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| minister_title = [[Ministry of Defense (Cameroon)|Minister of Defense]] | | minister_title = [[Ministry of Defense (Cameroon)|Minister of Defense]] | ||
| minister = [[Joseph Beti Assomo]] | | minister = [[Joseph Beti Assomo]] | ||
| commander_title = [[Chief of the | | commander_title = [[Chief of Staff of the Cameroonian Armed Forces|Chief of Staff]] | ||
| commander = [[René Claude Meka]] | | commander = [[René Claude Meka]] | ||
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| reaching = | | reaching = | ||
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| active = | | active = 38000 (plus 9000 gendarmerie and paramilitary){{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} | ||
| ranked = | | ranked = | ||
| reserve = | | reserve = | ||
| deployed = | | deployed = | ||
<!-- Financial --> | <!-- Financial --> | ||
| amount = | | amount = {{Currency|324 billion|XAF|passthrough=yes}}{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} | ||
| percent_GDP = 1 | | percent_GDP = 1{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} | ||
<!-- Industrial --> | <!-- Industrial --> | ||
| domestic_suppliers = | | domestic_suppliers = | ||
| foreign_suppliers = {{BRA}}{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}<br />{{CHN}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{IND}}<br />{{INA}}<br />{{ISR}}<br />{{RUS}}<br />{{SIN}}<br />{{RSA}}<br />{{VIE}} | | foreign_suppliers = {{BRA}}{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}<br />{{CHN}}<br />{{EU}}<br/>{{FRA}}<br/>{{IND}}<br />{{INA}}<br />{{ISR}}<br/>{{RUS}}<br />{{SIN}}<br/>{{SWI}}<br>{{SRB}}<br />{{RSA}}<br/>{{JPN}}<br />{{VIE}}<br/>{{UAE}}<br/>{{USA}}<br/>{{UK}} | ||
| imports = | | imports = | ||
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The '''Cameroon Armed Forces''' ({{langx|fr|Forces armées camerounaises (FAC)}}) are the military of the [[Republic of Cameroon]]. | The '''Cameroon Armed Forces''' ({{langx|fr|Forces armées camerounaises (FAC)}}) are the military of the [[Republic of Cameroon]]. It has three branches – the army, air force, and navy – and the gendarmerie. | ||
It has generally remained loyal to the government and acted to ensure the stability of the regime, and not acted as an independent political force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emerging military-society interaction and political change in Cameroon |url=https://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/emerging-military-society-interaction-and-political-change-in-cameroon/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=ACCORD |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harkness |first=Kristen A. |date=2020-12-17 |title=Cameroon: The Military and Autocratic Stability |url=https://oxfordre.com/politics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-1800 |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1800|isbn=978-0-19-022863-7 }}</ref> Traditional dependence on the French defense capability, although reduced, continues to be the case as French military advisers remain closely involved in preparing the Cameroonian forces for deployment to the contested [[Bakassi Peninsula]]. | |||
The [[African Union]] maintains its continental logistics base in Douala.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} | |||
==Army== | ==Army== | ||
The army has 35,500 troops.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} | |||
Currently, the organization dates from 2001 with a distribution in several types of units: combat units, response units (''unités d'intervention''), ''unités de soutien et d'appui'', and finally special reserve units as part of 3 joint military régions (''interarmées'') and the 10 military land sectors.<ref>Source: ''Revue Frères Armées'', French Ministry of Foreign Affairs</ref> | Currently, the organization dates from 2001 with a distribution in several types of units: combat units, response units (''unités d'intervention''), ''unités de soutien et d'appui'', and finally special reserve units as part of 3 joint military régions (''interarmées'') and the 10 military land sectors.<ref>Source: ''Revue Frères Armées'', French Ministry of Foreign Affairs</ref> | ||
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* The Headquarters Brigade, located in Yaoundé. This brigade is responsible for protecting the capital and supporting the institutions. The President of the Republic has to allow any of its deployments. The brigade consists of acommand and support battalion; a support battalion; a ''bataillon honneurs et protection'' (BHP); and three infantry battalions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mindef.gov.cm/armee-de-terre/presentation/ | title=Presentation }}</ref> | * The Headquarters Brigade, located in Yaoundé. This brigade is responsible for protecting the capital and supporting the institutions. The President of the Republic has to allow any of its deployments. The brigade consists of acommand and support battalion; a support battalion; a ''bataillon honneurs et protection'' (BHP); and three infantry battalions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mindef.gov.cm/armee-de-terre/presentation/ | title=Presentation }}</ref> | ||
* Three command and support battalions; | * Three command and support battalions; | ||
* The [[Rapid Intervention | * The [[Rapid Intervention Brigade]] (''Brigade d'Intervention Rapide'', BIR) is made up of three rapid response battalions, stationed in Douala, Tiko and Koutaba. These three battalions are respectively the Special Amphibious Battalion (Bataillon Spécial Amphibie; BSA), the Bataillon des Troupes Aéroportées (BTAP), and the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (Bataillon Blindé de Reconnaissance; BBR)<ref>{{Cite web |title=intervention-brigade |url=https://mindef.gov.cm/armee-de-terre/en/intervention-brigade/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Armée de Terre |language=en-US}}</ref> equipped with [[Type 07P]] infantry fighting vehicle and [[PTL-02]] tank destroyer bought recently from China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/cameroon-displays-new-chinese-military-hardware/|title = Cameroon displays new Chinese military hardware|date = 23 May 2014}}</ref> The BSA is inspired by the French Special Forces. This brigade is a tactical battle unit under the authority of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces. For this to be engaged, the President's agreement is necessary.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} | ||
* Five motorised infantry brigades, supposed to be stationed in one military sector but which can then be engaged without any regard to the territorial division of the country. These brigades currently do not have a general staff. In theory, they consist of 11 motorised infantry battalions; 5 support battalions and 3 backing battalions; however, the motorised battalions are in reality not operational due to a lack of staff, equipment and vehicles. | * Five motorised infantry brigades, supposed to be stationed in one military sector but which can then be engaged without any regard to the territorial division of the country. These brigades currently do not have a general staff. In theory, they consist of 11 motorised infantry battalions; 5 support battalions and 3 backing battalions; however, the motorised battalions are in reality not operational due to a lack of staff, equipment and vehicles. | ||
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* RMIA3 ([[Garoua]]) | * RMIA3 ([[Garoua]]) | ||
* RMIA4 ([[Maroua]]) | * RMIA4 ([[Maroua]]) | ||
=== 1st Military Region === | === 1st Military Region === | ||
| Line 99: | Line 97: | ||
=== 2nd Military Region === | === 2nd Military Region === | ||
* Rapid Intervention Brigade<ref name="JDC.com">{{cite web | title = Defense forces: new units created | * Rapid Intervention Brigade<ref name="JDC.com">{{cite web | title = Defense forces: new units created – Journal du Cameroun | date = June 26, 2015 | url = https://www.journalducameroun.com/forces-de-defense-de-nouvelles-unites-creees/|website=[[Journal du Cameroun]]}}</ref> | ||
** Headquarters at [[Bafoussam]] | ** Headquarters at [[Bafoussam]] | ||
**Special Amphibious Battalion (BSA) at [[Tiko]] | **Special Amphibious Battalion (BSA) at [[Tiko]] | ||
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* 201st Douala Air Base<ref name="decrets" /> | * 201st Douala Air Base<ref name="decrets" /> | ||
** 21st Air Transport Squadron | ** 21st Air Transport Squadron | ||
** | **211th Transport and Assault Transport Squadron | ||
** | **212th Transport and Assault Transport Squadron | ||
**22nd Air Squadron | **22nd Air Squadron | ||
**221st Transport and Assault Transport Squadron | **221st Transport and Assault Transport Squadron | ||
**222nd Reconnaissance Squadron | **222nd Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
=== | ===Equipment=== | ||
{{main|List of equipment of the Cameroon Army}} | {{main|List of equipment of the Cameroon Army}} | ||
[[File:Véhicule militaire pendant la fête nationale au Cameroun5.jpg|thumb|[[Oerlikon GDF]] of the Cameroon Armed Forces in 2016.]] | [[File:Véhicule militaire pendant la fête nationale au Cameroun5.jpg|thumb|[[Oerlikon GDF]] of the Cameroon Armed Forces in 2016.]] | ||
== | ==Air force== | ||
{{main|Cameroon Air Force}} | {{main|Cameroon Air Force}} | ||
== | The air force has 1,000 troops, including one security battalion. Its combat capable fixed-wing aircraft are six [[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet]]s, although they may not be serviceable.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=461}} | ||
==Navy== | |||
[[File:Africa Partnership Station 150312-N-RU135-318.jpg|thumb|Cameroonian sailors reviewed by an American admiral in Douala, 2015.]] | [[File:Africa Partnership Station 150312-N-RU135-318.jpg|thumb|Cameroonian sailors reviewed by an American admiral in Douala, 2015.]] | ||
The navy has approximately 1,500 troops,{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} including a three marine battalions.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=461}} The headquarters is in Douala.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} | |||
===History=== | ===History=== | ||
Around May 1999, [[Philip Njaru]] wrote a newspaper article where he alleged ill-treatment of civilians conducted by the 21st Navy Battalion based in Ekondo-Titi. In late May Njaru was approached by the local [[captain (Navy)|captain]] who asked Njaru "to stop writing such articles and to disclose his sources". Refusing to do this, Njaru five days later found his house encircled by armed soldiers, and escaped to [[Kumba]].<ref name="UN">{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/40142/Njaru-v-Cameroon-HRC-Decision |title=Njaru v Cameroon HRC Decision |access-date=2008-09-14 |website=Scribd.com |date=3 April 2007 }}</ref> Here, he was assaulted by police in June 2001, with no particular reason stated.<ref name="UN"/> Njaru complained to the local authorities, but later learned that "his complaint had not been received".<ref name="UN"/> | Around May 1999, [[Philip Njaru]] wrote a newspaper article where he alleged ill-treatment of civilians conducted by the 21st Navy Battalion based in Ekondo-Titi. In late May Njaru was approached by the local [[captain (Navy)|captain]] who asked Njaru "to stop writing such articles and to disclose his sources". Refusing to do this, Njaru five days later found his house encircled by armed soldiers, and escaped to [[Kumba, Cameroon|Kumba]].<ref name="UN">{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/40142/Njaru-v-Cameroon-HRC-Decision |title=Njaru v Cameroon HRC Decision |access-date=2008-09-14 |website=Scribd.com |date=3 April 2007 }}</ref> Here, he was assaulted by police in June 2001, with no particular reason stated.<ref name="UN"/> Njaru complained to the local authorities, but later learned that "his complaint had not been received".<ref name="UN"/> | ||
=== | ===Equipment=== | ||
[[File:Vehicules militaires pendant le défilé8.jpg|thumb|Cameroon Navy patrol boat during a military parade in Douala, 2019]] | [[File:Vehicules militaires pendant le défilé8.jpg|thumb|Cameroon Navy patrol boat during a military parade in Douala, 2019]] | ||
The navy has 14 patrol and coastal ships,{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=460}} and five landing craft.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=461}} | |||
==Gendarmerie== | ==Gendarmerie== | ||
The Gendarmerie | The paramilitary Gendarmerie has 9,000 troops.{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2025|p=461}} | ||
== Military education == | == Military education == | ||
The Combined Services Military Academy (EMIA) is the military college for [[officer candidate]]s and senior officers. It was founded in 1959<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eric |first=Deng |title=At visit to new EMIA campus under construction: Defence minister lauds Military Engineering Corps for impressive, quality works. |url=https://theguardianpostcameroon.com/post/3234/fr/at-visit-new-emia-campus-under-construction-defence-minister-lauds-military-engineering-corps-for-impressive-quality-works |website=The Guardian Post |date=19 June 2024 |access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref> and opened in 1961.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cameroon News |year=1977 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52EaC80IkcIC&q=Combined+Services+Military+Academy+%28EMIA%29&pg=RA17-PA12 |publisher=Press and Information Service of the Embassy of Cameroon }}</ref> | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== | == Sources == | ||
{{ | {{refbegin}} | ||
* {{Cite book |title=The Military Balance 2025 |date=2025 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-041-04967-8 |editor-last=International Institute for Strategic Studies |location=London|ref = {{SfnRef|The_International_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies|2025}} }} | |||
{{refend}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:12, 14 May 2026
Template:Infobox national military
The Cameroon Armed Forces (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) are the military of the Republic of Cameroon. It has three branches – the army, air force, and navy – and the gendarmerie.
It has generally remained loyal to the government and acted to ensure the stability of the regime, and not acted as an independent political force.[1][2] Traditional dependence on the French defense capability, although reduced, continues to be the case as French military advisers remain closely involved in preparing the Cameroonian forces for deployment to the contested Bakassi Peninsula.
The African Union maintains its continental logistics base in Douala.[3]
Army
The army has 35,500 troops.[3]
Currently, the organization dates from 2001 with a distribution in several types of units: combat units, response units (unités d'intervention), unités de soutien et d'appui, and finally special reserve units as part of 3 joint military régions (interarmées) and the 10 military land sectors.[4]
Army units have been trained and equipped to fight in the swampy coastal terrain facing the Bakassi peninsula. Although prepared for an armed conflict with Nigeria in recent years, the Cameroon Army does not have operational experience against other forces, therefore, it is not possible to assess its ability to respond to changing threats and opposing tactics.
Combat units of the army include:[5]
- The Headquarters Brigade, located in Yaoundé. This brigade is responsible for protecting the capital and supporting the institutions. The President of the Republic has to allow any of its deployments. The brigade consists of acommand and support battalion; a support battalion; a bataillon honneurs et protection (BHP); and three infantry battalions.[6]
- Three command and support battalions;
- The Rapid Intervention Brigade (Brigade d'Intervention Rapide, BIR) is made up of three rapid response battalions, stationed in Douala, Tiko and Koutaba. These three battalions are respectively the Special Amphibious Battalion (Bataillon Spécial Amphibie; BSA), the Bataillon des Troupes Aéroportées (BTAP), and the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (Bataillon Blindé de Reconnaissance; BBR)[7] equipped with Type 07P infantry fighting vehicle and PTL-02 tank destroyer bought recently from China.[8] The BSA is inspired by the French Special Forces. This brigade is a tactical battle unit under the authority of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces. For this to be engaged, the President's agreement is necessary.[citation needed]
- Five motorised infantry brigades, supposed to be stationed in one military sector but which can then be engaged without any regard to the territorial division of the country. These brigades currently do not have a general staff. In theory, they consist of 11 motorised infantry battalions; 5 support battalions and 3 backing battalions; however, the motorised battalions are in reality not operational due to a lack of staff, equipment and vehicles.
Organization
The territory is divided into 5 combined arms military regions (RMIA):[9]
1st Military Region
- 11th Ebolowa Brigade:
- 11th BCS (command and support battalion) in Ebolowa
- 12th BIM (motorized infantry battalion) in Ebolowa
- 12th BIM at Djoum
- 13th BIM at Ambam
- 11th BA (support battalion) at Sangmélima
- 12th Bertoua brigade
- 12th BCS in Bertoua
- 14th BIM in Bertoua
- 15th BIM to Yokadouma
- 16th BIM at Garoua-Boulaï
- 12th BA in Bertoua
2nd Military Region
- Rapid Intervention Brigade[10]
- 21st Motorized infantry brigade of Buéa[9]
- 201st Douala Air Base[9]
- 21st Air Transport Squadron
- 211th Transport and Assault Transport Squadron
- 212th Transport and Assault Transport Squadron
- 22nd Air Squadron
- 221st Transport and Assault Transport Squadron
- 222nd Reconnaissance Squadron
Equipment
Air force
The air force has 1,000 troops, including one security battalion. Its combat capable fixed-wing aircraft are six Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets, although they may not be serviceable.[11]
Navy
The navy has approximately 1,500 troops,[3] including a three marine battalions.[11] The headquarters is in Douala.[3]
History
Around May 1999, Philip Njaru wrote a newspaper article where he alleged ill-treatment of civilians conducted by the 21st Navy Battalion based in Ekondo-Titi. In late May Njaru was approached by the local captain who asked Njaru "to stop writing such articles and to disclose his sources". Refusing to do this, Njaru five days later found his house encircled by armed soldiers, and escaped to Kumba.[12] Here, he was assaulted by police in June 2001, with no particular reason stated.[12] Njaru complained to the local authorities, but later learned that "his complaint had not been received".[12]
Equipment
The navy has 14 patrol and coastal ships,[3] and five landing craft.[11]
Gendarmerie
The paramilitary Gendarmerie has 9,000 troops.[11]
Military education
The Combined Services Military Academy (EMIA) is the military college for officer candidates and senior officers. It was founded in 1959[13] and opened in 1961.[14]
References
- ↑ "Emerging military-society interaction and political change in Cameroon". ACCORD. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
- ↑ Harkness, Kristen A. (2020-12-17). "Cameroon: The Military and Autocratic Stability". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1800. ISBN 978-0-19-022863-7. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2025, p. 460.
- ↑ Source: Revue Frères Armées, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- ↑ Niagalé Bagayoko, Cameroon's Security Apparatus: Actors and Structures Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, 21.
- ↑ "Presentation".
- ↑ "intervention-brigade". Armée de Terre. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ↑ "Cameroon displays new Chinese military hardware". 23 May 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Décrets du président de la République réorganisant l'armée et nommant des officiers au ministère de la défense" (PDF). Cameroon Tribune: 4–11. 22 February 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-09.
- ↑ "Defense forces: new units created – Journal du Cameroun". Journal du Cameroun. June 26, 2015.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2025, p. 461.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Njaru v Cameroon HRC Decision". Scribd.com. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ↑ Eric, Deng (19 June 2024). "At visit to new EMIA campus under construction: Defence minister lauds Military Engineering Corps for impressive, quality works". The Guardian Post. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ Cameroon News. Press and Information Service of the Embassy of Cameroon. 1977. p. 12.
Sources
- International Institute for Strategic Studies, ed. (2025). The Military Balance 2025. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-041-04967-8.
External links
| File:Commons-logo.svg | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Cameroon. |
