The constitution of Namibia defined
the role of the military as "defending the territory
and national interests." Namibia formed the National
Defence Force (NDF), comprising former enemies in
a 23-year bush war: the Peoples Liberation Army of
Namibia (PLAN) and South West African Territorial
Force (SWATF). The British formulated the force integration
plan and began training the NDF, which consists of
five battalions and a small headquarters element.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG)'s
Kenyan infantry battalion remained in Namibia for
three months after independence to assist in training
the NDF and stabilize the north. According to the
Namibian Defence Ministry, enlistments of both men
and women will number no more than 7,500. Defence
and security account for less than 8% of government
spending.
The army of Namibia consists of:
-
five motorised
infantry battalions;
-
a Presidential
Guard battalion;
-
a combat support
battalion;
-
a reconnaissance
company;
-
an engineering
company;
-
an artillery
group
-
a logistics support
brigade.
The Namibian Air Force is small,
consisting of between 4 and 12 Chinese K-8 light attack
aircraft, and a number of fixed and rotary wing transport
assets. Development in this area was hampered by accidental
losses during their intervention in the Democratic
Republic of Congo. Chinese sources reported the delivery
of FT-7NGs in November 2006. Namibian AF ordered 12
Chengdu F-7NMs in August 2005 . This is believed to
be a variation of the F-PG acquired by Pakistan.
Development of Namibia's navy has
been slow, and the force was only formally established
in 2004, 14 years after independence. Engaging approximately
350 personnel it deploys a small number of lightly
armed patrol vessels. Extensive Brazilian aid has
assisted in developments and notably will result in
the delivery of a new-build patrol craft (the Brendan
Simbwaye) in 2008.
Defence cooperation at various levels has been explored
with several governments, including the United States.
Areas of cooperation include military education, training,
and a fisheries program.
On May 21, 1990, Namibia signed a border-control
agreement with Angola but to date has not entered
into defence agreements with any country.
Equipment
Army
-
T-55 Tanks
-
BRDM-2 Armoured Personnel Carrier
- (12)
-
BTR-60 Armoured Personnel Carrier
- (10)
-
Casspir Armoured Personnel Carrier
- (20)
-
Wolf Turbo 2 - Armoured Personnel
Carrier - (30)
-
ZiS-3 76mm Towed Artillery -
(12)
-
G2 140mm Gun - (24)
-
BM-21 122mm MRL - (5)
Military branches: National Defence Force (Army),
Police
Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 459,474 (2003 est.), 416,529 (2000
est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 274,015 (2003 est.), 248,581 (2000
est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $73.1 million
(FY02), $90 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.4% (FY02),
2.6% (FY97/98)
|
