Military Technology Special Issue WDA

The Mali Air Force has been strengthened with four A-29 Super TUCANO light attack/COIN aircraft, which arrived home on 11 July 2018.(Photo: FAMa) - Support, monitor and supervise the implementation of the ceasefire arrangements and confidence-building measures by the Government of Mali and various armed groups; - Support the implementation of the political and institutional reforms provided for by the Agreement, on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali; - To exercise good offices, confidence-building and facilitation at the national and local levels; - Protection of civilians and stabilization; - Promotion and protection of human rights; - Humanitarian assistance; - Protection of UN personnel. Based on an agreement signed in early November 2017, MINUSMA is expanding its activ- ities to include providing logistic support to the FAMa and the Sahel Force, as well as sup- port for information sharing, intelligence and EOD. MINUSMA has an authorized strength of 15,209 total uniformed personnel, including 13,289 military personnel and 1,920 police (including formed units), plus 1,619 civilians. NB: French forces operating in Mali are now under Operation BARKHANE (see under Chad for details). General Data Area: 1,030,700 sq.km (397,953 sq.m); 1% arable, 38% meadows and pastures, 5% forest and woodland, 56% other. Coastline: 754km (470 miles). Maritime claims: Territorial waters 22km (12nm), EEZ 370km (200nm), continental shelf 200nm or edge of the continental margin. Population: 3,758,571 (July 2017 est.); annual growth rate 2.17% (2017 est.). The population is 40% mixed Moor/Black, 30% Moor, 30% Black. Religions: Officially 100% Muslim. Languages: Hassaniya Arabic (national language); French (official); local dialects. Literacy rate: 52.1%. Government Long-form or legal name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Jumhuriyat Muritaniyah Al-Islamiyah). Type of government: Republic. Administrative divisions: 15 regions, 1 capital district. Legal system: Based on Islamic law (Shari’a) and special courts. Branches of government: President as Head of State; Prime Minister appointed by President and responsible to him; Council of Ministers; unicameral legislature (147-seat National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya). The previous Senate was abolished by ref- erendum in August 2017. Suffrage: Universal over 18. Member of: UN, Arab League, AU, ICAO, AfDB, Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), Seabeds Committee and others. Economy GDP: US$16.45 billion (2016 est.)[official exchange rate US$4.729 billion], US$4,300 per capita; real growth rate 1.7% (2016 est.). Balance of trade: Imports, US$1.9 billion; exports, US$1.401 billion (2016 est.). Budget: Revenues, US$1.25 billion; expenditures, US$1.32 billion (2016 est.). Defence General: The National Armed Forces have as their main missions the defence of national territory, and maintaining law and order. In addition, they contribute towards the national development effort in sectors such as engineering, surveillance of the EEZ, environmental protection, and provide humanitarian intervention assets for SAR, MEDEVAC and in case of natural catastrophes. Multi-national commitments: Mauritania contribute assets to the Sahel Force (FC- G5S)(see under Mali for details). Total active manpower: 26,592 (August 2017 official), incl. the Armed Forces proper as well as Para-military and Security Forces (Gendarmerie (about 3,000), National Guard (about 2,000), National Police, Presidential Guard, Nomad Security Guards). Conscription: 24 months. Defence budget: MRO 48 billion (some US$130 million)(2017 budget). NB: Defence allocations are not identified as such in the 2018 and draft 2019 budgets. Land Forces Personnel: About 15,000. Structure: Forces are subdivided into 7 Military Regions, with 2 infantry battalions in each Region. Under central command remain: 1 armoured battalion 2 light armoured battalions 2 parachute-commando battalions 1 Presidential security battalion Equipment: MBTs: 30 T-54s/55s Armoured cars: 39 AML-60s, 14 AML-90s, 35 SALADINs, 4 SARACENs, 12+ Otokar COBRAs Navy Personnel: About 1,000. Fleet: 2 TIMBEDRA class 63m OPVs (Chinese built) 1 LIMAN EL HADRAMI patrol boat (Chinese HUANG PU type) 1 ABOU BEKR BEN AMER 54m patrol boat (Leroux et Lotz OPV 54 type) 1 EL NASR FPB (ex-LE DIX JUILLET) 1 N’MADI patrol boat (ex-JURA)(fishery protection) 1 VOUM-LEGLEITA patrol boat (ex-ex-POSEIDON)(fishery protection) 234 - MT Special Issue 2019 - World Defence Almanac (WDA) Sub-Saharan Africa - Mali - Mauritania Mauritania Chief of Staff of the Navy: Capt. Ahmed Saïd Ben Aouf Chief of Staff of the Air Force: Brig.Gen. Mohamed Ould Lehreitani Chief of Staff of the Gendarmerie: Gen. Sultan Ould Ahmed Lessouad Ministry of Defence P.O. Box 184 Nouakchott Mauritania Tel.: +222-52020 Telex: 566 Head of State: President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani Prime Minister: Ismail Ould Bedda Ould Cheikh Sidiya Defence Minister: Gen. Hanan Ould Sidi Chief of General Staff: Div.Gen. Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed Lemine Armed Forces HQ c/o Ministry of Defence P.O. Box 617 Nouakchott Mauritania Tel.: +222-52321, -52371 1 reconnaissance squadron 2 artillery batteries 1 engineer company 4 anti-aircraft batteries. Artillery: 10 M101A2 105mm, 18 D-74 and 8 D-30 122mm Mortars: 60mm, 81mm, 120mm RCLs: 75mm, 106mm ATGW: MILAN AA guns: 14.5mm, 23mm, 37mm SAM: SA-7 The new 1,750 tons landing ship/logistic support vessel for the Mauritania Navy, L981 NIMLANE was launched on 22 October 2018 at Wuchuan Shipyard in China. (Photo: Internet)