Armed Forces of Gabon

Personnel of the Armed Forces stand in formation during the opening day ceremony of the Central Accord Exercise in Libreville.

The Gabonese Army (Armée de terre gabonaise) is the land component of the armed forces, specializing in infantry and mechanized reconnaissance. It was created on December 6, 1960 by decree of president Leon Mba from non-commissioned officers who served in the French colonial army, mainly the 2nd company of the 21st BIMA. Following independence, Gabon signed defense agreements with France, mainly on technical assistance and training. Until June 1964, the title of Chief of Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces was held by a senior French Army officer. In 1962 a detachment of the Auxiliary Women of the Gabonese Armed Forces (AFFAG), commanded by Lieutenant Ba Oumar at the military camp of Owendo, was created. President Mba promoted the initiative following a visit to Tel Aviv, Israel, where he met female staff in its Defense Forces.

• Republican Guard Battalion (Libreville)
  • • 1 Light Armoured recon unit
  • 83 Infantry companies
    • 1 Artillery battery
  • 1 Air Defence battery
• Airborne Regiment
  • 1 Command company
  • 1 Recon & Support company
  • 3 Airborne companies
• 1 Light Armoured Recon Battalion
  • 2 Armoured squads
  • 1 Command & Logistics company
• Support Command Regiment
  • 1 Artillery battery
  • 1 Mortar battery
  • 1 MRLS battery (8 Teruel MRL)
  • 1 Engineer company
  • Logistic units
• 7 Military Regions
  • 7 Motorised infantry battalions (1 battalion for each region)

• Fighter Squadron 1-02 Leyou at BA02 Franceville with:
  • Mirage F-1AZ
  • MB-326M Impala I
• Heavy Transport Squadron at BA01 Libreville with:
  • C-130 Hercules
  • CN-235
• Ministerial Air Liaison Group (Groupe de Liaison Aérien Ministériel or GLAM) at BA01 Libreville with:
  • 1 Falcon-900EX
  • 1 Gulfstream-III

• BA01 Libreville
• BA02 Franceville
• Tchibanga

The Gabonese Navy uses a P400-class patrol vessel similar to this one

The Gabonese Navy (Marine Nationale du Gabon) is the official maritime branch of the armed forces. It was created in December 1960 as part of the army, and only became an independent entity in 1983. The navy's core purpose is to monitor the country's coastal waters, including 800 km of coastline.[2]

• Headquarters Staff (Libreville)
• Port-Gentil Naval Base
• Mayumba Naval Base
• Port-Gentil Aviation Base
• Marine Rifle Battalion (since 1984)

The National Gendarmerie of Gabon (Gendarmerie nationale gabonaise) is the national police force of Gabon responsible for law enforcement in the country. It was formed on March 10, 1960 when Gabon, formerly French Equatorial Africa, gained its independence from France. It originated from Libreville Gendarmerie Detachment 1929, which was commanded by Governor General of French Equatorial Africa, Félix Eboue. The main tasks of the gendarmerie are to defend the country's borders, ensure public safety, and to enforce actions taken by judicial and government authorities. The National Gendarmerie is under the direct command of the President of Gabon.[3][4][5]

The Gendarmerie is also in charge of the Republican Guard (Garde républicaine, GR).[6] It is viewed as the most powerful and sophisticated of the security forces. It is primarily tasked with protecting the president and ensures regime stability.

Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the CM.170 Magister, C-130H Hercules, Embraer EMB 110, Fokker F28, Aérospatiale N 262, Reims C.337, and the Alouette II helicopter.[12][13]