| Country: | Gabon |
| Armed Forces of Gabon | |
| Native Name: | French: Forces armées gabonaises |
| Founded: | 1960 |
| Branches: | Army[1] Air Force Navy National Gendarmerie |
| Headquarters: | Libreville |
| Commander-In-Chief: | General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema |
| Commander-In-Chief Title: | Commander in Chief |
| Minister: | Félicité Ongouori Ngoubili[2] |
| Minister Title: | Minister of National Defence |
| Commander: | Jean Claude Ella-Ekogha |
| Commander Title: | Chief of Staff |
| Age: | 20 years of age |
| Active: | 5,000 (2017) |
| Amount: | $81.52 million (FY17) |
| Percent Gdp: | 0.55% (FY17) |
| Foreign Suppliers: | France United States |
| History: | 1964 Gabonese coup d'état Central African Republic Civil War 2019 Gabonese coup d'état attempt 2023 Gabonese coup d'état |
| Ranks: | Military ranks of Gabon |
The Armed Forces of Gabon (fr|Forces armées gabonaises), officially the Gabonese Defense and Security Forces (fr|forces de défense et de sécurité gabonaises|links=no), is the national professional military of Gabon, divided into the Army, Air Force, Navy, and a National Gendarmerie, consisting of about 5,000 personnel. The armed forces includes a well-trained, well-equipped 1,800-member guard that provides security for the President of Gabon.
The Gabonese Army (fr|Armée de terre gabonaise) is the land component of the armed forces, specializing in infantry and mechanized reconnaissance. It was created on December 6, 1960, by decree of president Léon M'ba from non-commissioned officers who served in the French colonial army, mainly the 2nd company of the 21st BIMA. Following independence, Gabon signed defense agreements with France, mainly on technical assistance and training. Until June 1964, the title of Chief of Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces was held by a senior French Army officer. In 1962 a detachment of the Auxiliary Women of the Gabonese Armed Forces (AFFAG), commanded by Lieutenant Ba Oumar at the military camp of Owendo, was created. President M'ba promoted the initiative following a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel, where he met female staff in its Defense Forces.
See main article: Gabonese Air Force.
See main article: Gabonese Navy. The Gabonese Navy (fr|Marine Nationale du Gabon) is the official maritime branch of the armed forces. It was created in December 1960 as part of the army, and only became an independent entity in 1983. The navy's core purpose is to monitor the country's coastal waters, including 800 km of coastline.[3]
The National Gendarmerie of Gabon (Gendarmerie nationale gabonaise) is the national police force of Gabon responsible for law enforcement in the country. It was formed on March 10, 1960, when Gabon, formerly French Equatorial Africa, gained its independence from France. It originated from Libreville Gendarmerie Detachment 1929, which was commanded by Governor General of French Equatorial Africa, Félix Eboue. The main tasks of the gendarmerie are to defend the country's borders, ensure public safety, and to enforce actions taken by judicial and government authorities. The National Gendarmerie is under the direct command of the President of Gabon.[4] [5] [6]
The Gendarmerie is also in charge of the Republican Guard (fr|Garde républicaine, GR).[7] It is viewed as the most powerful and sophisticated of the security forces. It is primarily tasked with protecting the president and ensures regime stability.
| Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armored fighting vehicles | ||||||
| AML-60/AML-90 | France/South Africa | Reconnaissance vehicle | 24 | Including the South African Eland derivative.[10] | ||
| EE-3 Jararaca | Brazil | Reconnaissance vehicle | 12 | |||
| EE-9 Cascavel | Brazil | Reconnaissance vehicle | 14 | |||
| ERC-90F4 Sagaie | France | Reconnaissance vehicle | 6 | |||
| RAM MK3 | Israel | Reconnaissance vehicle | 7 | |||
| Véhicule Blindé Léger | France | Reconnaissance vehicle | 14 | |||
| EE-11 Urutu | Brazil | Infantry fighting vehicle | 12 | Armed with 20 mm gun. | ||
| VN-1 | China | Infantry fighting vehicle | 5 | |||
| Type 07P | China | Infantry fighting vehicle | 14[11] | |||
| V-150 Command | United States | Armoured personnel carrier | 9 | |||
| Bastion | France | Armoured personnel carrier | 5 | |||
| WZ-523 | China | Armoured personnel carrier | 3 | |||
| Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé | France | Armoured personnel carrier | 5 | |||
| VXB-170 | France | Armoured personnel carrier | 12 | |||
| Pandur I | Austria | Armoured personnel carrier | 1[12] | |||
| ZFB-05 | China | Armoured personnel carrier | 3 | |||
| Aravis | France | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 8 | |||
| Matador | South Africa | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 24 | |||
| Ashok Leyland MPV | India | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 34 | |||
| Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M101 | United States | 105 mm towed howitzer | 4 | ||
| Type 63 | China | 107 mm multiple rocket launcher | 16 | ||
| Type 90 | China | 122 mm multiple rocket launcher | 4 | ||
| Teruel | Spain | 140 mm multiple rocket launcher | 8 | ||
| MO-120-RT | France | 120 mm mortar | 4 |
Previous aircraft operated were the CM.170 Magister, Embraer EMB 110, Fokker F28, Aérospatiale N 262, Reims C.337, and the Alouette II helicopter.[13] [14]
| Vessel | Origin | Type | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kership | France | Offshore patrol | 1 on order[15] | ||
| P400 | France | Coastal patrol | 3[16] | ||
| BATRAL | France | 1 | 2 ordered, only one received |