Mali's
armed forces are the Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie,
Republican Guard, National Guard, and National Police
(Sûreté Nationale). The President of
Mali is he supreme commander of the Armed Forces and
responsible for national defence. The total active
manpower is around 7,700 military personnel. There
is also a paramilitary force with 2,000 police officer
(gendarmerie), and 2,800 national guards. The conscription
is 30 months.
The land forces of Mali Armed forces are 6,900 soldiers
with the structure:
2 armoured battalions, 4 infantry battalions, 1 paratroop/
special forces battalion, 2 artillery battalions,
1 engineer battalion, 2 commando companies, , 2 anti-aircraft
artillery companies, and 1 SAM (ground-to-air missile)
battery.