Angola's Military: How Many Serve Today?

Angola's military, the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), is comprised of the Angolan Army, the Angolan Navy, and the National Air Force of Angola. As of 2021, the reported total manpower of the FAA was about 107,000. This number has remained consistent since 2007, though it has fluctuated in the past, peaking in 2001 at 145,500. In 2024, Angola ranked 55 out of 145 countries in the annual Global Firepower review, with a Power Index score of 0.8702.

The Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) is the official military of Angola

The Angolan Army is the land component of the FAA and is organized into six military regions: Cabinda, Luanda, North, Center, East, and South. It consists of 25 motorized infantry brigades, one tank brigade, and one engineering brigade, as well as various other regiments and battalions. The Angolan Army operates a large amount of Russian, Soviet, and ex-Warsaw Pact hardware, including main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, and artillery.

The National Air Force of Angola is the air component of the FAA and is organized into six aviation regiments, each with several squadrons. The FANA has an inventory of more than 300 aircraft, making it one of the largest and strongest air forces in Africa. However, most of the inventory is out of service, and the active air force primarily uses transport and cargo planes. The FANA has a personnel total of about 8,000 and operates Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft.

The Angolan Navy is the naval component of the FAA and is organized into two naval zones: North and South, with naval bases in Luanda, Lobito, and Moçâmedes. The Angolan Navy has about 1,000 personnel and operates patrol craft and barges. The Navy has been neglected and has shrunk in size over the years, resulting in a loss of skills and expertise needed to maintain its equipment. However, the military of Angola aims to modernize its naval capability due to the rise in maritime piracy within the Gulf of Guinea.

The FAA also includes several types of special forces, such as Commandos, Special Operations, and Marines, which follow the general model of the Portuguese special forces in terms of training and organization.

The FAA is made up of the Angolan Army, the Angolan Navy, and the National Air Force of Angola

The Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) is the military of Angola. It is made up of the Angolan Army, the Angolan Navy, and the National Air Force of Angola. In 2021, the reported total manpower of the FAA was approximately 107,000.

The Angolan Army is the land component of the FAA. It is organized into six military regions (Cabinda, Luanda, North, Center, East, and South), with an infantry division based in each region. In addition to the infantry divisions, the Angolan Army comprises 25 motorized infantry brigades, one tank brigade, one engineering brigade, an artillery regiment, a military artillery school, an army military academy, a military police regiment, and various other specialized units.

The Angolan Navy, or MGA, is the naval branch of the FAA and is tasked with protecting Angola's 1,600 km long coastline. The Angolan Navy has approximately 1,000 personnel and operates a handful of small patrol craft and barges. The Navy has been historically neglected, and most of its vessels date back to the 1980s or earlier, with many becoming inoperable due to age and lack of maintenance. However, in recent years, Angola has invested in modernizing its naval capabilities, acquiring new vessels and equipment to enhance its maritime defense.

The National Air Force of Angola, also known as FANA, is the air component of the FAA. FANA has an inventory of more than 300 aircraft, making it one of the largest and strongest air forces in Africa. It is organized into six aviation regiments, each with several squadrons, and has bases across Angola, including Luanda, Catumbela, and Belas. FANA's personnel total about 8,000, and its equipment includes transport aircraft and Russian-manufactured Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets.

The FAA's manpower in 2021 was about 107,000

The Angolan Armed Forces (Portuguese: Forças Armadas Angolanas), or FAA, is the military of Angola. The FAA is comprised of the Angolan Army (Exército Angolano), the Angolan Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angolana), and the National Air Force of Angola (Força Aérea Nacional de Angola). In 2021, the reported total manpower of the FAA was about 107,000. This number includes both active and reserve personnel, as well as any official paramilitary forces.

The FAA is headed by the Chief of the General Staff, António Egídio de Sousa Santos, who has held the position since 2018. The Chief of the General Staff reports directly to the Minister of National Defense, who is currently João Ernesto dos Santos.

The FAA was established on October 9, 1991, following the Bicesse Accord between the Angolan Government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). This peace agreement aimed to integrate troops from both armies, but it was never fully realized due to the resumption of conflict in 1992.

The Angolan Army, as the land component of the FAA, is organized into six military regions: Cabinda, Luanda, North, Center, East, and South. It consists of 25 motorized infantry brigades, one tank brigade, and one engineering brigade, along with various support units.

The National Air Force of Angola has a personnel strength of about 8,000 and operates transport aircraft and Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets.

The Angolan Navy, with approximately 1,000 personnel, operates within two naval zones: North and South, with bases in Luanda, Lobito, and Moçâmedes. However, the navy has faced challenges due to aging equipment and a decrease in personnel over the years.

Angola has a history of compulsory military service for males aged 20-45, with voluntary service open to those aged 18-45. Female voluntary service is also offered between the ages of 20 and 45. The country was the first black state in sub-Saharan Africa to implement compulsory military service for its citizens.

The Angolan Navy has shrunk from 4,200 personnel in the early 1990s to about 1,000 today

The Angolan Navy has seen a significant reduction in its strength over the past few decades, shrinking from around 4,200 personnel in the early 1990s to about 1,000 today. This decline in numbers has resulted in a loss of critical skills and expertise needed to maintain naval equipment.

The Angolan Navy, officially founded in 1976, has played a crucial role in the country's history, particularly during the Angolan Civil War. However, since the early 1990s, the Navy has faced neglect and underinvestment, primarily due to the guerrilla struggle against the Portuguese and the nature of the civil war. This has led to a decrease in manpower and resources, with the current strength of the Navy at approximately 1,000 personnel.

The Navy is organised into two naval zones, North and South, with naval bases in Luanda, Lobito, and Moçâmedes. It includes a Marines Brigade and a Marines School, based in Ambriz. However, the Navy operates only a small number of patrol craft and barges.

The Angolan government has recognised the need to modernise its naval capabilities, especially in light of the rise in maritime piracy within the Gulf of Guinea, which poses a threat to the country's economy. Efforts have been made to acquire new vessels, such as the acquisition of Macaé-class patrol vessels from Brazil and the signing of a deal with the United Arab Emirates for the delivery of corvettes.

Despite these recent developments, the Angolan Navy still relies largely on ageing vessels from the 1980s or earlier, many of which are inoperable due to a lack of maintenance. The Navy has also faced challenges in maintaining its existing equipment due to the loss of skilled personnel over the years.

The reduction in the size of the Angolan Navy has had a significant impact on its capabilities and has highlighted the need for investment and modernisation to ensure the country's maritime security.

The Angolan Air Force's personnel total about 8,000

The Angolan Air Force, also known as the National Air Force of Angola (FANA), is the air branch of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA). It is one of the largest and strongest air forces in Africa, with an inventory of more than 300 aircraft.

The FANA was established on 21 January 1976, shortly after Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Its personnel total about 8,000, including pilots, ground crew, and support staff. The FANA is organised into six aviation regiments, each including several squadrons, with an air base corresponding to each regiment. In addition to the aviation regiments, the FANA also has a Pilot Training School.

The FANA has a varied inventory of aircraft, including transport aircraft, fighter jets, and helicopters. However, it is estimated that most of its inventory is currently out of service, with only a small number of aircraft in active use. The active fleet includes transport and cargo planes, which are used for moving supplies, equipment, and personnel within Angola. The FANA also operates a number of Russian-manufactured fighter jets, including six Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft. In recent years, the FANA has acquired additional aircraft from various countries, including Belarus, Brazil, France, Germany, Peru, and Spain.

The FANA maintains bases at several locations across Angola, including Luanda, Catumbela, Belas, Luena, Kuito, Lubango, and Moçâmedes. The force has a Russian or ex-Soviet organisational structure, with its air units organised into aviation regiments, each consisting of several squadrons. The FANA is headed by the Chief of Staff, who is a General directly subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces.

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