The
Benin Armed Forces (FAB) constitutes the army, navy,
air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. For
a number of years, the Belgian Armed Forces have 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. The total active manpower of Beninese army
is around 8,000 military personnel.
The Land Forces of Beninese army is 6,800 soldiers
with the structure:
- 4 Rapid Intervention Units: 1st commando parachute
battalion, 1st motorised battalion, 1st armoured group,
national fire brigade group,
- 5 inter-arms battalion
- 6 support and combat support units: 1st artillery
battalion, 1st engineer battalion, 1st signal battalion,
1st material battalion, 1st logistic battalion and
1 HQ group.