The
Military of Chad consists of the Armed Forces (includes
Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican
Guard, Rapid Intervention Force, Police, and National
and Nomadic Guard (GNNT). Currently the main task
of the Chadian military is to combat the various rebel
forces inside the country.From independence through
the period of the presidency of Félix Malloum
(1975-79), the official national army was known as
the Chadian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Tchadiennes—FAT).
Composed mainly of soldiers from southern Chad, FAT
had its roots in the army recruited by France and
had military traditions dating back to First World
War. The total active manpower for the Chadian Army
is around 30,350 personnel including the Republican
Guard.