| Namibian Defence Force (NDF) |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 21 March 1990 (Namibian Independence) |
| Headquarters | Windhoek |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Hifikepunye Pohamba |
| Defence Minister | Charles Namoloh[1] |
| Chief of Defence Force | Major General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah[2] |
| Manpower | |
| Active personnel | c.8,000 |
| Expenditures | |
| Percent of GDP | 3.7% (2006 estimate)[1] |
| Related articles | |
| History | Caprivi Conflict Second Congo War |
The Namibia Defence Force was created when South West Africa gained full independence from South Africa in 1989. The new constitution of Namibia defines the role of the military as "defending the territory and national interests."
Namibia's Defence Force comprises two of the former enemies in a 23-year bush war: the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and South West African Territorial Force (SWATF). The British formulated the force integration plan and began training the NDF, which consists of five battalions and a small headquarters element.[3] The United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG)'s Kenyan infantry battalion remained in Namibia for three months after independence to assist in training the NDF and stabilize the north. Martin Shalli and 'Ho Chi Minh' Namholo were involved in the negotiations that allowed the Kenyan infantry battalion to remain for that period.
The main roles of the Namibia Defence Force are to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country by guarding against external aggression, both conventional and unconventional; prevent violation of Namibia’s territorial integrity; and provide assistance to civil authorities in guarding and protecting government buildings and key installations as provided in the Defence Act.[4] However Berman and Sams said in 2000 that effectiveness was limited: basic skills are limited and troops suffer from a 'range of diseases.'[5] This may imply that capability is greatly hampered by extensive HIV/AIDS infection amongst soldiers.
According to the Namibian Defence Ministry, enlistments of both men and women will number no more than 7,500. Defence and security account for less than 8% of government spending. In addition to the figures in the infobox, earlier defence spending and percentage of GDP included $90 million in 1997/98, 2.6% of GDP. The 73.1 million figure in 2002 was 2.4% of GDP. These figures are almost certainly CIA World Factbook estimates.
In August 1999, a separatist Lozi faction in the Caprivi Strip launched a coup attempt (see Caprivi conflict) which was summarily put down by the Namibian Defence Force. (Source Lonely Planet). The army has conducted security operations along the northern border with Angola. In the process of these operations, there were allegations in 2001 that the army has tortured people suspected of being UNITA sympathisers.[6] IRIN reported that the Ministry of Defence had admitted that two Namibian soldiers died fighting suspected UNITA rebels in southern Angola in July 2001.[7] The Namibian Defence Force assists in putting out wildfires.[8]
As of 13 October 2010, Sibbinda councillor Felix Mukupi has requested a meeting with the regional army commander in order to request 'the NDF to deploy its troops [on the Namibia/Zambia border area] stretching from Wenela to Kongola' in order to curtail stock thefts by gangs of cattle thieves from Zambia.[9]
On 24 May 2010, Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff Department of the People's Liberation Army and member of the Central Military Commission, met Charles Namoloh and Peter Nambundunga, acting commander of the Namibian Defense Forces, in Windhoek.[10] At their meeting, the two sides had in-depth discussions on further strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two armed forces. Chen Binghe was accompanied by the chief of staff of the Second Artillery Corps and two PLA Military Region chiefs of staff. Chen Binghe also met President Pohamba that day.
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The first chief of the NDF was Dimo Hamaambo. He was previously the leader of PLAN, and a survivor of the Battle of Cassinga. Hamaambo was the first to be laid to rest at the Heroes' Acre memorial outside Windhoek, a few days after its official opening in 2002. Solomon Huwala replaced Hamaambo as Chief of the NDF on Hamaambo's retirement. After Huwala retired in October 2006, Martin Shalli headed the NDF.[11]
President Hifikepunye Pohamba suspended Lieutenant General Martin Shalli from his post as Chief of Defence Force in 2009 over corruption allegations, dating back to the time when Shalli served as Namibia’s High Commissioner to Zambia.[12]. During the time of the suspension, Peter Nambundunga acted as Chief.[13] Shalli was eventually forced to retire in January 2011; the post of Chief of the NDF was given to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah.[2]
As of 2005, the army of Namibia consisted of:[14]
As of 2008, Jane's reported that the force included:[16]
Also in the force is the Fifth Battalion.[20]
Peter Nambundunga replaced Martin Shalli as Commander of the Army in 2005.
In 2007 the IISS Military Balance said that the MOD planned to build new military bases around the country, including at Luiperdsvallei outside Windhoek, Osana near Okahandja, and Karibib. In that year IISS said the army included six infantry battalions, one anti-tank regiment, one combat support brigade (one artillery regiment), a Presidential Guard of one battalion, and one air defence regiment.[21]
As of September 2009, the 19th anniversary celebrations, Brigadier General Tomas Hamunyela was listed as the Acting Army Commander. (MOD website)
Army equipment includes:
Armoured Personnel Carriers
Weapons
Recently the South African Army has trained the Namibian Army's artillery corps in the use of the G2 (140mm) medium gun.[23]
The Namibian Air Force is small, consisting of between 4 and 12 Chinese K-8 light attack aircraft, and a number of fixed and rotary wing transport assets. Development in this area was hampered by accidental losses during their intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chinese sources reported the delivery of FT-7NGs in November 2006. Namibian AF ordered 12 Chengdu F-7NMs in August 2005. This is believed to be a variation of the F-PG acquired by Pakistan.
Expansion of the Air Force base at Keetmanshoop is planned.[24]
Defence cooperation at various levels has been explored with several governments, including the United States. Areas of cooperation include military education, training, and a fisheries program. On 21 May 1990, Namibia signed a border-control agreement with Angola but to date has not entered into defence agreements with any country.
Development of Namibia's navy has been slow, and the force was only formally established in 2004, 14 years after independence. Engaging approximately 350 personnel it deploys a small number of lightly armed patrol vessels. Extensive Brazilian aid has assisted in the development of the Namibian Navy. Brazil and Namibia signed an agreement in 2004 for the delivery of a patrol boat and two smaller patrol craft. The newly-build 200 ton patrol boat Brendan Simbwaye, built at the Brazilian shipyard INACE, was commissioned on January 19, 2009.[25] An ongoing co-operation program allows Namibian sailors and naval officers to be trained by the Brazilian Navy; by 2009, 466 seamen had been trained. Brazil also provided assistance in preparing a nautical chart of the approach to Walvis Bay and consulting in charting the outer limits of the continental shelf off Namibia.[26] The Brazilian navy has also trained marines for the Namibian navy.[27]
Navy equipment includes one Grajau Class Patrol Boat and two Rio Class Patrol Craft.[25]
In September 2004 it was reported that the South African Navy had donated two of its Namacurra-class harbour patrol boats to the Nambian Navy. The boats were refitted, with new motors and navigation equipment funded by the German government.[28]
Navy Ships: