Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo

Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo
Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo
Forces Armées de la République du Congo (French)
Founded	15 August 1960
Current form	16 January 1961
Service branches	Army (Ground Force); Air Force; Marine; Gendarmerie;
Headquarters	Brazzaville
Leadership
President	Denis Sassou Nguesso
Minister of National Defense	Charles Richard Mondjo
Chief of General Staff	Guy Blanchard Okoï
Personnel
Military age	20
Active personnel	10,000 (2014)
Expenditure
Budget	$705 million (2015)
Percent of GDP	8.4 (2015)
Industry
Foreign suppliers	France; South Africa; United States;
Related articles
Ranks	Military ranks of Republic of the Congo

The Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo (French: Forces armées de la République du Congo), also less formally denoted as the Forces armées congolaises or its acronym FAC, are the military forces of the Republic of the Congo. They consist of the Congolese Army, the Congolese Air Force, the Congolese Marine (Navy) [fr], and the Congolese National Gendarmerie [fr]. The dissolution of French Equatorial Africa in 1958, and France's impending military withdrawal from the Congo in August 1960, provided the impetus for the formation of the FAC. The FAC and state paramilitary agencies are headed by an Armed Forces Chief of General Staff, usually appointed by the President of the Republic of the Congo. Major General Guy Blanchard Okoï has served as chief of staff since 2012.

History

The Congolese military was created on January 16, 1961, and reflected the nature of the colonial security forces, which recruited among the country's northern ethnic groups and were staffed by junior Bakongo officers and a handful of French senior commissioned officers. President Alphonse Massamba-Débat, who seized power in 1963, expelled all the French personnel and sidelined the military in favor of independent political militias, which were trained by Cuban troops. The militias and the Congo's civil defense corps were later integrated with the FAC as the Armée Nationale Populaire.

Under the People's Republic of the Congo, the FAC was again reorganized, with Mbochi career soldiers making up the bulk of the new officer corps; its effectiveness and standards, however, were gradually eroded by draconian political purges throughout the 1970s. A second major setback occurred during the 1990s, when mass desertions led to many FAC officers and enlisted troops joining regional militias. The FAC was reformed for the third time after the Second Congo War, incorporating many former rebels and militia combatants.

On 5 February 2012, there were munitions explosions at a tank regiment (seemingly 'Regiment Blinde') barracks located in Brazzaville's fifth arrondissement, Ouenzé. Some 206 people were initially reported killed. There are five military barracks in the city, and after the explosion officials said the government had promised to move all munitions out of the capital.^[2]

Army equipment

Small arms

Name	Caliber	Type	Origin
Pistols
TT-33^[3]	7.62×25mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Soviet Union
Makarov PM^[3]	9×18mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Soviet Union
Walther PP^[3]	.25 ACP	Semi-automatic pistol	Weimar Republic
MAC 50^[3]	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	France
Submachine guns
PPSh-41^[3]	7.62×25mm	Submachine gun	Soviet Union
Uzi^[3]	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Israel
MAT-49^[3]	9×19mm	Submachine gun	France
Franchi LF-57^[3]	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Italy
Rifles
SKS^[4]^[5]	7.62×39mm	Semi-automatic rifle	Soviet Union
AKM^[3]	7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	Soviet Union
Type 56^[5]	7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	People's Republic of China
IMI Galil^[3]	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Israel
Vektor R4^[5]	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	South Africa
M16^[3]	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	United States
FN FAL^[3]	7.62×51mm	Battle rifle	Belgium
CETME Model C^[6]	7.62×51mm	Battle rifle	Francoist Spain
MAS-36^[7]	7.5×54mm	Bolt-action rifle	France
MAS-49/56^[8]	7.5×54mm	Semi-automatic rifle	France
Machine guns
FM 24/29^[9]	7.5×54mm	Light machine gun	France
IWI Negev^[3]	5.56×45mm	Light machine gun	Israel
RP-46^[3]	7.62×54mmR	Light machine gun	Soviet Union
RPD^[10]	7.62×39mm	Squad automatic weapon	Soviet Union
RPK^[3]	7.62×39mm	Squad automatic weapon	Soviet Union
PKM^[3]	7.62×54mmR	General-purpose machine gun	Soviet Union
M60^[3]	7.62×51mm	General-purpose machine gun	United States
KPV^[11]	14.5×114mm	Heavy machine gun	Soviet Union
DShK^[3]	12.7×108mm	Heavy machine gun	Soviet Union
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-2^[3]	40mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Soviet Union
RPG-7^[3]	40mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Soviet Union
RPG-18^[10]	64mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Soviet Union
RPO-A Shmel^[10]	93mm	Missile launcher	Soviet Union

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Caliber	Notes
M18^[9]		Recoilless rifle	United States	57mm

Tanks

Name	Type	Origin	Quantity
T-54/55	Medium tank	Soviet Union	25^[12]
Type 59	Main battle tank	People's Republic of China	15^[12]
Type 62	Light tank	People's Republic of China	10^[12]
Type 63	Light tank	People's Republic of China	8^[12]
PT-76	Amphibious Light tank	Soviet Union	3^[12]

Scout cars

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
BRDM-1		Scout car	Soviet Union	25^[12]
BRDM-2		Scout car	Soviet Union	25^[12]

Armored personnel carriers

Name	Type	Origin	Quantity
BTR-60	Amphibious Armored personnel carrier	Soviet Union	30^[12]
AT105 Saxon	Armored personnel carrier	United Kingdom	28^[12]
Panhard M3	Armoured personnel carrier	France	9^[13]
Mamba	Armoured personnel carrier	South Africa	18^[12]
Marauder	Armored personnel carrier	South Africa	37^[12]
ZFB-05	Armored personnel carrier	People's Republic of China	14^[13]

Artillery

Name	Type	Origin	Quantity
Self-propelled artillery
2S1 Gvozdika	Self-propelled artillery	Soviet Union	3^[12]
Rocket artillery
RPU-14	Multiple rocket launcher	Soviet Union	Unknown^[12]
BM-14	Multiple rocket launcher	Soviet Union	Unknown^[12]
BM-21 Grad	Multiple rocket launcher	Soviet Union	10^[12]
Mortars
PM-41	Mortar	Soviet Union	Unknown^[12]
PM-43	Mortar	Soviet Union	28^[12]
Field artillery
ZiS-2	Anti-tank gun	Soviet Union	5^[12]
BS-3	Field gun	Soviet Union	10^[12]
D-30	Howitzer	Soviet Union	10^[12]
D-20	Howitzer	Soviet Union	8^[13]
M-46	Field gun	Soviet Union	5^[12]

Air defence systems

Towed anti-aircraft guns

Name	Type	Origin	Quantity
ZPU-4	Anti-aircraft gun	Soviet Union	Unknown^[12]
ZPU-2	Anti-aircraft gun	Soviet Union	Unknown^[12]
61-K	Autocannon	Soviet Union	28^[12]
S-60	Autocannon	Soviet Union	Unknown^[12]
KS-19	Anti-aircraft gun	Soviet Union	4^[13]

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
ZSU-23-4 Shilka		SPAAG	Soviet Union	8^[13]

Navy

The Navy has around 800 personnel. In October 2007, the US Navy provided some training to Congolese Navy personnel in Pointe-Noire, a port city that is the second largest settlement in the country.^[14]

As of 2016 it was commanded by Rear Admiral Andre Bouagnabea-Moundanza.^[15]

As of 2019 the Navy operates a single Mil Mi-14 helicopter.^[16]

Air Force

After achieving independence from France in 1960, the Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise) was started with equipment such as the Douglas C-47s, Broussards and Bell 47Gs, these were followed by Nord Noratlas tactical transports and Sud Alouette helicopter. In the 1970s the air force switched to Soviet equipment. This included five Ilyushin IL-14 and six turboprop Antonov An-24 transports and an An-26 in return for providing bases for Cuban MiG-17 operations over Angola. These fighters and a few MiG-15UTI combat trainers were transferred to the FAC. In 1990 these fighter were replaced by 16 USSR supplied MiG-21MF/bis Fishbeds plus a couple of MiG-21US trainers. Together with a Soviet training mission which stayed until late 1991, during that time there were numerous accidents that involved both Soviet and Congolese personnel. After the Soviets left there was only limited funding for MiG operations and they were withdrawn. Six Mi-8 helicopters were delivered from Ukraine in mid-1997 before the Cobra rebel takeover.

In 1990, the Air Force was reformed into its present state. Most fighter aircraft it possessed were scrapped in 2001. France and China provided most training to the Air Force in recent times.

See the article Congolese Air Force for current inventory.

References

^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "At least 206 people dead as arms depot explodes in Republic of Congo". nydailynews.com. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
^ "Congo : PCAD – suspension temporaire des opérations de collecte d'armes" (in French). 24 November 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Small Arms Survey (2003). "Making the Difference?: Weapon Collection and Small Arms Availability in the Republic of Congo". Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied. Oxford University Press. pp. 267–268. ISBN 0199251754. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
^ Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Congo". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. p. 1440.
^ "Post-WWII use of the MAS-36 rifle: Part II (export users)". wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 2015-08-23. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
^ Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Congo". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002.
^ ^a ^b Gander, Terry J.; Cutshaw, Charles Q., eds. (2001). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001/2002 (27th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710623171.
^ ^a ^b ^c Small Arms Survey (2003). "Making the Difference?: Weapon Collection and Small Arms Availability in the Republic of Congo". Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied. Oxford University Press. p. 267. ISBN 0199251754. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
^ Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Congo". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. p. 1441.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. p. 458. ISBN 9781032012278.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org.
^ "US Navy teaches Congolese sailors". Archived from the original on 5 August 2014.
^ Commander of Congolese Navy Rear Admiral Andre BOUAGNABEA-MOUNDANZA and accompanying party was hosted by Commander of Turkish Navy Admiral Bülent BOSTANOĞLU on 1 February 2016 Archived 18 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Turkish Navy website. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
^ "World Air Forces 2020". Flight Global. Retrieved 2019-12-20.

This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2024 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2003 edition.)

[1] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[2] "At least 206 people dead as arms depot explodes in Republic of Congo". nydailynews.com. Retrieved February 6, 2012.

[jones2009-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.

[4] "Congo : PCAD – suspension temporaire des opérations de collecte d'armes" (in French). 24 November 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.

[SAS_2003-5] Small Arms Survey (2003). "Making the Difference?: Weapon Collection and Small Arms Availability in the Republic of Congo". Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied. Oxford University Press. pp. 267–268. ISBN 0199251754. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-29.

[Congo-6] Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Congo". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. p. 1440.

[wwii_equipment_used_after_the_war-7] "Post-WWII use of the MAS-36 rifle: Part II (export users)". wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 2015-08-23. Retrieved 2017-06-15.

[8] Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Congo". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002.

[jones2002-9] Gander, Terry J.; Cutshaw, Charles Q., eds. (2001). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001/2002 (27th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710623171.

[SAS_2003_263-10] Small Arms Survey (2003). "Making the Difference?: Weapon Collection and Small Arms Availability in the Republic of Congo". Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied. Oxford University Press. p. 267. ISBN 0199251754. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-29.

[11] Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Congo". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. p. 1441.

[IISS-12] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. p. 458. ISBN 9781032012278.

[armstrade.sipri.org-13] "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org.

[14] "US Navy teaches Congolese sailors". Archived from the original on 5 August 2014.

[15] Commander of Congolese Navy Rear Admiral Andre BOUAGNABEA-MOUNDANZA and accompanying party was hosted by Commander of Turkish Navy Admiral Bülent BOSTANOĞLU on 1 February 2016 Archived 18 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Turkish Navy website. Retrieved 12 May 2017.

[16] "World Air Forces 2020". Flight Global. Retrieved 2019-12-20.

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