Armed Forces of Senegal

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Senegalese Armed Forces
Forces armées du Sénégal
Founded1962
Service branches
Leadership
PresidentBassirou Diomaye Faye
Minister of the Armed ForcesSidiki Kaba
Chief of the General StaffGeneral of Air Corps Mbaye Cissé
Personnel
Available for
military service
1,158,893 (2000 est.), age 15–49 (2,218,920 (2000 est.))
Fit for
military service
109,381 (2000 est.), age 15–49 (2,218,920 (2000 est.))
Reaching military
age annually
(2,218,920 (2000 est.))
Active personnel17,000
Expenditure
Budget~ $350 million (FY2018)
Percent of GDP~1.5% (FY2018 est.)
Industry
Foreign suppliersFile:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
File:Flag of France.svg France
File:Flag of India.svg India
File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam
File:Flag of the United States (23px).png United States
File:Flag of Haiti.svg Haiti
File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
Related articles
HistoryMauritania–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
RanksMilitary ranks of Senegal

The Armed Forces of Senegal (French: 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.[1]

Summary of past military actions

File:Senegalese navy Adm. Ousmane Ibrahima Sall, left, the deputy chief of staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, inspects a formation of troops with military leaders from other nations during exercise Western Accord 120714-M-XI134-0407.jpg
Commando battalion of Thiès.
  • 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.[2]
  • 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.[3]
  • 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 (Armée de Terre) is the leading force within the Senegalese armed forces and provides the chief of staff and the Inspecteur général des forces armées.

Army

File:M-4 carbine marksmanship range training during African Lion 22 in Dodji, Senegal 220624-A-OA230-0056.jpg
Senegalese soldiers during a training exercise.

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.[4] 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 Bataillon de reconnaissance et d'Appui at Kolda; there are six infantry battalions numbered 1st to 6th.[5] 3rd Battalion may have been at Kaolack with 4th at Tambacounda at one point.[6] Also reported is the 12th Battalion of the 2nd Military Zone at Saint Louis (Dakhar Bango),[7] 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 "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

File:Spahis sénégalais lors de l'Investiture de Macky Sall - 2 avril 2012 (3).jpg
Red Guard of Senegal.

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
The Senegalese patrol boat 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
Senegalese patrol vessel Poponquine training with a United States Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Senegal

The navy (marine), also known as the Armée de mer, is of small size and is commanded by a ship-of-the-line captain. It is responsible for securing Senegal's 286-nautical-mile (530-kilometre) 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.[8] The Navy operates two bases, one at Dakar and the other at Elinkine. The navy also patrols the 12-nautical-mile (22-kilometre) territorial waters as well as a declared 200-nautical-mile (370-kilometre) exclusive economic zone.[9][10] The Navy is divided into three branches known as "groupings":[11]

  • The Operational Naval Grouping (Groupement Naval Opérationnel), which is divided into three flotillas and one group:
    • The High Seas Patrol Boats (Patrouilleurs de Haute Mer),
    • The Coastal Surveillance Vessels (Bâtiments de Surveillance Côtière),
    • The Fast Coastal Boats (Vedettes Côtières Rapides) and
    • The Transport Group (groupe de transport).
  • The Naval Support Grouping (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
Air Force Roundel.

The air force (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
Senegal's Military zones.

At the present time, there are seven military zones:[12]

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

Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
Walther PP[13] File:1972 Walther PP.jpg .25 ACP Semi-automatic pistol File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany
PAMAS G1[13] File:DCB-Shooting MAS G1S.jpg 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy
File:Flag of France.svg France
MAC 50[13] File:MAC-50 detoured.jpg 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol File:Flag of France.svg France
Manurhin MR 73[13] File:Manurhin-MR-73.jpg .357 Magnum Revolver File:Flag of France.svg France
Submachine guns
MAS-38[14] File:MAS 1938 submachine gun-IMG 7409-white.jpg 7.65×20mm Submachine gun File:Flag of France.svg France
MAT-49[13] File:MAT Submachine Gun.jpg 9×19mm Submachine gun File:Flag of France.svg France
SMT9[15] Submachine gun File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Rifles
FAMAS[16] File:FAMAS-img 1016.jpg 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle
File:Flag of France.svg France
M16[16] File:M16A2 rightside noBG.jpg 5.56×45mm Assault rifle File:Flag of the United States.svg United States
M4[17] File:PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.png 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle
File:Flag of the United States.svg United States
CAR-15[13] File:USAF GAU 5A noBG.png 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle
File:Flag of the United States.svg United States
Taurus T4[18] [19] File:Fuzil T4.jpg 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle
File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Norinco CQ[20] File:NORINCO Type CQ 5'56x45mm assault rifle.jpg 5.56×45mm Assault rifle File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
Daewoo K1[21] File:South Korean K1 carbine No.1 0.jpg .223 Remington Carbine
Assault rifle
File:Flag of South Korea (1997–2011).svg South Korea Received 280 K1A rifles in 2003.
Daewoo K2[22][23] File:Daewoo K2 rifle 0.jpg 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle
File:Flag of South Korea (1984–1997).svg South Korea
IWI Tavor[24] File:IWI-Tavor-TAR-21w1.jpg 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle
File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
IWI Tavor X95[25] File:MicroTavorX95MARS-white.jpg 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle
File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Heckler & Koch G3[13] File:H&K G3FS.jpg 7.62×51mm Battle rifle File:Flag of Germany.svg West Germany
File:Flag of France.svg France
French-made G3s
SIG SG 540[13] File:SG 540 Manurhin noBG.png 7.62×51mm Battle rifle File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
MAS-36[26] File:MAS Modèle 36 right side.jpg 7.5×54mm Bolt-action rifle File:Flag of France.svg France
MAS-49/56[27] File:MAS 49 56.JPG 7.5×54mm Semi-automatic rifle File:Flag of France.svg France
Sniper rifles
SVD[28] File:SVD Dragunov.jpg 7.62×54mmR Sniper rifle
Designated marksman rifle
File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
KNT-76[29] File:MPT-76 Assault Rifle noBG.png 7.62×51mm Designated marksman rifle File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey
IWI Galatz[16] File:Galil-Sniper-Galatz-r001.jpg 5.56×45mm Designated marksman rifle File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Machine guns
IWI Negev[16] File:IWI-Negev-Zachi-Evenor-01-white.jpg 5.56×45mm Light machine gun File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
AA-52[13] File:Mitrailleuse-IMG 1728.jpg 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun File:Flag of France.svg France
Heckler & Koch HK21[13] File:HK 21 LMG RIGHT SIDE.jpg 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun File:Flag of Germany.svg West Germany
M60[30] File:M60 Medium Machine Gun (7414626098).jpg 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun File:Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg United States
Browning M2[13] File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg .50 BMG Heavy machine gun File:Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg United States
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7[13] File:Rpg-7.jpg 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
LRAC F1[31] File:LRAC F1-detoured-cropped.png 89mm Shoulder-launched missile weapon File:Flag of France.svg France

Anti-tank weapons

Name Image Type Origin Caliber Notes
MILAN[32] File:Tag der Bundeswehr Jagel 2019 HJL 13 noBG.png Anti-tank missile File:Flag of France.svg France
File:Flag of Germany.svg West Germany
496

Anti-aircraft weapons

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Bofors L/60[33] File:40mm bofors AA-gun in Finland.JPG Autocannon File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 12
20 mm modèle F2 gun File:20mm F2 gun.jpg Autocannon File:Flag of France.svg France 21 Used for air defence.

Artillery

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Rocket artillery
Bastion-01 File:Ukrainian BM-21 Grad Bastion-01 in Kyiv, Ukraine on 22 of August, 2014 IMG 7655 01.JPG Multiple rocket launcher File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 6[34]
Field artillery
M101 File:JGSDF 105mm Howitzer M2A1(Type 58 105mm Howitzer) left front view at Camp Nihonbara October 1, 2017.jpg Howitzer File:Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg United States 6[33]
M-50 File:M-1950-beyt-hatotchan-2.jpg Howitzer File:Flag of France.svg France 6[35]
TRF1 File:TRM-10000 - TRF-1 003 FR.JPG Howitzer File:Flag of France.svg France 8[36]
Mortars
MO-120-RT-61 File:Mortier 120mm fh000021.jpg Towed mortar File:Flag of France.svg France 32

Tank destroyers

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
WMA-301 File:WMA-301 tank destroyers of Djiboutian Army.jpg Tank destroyer File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 12[37]

Infantry fighting vehicles

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Ratel IFV File:Ratel 90 armyrecognition South-Africa 008.jpg Infantry fighting vehicle File:Flag of South Africa (1928–1982).svg South Africa 26[38]

Armored personnel carriers

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Panhard M3 File:PanhardM3.png Armoured personnel carrier File:Flag of France.svg France 16[35]
M3 half-track File:M3 half track 9-08-2008 14-47-56.JPG Half-track
Armored personnel carrier
File:Flag of the United States.svg United States 12[35]
WZ-551 File:Sri Lanka Military 0233.jpg Command post File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 1[37]
EE-11 Urutu File:EE-11 Urutu — 15RcMecEs.jpg Amphibious Armored personnel carrier File:Flag of Brazil (1968–1992).svg Brazil Unknown[39]
RG-31 Nyala File:RG-31.JPG Infantry mobility vehicle File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa Unknown
Dozor-B File:Dozor-B, Kyiv 2018, 01.jpg Infantry mobility vehicle File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 6[34]

Reconnaissance

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Panhard AML File:AML-90 DM-SC-91-12078.JPEG Armored car File:Flag of France.svg France 53[35]
Eland-90 File:Eland Armoured Vehicle.jpg Armored car File:Flag of South Africa (1928–1982).svg South Africa 47[40]
RAM MK3 File:RAM2000vehicle.jpg Armored Car File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel 55[16]

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Casspir File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg MRAP File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 9[41]
PUMA M26-15 File:OTT Puma M26-15 MRAP (9686047211).jpg MRAP File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 30[16]
Ejder Yalçın File:Ejder Yalçın.jpg MRAP File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 25[42]

Utility vehicles

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Humvee File:2015 MCAS Beaufort Air Show 041215-M-CG676-161.jpg Light utility vehicle File:Flag of the United States.svg United States 23[43]
M151 File:AMG M151 A2 (1978) GB (owner Gavin Broad).JPG Utility vehicle File:Flag of the United States.svg United States Unknown[44]

Aircraft

Navy[45]

Citations

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  2. Ndiaye, Ndèye Fatou; Sané, Chamsidine (17 January 2017). "Opérations en Gambie : Il était une fois "Fodé Kaba 1" et "Fodé Kaba 2"". seneweb.com (in français).
  3. "Guinea: Senegal Sends Troops To Bissau". allafrica.com. 12 June 1998.
  4. "Le Potential". Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  5. IISS Military Balance 2012, 449.
  6. "Sorry". Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  7. "SAINT-LOUIS - en visite au 12e bataillon : Macky Sall promet de meilleures conditions de travail". www.lequotidien.sn. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  8. Gonzalez, Flor (28 January 2020). "U.S. Africa Command continues to develop Senegal's Enlisted Development Strategy". United States Africa Command. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  9. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 330.
  10. Saunders 2009, p. 717.
  11. Bryden & N'Diaye (eds), 'Security Sector Governance in Francophone West Africa, DCAF, 2011, 207.
  12. État Major des Armees, Zones militaires Archived July 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, accessed August 2009
  13. 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
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  15. Moss, Matthew (June 8th, 2020) "Senegal's Security Forces Buy Taurus Carbines & SMGs" TheFirearmBlog.com, 2024, https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/06/08/taurus-sells-carbines-smgs-to-senegal/, Date accessed: 8/10/2024
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Binnie, Jeremy; de Cherisey, Erwan (2017). "New-model African armies" (PDF). Jane's. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.
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  21. "ID No. 195149". Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2012-11-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. "세네갈군의 K-2 소총과 K201".
  23. "Mali: Ban urges immediate end to fighting amid rapidly deteriorating situation in Kidal". 21 May 2014.
  24. "Defence Notes – Shephard Media". Archived from the original on 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  25. "Tavor And Galil Rifles Plus Jericho Pistols Come to Senegal". The Firearm Blog. 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  26. "Post-WWII use of the MAS-36 rifle: Part II (export users)". wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 2015-08-23. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
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  29. "Senegal Silahlı Kuvvetleri'ne KNT-76 Keskin Nişancı Tüfeği teslimatı". 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  30. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. Shea, Dan (February 2010). "LRAC F1: 89mm Shoulder Fired Launcher". Small Arms Review. Vol. 13, no. 5. Archived from the original on 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  32. The Military Balance. Vol. 120. International Institute for Strategic Studies. Routledge. 2020. pp. 257–504. ISBN 978-0-367-46639-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  33. 33.0 33.1 Military Balance 2016, p. 464.
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  42. "Turkish armored vehicles showcased in Senegal".
  43. Morgan, Scott. "The U.S. Gives 23 Humvee to the Senegalese Armed Forces". Embassy of the United States in Dakar, Senegal. Dakar. Archived from the original on 20 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
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  45. "Senegal Navy". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2022-11-26.

Part of this article is derived from the equivalent article at French Wikipedia

References

External links