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Military of Benin;
Service branches	Army; Air Force; Navy; National Gendarmerie
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	President Yayi Boni
Expenditures
Percent of GDP	1.7%

The military of Benin constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. For a number of years, the military of Belgium has had an active programme of co-operation with Benin, offering training and coaching, donating redundant military equipment and using the county for limited military exercises.

[edit] General

Military branches: Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Armée de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008)

Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,402,566
females age 15-49: 1,445,082
note: both sexes are liable for military service (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 717,289
females age 15-49: 732,196 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 69,065
females: 67,961 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $27 million (FY96)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY96)

[edit] Army

Beninese soldiers on a firing range at Bembèrèkè in June 2009

Beninese soldiers training with a Type 56.

A Beninese soldier with a Type 56

[edit] Personnel

4,300^

[edit] Structure

1 armoured squadron
3 infantry battalions
1 commando/airborne battalion
1 artillery battery
1 engineer battalion

[edit] Equipment

MBT: x20 PT-76
ARV: x10 VBL, x14 BRDM-2, x7 M8
APC: x16 M113 (ex-Belgian)
Artillery: x12 L118, x4 M101
Anti-Tank: RPG-7, LRAC
Surface-to-air missile: SA-7 Grail, SA-9 Gaskin
AA Gun: ZPU-4

[edit] Airforce History

After achieving independence from France in 1960 the Benin Airforce was transport equipped with seven French-supplied Douglas C-47s, four MH.1521M Broussands and two Agusta-Bell 47G's. Two F-27's were entered service in 1978 for transport duties before being transferred to Air Benin. Also during the same era two AN-26's were acquired. In late 1985 two Dornier Do-28's entered service to replace the C-47's. A single DHC-6 Twin Otter was acquired in 1989.

[edit] Air Force

The Benin Air Force maintains a small transport and utility fleet of 14 aircraft, including seven helicopters.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service^[1]	Notes
Helicopters
Agusta A109	Italy	scout/attack helicopter	A109HO		2 to be delivered from Belgium^[2]
Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil	France Germany Spain	utility helicopter	AS 350B	1
Transports
British Aerospace HS.748	United Kingdom	transport	HS.748	1
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter	Canada	transport	DHC-6-300	1
Dornier Do 28	Germany	utility	Do.28D-2	2
Douglas DC-3	United States	transport	C-47B	2
Aero Commander	United States	transport	500B	1