The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) is the military of the Southern African Kingdom of Eswatini. 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
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 Hulumende M. Fakudze; the deputy commander is Brigadier General Khumalo, and the formation commander is General Hulumende M. Fakudze.
Equipment Armoured personnel carriers Vehicle Country of origin Type Versions In service Notes RG-31 Nyala Armoured vehicles Mk5E 7 7 delivered in the 1990s
Weapons Weapon Country of origin Type Versions In service Notes Armalite AR-18Bishop, Chris. Guns in Combat. Chartwell Books, Inc (1998). . Assault rifle AR-180 UnknownINSAS Assault rifle UnknownYes IMI Galil Assault rifle Unknown Yes SIG SG 540 Assault rifle Unknown Unknown FN FALJones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). . Battle rifle Unknown Yes Sterling Submachine gun Unknown Unknown Uzi Submachine gun Unknown Yes FN MAG General-purpose machine gun Unknown Unknown
Ranks Officers
Enlisted
Branches Army The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force is the main component of Eswatini's military.
Air Force
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.
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 was later proven untrue as the crew were cleared that plane's flight controls to not respond to the pilot's yoke. 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 AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes 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 NotesIAI AravaCargo planeIAI 2022 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004Douglas DC-3Cargo plane
Facilities Nsingizini Army Barracks Mbuluzi Barracks Mdzimba Mountain Barracks Phocweni Barracks Cebisa Barracks Zombodze Barracks
Units Ludlalukhala Regiment Lindimpi Regiment (watchman/guard) Gcina Regiment
Commanders Photo Name Term of office Took office Left office Time in office 1 Prince Bhekimpi Dlamini 15 March 1973 10 October 1973 2 Major generalPrince Maphevu Dlamini 10 October 1973 25 October 1979 † 3 ColonelJameson Ndzimandze 12 February 1981 8 June 1984 4 BrigadierRoy Gedion Fonono Dube 8 June 1984 August 2000 5 Lieutenant generalStanley Dlamini August 2000 29 June 2019 6 Lieutenant generalJeffrey Sipho Tshabalala 29 June 2019 26 August 2021 – GeneralMoses Hulumende Mashikilisana Fakudze 26 August 2021 16 May 2022 7 16 May 2022 Incumbent
Notes
References
Bibliography
Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35th edition (January 27, 2009). .
External links Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force present rank insignia, uniforminsignia.net