Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zaire

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Revision as of 21:56, 3 January 2008

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo-Zaire (French: Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo-Zaïre (FARDCZ)) is the state military organization responsible for defending the Democratic Republic of Congo-Zaire. The FARDCZ is being rebuilt amid the process of ending a brutal civil war which has killed and maimed millions and continues without end.

The FARDCZ is dominated by its land forces but also includes a small air force and a smaller navy. Due to the small number of active troops, most soldiers are trained to be active in the army, air force, and navy. The National Congolese Police (PNC) are not part of the Armed Forces. With the new govenment each solder can be identified by the FARDCZ Command in Kinshasa

The government in the capital city Kinshasa and the country's bilateral partners are attempting to create a viable force with the ability to provide the DRC with stability and security. Despite the fact the current govenment controls very little of the DRoCZ the two provinces they do control are far more secure then anywhere else in the country, and on par with a first world nation for safety.

On December 3, 2007, the military once took again took center stage in the political arena with the ascent to power of General Kabika Tshinyama via a bloodless coup d'état. Tshinyama has promised to restore peace, stamp out corruption, democratize the country, and revive the economy, but the task ahead of him is a daunting one, and it remains to be seen how committed he is to his promises.

Command Structure

The command structure of the armed forces is unknown; however, General Kabika Tshinyama simultaneously serves as the supreme commander of the Army, Navy, and Air Force of the military that remains loyal to him.

Land Forces

Comprising an estimated 4,000 personnel (the vast majority of the military is outside control of the central government), reforming the Land Forces ranks high on General Tshinyama's list of priorities for the country. The new army runs under strict rules, with curfews, daily training drills, and a total ban on alochol and tobacco (the tobacco ban is lifted if the unit in question is in a siege). Because of the strict rules in the army, the rate of application is small, however, it is also well paid, and the new base being built outside Kinshasa is helping to drive up the size of the armed forces.

Shortly after General Tshinyama's coup, the Empire of Brazil donated several retired vehicles (still operable and in excellent condition) for use by the Congolese military; they are in the process of being delivered. The following vehicles are being delivered:

• 128 Leopard 1A1 main battle tanks
• 91 M60A3 main battle tanks
• 112 M41B/C Walker Bulldog light tanks
• 409 EE-9 Cascavel armored cars
• 213 EE-11 Urutu armored personnel carriers
• 584 M113A1 armored personnel carriers

Aside from Brazil's donation, most of the country's hardware is believed to include the following (note that the numbers listed are only estimates, and cannot be verified):

• 30 Type 59 main battle tanks
• 20 T-55 main battle tanks
• 40+ Type 62 light tanks
• 40+ Panhard AML armored cars
• 20 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles
• Unspecified number of the following armored personnel carriers: M113, Type 63, Casspir, M-3 Panhard, TH 390 Fahd, Wolf Turbo 2
• Unspecified number of M116 75mm pack howitzers
• Unspecified number of D-30 122mm howitzers
• 30 multiple rocket launchers (type unknown)

The quantity and serviceability of most of this equipment is not known, but most reports estimate numbers to be low, and quality even lower. It is thought that after the donated Brazilian armor made its way to the DRoCZ, most of the original equipment was scrapped; however, some of it may have fallen into rebels hands, although this cannot be verified.

Navy

At the time os Tshinyama's coup, the state of the Navy - long neglected and allowed to fall into decline bordering on disrepair - was said to be 'in a state of near total disarray.' The Navy had approximately 1,000 personnel, and a total of 8 patrol craft, of which only one was operational, a Shanghai II Type 062 class gunboat designated 102. There were also five other Shanghai II Type 062s along with 2 Swiftships which were non-operational, though some of these ships would supposedly be restored to service in the future. The Navy also operated barges and small patrol craft armed with machine guns.

Most of the navy deserted to ex-President Kabila's side after the Tshinyama coup; as such, he has very few naval forces at his disposal. On a positive note, Brazilian sailors and marines are currently training a new batch of Congolese naval personnel.

On January 1, 2008, the Brazilian government authorized the delivery of the following vehicles for use by the Congolese navy:

• 30 Patrol Boat, River (PBR)
• 11 Fast Patrol Craft (PCF)
• 2 Fremantle class patrol boats
• 3 HH-60 Jayhawk search and rescue helicopters

Air Force

All military aircraft in the DRC are operated by the Air Force, which, prior to Tshinyama's coup had an estimated strength of 1,800 personnel and was organised into two Air Groups. These Groups commanded five wings and nine squadrons, of which not all were operational. 1 Air Group was located at Kinshasa and consisted of Liaison Wing, Training Wing and Logistical Wing and had a strength of five squadrons. 2 Tactical Air Group was located at Kaminia and consisted of Pursuit and Attack Wing and Tactical Transport Wing and had a strength of four squadrons.

Like the other services, the Congolese Air Force is not capable of carrying out its responsibilities. On a positive note, all of the Air Force's former aircraft (most inoperable) has been scrapped and replaced with new aircraft supplied by Brazil. Brazil has also deployed pilots and technicians to train members of the air force to fly and repair these aircraft.

Because much of the air force remains loyal to former President Kabila, the number of personnel currently in the air force remains unknown. Due to a shortage of skilled pilots (owing mainly to the defection of many to Kabila's forces), it is believed that foreign mercenaries pilot many of the aircraft.

As of December 2007, the Air Force includes the following aircraft:

• 28 AMX International AMX-ATA attack aircraft
• 5 CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopters
• 11 CH-54 Tarhe heavy-lift helicopters
• 4 DHC-5 Buffalo utility transports
• 4 DHC-6 Twin Otter utility transports
• 18 Embraer AT-26 Xavante trainers
• 21 Embraer AT-27 Tucano light attack aircraft
• 2 Embraer C-390 medium transports
• 25 Embraer EMB 312 Tucano trainers
• 19 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano light attack/counterinsurgency aircraft
• 8 Embraer P-95 maritime patrol aircraft
• 8 Embraer P-99 maritime patrol aircraft
• 12 F-5E/F Tiger II fighter-bombers
• 7 F-16C Fighting Falcon multirole fighters
• 5 HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopters
• 5 MiG-29M multirole fighters
• 6 Neiva Regente 420L Air Observation Posts
• 4 OH-58D Kiowa observation/scout helicopters
• 10 UH-60Q Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters

Brazil has promised to provide more aircraft (if needed) in the near future.

Republican Guard

In addition to the other branches of the armed forces, there was a Republican Guard presidential force, formerly known as the Special Presidential Security Group (GSSP). FARDCZ military officials stated that the Garde Républicaine was not the responsibility of FARDC, but the Head of State. Apart from Article 140 of the Law on the Army and Defence, no legal stipulation on the DRC's Armed Forces made provision for the GR as a distinct unit within the national army. In February 2005, former President Joseph Kabila passed a decree which appointed the GR's commanding officer and 'repealed any previous provisions contrary' to that decree. The GR was more than 10,000 strong, and had better working conditions and was paid regularly, but still committed rapes and robberies nearby their bases. Many of the Republican Guardsmen were killed in battle against Tshinyama's forces; others surrendered; and others retreated into the bush to continue the armed struggle.