Niger Armed Forces

Niger Armed Forces
Forces Armées Nigeriennes (FAN)
File:Niger army logo.jpg Seal of the Niger Armed Forces
Founded	1 August 1961
Service branches	Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard (GNN).
Headquarters	Niamey
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	President Mahamadou Issoufou
Minister of National Defence	Karidio Mahamadou
Chief of staff	General Seyni Garba
Personnel
Military age	18–49
Conscription	2 year compulsory
Available for military service	2,135,680 (2005 est.), age 15–49
Fit for military service	1,155,054 (2000 est.), age 15–49
Active personnel	12,000
Reserve personnel	5000 (2003)
Expenditure
Percent of GDP	1.6% (2007)
Industry
Foreign suppliers	France People's Republic of China United States

Nigerien army soldiers from the 322nd Parachute Regiment practice field tactics during combat training facilitated by U.S. Army Soldiers during exercise Flintlock 2007 in Maradi, Niger, April 6, 2007

The Niger Armed Forces (French: Forces Armées Nigeriennes) (FAN) includes military armed force service branches (Niger Army and Niger Air Force), paramilitary services branches (National Gendarmerie of Niger and National Guard of Niger) and the National Police. The Niger Army, Niger Air Force and the National Gendarmerie of Niger are under the Ministry of Defense whereas the National Guard of Niger and the National Police fall under the command of the Ministry of Interior. With the exception of the National Police, all military and paramilitary forces are trained in military fashion. The President of Niger is the supreme commander of all armed forces.

Military Armed Forces

The two military service branches (Niger Army and Niger Air Force) are each headed by their respective Chiefs of Staff who are answerable to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Military Armed Forces (French: Etat Major des Armées).

Niger Army

In 2003 it was reported that the Army was made up around 8,000 troops. This number included draftees, around 4,000 members of the elite Garde Republicaine (folded with the FNIS into the new GNN in 2010) and career soldiers. There was an additional 5,000-member reserve force of part-time National Guard forces. Units include logistics, motorized infantry, airborne infantry, artillery and armoured companies. There is a total of 10 pure motorized infantry battalions, three of which are Saharan. The other battalions are mixed, or inter arms like the ones in Niamey (12eme Battaillion interarmes de Niamey), Zinder, Tahoua and Madawela. Each of these battalions comprises a logistics and engineering or genie sapeur company, an infantry company, be it airborne or land, an armoured squadron and an artillery company. The Armed forces are commanded from the Joint Chiefs in Niamey through appointed commandeers of each of the seven "Defense Zones", which largely overlap each of the civilian Regions of Niger.

The IISS Military Balance 2012 says there are 5,200 army personnel, with three military districts, four armoured reconnaissance squadrons, seven infantry companies, two airborne infantry companies, one air defence company, one engineer company, and one logistics group. (IISS 2012, 446.)

Special training sites include the Ecole de Formation des Forces Armées Nigériennes (EFOFAN) National Officers Training School and The Paramedical Personnel Training School (EPPAN), both based at Camp Tondibiah in the southern suburbs of Niamey.

Niger Air Force

The roundel of the Niger Air Force

History

The Niger National Escadrille (Escadrille Nationale du Niger) was first formed on 1961 which was later restructured into the National Air Wing (Groupement Aerien National) in 1989. Prior to 2003, military armed forces of Niger (french: forces armées nigeriennes or FAN) were grouped in one branch with one Chief of Staff who oversees both ground forces as well as the National Air Wing. Following an organizational restructuring in 2003, the military armed forces of Niger were structured into two main branches: Niger Army (french: armée de terre) for all ground military forces and Niger Air Force (Armée de l'air). Each branch was headed by a Chief of Staff answerable to the Joint Chief of Staff of military armed forces. As part of this new structure, the National Air Wing was was renamed as Niger Air Force (Armée de l'Air du Niger) on December 17, 2003. The Niger Air Force is led by the Air Force Chief of staff answerable to the Joint Chief and the Defense Minister. Presently, the Chief of Staff is Col. Boulama Issa.

Structure

with ex American Airlines C-47s, Broussards and a Flamant. The ENN first started with support and transport operations with French and German assistance. Later deliveries included four surplus Noratlas transports, two Dornier Do 128-2 Skyservants and a single Dornier Do 228-201. The Do 228 is operated alongside a civil-registered Boeing 737-2N9C which replaced an ex-French Douglas C-54B, for VIP and government transport. In 1979 two Lockheed C-130H's were delivered for transport duties. One C-130 crashed at Naimey in 1997. An Antonov AN-26 was donated in June 1997 to take its place. Two SU-25 (S/N 5U-MCC and 5U-MCF) were acquired from Ukraine in early 2013. Additionally, the Nigerien Air Force accepted delivery of two Cessna 208 aircraft in July 2013.

The Niger Air Force (L'armée de l'air) replaced the previous military air wing (Groupement aérien national GAN) 16 December 2003. While long a transport and logistic service for the military and government, it's civilian transport mission was spun off as the Escadrille Nationale du Niger, operator of the Presidential aircraft Mt. Bagzane. The Air Forces have since begun to expand their missions, acquiring light reconnaissance aircraft for both internal security and ground support missions. The Air Force is based at "Air Base 101"(base aérienne 101) which abuts Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey.

It is structured as follows:

• Command unit, led by Chef d'Etat major de l'Armée de l'Air, le lieutenant-colonel Boulama Issa Zana Boukar Dipchiarima (2011 -- ) (chef d'etat major) answerable to the Joint Chief and the Minister of Defense;
• Operation units (opérations, escadrons);
• Technical units;
• Generalised staff;
• One company of infantry (compagnie de fusiliers).

Aircraft inventory

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Quantity	Operational status	References
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Military transport	1	Operational
Dornier Do 228	Germany	Utility transport	1	Operational
Dornier Do 28	Germany	Utility transport	1	Operational
Diamond DA42	Template:Austria	Surveillance	2	Operational
Boeing 737	United States	VIP transport	1	Operational
Tetras	France	Ultra light (ULM) transport	3-4	Operational
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	Light transport	2	Operational
Mi-24	Soviet Union	Attack helicopters	2	Unknown
Mi-17	Soviet Union	Transport helicopters	2	Operational
Gazelle SA341F	France	Attack helicopters	3	Delivered in 2013 and operational
Su-25	Soviet Union	Fighter jets	2	Delivered in 2013 and operational

Paramilitary Armed Forces

There are two paramilitary services branches: (National Gendarmerie of Niger under the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard of Niger) under the Ministry of Interior. Each of these branches are headed by Chief of Staff answerable to the overseeing ministry.

National Gendarmerie

Main article: The National Gendarmerie of Niger

The National Gendarmerie is commanded by the Superior Commander of the National Gendarmerie. Unlike the National Police and the National Guard, the National Gendarmerie is under the control of the Ministry of Defense of Niger. It is divided between territorial brigades and mobile brigades. In addition to territorial defense and maintaining public order, it provides military and paramilitary justice to other corps of the armed forces and participates to the judicial and the surveillance police activities. It is regarded as an elite force due to its stringent recruitment criteria of all armed forces. Due to increasing cross-border traffic of weapons and drugs, its activities have increased border areas. The national gendarmerie, unlike the Army or the National Guard, has never been directly involved in an attempt to seize or control power by force.

National Guard

Main article: The National Guard of Niger

Formerly known as the National Forces of Intervention and Security, the National Guard of Niger is responsible for security in rural areas where the national police is absent. It is overseen by the superior commander of the National Guard who reports to the Ministry of Interior. This body is responsible for: border and territorial surveillance of the country, public safety, maintaining and restoring of order, protecting public buildings and institutions, people and their property, the execution of the administrative police in rural and pastoral areas, management and monitoring of prisons, humanitarian actions in the case of national disaster or crisis and protection of the environment. It is also responsible for providing security to administrative authorities and the diplomatic and consular representations of Niger abroad.

National Police

Main article: The National Police of Niger

The General Directorate of National Police, headquartered in Niamey was until the 1999 Constitution under the command of the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defense. Today, only the National Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of Defense, with the National Police and its Para-Military Arm—FNIS—moved to the Nigerien Interior Ministry. The National Gendarmerie(modeled on the French Gendarmerie) and the National Forces for Intervention and Security (FNIS) (Forces nigerienne d'internale securite- FNIS) count a combined 3,700 member paramilitary police force. The FNIS, along with some special units of the Gendarmerie, are armed and trained in military fashion, similar to the Internal Troops of the nations of the former Soviet Union. The Gendarmerie has law enforcement jurisdiction outside the Urban Communes of Niger, while the National police patrols towns. Special internal security operations may be carried out by the Military, the FNIS, the Gendarmerie, or whatever forces tasked by the Government of Niger.

Cultural sponsorships

The Army, FNIS and the National Football Police sponsor semi-professional football clubs, ASFAN, AS-FNIS and AS Police, which play in the Niger Premier League.

Professionalisation

The Armed Forces—which includes the National Gendarmerie—have undergone a series of structural changes aimed at professionalisation of the ranks and the retaining of more skilled recruits. Greater emphasis on recruiting officers and NCOs, lessening recruitment of lower ranks, and more training required between promotions have been instituted. Annual recruitment for the Army and the Gendarmerie now stands at one thousand each.

Foreign missions

In 1991, Niger sent a 400-man military contingent to join the American-led allied forces against Iraq during the Gulf War. Niger provides a battalion of peace-keeping forces to the UN Mission in Côte d'Ivoire.

Soldiers of the Niger army during the Gulf War

As of 2003, the FAN had troops deployed in the following foreign missions:

• ECOMOG: Liberia, Guinée-Bissau;
• African Union: Burundi (MIOB), Comoros (MIOC);
• United Nations: Saudi Arabia (Iraq War), Rwanda (MINURCA), Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC);

Nigerien Panhard AML light armored cars with 90mm guns stand in a holding area during Operation Desert Shield.

Budget and foreign aid

Niger's defense budget is modest, accounting for about 1.6% of government expenditures. France provides the largest share of military assistance to Niger. the People's Republic of China also provide military assistance. Approximately 18 French military advisers are in Niger. Many Nigerien military personnel receive training in France, and the Nigerien Armed Forces are equipped mainly with materiel either given by or purchased in France. United States assistance has focused on training pilots and aviation support personnel, professional military education for staff officers, and initial specialty training for junior officers. A small foreign military assistance program was initiated in 1983 and a U.S. Defense Attaché office opened in June 1985. After being converted to a Security Assistance Office in 1987, it was subsequently closed in 1996, following a coup d'état. A U.S. Defense Attaché office reopened in July 2000.

The United States provided transportation and logistical assistance to Nigerien troops deployed to Côte d'Ivoire in 2003.

Additionally, the US provided initial equipment training on vehicles and communications gear to a company of Nigerien soldiers as part of the Department of State Pan Sahel Initiative. Military to military cooperation continues via the Trans-Saharan Counter Terrorism Partnership and other initiatives. EUCOM contributes funds for humanitarian assistance construction throughout the country. In 2007, a congressional waiver was granted which allows the Niger military to participate in the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, managed by the Defense Attaché Office. This program funded $170,000 in training in 2007.

References

• Bram Posthumus. Niger: A Long History, a Brief Conflict, an Open Future, in Searching for Peace in Africa, European Centre for Conflict Prevention (1999). ISBN 90-5727-033-1
• Samuel Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press, London and New Jersey (1979). ISBN 0-8108-1229-0
• Samuel Decalo. Coups and Army Rule in Africa, Yale University Press (1990). ISBN 030004458
• Jolijn Geels. Niger. Bradt London and Globe Pequot, New York (2006). ISBN 1-84162-152-8
• Full text of the 15 April 1995 Niger peace accords (French). Accord établissant une paix définitive entre le Gouvernement de la République du Niger et l'Organisation de la Résistance Armée (O.R.A.).
• Niger Factfile: The White Fathers, Sutton Coldfield, 14 June 2007.
• Niger, Déplacement du Directeur au Niger, Ministère des Affaires étrangères (France), 2007. Gives 2007 force commanders.
• L’Ambassade de France au Niger:Les relations France-Niger:Coopération franco-nigérienne:La Mission de Coopération Militaire et de Défense (France), 2007.
• Niger: The right to justice. Amnesty International. Published: 6 April 2000. Report on Army involvement in the 1999 coup, the killing of General Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, and other human rights abuses carried out by the FAN in the period 1990–2000.
• Summary:Armed forces (Niger), Armed forces. Sentinel Security Assessment - West Africa. Jane's Information Group. Oct 17, 2008.
• World aircraft information files Bright Star Publishing London File 337 Sheet 4