Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force

It is used primarily during domestic protests, with some border and customs duties; the force has never been involved in a foreign conflict. The army has struggled with high rates of HIV infection. Since measures were put in place the rate is dropping.

 

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. However, he delegates the responsibilities of the day-to-day activities of the executive arm of the government.

There is a Defence Council, which is responsible for advising the King on all matters pertaining to the UEDF. The UEDF is commanded by Major General Stanley Dlamini; the deputy commander is Brigadier General Patrick Motsa, and the formation commander is Lieutenant General Hulumende M. Fakudze.

Officers

Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force v t e
	Commander in Chief		General		Lieutenant general		Major general		Brigadier		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Major		Captain		Lieutenant			Second lieutenant

Enlisted

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force v t e																																			No insignia
	Warrant officer I						Warrant officer II				Staff Sergeant						Sergeant						Corporal				Lance Corporal								Private

Armoured personnel carriers

Vehicle	Country of origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
RG-31 Nyala	South Africa	Armoured vehicles	Mk5E	7	7 delivered in the 1990s

Weapons

Weapon	Country of origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Armalite AR-18	United States	Assault rifle	AR-180	Unknown
INSAS rifle	India	Assault rifle		Yes
IMI Galil	Israel	Assault rifle	Unknown	Yes
SIG SG 540	Switzerland	Assault rifle	Unknown	Unknown
FN FAL	Belgium	Battle rifle	Unknown	Yes
Sterling submachine gun	United Kingdom	Submachine gun	Unknown	Unknown
Uzi	Israel	Submachine gun	Unknown	Yes
FN MAG	Belgium	General-purpose machine gun	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

Air Force

 

Eswatini maintains a relatively small air wing, part of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force. 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.

 

Both Arava 201s have crashed; the first was on a demo flight in the 1980s, leaving both pilots dead. 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 caused the plane to crash into a sugar cane field after failing to rotate. Although no injuries were reported, the incident left the air force temporarily crippled.

Aircraft

Current inventory

Retired inventory

Aircraft	Country of origin	Type	Versions	Notes
IAI Arava	Israel	Cargo plane	IAI 202	2 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004
Douglas DC-3	United States	Cargo plane

Army

The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force is the main component of Eswatini's military.

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.