Djiboutian Army
Active1977–present
Country Djibouti
TypeArmy
RoleLand warfare
Size18,600 Active (2018 est.)
11,000 Reserve (2018 est.)
Part ofDjibouti Armed Forces
EngagementsDjiboutian Civil War
Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict
United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur
African Union Mission to Somalia

The Djiboutian National Army is the largest branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces and is based in the Djiboutian capital of Djibouti. Djibouti has upgraded its Ground Forces with advanced additions from domestic engineering and modifications. It must operate in mountainous and other rugged terrain, but it must do this without affecting the mechanized capability that is needed to confront regional forces.

The official tasks of the armed forces include strengthening the country against external attack, maintaining border security. It is responsible for the defence of mainland Djibouti.

During peacetime the military of Djibouti numbers approximately 9,000 with a reserve force of approximately 7,000

Overview

Djiboutian Army WMA-301 during a demonstration at Maryama base.

Djibouti has a smaller military than its neighbors. However, its security stops against foreign incursions. In reforming the Djiboutian National Army, most of the available attention and financial resources have been directed to the development of the Land Forces. Clashes with the Eritrean Forces, in 2008, demonstrated the superior nature of the Djiboutian forces’ training and skills, but also highlighted the fact that the small military would be unable to counter the larger, if less well-equipped forces of its neighbours. The army has concentrated on mobility in its equipment purchases, suitable for patrol duties and counterattack but ill-suited for armoured war-fare. The 2008 border clashes at least temporarily swelled the ranks of the Djiboutian army, with retired personnel being recalled, but the military's size and capabilities are much reduced since the 1990s.

As a result of tensions with neighbors during the 1980s and early 2002, the Djiboutian Army refined existing strategic concepts and eventually formulated a plan to restructure its forces. Though wars were avoided, the threats from the 1980s and 2008 encouraged the army to address more effectively its major defense disadvantage: lack of strategic depth. Thus in the early 2000s it looked outward for a model of army organization that would best advance defensive capabilities by restructuring forces into smaller, more mobile units instead of traditional divisions. Over the years, Djiboutian Army has benefited from material and financial support of various countries such as France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United States. Currently, the amount allocated to defense represents the largest single entry in the country's budget.

During, and since, the Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict the army has exploded in size from its peacetime size of between 6,000 and 10,000.

Organization

Djiboutian Army is located in Djibouti
Ali Sabieh Infantry Regiment
Ali Sabieh Infantry Regiment
Dikhil Infantry Regiment
Dikhil Infantry Regiment
Obock Infantry Regiment
Obock Infantry Regiment
Tadjoura Infantry Regiment
Tadjoura Infantry Regiment
Djibouti City Rapid Reaction Regiment
Djibouti City Rapid Reaction Regiment
One Demining Company
One Demining Company
Djiboutian Army Infantry Regiments

The Army has four military districts (the Tadjourah, Dikhil, Ali-Sabieh and Obock districts).[1]

Its maneuver units are:

  • One armoured regiment (Régiment Blindé) (Djibouti)(comprising a reconnaissance squadron, three armoured squadrons and an anti-smuggling squadron)[1]
  • Four infantry regiments (each comprising three to four infantry companies and a support company)[1]
    • Arms Regiment of Dikhil (Régiment interarmes de Dikhil)
    • Bataillon interarmes d'Ali Sabieh (Ali Sabieh)
    • Arms Regiment of Tadjourah (Régiment interarmes de Tadjourah)
    • Arms Regiment of Obock (Régiment interarmes d'Obock)
  • One rapid reaction regiment (Régiment d'action rapide) (Arta)(comprising four infantry companies and a support company)[1]
  • One Republican Guard regiment[1]
  • One artillery regiment (Régiment d'artillerie) (Djibouti)[1]
  • One demining company[1]
  • One signals regiment[1]
  • One computer and information systems section[1]
  • One logistics regiment[1]
  • One maintenance company[1]

International mission

Djibouti has participated in international mission in Somalia and Sudan. There are 3,500[2] Djiboutian army personnel deployed abroad. Djibouti withdrew their personnel from Sudan on the 30 June 2021.

LocationMissionSize
Somalia3,500
Sudan151 Police Officers

Equipment

Small arms

Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
Beretta M9[3] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  United States
 Italy
MAC 50 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  France Standart service pistol.[3]
MAB PA-15[4] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  France
Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special Revolver  United States
Submachine guns
MAT-49[5] 9×19mm Submachine gun  France
Rifles
AKM[6] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Soviet Union
Type 56[3] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  China
IMI Galil[5] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  Israel
FAMAS[5] 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle		  France
Steyr AUG[7] 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle		  Austria
M16[8] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  United States
M4 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle		  United States Used by special forces.[3]
FN FAL[5] 7.62×51mm Battle rifle  Belgium
Heckler & Koch G3[5] 7.62×51mm Battle rifle  West Germany
SIG SG 540[5] 7.62×51mm Battle rifle   Switzerland
MAS-36 7.5×54mm Bolt-action rifle  France In reserve.[3]
MAS-49 7.5×54mm Semi-automatic rifle  France In reserve.[3]
Sniper rifles
SVD[9] 7.62×54mmR Sniper rifle
Designated marksman rifle		  Soviet Union
M24[3] 7.62×51mm Sniper rifle  United States
Machine guns
RPD[3] 7.62×39mm Squad automatic weapon  Soviet Union
RPK[10] 7.62×39mm Squad automatic weapon  Soviet Union
PKM[11] 7.62×54mmR General-purpose machine gun  Soviet Union
KPV 14.5×114mm Heavy machine gun  Soviet Union
NSV[3] 12.7×108mm Heavy machine gun  Soviet Union
FM 24/29[12] 7.5×54mm Light machine gun  France
FN MAG[3] 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun  Belgium
AA-52[5] 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun  France
Browning M2[5] .50 BMG Heavy machine gun  United States
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
RPG-2 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade  Soviet Union
RPG-7[3] 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade  Soviet Union RPG-7V
LRAC F1[3] 89mm Shoulder-launched missile weapon  France
Grenade launchers
Mk 19[3] 40×53mm Automatic grenade launcher  United States

Anti-tank weapons

Name Image Type Origin Caliber Notes
M40A1[13] Recoilless rifle  United States 106mm 16 in service.
APILAS[3] Anti-tank weapon  France

Anti-aircraft weapons

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Bofors L/70[14] Autocannon  Sweden 5 INS
ZU-23-2[14] Anti-aircraft gun  Soviet Union 5 INS
20 mm modèle F2 gun[1] Autocannon  France 5 INS Used for air defence.[14]

Artillery

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Self-propelled artillery
M109L Self-propelled artillery  United States
 Italy		 10 INS Gift of Italian Government
Rocket artillery
Type 63[1] Multiple rocket launcher  China 2 INS
Field artillery
D-30[15] Howitzer  Soviet Union 9 INS
MO-120-RT-61[3] Towed mortar  France 20 INS

Tank destroyers

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
WMA-301[16] Tank destroyer  China 3+ INS

Utility vehicles

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Humvee[17] Light utility vehicle  United States 68 INS
Land Rover Defender[3] Utility vehicle  United Kingdom 13 INS
Mercedes-Benz G-Class[3] Utility vehicle  West Germany 4 INS
Toyota Land Cruiser[18] Utility vehicle  Japan 26 INS
Trucks
Mercedes-Benz Unimog[3] Utility truck  West Germany 4 INS
M35[3] Utility truck  United States 10 INS

Armored vehicles

Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
BTR-60[14] Armoured personnel carrier  Soviet Union 12 INS BTR-60PB
BTR-80[14] Armoured personnel carrier  Soviet Union 8 INS
BRDM-2[13] Amphibious armored scout car  Soviet Union 2 INS
AT105 Saxon[19] Armoured personnel carrier  United Kingdom 60 INS
OTO-Melara Puma[20] Armoured personnel carrier  Italy 14 INS
Ratel IFV[13] Infantry fighting vehicle  South Africa 20 INS
Casspir[13] MRAP  South Africa 3 INS Casspir III
RG-33[21] MRAP  South Africa 10 INS
Cougar[22] MRAP  United States 12 INS
Panhard AML[15] Armored car  France 20 INS 4 AML-60 and 17 AML-90
Panhard VBL[15] Scout car  France 15 INS
ACMAT VLRA[3] Liaison Vehicle  France 4 INS

Ranks

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Djiboutian Army
Général de division Général de brigade Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Djiboutian Army
Adjudant-chef Adjudant Sergent-chef Sergent Caporal-chef Caporal Soldat Première Soldat

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 IISS (2012), p. 432
  2. ↑ Garowe Online (25 October 2022). "Connecting the Horn of Africa and the Gulf". Garowe Online. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Djibouti Army". Defence & Civil Database. Archived from the original on 2018-02-17. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  4. ↑ Le Goff, Hervé (September 2007). "Les MAB P.8 et P.15 "Combat"". Gazette des Armes (in French). No. 390. p. 57.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  6. ↑ Rottman, Gordon (2011). The AK-47 Kalashnikov series assault rifles. Great Britain: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-461-1.
  7. ↑ Kokalis, Peter (February 1985). "STEYR AUG; This Bullpup's No Dog". Soldier of Fortune magazine. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  8. ↑ "AR 15 (M16/M4)". SALW Guide.
  9. ↑ "Defense Department News". www.defense.gov. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Djibouti - Country Details - SALW Guide". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  11. ↑ "Defense Department News". www.defense.gov. Archived from the original on September 25, 2014.
  12. ↑ "World Infantry Weapons: Djibouti". 2007–2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 The Military Balance 2021, p. 462.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Djibouti". April 24, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  16. ↑ "Djibouti displays Chinese tank destroyer for the first time". DefenceWeb. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  17. ↑ "US delivers Humvees to Djibouti's military as part of $31-million training effort". Stars and Stripes.
  18. ↑ "Djibouti Armed Forces receives 26 donated Land Cruisers". January 15, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Janes.com.
  20. ↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. p. 462. ISBN 9781032012278.
  21. ↑ "Djibouti Air Force gets two Y-12s; Dauphin helicopters". defenceWeb. 2016. Archived from the original on 20 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "Djibouti parades new armour".
Works consulted

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