Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force

Last updated
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
FoundedJune 1979
Service branches Army
Air Force
Leadership
Commander-in-chief King Mswati III
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini
Defense Principal SecretaryPrince Sicalo Nkopolo Dlamini
CommanderLieutenant General Hulumende Mashikilisane Fakudze
Personnel
Military age18-30 [note 1]
Conscription No
Available for
military service
344,038, age 18–49 (2010 est.)
Fit for
military service
201,853 males, age 18–49 (2010 est.),
175,477 females, age 18–49 (2010 est.)
Reaching military
age annually
16,168 males (2010 est.),
15,763 females (2010 est.)
Active personnel3,000+
Reserve personnel 0
Deployed personnel 0
Expenditure
Budget $115 million (2011 est.) [1]
Percent of GDP 3.0% of GDP (2011 est.) [1]
Related articles
Ranks Military ranks of Eswatini

The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) is the military of the Southern African Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland). It is used primarily during domestic protests, with some border and customs duties; the force has never been involved in a foreign conflict. [2] The army has struggled with high rates of HIV infection. Since measures were put in place the rate is dropping. [3]

Contents

History and structure

UEDF Lt. Col. Moses Swane speaks with U.S. Army Africa Commander Maj. Gen. William Garrett III during a 2009 medical training exercise US Army 51988 MEDFLAG 09, Partnership strengthens ties and friendships.jpg
UEDF Lt. Col. Moses Swane speaks with U.S. Army Africa Commander Maj. Gen. William Garrett III during a 2009 medical training exercise

The UEDF replaced the Royal Swaziland Defence Force, which was created in 1973 to replace the role of the British Army following independence in 1968.

The King of Eswatini is the commander-in-chief of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, and the substantive minister of defence. [4] However, he delegates the responsibilities of the day-to-day activities of the executive arm of the government. [5]

There is a Defence Council, which is responsible for advising the King on all matters pertaining to the UEDF. [5] The UEDF is commanded by Major General Sipho Tshabalala; the deputy commander is Brigadier General Patrick Motsa, [6] and the formation commander is Lieutenant General Hulumende M. Fakudze. [7]

Ranks

Officers
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of Eswatini.svg Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg
Commander in Chief General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Enlisted
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of Eswatini.svg Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg No insignia
Warrant officer I Warrant officer II Staff Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance Corporal Private

Equipment

Armoured personnel carriers

VehicleCountry of originTypeVersionsIn serviceNotes
RG-31 Nyala Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Armoured vehicles Mk5E7 [8] 7 delivered in the 1990s

Weapons

WeaponCountry of originTypeVersionsIn serviceNotes
Armalite AR-18 [9] Flag of the United States.svg  United States Assault rifle AR-180Unknown
INSAS rifle Flag of India.svg  India Assault rifle Yes
IMI Galil [10] Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Assault rifle UnknownYes
SIG SG 540 [10] Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Assault rifle UnknownUnknown
FN FAL [10] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Battle rifle UnknownYes
Sterling submachine gun [10] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Submachine gun UnknownUnknown
Uzi [10] Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Submachine gun UnknownYes
FN MAG [10] [11] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium General-purpose machine gun UnknownUnknownUnknown

Branches

Air Force

IAI Arava of the Swazi military air wing in 1995 Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force Air Wing IAI Arava.jpg
IAI Arava of the Swazi military air wing in 1995

Eswatini maintains a relatively small air wing, part of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force. [12] The air wing is mainly used for transporting the King as well as cargo, and personnel; surveying land with search and rescue functions, and mobilising in case of a national emergency. [13]

IAI Arava of the Swazi Air Force Swazi DF Arava 201 3D-DAA (6547913823).jpg
IAI Arava of the Swazi Air Force

Both Arava 201s have crashed; the first was on a demo flight in the 1980s, leaving both pilots dead. [14] The second was lost in 2004, after bad weather caused the flight crew led by pilot army colonel Micheal Ranft to fail to unlock the flight controls lock pin. This caused the plane to crash into a sugar cane field after failing to rotate. Although no injuries were reported, the incident left the air force temporarily crippled. [2]

Aircraft

Current inventory
AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Helicopter
Aérospatiale Alouette III France utility 3 [15]
Bell UH-1 United States utility UH-1H 2 [15] donated by the Government of Taiwan [16]
Retired inventory
AircraftCountry of originTypeVersionsNotes
IAI Arava Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Cargo plane IAI 202 [17] 2 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004
Douglas DC-3 Flag of the United States.svg  United States Cargo plane

Army

The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force is the main component of Eswatini's military. [18]

Facilities

  • Nsingizini Army Barracks
  • Mbuluzi Barracks
  • Mdzimba Mountain Barracks
  • Phocweni Barracks
  • Cebisa Barracks
  • Zombodze Barracks

Units

  • Ludlalukhala Regiment
  • Lindimpi Regiment (watchman/guard)
  • Gcina Regiment

Due to Eswatini being landlocked, the country does not maintain a navy. [18]

Commanders

No.PhotoName
(birth–death)
Term of officeRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 Noimage.png Prince Bhekimpi Dlamini
(1924–1999)
15 March 197310 October 19734 years, 209 days [19]
2 Noimage.png Major general
Prince Maphevu Dlamini
(1922–1979)
10 October 197325 October 1979 †2 years, 15 days [20]
3 Noimage.png Colonel
Jameson Ndzimandze
12 February 19818 June 1984
annulled
3 years, 117 days [21] [22]
4 Noimage.png Brigadier
Roy Gedion Fonono Dube
(?–2017)
8 June 1984August 200016 years, 1 month [22]
5 MEDFLAG 2009 - Mass Casualty Scenario - United States Army Africa - 090806-F-8133W329.jpg Lieutenant general
Stanley Dlamini
(born 1953)
August 200029 June 201918 years, 10 months [23] [24]
6 Jeffrey Sipho Tshabalala (4605161645) (cropped).jpg Lieutenant general
Jeffrey Sipho Tshabalala
(born 1959)
29 June 201926 August 2021
resigned
2 years, 58 days [25] [26]
No image.png General
Moses Hulumende Mashikilisana Fakudze
(born c.1963)
26 August 202116 May 2022263 days [27]
716 May 2022Incumbent2 years, 206 days [28]

Notes

  1. Compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted

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Bibliography