Introduction
How is the Military in Benin and how does it work to maintain Sucity and fight terrorism? In terms of Military and security forces, we have the Beninese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB; aka Benin Defense Forces): Land Force, Air Force, National Navy, National Guard (aka Republican Guard)
Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2024).
Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2024).
In Benin, in addition to its defense against external aggression duties, the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) may be required to assist in maintaining public order and internal security under conditions defined by the country's president; it may also participate in economic development projects
a key focus for the security forces of Benin is countering infiltrations into the country by terrorist groups tied to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) operating just over the border from northern Benin in Burkina Faso and Niger; in 2022, the Benin Government said it was "at war" after suffering a series of attacks from these groups; later that same year, President TALON pledged to increase the size of the military, modernize military equipment, and establish forward operating bases; as of 2024, Benin had sent approximately 7,000 troops to the north of the country to better secure its border on a full-time or seasonal basis; in addition, the FAB participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) along with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeastern border
the FAB has a close working relationship with the Belgian armed forces; the Belgians offer military advice, training, and second-hand equipment donations, and deploy to Benin for limited military exercises (2024)
a key focus for the security forces of Benin is countering infiltrations into the country by terrorist groups tied to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) operating just over the border from northern Benin in Burkina Faso and Niger; in 2022, the Benin Government said it was "at war" after suffering a series of attacks from these groups; later that same year, President TALON pledged to increase the size of the military, modernize military equipment, and establish forward operating bases; as of 2024, Benin had sent approximately 7,000 troops to the north of the country to better secure its border on a full-time or seasonal basis; in addition, the FAB participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) along with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeastern border
the FAB has a close working relationship with the Belgian armed forces; the Belgians offer military advice, training, and second-hand equipment donations, and deploy to Benin for limited military exercises (2024)
Security and military information of Benin
| Military and security service personnel strengths | approximately 12,000 active-duty troops, including about 3,000 National Guard; estimated 5,000 Republican Police (2024) |
|---|---|
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the FAB is equipped with a small mix of mostly older or secondhand French, Soviet-era, and US equipment; in recent years, the EU, France, and the US have provided it with limited amounts of newer military hardware such as armored vehicles and helicopters (2024) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18-30 years of age for voluntary and selective compulsory military service for men and women; conscript service is 18 months (2024). |
| Military deployments | . |
| Military expenditures | |
| Military Expenditures 2023 | 0.5% of GDP (2023 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2022 | 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2021 | 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2020 | 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2019 | 0.5% of GDP (2019 est.) |
Terrorism
In Benin, the different Terrorist group(s) inlcude: Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM); Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Boko Haram
All Important Facts about Benin
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