View source for Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force

{{Short description|Armed forces of Eswatini}}
{{Infobox national military
| name               = Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
| native_name        = 
| motto              = 
| founded            = June 1979
| current_form       = 
| disbanded          = 
| branches           = Army<br />Air Force
| headquarters       = 
| flying_hours       = 
| website            = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = [[Mswati III|King Mswati III]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Ngwenyama|Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister     = [[Russell Dlamini]]
| chief minister_title = [[List of prime ministers of Eswatini|Prime Minister]]
| minister           = Prince Sicalo Nkopolo Dlamini
| minister_title     = Defense Principal Secretary
| commander          = Lieutenant General Hulumende Mashikilisane Fakudze
| commander_title    = Commander
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                = 18-30<ref group="note">Compulsory HIV testing required, only HIV-negative applicants accepted</ref>
| conscription       = No
| active             = 3,000+
| ranked             = 
| reserve            = 0
| deployed           = 0
<!-- Financial -->
| amount             = [[United States dollar|$]]115 million (2011 est.)<ref name="sipri1">{{cite web|url=http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |title=SIPRI military expenditure database |publisher=Milexdata.sipri.org |access-date=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328072123/http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |archive-date=2010-03-28 }}</ref> 
| percent_GDP        = 3.0% of GDP (2011 est.)<ref name="sipri1"/>
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers  = 
| imports            = 
| exports            = 
<!-- Related articles -->
| history            = 
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Eswatini]]
}}

The '''Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force''' ('''UEDF''') is the military of the [[Southern Africa]]n [[Eswatini|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.<ref name="crash" /> The army has struggled with high rates of [[HIV]] infection. Since measures were put in place the rate is dropping.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201012140720.html|access-date=2010-12-18|title=allAfrica.com: Swaziland: Army Slowly Winning the HIV/Aids Battle|date=2010-12-18}}</ref>

==History and structure==
[[File:US Army 51988 MEDFLAG 09, Partnership strengthens ties and friendships.jpg|thumb|UEDF Lt. Col. Moses Swane speaks with U.S. Army Africa Commander Maj. Gen. William Garrett III during a 2009 medical training exercise]]
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africafocus.org/docs11/swaz1104.php |title=Swaziland: Time for Democracy? |publisher=Africafocus.org |access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref> However, he delegates the responsibilities of the day-to-day activities of the executive arm of the government.<ref name="commonwealth-of-nations1">{{cite web|url=http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/Swaziland/Security/Ministry_of_Defence%60_Swaziland/welcome |title=Security in Swaziland, Swaziland Security, Ministry of Defence, Swaziland welcome, Commonwealth |publisher=Commonwealth-of-nations.org |access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref>

There is a Defence Council, which is responsible for advising the King on all matters pertaining to the UEDF.<ref name="commonwealth-of-nations1"/> The UEDF is commanded by [[Major General]] Hulumende M. Fakudze; the deputy commander is [[Brigadier General]] Khumalo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=2244 |access-date=2010-08-15 |title=Welcome to the home page of the Government of Swaziland }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and the formation commander is [[General]] Hulumende M. Fakudze.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=2245 |access-date=2010-08-15 |title=Welcome to the home page of the Government of Swaziland }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Ranks==
;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Eswatini}}
|}

;Enlisted
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Eswatini}}
|}

==Equipment==
===Armoured personnel carriers===
{| class="wikitable"
! Vehicle 
! Country of origin 
! Type
! Versions
! In service
! Notes
|-
| [[RG-31 Nyala]]
| {{flag|South Africa}}
| [[Armoured vehicles]]
| Mk5E
| 7<ref name="sipri2">{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Arms Trade Register|publisher=SIPRI|access-date=22 June 2012|archive-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 7 delivered in the 1990s
|}

===Weapons===
{| class="wikitable"
! Weapon
! Country of origin 
! Type
! Versions
! In service
! Notes
|-
| [[Armalite AR-18]]<ref name="bishop1998">Bishop, Chris. ''Guns in Combat''. Chartwell Books, Inc (1998). {{ISBN|0-7858-0844-2}}.</ref>
| {{flag|United States}}
| [[Assault rifle]]
| AR-180
| Unknown
|
|-
|[[INSAS rifle|INSAS]]
| {{flag|India}}
|Assault rifle
| Unknown
|Yes
|
|-
| [[IMI Galil]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| {{flag|Israel}}
| Assault rifle
| Unknown
| Yes
|
|-
| [[SIG SG 540]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| {{flag|Switzerland}}
| Assault rifle
| Unknown
| Unknown
|
|-
| [[FN FAL]]<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref>
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[Battle rifle]]
| Unknown
| Yes
|
|-
| [[Sterling submachine gun|Sterling]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| [[Submachine gun]]
| Unknown
| Unknown
|
|-
| [[Uzi]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| {{flag|Israel}}
| Submachine gun
| Unknown
| Yes
|
|-
| [[FN MAG]]<ref name="jones2009"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enotes.com/topic/Military_of_Swaziland |title=Military of Swaziland |publisher=eNotes |date=2012-07-06 |access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref>
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| Unknown
| Unknown
|
|}

==Branches==

===Air Force===
[[File:Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force Air Wing IAI Arava.jpg|thumb|[[IAI Arava]] of the Swazi military air wing in 1995]]
Eswatini maintains a relatively small air wing, part of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=3D-DAC&distinct_entry=true|title=Photo Search Results|publisher=Airliners.net|access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Sentinel-Security-Assessment-Southern-Africa/Air-force-Swaziland.html|title=Air force (Swaziland) - Sentinel Security Assessment - Southern Africa|date=2011-04-12|publisher=Janes.com|access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref>
[[File:Swazi DF Arava 201 3D-DAA (6547913823).jpg|thumb|IAI Arava of the Swazi Air Force]]
Both Arava 201s have crashed; the first was on a demo flight in the 1980s, leaving both pilots dead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800115-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident IAI Arava 201 3D-DAB Zomba Air Base|date=1980-01-15|publisher=Aviation-safety.net|access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref> 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 [[Rotation (aeronautics)|rotate]]. Although no injuries were reported, the incident left the air force temporarily crippled.<ref name="crash">{{cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=qw1101220382909B224|title=Crash diminishes Swaziland's air force|date=November 23, 2004|access-date=2009-10-19|publisher=[[Independent Online (South Africa)]]}}</ref>

====Aircraft====
===== Current inventory =====
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Helicopter
|-
| [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]
| [[France]]
| [[Utility helicopter|utility]]
| 
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2022">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-directory-2022/146695.article|title = World Air Forces 2022|publisher= Flightglobal |year= 2022 |doi = |access-date= 11 April 2022|url-access=registration}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1]]
| [[United States]]
| [[Utility helicopter|utility]]
| [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants#UH-1H|UH-1H]]
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2022"/>
| donated by the Government of [[Taiwan]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/military-helicopters/eswatini-receives-two-hueys-donated-by-taiwan/ |title=eSwatini receives two Hueys donated by Taiwan |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=11 April 2022 |publisher=defenceWeb}}</ref>
|-
|}

===== Retired inventory =====
{| class="wikitable"
! Aircraft
! Country of origin
! Type
! Versions
! Notes
|-
|[[IAI Arava]]
|{{flag|Israel}}
|[[Cargo plane]]
|IAI 202<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/swaziland/index.php|title=Swazi military aviation OrBat|publisher=Milaviapress.com|access-date=2012-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307190530/http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/swaziland/index.php|archive-date=2012-03-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|2 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004
|-
|[[Douglas DC-3]]
|{{flag|United States}}
|[[Cargo plane]]
|
|
|}

===Army===
The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force is the main component of Eswatini's military.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/eswatini/ |title=CIA - The World Factbook |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=2012-07-06}}</ref>

====Facilities====
* Nsingizini Army Barracks
* Mbuluzi Barracks
* Mdzimba Mountain Barracks
* Phocweni Barracks
* Cebisa Barracks
* Zombodze Barracks

====Units====
* Ludlalukhala Regiment
* Lindimpi Regiment (watchman/guard) 
* Gcina Regiment

===Navy===
Due to Eswatini being landlocked, the country does not maintain a navy.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

==Commanders==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Photo
! rowspan=2| Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|Ref.|Refences}}
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|-
| 1
| [[File:noimage.png|60px]]
| '''Prince [[Bhekimpi Dlamini]]'''<br />{{small|(1924–1999)}}
| 15 March 1973
| 10 October 1973
| {{ayd|1973|03|15|1977|10|10}}
| <ref>{{cite book |last1=Tshabalala |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Nhlengethwa |first2=Cyprian |last3=Rupiya |first3=Martin |editor1-last=Rupiya |editor1-first=Martin |title=Evolutions & Revolutions: A Contemporary History of Militaries in Southern Africa |date=2005 |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |isbn=978-1919913827 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/EVOLUTCHAP10.PDF |access-date=12 October 2021 |chapter=Caught between tradition and regional warfare: The Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force since 1968}}</ref>
|-
| 2
| [[File:noimage.png|60px]]
| [[Major general]]<br />'''Prince [[Maphevu Dlamini]]'''<br />{{small|(1922–1979)}}
| 10 October 1973
| 25 October 1979 †
| {{ayd|1977|10|10|1979|10|25}}
| {{sfn|Tshabalala|Nhlengethwa|Rupiya|2005|pp=284, 287}}
|-
| 3
| [[File:noimage.png|60px]]
| [[Colonel]]<br />'''[[Jameson Ndzimandze]]'''
| 12 February 1981
| 8 June 1984<br />{{small|''annulled''}}
| {{ayd|1981|02|12|1984|06|08}}
| <ref>{{cite magazine |title=Appointment of Chief of Staff (Army) to the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force |magazine=Supplement to the swaziland government gazette |date=22 April 1983 |volume=XXI |number=218 |page=S1 |url=https://gazettes.africa/archive/sz/1983/sz-government-gazette-supplement-dated-1983-04-22-no-218.pdf |access-date=12 October 2021 |location=Mbabane}}</ref><ref name="gazette">{{cite magazine |title=Part C: Legal Notices |magazine=Supplement to the swaziland government gazette |date=14 September 1984 |volume=XXII |number=312 |page=S3-S4 |url=https://gazettes.africa/archive/sz/1983/sz-government-gazette-supplement-dated-1983-04-22-no-218.pdf |access-date=12 October 2021 |location=Mbabane}}</ref>
|-
| 4
| [[File:noimage.png|60px]]
| [[Brigadier]]<br />'''[[Roy Gedion Fonono Dube]]'''<br />{{small|(?–2017)}}
| 8 June 1984
| August 2000
| {{age in years and months|1984|06|08|2000|08|1}}
| <ref name="gazette" />
|-
| 5
| [[File:MEDFLAG 2009 - Mass Casualty Scenario - United States Army Africa - 090806-F-8133W329.jpg|60px]]
| [[Lieutenant general]]<br />'''[[Stanley Dlamini]]'''<br />{{small|(born 1953)}}
| August 2000
| 29 June 2019
| {{age in years and months|2000|08|1|2019|06|29}}
| <ref>{{cite web |title=Former UEDF General Sobantu S. Dlamini |url=http://uedf.mil.sz/site/index.php/uedf/former-uedf-commanders |website=uedf.mil.sz |publisher=Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209084025/http://uedf.mil.sz/site/index.php/uedf/former-uedf-commanders |archive-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=59 |access-date=2010-08-15 |title=Welcome to the home page of the Government of Swaziland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523231429/http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=59 |archive-date=May 23, 2010 }}</ref>
|-
| 6
| [[File:Jeffrey Sipho Tshabalala (4605161645) (cropped).jpg|60px]]
| Lieutenant general<br />'''[[Jeffrey Sipho Tshabalala]]'''<br />{{small|(born 1959)}}
| 29 June 2019
| 26 August 2021<br />{{small|''resigned''}}
| {{ayd|2019|06|29|2021|08|26}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=9491|title=King Appoints New Army Commander|last=Nhlabatsi|first=Sifiso|date=29 July 2019|website=new.observer.org.sz|access-date=2019-09-26|archive-date=2023-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403213351/http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=9491|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mkhaliphi |first1=Mthobisi |title=Some political parties welcome resignation of Eswatini’s defence force commander |url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/some-political-parties-welcome-resignation-of-eswatinis-defence-force-commander/ |website=SABC News |access-date=8 December 2024 |date=26 August 2021}}</ref>
|- 
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| –
| rowspan=2| [[File:no image.png|60px]]
| rowspan=2| General<br />'''[[Moses Hulumende Mashikilisana Fakudze]]'''<br />{{small|(born {{circa|1963}})}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| 26 August 2021
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| 16 May 2022
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{ayd|2021|08|26|2022|05|16}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=16691|title=King Appoints Acting Army Commander|last=Shabangu|first=Simon|date=26 August 2021|website=new.observer.org.sz|access-date=8 December 2024|archive-date=11 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211150908/http://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=16691|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 7
| 16 May 2022
| ''Incumbent''
| {{ayd|2022|05|16}}
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Zwane |first1=Sibusiso |title=King promotes Mashikilisana |url=https://www.pressreader.com/eswatini/times-of-eswatini/20220517/page/9/textview |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=Times of Eswatini |date=17 May 2022 |page=9}}</ref>
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{commons category|Military of Eswatini}}
* Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35th edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.
* {{CIA World Factbook|year=2010}}

{{Eswatini topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}

[[Category:Military by country|Eswatini]]
[[Category:Military in Africa]]
[[Category:Government of Eswatini]]