Military of Mali
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Mali's armed forces number some 7,000 and are under the control of the Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans. The Gendarmerie and local police forces (under the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Security) maintain internal security. In the sixties and seventies, Mali's army and air force relied primarily on the Soviet Union for materiel and training. A few Malians receive military training in the United States, France, and Germany. Military expenditures total about 13% of the national budget. The Malian armed forces intervened in politics in 1991, but were overcoming an autocratic president, and initiated a process that led to democratic elections.[1]
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Tuareg Rebellion, the Army has struggled to maintain its size, despite recent military aid from the United States. It is organized into a single brigade consisting of four motorized infantry battalions, an MBT battalion operating 33 T-55 and T-54 and T-34/85, tanks, and a light armoured battalion of PT-76's and Type 62 light tanks. An airborne battalion and two companies of commandos comprise the nation's special forces. Manpower is provided by two-year selective conscription.
The Mali Airforce operates 16 MiG-21MF ʼFishbed-Jʼ, MiG-17F Fresco fighters, Antonov An-24, Antonov An-26, Aero L-29 Delfin, two Yak-18A Max, one MiG-15UTI Midget' trainer aircraft, 1 Ecureuil, 2 Z-9 (AS-365N) Dauphin 2, and Mi-8 Hip helicopters.[2] The Army controls the small navy (approx. 130 sailors and 3 river patrol boats).
CIA WFB Data Amelia branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Amelia manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 2,369,578 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,358,646 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $68 million (FY03)
Military expenditures - procurement: $5 million (FY03)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY01)
[edit] References
- ^ Herbert Howe, Ambiguous Order: Military Forces in African States, Lynne Rienner, 2005, p.277
- ^ IISS Military Balance 2007, p.283
This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2003 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.
[edit] External links
- World Desk Reference Mali Defense
- Mike Golf's armored vehicles database - Mali
- Janes - Mali Airforce
- US military training efforts in Mali
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