Umbutfo_Eswatini_Defence_Force

Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force

Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force

Armed forces 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]

Quick Facts Founded, Service branches ...

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

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 Stanley Dlamini; the deputy commander is Brigadier General Patrick Motsa,[6] and the formation commander is Lieutenant General Hulumende M. Fakudze.[7]

Ranks

Officers
More information Rank group, General / flag officers ...
Enlisted
More information Rank group, Senior NCOs ...

Equipment

Armoured personnel carriers

More information Vehicle, Country of origin ...

Weapons

More information Weapon, Country of origin ...

Branches

Air Force

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

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
More information Aircraft, Origin ...
Retired inventory
More information Aircraft, Country of origin ...

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

More information No., Photo ...

Notes

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

References

  1. [1]
    "SIPRI military expenditure database". Milexdata.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  2. [2]
    "Crash diminishes Swaziland's air force". Independent Online (South Africa). November 23, 2004. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  3. [3]
    "allAfrica.com: Swaziland: Army Slowly Winning the HIV/Aids Battle". 2010-12-18. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  4. [4]
    "Swaziland: Time for Democracy?". Africafocus.org. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  5. [5]
    "Security in Swaziland, Swaziland Security, Ministry of Defence, Swaziland welcome, Commonwealth". Commonwealth-of-nations.org. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  6. [6]
    "Welcome to the home page of the Government of Swaziland". Retrieved 2010-08-15.[dead link]
  7. [7]
    "Welcome to the home page of the Government of Swaziland". Retrieved 2010-08-15.[dead link]
  8. [8]
    "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  9. [9]
    Bishop, Chris. Guns in Combat. Chartwell Books, Inc (1998). ISBN 0-7858-0844-2.
  10. [10]
    Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  11. [11]
    "Military of Swaziland". eNotes. 2012-07-06. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  12. [12]
    "Photo Search Results". Airliners.net. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  13. [13]
    "Air force (Swaziland) - Sentinel Security Assessment - Southern Africa". Janes.com. 2011-04-12. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  14. [14]
    "ASN Aircraft accident IAI Arava 201 3D-DAB Zomba Air Base". Aviation-safety.net. 1980-01-15. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  15. [15]
    "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  16. [16]
    "eSwatini receives two Hueys donated by Taiwan". defenceWeb. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  17. [17]
    "Swazi military aviation OrBat". Milaviapress.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  18. [18]
    "CIA - The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  19. [19]
    Tshabalala, Jeffrey; Nhlengethwa, Cyprian; Rupiya, Martin (2005). "Caught between tradition and regional warfare: The Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force since 1968". In Rupiya, Martin (ed.). Evolutions & Revolutions: A Contemporary History of Militaries in Southern Africa (PDF). Institute for Security Studies. ISBN 978-1919913827. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  20. [20]
    Tshabalala, Nhlengethwa & Rupiya 2005, pp. 284, 287.
  21. [21]
    "Appointment of Chief of Staff (Army) to the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force" (PDF). Supplement to the swaziland government gazette. Vol. XXI, no. 218. Mbabane. 22 April 1983. p. S1. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  22. [22]
    "Part C: Legal Notices" (PDF). Supplement to the swaziland government gazette. Vol. XXII, no. 312. Mbabane. 14 September 1984. p. S3-S4. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  23. [23]
    "Former UEDF General Sobantu S. Dlamini". uedf.mil.sz. Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  24. [24]
    "Welcome to the home page of the Government of Swaziland". Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  25. [25]
    Nhlabatsi, Sifiso (29 July 2019). "KING APPOINTS NEW ARMY COMMANDER". new.observer.org.sz. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  26. [26]
    Shabangu, Simon (26 August 2021). "KING APPOINTS ACTING ARMY COMMANDER". new.observer.org.sz. Retrieved 2019-09-26.

Bibliography

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