Niger Armed Forces facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Niger Armed Forces Forces armées nigériennes
Seal of the Niger Armed Forces
Established	1 August 1961
Parts	Army Air Force National Gendarmerie National Guard (GNN)
Headquarters	Niamey
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Brigade General Abdourahamane Tchiani
Chief of Staff	Divisional General Abdou Sidikou Issa
Serving soldiers
Military age	18–49
Conscription	2 year compulsory
Available to be a soldier	2,135,680 (2005 est.), age 15–49
Fit to be a soldier	1,155,054 (2000 est.), age 15–49
Active employees/soldiers	25,000 (2020 est.)
Expenditures
Percent of GDP	1.8% (2017 est.)
Industry
Suppliers from foreign countries	Russia China United States Historical:  France
See also
History	Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995) Tuareg rebellion (2007–2009) United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire Boko Haram insurgency Islamist insurgency in the Sahel 2023 Nigerien coup d'état Nigerien crisis
Ranks	Military ranks of Niger

Soldiers from the 322nd Parachute Regiment practicing field tactics.

The Niger Armed Forces (French: Forces armées nigériennes, FAN) are the official protectors of the country of Niger. They include the main military groups like the Niger Army and the Niger Air Force. They also have other important groups such as the National Gendarmerie of Niger and the National Guard of Niger. Even the National Police of Niger works closely with them.

The Army, Air Force, and National Gendarmerie are managed by the Ministry of Defense. The National Guard and National Police are overseen by the Ministry of Interior. Most of these groups get military training. The President of Niger is the top leader of all the armed forces. In 2020, Niger planned to grow its army from 25,000 people to 100,000 by 2030.

How the Military is Organized

The Niger Army and Niger Air Force are the two main military groups. Each has its own Chief of Staff. These chiefs work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Military Armed Forces. This is like a main team that plans military actions. All military operations are led from the Joint Staff Office.

The Joint Chief of Staff is in charge of all military forces. This person reports to the civilian Minister of Defense. The Minister then reports to the President of Niger. This system is very similar to how the French military is set up.

The President also chooses a special Chief of Staff for their own office. They also pick the head of the Presidential Guard. These people report directly to the President. They are also part of the main Joint Staff team.

The Niger Army

The Niger Army is the land part of Niger's armed forces. As of 2023, it has about 33,000 members. Niger's special forces include two special operations companies. They also have nine intervention commando battalions. The Army's main fighting groups have 14 combined infantry battalions. There is also one river company that works on water.

The Army also has one engineer company, which builds things. It has one logistics group, which handles supplies. There is also one air defense company to protect against air attacks. Each combined battalion has different parts. These include a logistics company, a fire fighter company, and an infantry company. They also have an armored squadron and an artillery company.

Army History

The Niger Army started on July 28, 1960. At first, it was made up of soldiers from the French Colonial Forces. These soldiers were from Niger but had French officers. In 1960, there were only ten African officers in the army. Over time, more Nigerien officers took charge. In 1965, President Hamani Diori stopped using foreign military officers. However, some French military people stayed in Niger.

In 1970, the army was changed. It was split into four infantry battalions and other groups. In 2003, it was reorganized again. This created the Niger Air Force as its own separate group.

Army Training

Basic training for soldiers happens in Niamey at the Tondibiah base. It also takes place in Agadez. Other special training schools are in Niamey. These include the National Officers Training School. There is also a school for medical staff.

Nigerien army officers also train in other countries. They go to France, Morocco, Algeria, and the United States. Niger's army has worked with France and the U.S. to improve its skills. This helps them fight terrorism in West Africa. The Niger Army has hosted the U.S. led Flintlock Exercise in 2014.

Army Equipment

The Niger Army does not have many modern armored vehicles or tanks. Most of its armored vehicles are over 20 years old. However, they have many 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers. These vehicles have different types of machine guns. The army has also improved its fuel and water trucks. This helps them with long patrols and moving supplies.

Armor

Name	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Armored fighting vehicle
ZFB-05	China	Armoured personnel carrier	8
WZ-523	China	Armoured personnel carrier	2
UR-416	Germany	Armoured personnel carrier	8
Mamba Mk7	South Africa	Armoured personnel carrier	35
Puma M36	South Africa	Armoured personnel carrier	11
Panhard VBL	France	Armored car	7
AML 60/90	France	Armored car	125
Panhard M3	France	Armoured personnel carrier	32
Nurol Ejder	Turkey	Mine-resistant ambush protected		On order.

The Niger Air Force

Roundel of the Niger Air Force

Air Force History

The Niger Air Force started as the Niger National Escadrille in 1961. It was later called the National Air Wing in 1989. Before 2003, all of Niger's armed forces were in one group. One Chief of Staff was in charge of both ground forces and the Air Wing.

In 2003, the armed forces were reorganized. They were split into two main parts: the Niger Army and the Niger Air Force. The National Air Wing was renamed the Niger Air Force on December 17, 2003. Now, the Air Force has its own Chief of Staff. This person reports to the Joint Chief and the Defense Minister.

Air Force Structure

The Air Force has a Chief of Staff Office. It also has units for operations and technical work. There is an infantry company and a general staff. The current Chief of Staff of the Niger Air Force is Colonel Abdoul Kader Amirou.

Air Force Training

Niger does not have special training places for its Air Force yet. New Air Force members get basic training at the Tondibiah base. This is the same place where other military groups train. Air Force officers, pilots, and mechanics also train in France, the United States, and North African countries like Morocco and Algeria.

They also do local training with foreign partners. This helps them keep their skills up to date. In 2014, the United States helped train a logistics company. They also gave them trucks and vehicles. The United States Air Force has bases in Niger, near Niamey and in Agadez.

Air Force Aircraft

The Niger Air Force has a small number of aircraft. However, they have been getting more since 2008. France and the United States have also helped. This increase in aircraft helps with border patrols. It is important because of problems in nearby Libya and Mali.

Other Security Forces

Niger also has two other important security groups. These are the National Gendarmerie of Niger and the National Guard of Niger. The Gendarmerie is under the Ministry of Defense. The National Guard is under the Ministry of Interior. Each of these groups has its own Chief of Staff.

National Gendarmerie

The National Gendarmerie is led by its Superior Commander. It is different from the National Police and National Guard. This group is controlled by the Ministry of Defense. It helps with defense and keeping public order. It also helps with military justice and police work. The Gendarmerie is seen as a special force. This is because it has very strict rules for who can join. Its work has increased in border areas. This is due to more illegal goods being moved across borders.

National Guard

The National Guard of Niger used to be called the National Forces of Intervention and Security. This group is in charge of safety in rural areas. These are places where the national police are not present. The National Guard is overseen by its superior commander. This person reports to the Ministry of Interior.

The National Guard has many duties. It watches the country's borders and land. It helps keep and bring back order. It protects public buildings, people, and their belongings. It also manages and watches prisons. The Guard helps people during national disasters. It also protects the environment. They also provide security for government officials and foreign offices.

National Police

A paratrooper of the FAN Parachute Company armed with an Israeli-made Uzi submachine gun, 1988

The main office of the National Police is in Niamey. Before 1999, it was under the military and the Ministry of Defense. Now, only the National Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of Defense. The National Police and its special unit, FNIS, are under the Nigerien Interior Ministry.

The National Gendarmerie and the National Forces for Intervention and Security (FNIS) have about 3,700 members. These are like paramilitary police. The FNIS and some Gendarmerie units are trained like soldiers. The Gendarmerie works outside of Niger's main towns. The National Police patrols inside the towns. The military or other groups can carry out special security actions.

Niger's Role in Conflicts

A member of the rebel MNJ in northern Niger, 2008.

Domestic Challenges

From 1985 to 1995, Niger's armed forces fought with a group called the Popular Front for the Liberation of Niger (FPLN). This led to border closings and people moving away from certain areas. In 1990, an attack by FPLN members caused the army to respond. This led to more fighting until a peace agreement in 1995.

From 2007 to 2009, the Nigerien Armed Forces were involved in another conflict in the north. A new group called the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) appeared. This group, mostly Tuareg people, wanted more development in the north. They attacked military places and laid landmines. This made the area unsafe and hurt tourism. The conflict ended in 2009 with peace talks.

Helping Other Countries

In 1991, Niger sent 400 soldiers to help in the Gulf War. Niger also sends peace-keeping forces to the UN Mission in Ivory Coast. As of 2003, Niger's forces were helping in other missions. These included missions in Liberia, Guinée-Bissau, Burundi, Comoros, Mali, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Working with Other Nations

Niger's defense forces have a long history of working with other countries. They cooperate with nearby nations, France, the United States, and China.

Through groups like ECOWAS and the African Union, Niger's forces have joined many missions in Africa. Niger has offered to help with future rapid intervention forces for the African Union. Also, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad have worked together more. This helps them fight the group Boko Haram, which crosses borders.

After the September 11 attacks, the U.S. and France worked more closely with Niger. This was part of the Global War on Terror. Niger's forces became key partners in fighting terrorism in Africa. This work focused on groups linked to Al-Qaïda. The problems in Libya and Mali made Niger's role even more important. Since 2013, the air force base 101 in Niamey has been used by French and U.S. forces for drones. This base helps gather information in the region.

In March 2024, Niger said it was ending its security agreement with the United States. This agreement had been in place since 2012. Niger stated that the agreement went against its constitution.

How the Forces are Managed

Nigerien Panhard AML armored cars during Operation Desert Shield.

The Armed Forces, including the National Gendarmerie, have changed over time. These changes aim to make the forces more professional. They also want to keep more skilled recruits. There is now more focus on recruiting officers. More training is needed for promotions. Each year, about one thousand people join the Army and the Gendarmerie.

Budget and Foreign Aid

Niger's defense budget is not very large. It makes up about 1.6% of what the government spends. France gives the most military help to Niger. China also provides military assistance. About 18 French military advisors are in Niger. Many Nigerien military members train in France. The Nigerien Armed Forces mostly use equipment given or bought from France.

The United States has helped by training pilots and support staff. They also provide education for officers. A small program for foreign military help started in 1983. A U.S. Defense Attaché office opened in 1985. This office closed in 1996 after a change in government. It reopened in 2000.

In 2003, the U.S. helped transport Nigerien troops to Ivory Coast. The U.S. also provided training and equipment to Nigerien soldiers. This was part of a program called the Pan Sahel Initiative. Military cooperation continues through other programs. In 2007, Niger's military was allowed to join the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. This program funded $170,000 in training in 2007.

Cultural Activities

The Army, National Guard, and National Police support semi-professional football clubs. These clubs are called ASFAN, AS-FNIS, and AS Police. They play in the Niger Premier League.

Images for kids

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  Flag of the Niger Armed Forces