Armed Forces of Gabon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Armed Forces of GabonForces armées gabonaises |
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![]() Gabonese Coat of arms |
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Established | 1960 |
Parts | Army Air Force Navy National Gendarmerie |
Headquarters | Libreville |
Leadership | |
Commander in Chief | General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema |
Minister of National Defence | Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili |
Chief of Staff | Jean Claude Ella-Ekogha |
Serving soldiers | |
Military age | 20 years of age |
Active employees/soldiers | 5,000 (2017) |
Expenditures | |
Budget | $81.52 million (FY17) |
Percent of GDP | 0.55% (FY17) |
Industry | |
Suppliers from foreign countries |
France United States |
See also | |
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) are the national military of Gabon. They are also known as the Gabonese Defense and Security Forces. This group protects the country and its people. It includes the Army, Air Force, Navy, and a special police force called the National Gendarmerie. About 5,000 people serve in these forces. There is also a well-trained guard of 1,800 members. Their main job is to keep the President of Gabon safe.
Contents
How Gabon's Military Is Organized
The Gabonese Army: Protecting the Land
The Gabonese Army (French: Armée de terre gabonaise) is the part of the military that fights on land. They are good at infantry (soldiers who fight on foot) and scouting with vehicles. The Army started on December 6, 1960. This was soon after Gabon became independent from France. Many of its first members were soldiers who had served in the French colonial army.
After gaining independence, Gabon and France signed agreements. These agreements helped Gabon with military training and support. Until 1964, a French Army officer was in charge of Gabon's armed forces. In 1962, a group of women joined the Gabonese Armed Forces. This happened after President M'ba visited Israel and saw women serving in their military.
Army Units and Their Roles
The Army has several important units:
- Republican Guard Battalion in Libreville: This unit has light armored vehicles and infantry companies. It also has artillery and air defense.
- Airborne Regiment: These soldiers can be dropped from the air. They have a command company, a support company, and airborne companies.
- Light Armored Recon Battalion: This unit uses armored vehicles to scout ahead.
- Support Command Regiment: This group provides artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers. They also have engineers and logistics units to help other parts of the army.
- 7 Military Regions: Each region has its own motorized infantry battalion.
The Gabonese Air Force: Guarding the Skies
The Air Force protects Gabon from the air. It uses different types of aircraft for various missions.
Air Force Units and Bases
- Fighter Squadron 1-02 Leyou at BA02 Franceville: This squadron uses fighter jets like the Mirage F-1AZ.
- Heavy Transport Squadron at BA01 Libreville: This group flies large planes like the C-130 Hercules. They carry troops and supplies.
- Ministerial Air Liaison Group (GLAM) at BA01 Libreville: This unit uses special planes for government officials.
The main Air Force bases are:
- BA01 Libreville
- BA02 Franceville
- Tchibanga
The Gabonese Navy (French: Marine Nationale du Gabon) is the part of the military that works on the sea. It started in December 1960 as part of the army. In 1983, it became its own separate branch. The Navy's main job is to watch over Gabon's coastal waters. This includes 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) of coastline.
- Headquarters Staff in Libreville
- Port-Gentil Naval Base
- Mayumba Naval Base
- Port-Gentil Aviation Base
- Marine Rifle Battalion (since 1984)
Other Important Security Forces
The National Gendarmerie: Keeping Law and Order
The National Gendarmerie of Gabon (Gendarmerie nationale gabonaise) is Gabon's national police force. It helps keep law and order throughout the country. It was formed on March 10, 1960, when Gabon became independent from France. The Gendarmerie's main jobs are to protect the country's borders and keep people safe. They also help carry out decisions made by the government. The President of Gabon is directly in charge of the National Gendarmerie.
The Republican Guard: Protecting the President
The Gendarmerie also oversees the Republican Guard (French: Garde républicaine, GR). This is seen as a very strong and advanced security force. Its main duty is to protect the president. It also helps keep the country stable.
Military Equipment
Small Arms for Soldiers
Name | Origin | Type | Variant |
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M16 rifle | United States | Assault rifle | |
FN FAL | Belgium | Battle rifle | |
FN CAL | Belgium | Assault rifle | |
FN MAG | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun | |
AK-47 | Soviet Union | Assault rifle | |
AKM | Soviet Union | Assault rifle | |
RPD | Soviet Union | Light machine gun | |
FAMAS | France | Assault rifle | |
MILAN | France | Anti-tank guided missile | |
M40 | United States | Recoilless rifle | M40A1 |
Armored Vehicles for Protection
Name | Origin | Type | In Service | |
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Armored fighting vehicles | ||||
AML-60/AML-90 | France/South Africa | Reconnaissance vehicle | 24 | |
EE-3 Jararaca | Brazil | Reconnaissance vehicle | 12 | |
EE-9 Cascavel | Brazil | Reconnaissance vehicle | 14 | |
ERC-90F4 Sagaie | France | Reconnaissance vehicle | 6 | |
RAM MK3 | Israel | Reconnaissance vehicle | 7 | |
Véhicule Blindé Léger | France | Reconnaissance vehicle | 14 | |
EE-11 Urutu | Brazil | Infantry fighting vehicle | 12 | |
VN-1 | China | Infantry fighting vehicle | 5 | |
Type 07P | China | Infantry fighting vehicle | 14 | |
V-150 Command | United States | Armoured personnel carrier | 9 | |
Bastion | France | Armoured personnel carrier | 5 | |
WZ-523 | China | Armoured personnel carrier | 3 | |
Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé | France | Armoured personnel carrier | 5 | |
VXB-170 | France | Armoured personnel carrier | 12 | |
Pandur I | Austria | Armoured personnel carrier | 1 | |
ZFB-05 | China | Armoured personnel carrier | 3 | |
Aravis | France | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 8 | |
Matador | South Africa | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 24 | |
Ashok Leyland MPV | India | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 34 |
Artillery for Long-Range Attacks
Name | Origin | Type | In Service |
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M101 | United States | 105 mm towed howitzer | 4 |
Type 63 | China | 107 mm multiple rocket launcher | 16 |
Type 90 | China | 122 mm multiple rocket launcher | 4 |
Teruel | Spain | 140 mm multiple rocket launcher | 8 |
MO-120-RT | France | 120 mm mortar | 4 |
Air Defense Systems
Name | Origin | Type | In Service |
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ERC-20 | France | 20mm self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon | 4 |
ZPU-4 | Soviet Union | 14.5mm towed anti-aircraft gun | Unknown |
ZU-23-2 | Soviet Union | 23 mm towed anti-aircraft gun | 24 |
M1939 | Soviet Union | 37 mm towed anti-aircraft gun | 10 |
L/70 | Sweden | 40 mm towed anti-aircraft gun | 3 |
Current Air Force Planes and Helicopters
Retired Aircraft
Gabon's Air Force used to fly other aircraft. These include the Fouga CM.170 Magister, Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante, Fokker F28 Fellowship, Aérospatiale N 262, Reims C.337, and the Alouette II helicopter.
Vessel | Origin | Type | In service |
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Kership | France | Offshore patrol | |
P400 | France | Coastal patrol | 3 |
BATRAL | France | Landing craft | 1 |
Military Traditions and Music
Gabon's military has special traditions. In 2001, Gabon's Defense Minister visited China. He saw China's honor guard. He asked China to help train a similar ceremonial unit in Gabon. Chinese officers came to Gabon in 2003. They trained Gabon's honor guard for over six months.
The main music band of the Gabonese Defense Forces started in 2010. It includes musicians from the National Gendarmerie and the Armed Forces. The band has 50 professional musicians. They perform at important events. These include National Flag Day and the military parade for Independence Day. A woman, Lieutenant Léa Nzoufa Nze, was the first woman to lead a military band at a big international festival.