Armed Forces of Senegal#Navy
{{Short description|Military of Senegal}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Senegalese Armed Forces
| native_name = {{lang|fr|Forces armées du Sénégal}}
| motto =
| founded = 1962
| current_form =
| disbanded =
| branches = {{ubl|Army|Navy|Air Force|National Gendarmerie}}
| headquarters =
| flying_hours =
| website =
| commander-in-chief = Bassirou Diomaye Faye
| commander-in-chief_title = President
| minister = Sidiki Kaba
| minister_title = Minister of the Armed Forces
| commander = General of Air Corps Mbaye Cissé
| commander_title = Chief of the General Staff
| =
| conscription =
| manpower_data = 2,218,920 (2000 est.)
| manpower_age =
| available = 1,158,893 (2000 est.)
| available_f =
| fit = 109,381 (2000 est.)
| fit_f =
| reaching =
| reaching_f =
| active = 17,000
| ranked =
| reserve =
| deployed =
| amount = ~ $350 million (FY2018)
| percent_GDP = ~1.5% (FY2018 est.)
| domestic_suppliers =
| foreign_suppliers = {{CAN}}
{{FRA}}
{{IND}}
{{VIE}}
{{USA}}
{{HAI}}
{{CHN}}
| imports =
| exports =
| history = Mauritania–Senegal Border War
Casamance conflict
Gulf War
Guinea-Bissau Civil War
Insurgency in the Maghreb
2008 invasion of Anjouan
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Invasion of the Gambia
| ranks = Military ranks of Senegal
}}
The Armed Forces of Senegal ({{langx|fr|Forces armées du Sénégal}}) consists of about 17,000 personnel in the army, air force, navy, and gendarmerie. The Senegal military force receives most of its training, equipment, and support from France and the United States. Germany also provides support but on a smaller scale.
Military noninterference in political affairs has contributed to Senegal's stability since independence. Senegal has participated in many international and regional peacekeeping missions. Most recently, in 2000, Senegal sent a battalion to the Democratic Republic of Congo to participate in MONUC, the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
Senegal also agreed to deploy a United States-trained battalion to Sierra Leone to participate in UNAMSIL, another UN peacekeeping mission. The training operation was designated Operation Focus Relief and involved U.S. Army Special Forces from 3rd Special Forces Group training a number of West African battalions, including Nigerian ones.
As one of the largest troop contributors in Africa (per capita) to African Union missions, United Nations missions, and other regional security organizations, the Senegalese military has proven itself to be one of the most effective and reliable militaries on the African continent. This is remarkable given that Senegal is poorer than the average Sub-Saharan African country. Most importantly, the army of Senegal is multi-ethnic, not coup-proofed, and has never attempted a coup d'état, which is a rarity in Africa. Harmonious Senegalese civil-military relations since independence have permitted the creation of an effective 'military enclave' that is a capable institution not a threat to the political leadership in Dakar.{{Cite journal|last=Matisek|first=Jahara|date=March 2019|title=An Effective Senegalese Military Enclave: The Armée-Nation "Rolls On"|journal=African Security|volume=12|pages=62–86|doi=10.1080/19392206.2019.1593004|s2cid=150559462}}
Summary of past military actions
- In October 1980 and August 1981, the Senegalese military was invited into the Gambia by President Dawda Kairaba Jawara to put down a coup attempt.{{cite web|title=Opérations en Gambie : Il était une fois "Fodé Kaba 1" et "Fodé Kaba 2"|language=fr|first1=Ndèye Fatou|last1= Ndiaye |first2= Chamsidine|last2= Sané|website=seneweb.com | date=17 January 2017|url=http://www.seneweb.com/news/Dossier%20de%20la%20redaction/operations-en-gambie-il-etait-une-fois-l_n_205162.html}}
- In August 1989, Senegalese-Gambian military cooperation ceased with the dissolution of the Senegambian Confederation.
- In 1990, 500 Senegalese troops were deployed to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Gulf War. 92 of them were killed after the end of the conflict in a plane crash on 21 March 1991.
- In 1992 1,500 men were sent to the ECOMOG peacekeeping group in Liberia.
- In 1994, a battalion-sized force was sent to Rwanda to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission there.
- Senegal intervened in the Guinea-Bissau civil war in 1998 at the request of former President Vieira.{{cite web|title=Guinea: Senegal Sends Troops To Bissau|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/199806120195.html|date=12 June 1998|website=allafrica.com}}
- A Senegalese contingent deployed on a peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic in 1997.
- In 2017, Senegal deployed troops into the Gambia to support newly elected President Adama Barrow, an action legally justified by UN resolution 2337.
The Army ({{lang|fr|Armée de Terre}}) is the leading force within the Senegalese armed forces and provides the chief of staff and the {{lang|fr|Inspecteur général des forces armées}}.
Army
Since independence from France in 1960, the army has gone through a large number of reorganisations. The army's heritage includes the Tirailleurs sénégalais. In 1978, Senegal dispatched a battalion to the Inter-African Force in Zaire, in the aftermath of the Shaba II fighting. The Senegalese contingent was under the command of Colonel Osmane Ndoye.{{Cite web |url=http://lepotentielonline.com/site2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4846:colonel-ousmane-ndoye-les-soldats-zairois-faisaient-partie-des-meilleurs-du-continent&catid=90:online-depeches&Itemid=468 |title=Le Potential |access-date=2014-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329123558/http://lepotentielonline.com/site2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4846:colonel-ousmane-ndoye-les-soldats-zairois-faisaient-partie-des-meilleurs-du-continent&catid=90:online-depeches&Itemid=468 |archive-date=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead }} The Senegalese force comprised a parachute battalion from Thiaroye.
The Army currently consists of two divisions, the Operations Division and the Logistic Division. The IISS estimated in 2012 that the Army had a strength of 11,900 soldiers, three armoured battalions the 22nd, 24th, and 25th (at Bignona) and the 26th {{lang|fr|Bataillon de reconnaissance et d'Appui}} at Kolda; there are six infantry battalions numbered 1st to 6th.IISS Military Balance 2012, 449. 3rd Battalion may have been at Kaolack with 4th at Tambacounda at one point.{{cite web|url=http://www.popxibaar.com/CHANGEMENT-A-LA-TETE-DE-LA-DIRPA-Le-Colonel-Abdourahim-Kebe-prend-les-commandes_a1204.html |title=Sorry |access-date=2012-06-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329154126/http://www.popxibaar.com/CHANGEMENT-A-LA-TETE-DE-LA-DIRPA-Le-Colonel-Abdourahim-Kebe-prend-les-commandes_a1204.html |archive-date=2014-03-29 }}
Also reported is the 12th Battalion of the 2nd Military Zone at Saint Louis (Dakhar Bango),{{cite web |url=http://www.lequotidien.sn/index.php/societe/item/11420-saint-louis-en-visite-au-12e-bataillon--macky-sall-promet-de-meilleures-conditions-de-travail |title=SAINT-LOUIS - en visite au 12e bataillon : Macky Sall promet de meilleures conditions de travail |website=www.lequotidien.sn |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418130346/http://www.lequotidien.sn/index.php/societe/item/11420-saint-louis-en-visite-au-12e-bataillon--macky-sall-promet-de-meilleures-conditions-de-travail |archive-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=dead}} along with the Prytanée militaire de Saint-Louis, a military secondary school.
Although the Senegalese Air Force is geared towards supporting it, the army may have previously maintained its own very small aviation branch, called the "{{lang|fr|Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre}}" (like the French army's equivalent), which may have counted up to five light helicopters and two SA330 Puma transport helicopters. The IISS Military Balance 2012 does not list any helicopters in army service.
National Gendarmerie
{{main|Senegalese Gendarmerie}}
File:Spahis sénégalais lors de l'Investiture de Macky Sall - 2 avril 2012 (3).jpg.|180x180px|left]]
The Gendarmerie is a military force which provides policing and security. It includes a Territorial Gendarmerie with general policing duties, and a Mobile Gendarmerie for special tasks and serious public disorder.
The Senegalese gendarmerie evolved out of a French colonial Spahi detachment sent to Senegal in 1845. This detachment (which became today's Red Guard of Senegal) was the cadre around which the "Colonial Gendarmerie" was formed. On independence this became the National Gendarmerie.
The commander is General Abdoulaye Fall (a different person from the current Armed Forces Chief of Staff of the same name), whose rank is divisional general, and whose full job title is "High Commander of the Gendarmerie and Director of Military Justice".
Navy
File:Fouladou Senegal Patrol.jpg Fouladou]]
File:US Navy 090808-G-3885B-136 The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912), left, patrols along side the Senegalese Navy vessel, Poponquine, during joint operations as part of the Africa Partnership Station.jpg vessel off the coast of Senegal]]
The navy ({{lang|fr|marine}}), also known as the {{lang|fr|Armée de mer}}, is of small size and is commanded by a ship-of-the-line captain. It is responsible for securing Senegal's {{convert|286|nmi|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} Atlantic coastline which is strategically located on the extreme west of the African continent. The coastline is divided in two by The Gambia. The navy was created in 1975.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Flor |title=U.S. Africa Command continues to develop Senegal's Enlisted Development Strategy |url=https://www.africom.mil/media-room/Article/32559/u-s-africa-command-continues-to-develop-senegals-enlisted-development-strategy |access-date=24 May 2020 |agency=United States Africa Command |date=28 January 2020}} The Navy operates two bases, one at Dakar and the other at Elinkine. The navy also patrols the {{convert|12|nmi|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} territorial waters as well as a declared {{convert|200|nmi|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} exclusive economic zone.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=330}}{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=717}}
The Navy is divided into three branches known as "groupings":Bryden & N'Diaye (eds), 'Security Sector Governance in Francophone West Africa, DCAF, 2011, 207.
- The Operational Naval Grouping ({{lang|fr|Groupement Naval Opérationnel}}), which is divided into three flotillas and one group:
- The High Seas Patrol Boats ({{lang|fr|Patrouilleurs de Haute Mer}}),
- The Coastal Surveillance Vessels ({{lang|fr|Bâtiments de Surveillance Côtière}}),
- The Fast Coastal Boats ({{lang|fr|Vedettes Côtières Rapides}}) and
- The Transport Group ({{lang|fr|groupe de transport}}).
- The Naval Support Grouping ({{lang|fr|Groupement de Soutien de la Marine}}) responsible for ports, repairs, training, and logistics.
- The Fluvial-Maritime Surveillance Grouping.
Air Force
File:Roundel of Senegal.svg.|180x180px]]
{{main|Senegalese Air Force}}
The air force ({{lang|fr|Armée de l'Air}}) is orientated towards providing support for ground forces and resembles an army aviation corps. It possesses Mil Mi-24 gunship helicopters, as well as transport and reconnaissance aircraft.
Military Areas
File:Zones militaires sénégal carte map.png
At the present time, there are seven military zones:État Major des Armees, [http://www.forcesarmees.gouv.sn/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=26 Zones militaires] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726140434/http://www.forcesarmees.gouv.sn/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=26 |date=July 26, 2009 }}, accessed August 2009
- Zone n°1 - Dakar
- Zone n°2 - Saint-Louis
- Zone n°3 - Kaolack
- Zone n°4 - Tambacounda
- Zone n°5 - Ziguinchor
- Zone n°6 - Kolda
- Zone n°7 - Thiès
Each zone comprises a garrison office that caters to military issues and a social service office.
The IISS Military Balance listed four zones in 2007.
Equipment
= Small arms =
= Anti-tank weapons =
| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;" |
| width=16%| Name
! width=21%| Image ! width=15%| Type ! width=12%| Origin ! width=10%| Caliber ! width=26%| Notes |
|---|
| MILAN{{cite book |author= |others=International Institute for Strategic Studies |year=2020 |title=The Military Balance |volume=120 |publisher=Routledge |pages=257–504 |isbn=978-0-367-46639-8}}
| 150px | {{Flag|France}} {{Flag|West Germany}} | | 496 |
= Anti-aircraft weapons =
| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;" |
| width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image ! width=14%| Type ! width=12%| Origin ! width=10%| Quantity ! width=06%| Status ! width=24%| Notes |
|---|
| Bofors L/60{{sfn|Military Balance 2016|p=464}}
| 150px | {{Flag|Sweden}} | 12 | | |
| 20 mm modèle F2 gun
| 150px | {{Flag|France}} | 21 | | Used for air defence. |
= Artillery =
| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;" |
| width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image ! width=14%| Type ! width=12%| Origin ! width=10%| Quantity ! width=06%| Status ! width=24%| Notes |
|---|
| colspan="7"| Rocket artillery |
| Bastion-01
| 150px | {{Flag|Ukraine}} | | |
| colspan="7"| Field artillery |
| M101
| 150px | Howitzer | {{Flag|United States|1912}} | 6{{sfn|Military Balance 2016|p=464}} | | |
| M-50
| 150px | Howitzer | {{Flag|France}} | | |
| TRF1
| 150px | Howitzer | {{Flag|France}} | | |
| colspan="7"| Mortars |
| MO-120-RT-61
| 150px | {{Flag|France}} | 32 | | |
= Tank destroyers =
= Infantry fighting vehicles =
= Armored personnel carriers =
| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;" |
| width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image ! width=14%| Type ! width=12%| Origin ! width=10%| Quantity ! width=06%| Status ! width=24%| Notes |
|---|
| Panhard M3
| 150px | {{Flag|France}} | | |
| M3 half-track
| 150px | Half-track | {{Flag|United States}} | | |
| WZ-551
| 150px | {{Flag|China}} | | |
| EE-11 Urutu
| 150px | Amphibious Armored personnel carrier | {{Flag|Brazil|1968}} | Unknown{{cite news|title=Senegal parades new military hardware|author= |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47453:senegal-parades-new-military-hardware&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|work=DefenceWeb|location=Johannesburg|date=11 April 2017|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115201859/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47453:senegal-parades-new-military-hardware&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|archive-date=January 15, 2018}} | | |
| RG-31 Nyala
| 150px | {{Flag|South Africa}} | Unknown | | |
| Dozor-B
| 150px | {{Flag|Ukraine}} | | |
= Reconnaissance =
= Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected =
| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;" |
| width=14%| Name
! width=20%| Image ! width=14%| Type ! width=12%| Origin ! width=10%| Quantity ! width=06%| Status ! width=24%| Notes |
|---|
| Casspir
| 150px | MRAP | {{Flag|South Africa}} | | |
| Katmerciler Hizir II
|MRAP |{{Flag|Turkey}} |N/A | | |
| PUMA M26-15
| 150px | MRAP | {{Flag|South Africa}} | | |
| Ejder Yalçın
| 150px | MRAP | {{Flag|Turkey}} | | |
= Utility vehicles =
= Aircraft =
Citations
{{Reflist}}
Part of this article is derived from the equivalent article at French Wikipedia
References
- {{cite book |editor-last=Gardiner |editor-first=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |editor-last3=Budzbon |editor-first3=Przemysław |name-list-style=amp |year=1995 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-132-7 }}
- {{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2016 |date=February 2016 |volume=116 |isbn=9781857438352 |publisher=Routlegde |ref={{harvid|Military Balance 2016}} |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=112 |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=978-0-7106-2888-6 }}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080702175246/http://www.forcesarmees.gouv.sn/ Website of the Armed Forces of Senegal].
{{Senegal topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Senegal}}