Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zaire
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==Air Force== | ==Air Force== | ||
Revision as of 17:49, 31 January 2013
| Founded | 1960 |
| Service branches | Army, Air Force, Navy |
| Headquarters | Colonel Tshatshi Military Camp, Kinshasa |
| Commander-in-Chief | Gen. Kabika Tshinyama |
| Military manpower | |
| Military age | 18–45 |
| Available for military service | 11,052,696 (2005 est) |
| Fit for military service | 5,851,292 (2005 est) |
| Reaching military age annually | Unknown (2005 est) |
| Active personnel | 4,000+ (2008 est) |
| Military expenditures | |
| Dollar figure | Unknown |
| Percent of GDP | Unknown |
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.
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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.
