Djiboutian Army
| Djiboutian Army | |
|---|---|
 Members of the Djibouti Army during a ceremony in 2009 | |
| Active | 1977–present |
| Country |
 Djibouti |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Ground Defence |
| Size | Approx. 8,000 (2012.est)[1] |
| Part of | Djibouti Armed Forces |
| Engagements |
Djiboutian Civil War Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict |
The Djiboutian Army is the largest branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces and is based in the Djiboutian capital of Djibouti City. Djibouti has upgraded its Ground Forces with advanced additions from domestic engineering and modifications. It must operate in mountainous and other rugged terrain, but it must do this without affecting the mechanized capability that is needed to confront regional forces. The official tasks of the armed forces include strengthening the country against external attack, maintaining border security. It is responsible for the defence of mainland Djibouti.
Overview
Djibouti has a small military than its neighbors. However, its security stops against foreign incursions. In reforming the Djiboutian Army, most of the available attention and financial resources have been directed to the development of the Land Forces. Over the years, Djiboutian Army has benefited from material and financial support of various countries such as France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United States. Currently, the amount allocated to defense represents the largest single entry in the country’s budget.
Organisation
The Army has four military districts (the Tadjourah, Dikhil, Ali-Sabieh and Obock districts).[1]
Its maneuver units are:
- One amoured regiment (comprising a reconnaissance squadron, three armoured squadrons and an anti-smuggling squadron)[1]
- Four infantry regiments (each comprising three to four infantry companies and a support company)[1]
- One rapid reaction regiment (comprising four infantry companies and a support company)[1]
- One Republican Guard regiment[1]
- One artillery regiment[1]
- One demining company[1]
- One signals regiment[1]
- One computer and information systems section[1]
- One logistics regiment[1]
- One maintenance company[1]
International mission
Djibouti has participated in international mission in Somalia. Right now there are more than 960 soldiers serving on foreign soil
| Location | Mission | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Somalia | 960 |
Equipment
Armoured vehicles
| Name | Type | Origins | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-72 | Main battle tank |  Soviet Union | ????[2] |
| Ratel IFV | Infantry fighting vehicle |  South Africa | 9[3] |
| Panhard AML | Light armoured car |  France | 38[3] |
| BTR-80 | Armoured personnel carrier | Soviet Union | 8[1] |
| BTR-60 | Armoured personnel carrier | Soviet Union | 10[3] |
| Véhicule Blindé Léger | all-terrain vehicle | France | 10[3] |
Artillery
| Name | Type | Origins | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| BM-21 Grad | Multiple rocket launcher | Soviet Union | ????[4] |
| 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) | Howitzer | Soviet Union | 6[1] |
| Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 | Heavy mortar | France | 20[1] |
| Brandt MO-81 81mm | medium mortar | France | 25[1] |
Light weapons
| Name | Type | Origins | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARC-89[1] | Anti-tank weapon | France | |
| M40 recoilless rifle | Recoilless rifle |  United States | 16[1] |
| RPG-7[5] | Anti-tank grenade launcher | Soviet Union |
Small arms
| Name | Type | Origins | Cartridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMAS[5] | Assault rifle | France | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| SIG SG 540[5] | Assault rifle |  Switzerland | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Steyr AUG[6] | Assault rifle |  Austria | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| AKM[7] | Assault rifle | Soviet Union | 7.62×39mm |
| IMI Galil[8] | Assault rifle |  Israel | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| FN FAL[5] | Battle rifle | .svg.png){kind=small} Belgium | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Heckler & Koch G3[5] | Battle rifle |  West Germany | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| MAT-49[5] | Submachine gun | France | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| AA-52 machine gun[5] | Heavy machine gun | France | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| M2 Browning[5] | Heavy machine gun | United States | 12.7×99mm NATO |
| MAS-36 rifle | Bolt-action rifle | France | 7.5×54mm French |
Air Defense
| Name | Type | Origins | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-693\53-T-2 20mm | Anti-Aircraft Twin Autocannon | France | 5[1] |
| ZU-23-2 | Anti-Aircraft Twin Autocannon | Soviet Union | 5[1] |
| Bofors 40 mm | Autocannon |  Sweden | 5[1] |
See also
References
- Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 IISS (2012), p. 432
- ↑ "Defence talk". defencetalk. 2003. Retrieved 14 October 2003.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Army Recognition". EquipmentInsight. 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ↑ "Weaponsystems". Weaponsystems. 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ↑ "AUG 9mm". REMTEK. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ↑ Rottman, Gordon (2011). The AK-47 Kalashnikov series assault rifles. Great Britain: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-461-1.
- ↑ http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=42208
- Works consulted
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222.
External links
Media related to Army of Djibouti at Wikimedia Commons