Somali Navy

Somali Navy Ciidamada Badda Soomaaliya
Emblem of the Somali Navy
Founded	1965
Country	Somalia
Branch	Navy
Role	Naval Warfare and Coast Guard
Part of	Somali Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Mogadishu Kismayo Berbera Merca
Motto(s)	Soomaaali: Isku Tiirsada! English: Support each other!
Colors	Blue, Gold
Commanders
Current commander	Admiral Madeey Nuurey Sheekh Ufurow
Notable commanders	Admiral Muhammad Omar Osman Colonel Mohamed Isse Lacle

The Somali Navy (Somali: Ciidamada Badda Soomaaliyeed, Arabic: القوات البحرية الصومالية‎) is the naval warfare service branch of the Somali Armed Forces. Before independence in 1960, the Somali Navy was established in conjunction with the Italian Navy, the latter of which also helped maintain security in Somali waters. During the post-independence period, the Somali Navy mostly did maritime patrols so as to prevent ships illegally infringing on the nation's maritime borders. The Somali Navy and Somali Air Force also regularly collaborated. In addition, the Somali Navy carried out Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.

History

The Somali Navy was founded in 1965 with the help of Soviet military advisers. Its mandate was the protection of Somali waters, including its economic exclusive zone. It had its bases in Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden and Kismayo on the Indian Ocean near the border with Kenya. It also operated a radar facility in Merca.^[1] Its inventory consisted of Soviet-made patrol crafts.^[1] In 1977, Siad Barre terminated the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Moscow and expelled all Soviet military advisers from Somalia due to their intervention the Ogaden War.^[2] Thus much of the naval equipment fell into disrepair and the navy was not operational from 1991.^[1]

Ranks

Officers

Equivalent NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) and student officer
Somalia (Edit)	No equivalent																								Unknown
							Rear Admiral		Commodore		Captain		Commander		Lieutenant Commander		Lieutenant		Sub Lieutenant			Ensign

Enlisted

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Somalia (Edit)																	No equivalent												No insignia
	Chief Warrant Officer			Warrant Officer Class 1			Warrant Officer Class 2		Warrant Officer Class 3		Sergeant												Corporal				Lance Corporal		Seaman

Re-establishment

In June 2009, the Somali navy was re-established with a new commander appointed: Admiral Farah Omar Ahmed. Up to 500 marines were training in Mogadishu, with their training expected to finish in December 2009. They were reported as the first batch of a 5000 strong navy force.^[3] In addition, a visiting Somali delegation to Turkey in 2011 tabled a request for two search-and-rescue ships and six coast guard boats. Worth some 250 million euros, it is intended to turn the new Somali navy into a stronger naval force capable of curbing piracy and protecting its coastline.^[4] It is said by Admiral Omar that the recruits are being paid $60 per month.^[5]

In August 2011 a Transitional Federal Government-Puntland cooperative agreement called for the creation of a Somali Marine Force.^[6]

On June 30, 2012, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Gargash announced that his administration would contribute $1 million toward enhancing Somalia's naval security capacity. The funds would enable the Somali authorities in collaboration with international partners to acquire the boats, equipment and communication gear necessary for the rebuilding of the coast guard. A central operations naval command was also slated to be set up in Mogadishu.^[7]

Equipment

Two Somali Navy missile boats in August 1983.

The following was the Somali Navy's major equipment:^[8]

Type	Description	Country of Manufacture	Inventory
Missile boat
Osa-II missile-armed fast attack craft	Missile boat	Soviet Union	2
Mol PFT torpedo-armed fast attack craft			4
Patrol boats
Poluchat-class patrol boats	Patrol torpedo boat	Soviet Union	5

References