Gabon's Communication minister appreciates good Gabono-Chinese relations|archive-date=2019-10-12|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
||
*The Principal Music Band of the Gabonese Defense Forces was created in 2010. It brings together elements of the Band of the National Gendarmerie, the Armed Forces and the [[Prytanée militaire de Libreville]]. It has a staff of 50 professional currently directed by Captain Jean-Baptiste Rabimbinongo. Its conductor, Lieutenant Léa Nzoufa Nze, was the first woman to conduct a military band to the [[Saumur International Festival of Military Bands]]. It takes part in many official ceremonies such as National Flag Day and the military parade marking the country's independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr/musiques-et-artistes-invites-2019-p71.html|title=Festival international de Musiques militaires Saumur 2019; Musiques et artistes invités 2019|website=www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206055039/http://www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr/musiques-et-artistes-invites-2019-p71.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-06|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
*The Principal Music Band of the Gabonese Defense Forces was created in 2010. It brings together elements of the Band of the National Gendarmerie, the Armed Forces and the [[Prytanée militaire de Libreville]]. It has a staff of 50 professional currently directed by Captain Jean-Baptiste Rabimbinongo. Its conductor, Lieutenant Léa Nzoufa Nze, was the first woman to conduct a military band to the [[Saumur International Festival of Military Bands]]. It takes part in many official ceremonies such as National Flag Day and the military parade marking the country's independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr/musiques-et-artistes-invites-2019-p71.html|title=Festival international de Musiques militaires Saumur 2019; Musiques et artistes invités 2019|website=www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206055039/http://www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr/musiques-et-artistes-invites-2019-p71.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-06|access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref> |
||
Latest revision as of 19:07, 4 June 2024
Armed Forces of Gabon | |
---|---|
Forces armées gabonaises | |
Founded | 1960 |
Service branches | Army[1] Air Force Navy National Gendarmerie |
Headquarters | Libreville |
Leadership | |
Commander in Chief | General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema |
Minister of National Defence | Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili[2] |
Chief of Staff | Jean Claude Ella-Ekogha |
Personnel | |
Military age | 20 years of age[1] |
Active personnel | 5,000 (2017) |
Expenditure | |
Budget | $81.52 million (FY17) |
Percent of GDP | 0.55% (FY17) |
Industry | |
Foreign suppliers | France United States |
Related articles | |
History | 1964 Gabonese coup d'état Central African Republic Civil War 2019 Gabonese coup d'état attempt 2023 Gabonese coup d'état |
Ranks | Military ranks of Gabon |
The Armed Forces of Gabon (French: Forces armées gabonaises), officially the Gabonese Defense and Security Forces (French: forces de défense et de sécurité gabonaises), is the national professional military of Gabon, divided into the Army, Air Force, Navy, and a National Gendarmerie, consisting of about 5,000 personnel. The armed forces includes a well-trained, well-equipped 1,800-member guard that provides security for the President of Gabon.
Organizational structure
[edit]Army
[edit]The Gabonese Army (French: Armée de terre gabonaise) is the land component of the armed forces, specializing in infantry and mechanized reconnaissance. It was created on December 6, 1960 by decree of president Léon M'ba from non-commissioned officers who served in the French colonial army, mainly the 2nd company of the 21st BIMA. Following independence, Gabon signed defense agreements with France, mainly on technical assistance and training. Until June 1964, the title of Chief of Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces was held by a senior French Army officer. In 1962 a detachment of the Auxiliary Women of the Gabonese Armed Forces (AFFAG), commanded by Lieutenant Ba Oumar at the military camp of Owendo, was created. President M'ba promoted the initiative following a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel, where he met female staff in its Defense Forces.
Order of battle
[edit]- Republican Guard Battalion (Libreville)
- 1 Light Armoured recon unit
- 3 Infantry companies
- 1 Artillery battery
- 1 Air Defence battery
- Airborne Regiment
- 1 Command company
- 1 Recon & Support company
- 3 Airborne companies
- 1 Light Armoured Recon Battalion
- 2 Armoured squads
- 1 Command & Logistics company
- Support Command Regiment
- 1 Artillery battery
- 1 Mortar battery
- 1 MRLS battery (8 Teruel MRL)
- 1 Engineer company
- Logistic units
- 7 Military Regions
- 7 Motorised infantry battalions (1 battalion for each region)
Air Force
[edit]Order of battle
[edit]- Fighter Squadron 1-02 Leyou at BA02 Franceville with:
- Mirage F-1AZ
- MB-326M Impala I
- Heavy Transport Squadron at BA01 Libreville with:
- C-130 Hercules
- CN-235
- Ministerial Air Liaison Group (Groupe de Liaison Aérien Ministériel or GLAM) at BA01 Libreville with:
- 1 Falcon-900EX
- 1 Gulfstream-III
Facilities
[edit]- BA01 Libreville
- BA02 Franceville
- Tchibanga
Navy
[edit]The Gabonese Navy (French: Marine Nationale du Gabon) is the official maritime branch of the armed forces. It was created in December 1960 as part of the army, and only became an independent entity in 1983. The navy's core purpose is to monitor the country's coastal waters, including 800 km of coastline.[3]
- Headquarters Staff (Libreville)
- Port-Gentil Naval Base
- Mayumba Naval Base
- Port-Gentil Aviation Base[citation needed]
- Marine Rifle Battalion (since 1984)
Other security forces
[edit]National Gendarmerie
[edit]The National Gendarmerie of Gabon (Gendarmerie nationale gabonaise) is the national police force of Gabon responsible for law enforcement in the country. It was formed on March 10, 1960 when Gabon, formerly French Equatorial Africa, gained its independence from France. It originated from Libreville Gendarmerie Detachment 1929, which was commanded by Governor General of French Equatorial Africa, Félix Eboue. The main tasks of the gendarmerie are to defend the country's borders, ensure public safety, and to enforce actions taken by judicial and government authorities. The National Gendarmerie is under the direct command of the President of Gabon.[4][5][6]
Republican Guard
[edit]The Gendarmerie is also in charge of the Republican Guard (French: Garde républicaine, GR).[7] It is viewed as the most powerful and sophisticated of the security forces. It is primarily tasked with protecting the president and ensures regime stability.
Equipment
[edit]Small arms
[edit]Armour
[edit]Artillery
[edit]Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
M101 | United States | 105 mm towed howitzer | 4[9] | |
Type 63 | China | 107 mm multiple rocket launcher | 16[9] | |
Type 90 | China | 122 mm multiple rocket launcher | 4[11] | |
Teruel | Spain | 140 mm multiple rocket launcher | 8[9] | |
MO-120-RT | France | 120 mm mortar | 4[9][11] |
Air defense
[edit]Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ERC-20 | France | 20mm self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon | 4[9] | |
ZPU-4 | Soviet Union | 14.5mm towed anti-aircraft gun | Unknown[9] | |
ZU-23-2 | Soviet Union | 23 mm towed anti-aircraft gun | 24[9] | |
M1939 | Soviet Union | 37 mm towed anti-aircraft gun | 10[9] | |
L/70 | Sweden | 40 mm towed anti-aircraft gun | 3[9] |
Current inventory
[edit]Retired aircraft
[edit]Previous aircraft operated were the CM.170 Magister, Embraer EMB 110, Fokker F28, Aérospatiale N 262, Reims C.337, and the Alouette II helicopter.[13][14]
Naval equipment
[edit]Vessel | Origin | Type | In service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kership | France | Offshore patrol | 1 on order[15] | |
P400 | France | Coastal patrol | 3[16] | |
BATRAL | France | Landing craft | 1[16] | 2 ordered, only one received |
Ceremonial traditions
[edit]- In April 2001, then-Defense Minister Bongo visited China, during which he reviewed the PLA honor guard upon arrival, and proposed to his Chinese counterpart Chi Haotian that members of the battalion will go to Gabon to help set up and train professional ceremonial units in the Gabonese military. In March 2003, after just under three years, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense sent four officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Wang Yuanjing to Libreville by the end of November of that year, after which they stayed to train the Gabonese guard of honour for more than six months.[17][18]
- The Principal Music Band of the Gabonese Defense Forces was created in 2010. It brings together elements of the Band of the National Gendarmerie, the Armed Forces and the Prytanée militaire de Libreville. It has a staff of 50 professional currently directed by Captain Jean-Baptiste Rabimbinongo. Its conductor, Lieutenant Léa Nzoufa Nze, was the first woman to conduct a military band to the Saumur International Festival of Military Bands. It takes part in many official ceremonies such as National Flag Day and the military parade marking the country's independence.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "CIA World Fact 2015". cia.gov. 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Mounombou, Stevie (2021-03-09). "Gabon:Qui est Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili, nouvelle ministre de la Défense nationale?". Gabon Review. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
- ^ "Calaméo - Marine nationale GABON". Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ "La Gendarmerie Nationale || Ministère de la Défense Nationale". Archived from the original on 2018-07-25. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ "Gabon - Gendarmerie Nationale". Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ "JournalDuGabon.com: La sécurité gabonaise change de visage". Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ "Gabon, une "garde républicaine" préposée aux basses oeuvres - Mondafrique". Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. Taylor & Francis. p. 466. ISBN 9781032012278.
- ^ Steenkamp, Willem; Helmoed-Römer, Heitman (September 2016). Mobility Conquers: The Story Of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 1978-2005. Solihull: Helion & Company. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-911096-52-8.
- ^ a b c d e "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org.
- ^ "Pandur 6×6 Wheeled Armoured Vehicles". Army Technology.
- ^ "World Air Forces 1987 pg. 56". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "World Military Helicopter Markey 1971 pg. 577". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Kership to deliver two offshore patrol vessels to Gabonese Navy - Naval Technology". 3 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- ^ a b Trade Registers Archived 2010-04-14 at the Wayback Machine. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 29 May 2015
- ^ "People's Daily Online -- PLA helps traing [sic] honor guard for Gabon". en.people.cn. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ "Gabon's Communication minister appreciates good Gabono-Chinese relations". Archived from the original on 2019-10-12. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ "Festival international de Musiques militaires Saumur 2019; Musiques et artistes invités 2019". www.comitedesfetes-saumur.fr. Archived from the original on 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2021-09-17.