Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force

Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
FoundedJune 1979
Service branchesArmy
Air Force
Leadership
Commander-in-chiefKing Mswati III
Prime MinisterRussell Dlamini
Defense Principal SecretaryPrince Sicalo Nkopolo Dlamini
CommanderLieutenant General Hulumende Mashikilisane Fakudze
Personnel
Military age18-30
ConscriptionNo
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 personnel0
Deployed personnel0
Expenditures
Budget$115 million (2011 est.)
Percent of GDP3.0% of GDP (2011 est.)
Related articles
RanksMilitary 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. The army has struggled with high rates of HIV infection. Since measures were put in place the rate is dropping.

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. However, he delegates the responsibilities of the day-to-day activities of the executive arm of the government.

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

Ranks

Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
Commander in Chief General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Enlisted
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
No insignia
Warrant officer I Warrant officer II Staff Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance Corporal Private

Equipment

Armoured personnel carriers

Vehicle Country of origin Type Versions In service Notes
RG-31 Nyala  South Africa Armoured vehicles Mk5E 7 7 delivered in the 1990s

Weapons

Weapon Country of origin Type Versions In service Notes
Armalite AR-18  United States Assault rifle AR-180 Unknown
INSAS rifle  India Assault rifle Yes
IMI Galil  Israel Assault rifle Unknown Yes
SIG SG 540   Switzerland Assault rifle Unknown Unknown
FN FAL  Belgium Battle rifle Unknown Yes
Sterling submachine gun  United Kingdom Submachine gun Unknown Unknown
Uzi  Israel Submachine gun Unknown Yes
FN MAG  Belgium General-purpose machine gun Unknown Unknown Unknown

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. 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.

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. 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.

Aircraft

Current inventory
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Helicopter
Aérospatiale Alouette III France utility 3
Bell UH-1 United States utility UH-1H 2 donated by the Government of Taiwan
Retired inventory
Aircraft Country of origin Type Versions Notes
IAI Arava  Israel Cargo plane IAI 202 2 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004
Douglas DC-3  United States Cargo plane

Army

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

Facilities

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

Units

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

Navy

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

Commanders

No. Photo Name
(birth–death)
Term of office Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Prince Bhekimpi Dlamini
(1924–1999)
15 March 1973 10 October 1973 4 years, 209 days
2 Major general
Prince Maphevu Dlamini
(1922–1979)
10 October 1973 25 October 1979 † 2 years, 15 days
3 Colonel
Jameson Ndizimande
12 February 1981 8 June 1984
annulled
3 years, 117 days
4 Brigadier
Roy Gedion Fonono Dube
(?–2017)
8 June 1984 August 2000 16 years, 1 month
5 Lieutenant general
Stanley Dlamini
(born 1953)
August 2000 29 June 2019 18 years, 10 months
6 Lieutenant general
Jeffrey Sipho Tshabalala
(born 1959)
29 June 2019 22 April 2022
resigned
2 years, 297 days
Lieutenant general
Hulumende Mashikilisane Fakudze
(born c. 1963)
Acting
22 April 2022 Incumbent 1 year, 334 days

This page was last updated at 2024-03-21 13:59 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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