Armed Forces of Senegal

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Template:Short description Template:Infobox national military

The Armed Forces of Senegal (Template:Langx) 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 (Script error: No such module "Lang".) is the leading force within the Senegalese armed forces and provides the chief of staff and the Script error: No such module "Lang"..

Army

File:M-16 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 Script error: No such module "Lang". 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 "Script error: No such module "Lang"." (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

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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
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". training with a United States Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Senegal

The navy (Script error: No such module "Lang".), also known as the Script error: No such module "Lang"., is of small size and is commanded by a ship-of-the-line captain. It is responsible for securing Senegal's Template:Convert 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 Template:Convert territorial waters as well as a declared Template:Convert exclusive economic zone.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

The Navy is divided into three branches known as "groupings":[9]

  • The Operational Naval Grouping (Script error: No such module "Lang".), which is divided into three flotillas and one group:
    • The High Seas Patrol Boats (Script error: No such module "Lang".),
    • The Coastal Surveillance Vessels (Script error: No such module "Lang".),
    • The Fast Coastal Boats (Script error: No such module "Lang".) and
    • The Transport Group (Script error: No such module "Lang".).
  • The Naval Support Grouping (Script error: No such module "Lang".) responsible for ports, repairs, training, and logistics.
  • The Fluvial-Maritime Surveillance Grouping.

Air Force

File:Roundel of Senegal.svg
Air Force Roundel.

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The air force (Script error: No such module "Lang".) 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:[10]

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[11] File:1972 Walther PP.jpg .25 ACP Semi-automatic pistol Template:Country data Germany
PAMAS G1[11] File:DCB-Shooting MAS G1S.jpg 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol Template:Country data Italy
Template:Country data France
MAC 50[11] File:MAC-50 detoured.jpg 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol Template:Country data France
Manurhin MR 73[11] File:Manurhin-MR-73.jpg .357 Magnum Revolver Template:Country data France
Submachine guns
MAS-38[12] File:MAS 1938 submachine gun-IMG 7409-white.jpg 7.65×20mm Submachine gun Template:Country data France
MAT-49[11] File:MAT Submachine Gun.jpg 9×19mm Submachine gun Template:Country data France
SMT9[13] Submachine gun Template:Country data Brazil
Rifles
FAMAS[14] File:FAMAS-img 1016.jpg 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data France
M16[14] File:M16A2 rightside noBG.jpg 5.56×45mm Assault rifle Template:Country data United States
M4[15] File:PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.png 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data United States
CAR-15[11] File:USAF GAU 5A noBG.png 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data United States
Taurus T4[16][17] File:Fuzil T4.jpg 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data Brazil
Norinco CQ[18] File:NORINCO Type CQ 5'56x45mm assault rifle.jpg 5.56×45mm Assault rifle Template:Country data China
Daewoo K1[19] File:South Korean K1 carbine No.1 0.jpg .223 Remington Carbine
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data South Korea Received 280 K1A rifles in 2003.
Daewoo K2[20][21] File:Daewoo K2 rifle 0.jpg 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data South Korea
IWI Tavor[22] File:IWI-Tavor-TAR-21w1.jpg 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data Israel
IWI Tavor X95[23] File:MicroTavorX95MARS-white.jpg 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle 		Template:Country data Israel
Heckler & Koch G3[11] File:H&K G3FS.jpg 7.62×51mm Battle rifle Template:Country data West Germany
Template:Country data France 		French-made G3s
SIG SG 540[11] File:SG 540 Manurhin noBG.png 7.62×51mm Battle rifle Template:Country data Switzerland
MAS-36[24] File:MAS Modèle 36 right side.jpg 7.5×54mm Bolt-action rifle Template:Country data France
MAS-49/56[25] File:MAS 49 56.JPG 7.5×54mm Semi-automatic rifle Template:Country data France
Sniper rifles
SVD[26] File:SVD Dragunov.jpg 7.62×54mmR Sniper rifle
Designated marksman rifle 		Template:Country data Soviet Union
KNT-76[27] File:MPT-76 Assault Rifle noBG.png 7.62×51mm Designated marksman rifle Template:Country data Turkey
IWI Galatz[14] File:Galil-Sniper-Galatz-r001.jpg 5.56×45mm Designated marksman rifle Template:Country data Israel
Machine guns
IWI Negev[14] File:IWI-Negev-Zachi-Evenor-01-white.jpg 5.56×45mm Light machine gun Template:Country data Israel
AA-52[11] File:Mitrailleuse-IMG 1728.jpg 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun Template:Country data France
Heckler & Koch HK21[11] File:HK 21 LMG RIGHT SIDE.jpg 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun Template:Country data West Germany
M60[28] File:M60 Medium Machine Gun (7414626098).jpg 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun Template:Country data United States
Browning M2[11] File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg .50 BMG Heavy machine gun Template:Country data United States
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-7[11] File:Rpg-7.jpg 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade Template:Country data Soviet Union
LRAC F1[29] File:LRAC F1-detoured-cropped.png 89mm Shoulder-launched missile weapon Template:Country data France

Anti-tank weapons

Name Image Type Origin Caliber Notes
MILAN[30] File:Tag der Bundeswehr Jagel 2019 HJL 13 noBG.png Anti-tank missile Template:Country data France
Template:Country data West Germany 		496

Anti-aircraft weapons

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Bofors L/60Template:Sfn File:40mm bofors AA-gun in Finland.JPG Autocannon Template:Country data Sweden 12
20 mm modèle F2 gun File:20mm F2 gun.jpg Autocannon Template:Country data 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 Template:Country data Ukraine 6[31]
Field artillery
M101 File:JGSDF 105mm Howitzer M2A1(Type 58 105mm Howitzer) left front view at Camp Nihonbara October 1, 2017.jpg Howitzer Template:Country data United States 6Template:Sfn
M-50 File:M-1950-beyt-hatotchan-2.jpg Howitzer Template:Country data France 6[32]
TRF1 File:TRM-10000 - TRF-1 003 FR.JPG Howitzer Template:Country data France 8[33]
Mortars
MO-120-RT-61 File:Mortier 120mm fh000021.jpg Towed mortar Template:Country data France 32

Tank destroyers

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
WMA-301 File:WMA-301 tank destroyers of Djiboutian Army.jpg Tank destroyer Template:Country data China 12[34]

Infantry fighting vehicles

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Ratel IFV File:Ratel 90 armyrecognition South-Africa 008.jpg Infantry fighting vehicle Template:Country data South Africa 26[35]

Armored personnel carriers

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Panhard M3 File:PanhardM3.png Armoured personnel carrier Template:Country data France 16[32]
M3 half-track File:M3 half track 9-08-2008 14-47-56.JPG Half-track
Armored personnel carrier 		Template:Country data United States 12[32]
WZ-551 File:Sri Lanka Military 0233.jpg Command post Template:Country data China 1[34]
EE-11 Urutu File:EE-11 Urutu — 15RcMecEs.jpg Amphibious Armored personnel carrier Template:Country data Brazil Unknown[36]
RG-31 Nyala File:RG-31.JPG Infantry mobility vehicle Template:Country data South Africa Unknown
Dozor-B File:Dozor-B, Kyiv 2018, 01.jpg Infantry mobility vehicle Template:Country data Ukraine 6[31]

Reconnaissance

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Panhard AML File:AML-90 DM-SC-91-12078.JPEG Armored car Template:Country data France 53[32]
Eland-90 File:Eland Armoured Vehicle.jpg Armored car Template:Country data South Africa 47[37]
RAM MK3 File:RAM2000vehicle.jpg Armored Car Template:Country data Israel 55[14]

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Casspir File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg MRAP Template:Country data South Africa 9[38]
Katmerciler Hizir II File:Hızır4x4 zırhlı araç.jpg MRAP Template:Country data Turkey N/A
PUMA M26-15 File:OTT Puma M26-15 MRAP (9686047211).jpg MRAP Template:Country data South Africa 30[14]
Ejder Yalçın File:Ejder Yalçın.jpg MRAP Template:Country data Turkey 25[39]

Utility vehicles

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Humvee File:2015 MCAS Beaufort Air Show 041215-M-CG676-161.jpg Light utility vehicle Template:Country data United States 23[40]
M151 File:AMG M151 A2 (1978) GB (owner Gavin Broad).JPG Utility vehicle Template:Country data United States Unknown[41]

Aircraft

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".Navy[42]

Citations

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

References

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External links

Template:Senegal topics Template:Military of Africa

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2012, 449.
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Bryden & N'Diaye (eds), 'Security Sector Governance in Francophone West Africa, DCAF, 2011, 207.
  10. ↑ État Major des Armees, Zones militaires Template:Webarchive, accessed August 2009
  11. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). Template:ISBN.
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ 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
  14. ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ 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
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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