Mootaz-khelifi
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TUNISIAN ARMED FORCES
The Tunisian Armed Forces (Arabic: القوات المسلحة التونسية‎ consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
As of 2008, Tunisia had an army of 27,000 personnel equipped with 84 main battle tanks and 48 light tanks. The navy numbered 4,800 operating 25 patrol boats and 6 other craft. The air force had 4,000 personnel, 27 combat aircraft and 43 helicopters. Paramilitary forces consisted of a 12,000-member national guard. Tunisia has participated in peacekeeping efforts in the DROC and Ethiopia/Eritrea. Previous United Nations peacekeeping deployments for the Tunisian armed forces have included Cambodia (UNTAC), Namibia (UNTAG), Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi and the 1960s mission in the Congo, ONUC.
The modern Tunisian Army had its origins in the time of the French Protectorate (18811956). During this period, Tunisians were recruited in significant numbers into the French Army, serving as tirailleurs (infantry) and spahis (cavalry). These units saw active service in Europe during both World Wars, as well as in Indo-China prior to 1954. The only exclusively Tunisian military force permitted under French rule was the Beylical Guard
The Tunisian National Army was established in 1956, at the time of independence. It initially comprised about 1,300 officers and men transferred from French Army service, plus 850 former members of the Beylical Guard. Approximately 4,000 Tunisian soldiers continued in French Army service until 1958, when the majority transferred to the Tunisian Army, which reached a strength of over 6,000 that year. The Tunisian Navy was created in 1959 and the Tunisian Air Force in 1960.
In 1960 Tunisian troops served with the United National Peacekeeping Force in the Congo. In 1961 clashes occurred with French forces based at Bizerte. The French evacuated the base after subsequent negotiations with the Tunisian Government.
Tunisia has contributed military forces to United Nations peacekeeping missions, including an army company to UNAMIR during the Rwandan Genocide. In his book Shake Hands with the Devil, Canadian force commander Roméo Dallaire gave the Tunisian soldiers high credit for their work and effort in the conflict and referred to them as his "ace in the hole".
During the 2011 Libyan civil war, Tunisian forces, mostly border guards, saw some limited action when fighting between Libyan rebels and loyalist soldiers spilled over the border and clashes ensued between the Libyan Army and the Tunisian Army, resulting in at least one Tunisian civilian being injured by a Libyan rocket.
Tunisian Land Army
The Tunisian Land Army is the ground component of the Armée Nationale Tunisienne. The Land Forces Command is located in Bizerte. The ANT itself was created on June 30, 1956.
The Land Army is the largest service branch within the Tunisian Armed Forces and holds power in the current General Staff. It is estimated to number around 27,000, in addition to 39,000 reservists for a total of 66,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the twentieth century has fought one war against France.
The Tunisian Land Army is the ground component of the Armée Nationale Tunisienne. The Land Forces Command is located in Bizerte. The ANT itself was created on June 30, 1956.
The Land Army is the largest service branch within the Tunisian Armed Forces and holds power in the current General Staff. It is estimated to number around 27,000, in addition to 39,000 reservists for a total of 66,000 strong. The modern army was created in the 1820s, and during the twentieth century has fought one war against France.
Development support
The activities include development of trails, housing, the connection of several residential groups to drinking water systems and electricity, building bridges and drilling wells. The army also contributes to the achievement of the university campus of Gafsa and the construction of the airport of Gabes.
Peace keeping
Tunisia participates in the 1960s to peacekeeping missions, either under the auspices of the United Nations or in the mechanisms of the African Union. Thus, the Tunisian army has participated in numerous missions including:
Congo (19601963): 2,261 troops (1,100 from 1962) involved the replacement of the Belgian colonial army;
Ethiopia-Eritrea (19771978);
Western Sahara (19911997): nine officers go there as observers of the cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front;
Cambodia (19921993): a contingent of 850 men participating in the disarmament of armed groups, protect refugees and treats more than 10,000 Cambodians. Sixty more men involved in the UN mission in that country;
Somalia (19931994): soldiers provide security for UN facilities while doctors provide care to the population;
Rwanda (19931995): sixty men are part of the African observers at the beginning of the Civil War. In 1994, a contingent of 826 soldiers deployed to the northwest of the country;
Burundi (1994);
Haiti (19941995);
Namibia (19941997);
Comoros (19971998);
Kosovo (1999);
Democratic Republic of Congo (2000 -): 27 officers working there as observers and more than 200 soldiers provide security of the headquarters of UN command and personalities on the ground.
For their dedication and bravery, 1 545 Tunisian soldiers received the Medal of peacekeeping.
Higher education
Military higher education in Tunisia is based on the organization of engineering education in the country and therefore the French model.
Young cadets are allowed for two years in a preparatory military school academies (Bizerte, Sousse and Sfax), where science education is modeled on the faculties of science, legal and political sciences and preparatory institutes studies of local engineers. The cadets receive military training in parallel together. Next, the cadets are referred to training abroad or a national military academies:
Fondok Jedid Military Academy (Land Army);
Menzel Bourguiba Naval Academy (Naval Force);
School of Aviation Borj El Amri (Air Force).
After an internship in service as second lieutenants, cadets leaving lieutenants.
Tunisia also has a captain's school, staff's school, school of war and an institute of national defense. The army has also developed since the early 1970s, a vocational training system benefiting both the calls and young civilians who wish to undergo training in the army
Army equipment
Small arms
9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol
9mm Beretta Model 38 SMG
9mm IMI\FN Uzi SMG
9mm Sterling submachine gun
9mm H&K MP-5A3 SMG
9mm H&K UMP 45
7.62mm FN FAL50-00 SAR
5.56mm M4 carbine
5.56mm M16A2 Assault rifle
5.56mm Steyr AUG Assault rifle
7.62mm FAC (FN) Squad automatic weapon
12.7mm M-82A-1 Barrett Sniper rifle
5.56mm FN Minimi LMG
7.62mm FN MAG General purpose machine gun
7.62mm SACO M60 GPMG
.30 caliber (7.62mm) Browning M1919A4 machine gun
.50 caliber (12.7mm) Browning M2HB heavy machine gun
Hotchkiss Brandt 60mm Commando light mortar
81mm M29A1 medium mortar
Artillery
19-20 M109A2 155mm self-propelled howitzer
57-60 M198A1 155mm towed howitzer
30 M114A1 155mm towed howitzer
30 Model-50 M-50 155mm towed howitzer - status unknown.
45-50 M102 105mm towed howitzer
Heavy mortars
114 M30 4.2 inch/107mm heavy mortars: 78 towed + 36 mounted in M106A2 mortar carriers as self-propelled heavy mortars
18 MO-120-RT-61 towed heavy mortar
Anti-tank weapons
70-200 BGM-71C Improved TOW ATGM Launcher (on M901 TD)
100 BGM-71A Improved TOW ATGM Launcher
500 MILAN ATGM launcher
300 LRAC F1 89mm Light ATRL
300 M20 "Super Bazooka" 3.7 inch/94mm Light ATRL
70 M40 106mm recoilless rifle
140 M18 57mm recoilless rifle
Anti-aircraft weapons
24 Skyguard AD System\Ammon 24x4 Aspide SAMs + 24 Oerlikon GDF-002 2x35mm AAGs - ordered from Egypt
18 Sinai-23 AD System (with 4xStrela 2 MANPAD launchers and ZU-23-2 23mm twin-mounted AAG, on M113A2 APC) (on order)
62 MIM-72 Chaparral quad-mounted short-range SAM launcher, with some 600 missiles(300 C\300 E)
48 RBS 70 MANPAD Launcher & 600 missiles
100 Strela 2 MANPAD Launcher
26 M163 PIVADS 20mm self-propelled AAG (on order)
18 M42 Duster twin-mounted Bofors 40 mm self-propelled AAG
15 Type 55 37mm Towed AAGs
15 Type 65 37mm towed AAG
100 M55 20mm towed AAG
Tanks
59 M60A3 Patton 105mm main gun main battle tank
30 M60A1 Patton 105mm main gun main battle tank
26-30 M48A5 Patton 105mm main gun main battle tank
30 Giat AMX-30B-2 105mm MBT - ordered from Saudia-TBD
55-80 SK-105 Kürassier 105mm main gun light tank/tank destroyer
RVs
18-36 EE-9 Cascavel 90mm main gun 6x6 ARV
24 Alvis Saladin 76mm main gun 6x6 ARV
40 Panhard AML 90 90mm main gun 4x4 ARV
10 Panhard AML 60 60mm mortar 4x4 ARV
18 EE-3 Jararaca 4x4 ARV
APC/IFVs
35-100 M901 ITV 2xBGM-71A\C Improved TOW ATGM launcher
140-334 M113A1/M113A2 APC
36 M106A2 M30 4.2 inch/107mm heavy mortar APC
36 M125A2 M29A1 81mm medium mortar APC
24 M577A2 APC
85 Humvee with Mk 19 40mm AGL 4x4 APC
120 Fiat 6614C 4x4 APC
18-36 EE-11 Urutu 6x6 APC
110 Fahd 240/280 4x4 APC (on order)
20 Cadillac LAV V150 Commando 4x4 APC - Reported
10 VXB-170 4x4 APCs
Logistics and engineering equipment
Bailey bridges
26 M88A2 Hercules ARV
5 Greif ARV
5 Pioner CEV
4 M728 CEV
D-9 Bulldozers
Zodiac boats
AFV transporters
HET M1000
Utility vehicles
M151A2 MUTT 4x4
Land Rover Defender 4x4
Mercedes-Benz Unimog U-4000
Mercedes-Benz Unimog U-5000
M35A2 cargo truck
M939 cargo truck
56 M49 tanker truck
.
Tunisian Air Force
The Tunisian Air Force (Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya At'Tunisia) is one of the branches of the Tunisian Armed Forces.
The Tunisian Air Force was established in 1959, three years after Tunisia regained its independence from France. It took deliveries of its first aircraft, eight Saab 91 Safirs, in 1960, later to be complemented by further Saab 91 Safirs. The Tunisian Air Force entered the jet age in 1965 with the purchase of MB326s. Between 1974 and 1978 12 SF.260 Warriors were delivered for basic training. In 197778 12 MB.326KT's were supplied for light attack duties. In 1985 Tunisia ordered 2 C-130's and 24 F-5E/F's. In 1995 a major Czech order was placed with 12 Aero L-59 armed trainers and 3 Let L-410UVP transports ordered. In 1997 five surplus C-130's were delivered from the USA.
There are four main bases: Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed, Gafsa, Bizerte/La Karouba and Sfax.
Current air force equipment
12 Aero L-59 Super Albatros
6 Aermacchi MB-326
12 Northrop F-5E Tiger II
3 Northrop F-5F Tiger II
5 Aeritalia G.222
1 Dassault Falcon 20
5 Let L-410 Turbolet
5 Lockheed C-130E Hercules
2 C130H
18 Aermacchi SF.260
2 SIAI-Marchetti S.208
7 Aérospatiale SA 341 Gazelle
6 Aérospatiale SA 319 Alouette
15 Bell 205
4 Bell 212 Twin Huey
4 Bell 412
1 Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin
6 Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil
1 Eurocopter AS 355 Twin Ecureuil
1 Hughes 500
1 Sikorsky S-76 Spirit
11 Sikorsky S-61
1 HH-3E Pelican
4 Bell UH-1H Iroquois
Navy
MFPBs
3 Combattante-III-M class(with 8xMM-40 SSMs,1x76mm Gun,2x40mm Guns,4x30mm Guns)
6 Type-143 Lurssen Albatros class (2x76mm Gun,Mine Laying Capability)
Minesweepers
6 Kondor-II class (635ton,3x2x25mm Guns)
Gun boats
3-5 Modified Hazhui\Shanghai-II class (128 ft,30 knots, 4x37mm Guns, 4x25mm Guns)
Patrol boats
4 Ch.Navals De Lestrel 31.5m class (104 ft,30 knots,2x20mm Guns)
6 Ch.Navals De Lestrel 25m (83 ft,23 knots,1x20mm)
5 Bremse class (22.6m,2x14.5mm HMGs)
11 Socomena class(20.5m,1x12.7mm HMG)
4 Gabes class(12.9m,2x12.7mm HMGs)
4 Rodman-38 class(11.6m)
1 Barcelo class(36.2m,1x40mm Gun,1x20mm Gun,2x12.7mm HMGs)
4 Tazarka class(with 2x20mm Guns)
6 20meter long PCs
Landing craft
1 LCT-3 class
Auxiliary vessels
1 Robert Conard class 63.7m Survey vessel
1 Wilkes class (T-AGS-33) 87m
2 El Jem class Training ships
1 Simeto class Tanker
2 White Sumac 40.5m class
2 WLM Tabarka class
1 TRC Kheireddine class
Missiles
MBDA MM-40 Exocet SSMs
ASW Torpedo
25 MK-44
The Pic are in http://www.defence.pk/forums/military-photos-multimedia/168902-tunisian-armed-forces-pics.html#post2755914