Tanzania People's Defence Force

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Military of Tanzania
Service branches Army, Navy, Air Force, and Military Intelligence
Military age 15–49
Available for
military service		 8,477,193 (2003 est.), age 15–49
Fit for
military service		 4,911,235 (2003 est.), age 15–49
Reaching military
age annually		 unknown
Active personnel 27,000
Expenditures
Budget $19.68 million (FY02)
Percent of GDP 0.2% (FY02)

The Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) (swahili: Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania (JWTZ)) was created in September 1964. From its inception, it was ingrained in the troops that they were a people’s force under civilian control. They were always reminded of their difference from the colonial armed forces.[citation needed] The TPDF was given a very clear mission: to defend Tanzania and everything Tanzanian, especially the people and their political ideology. TPDF sailors, pilots and officers are trained in China.

Contents

[edit] Early history

The formation of the TPDF was a result of the disbandment of the Tanganyika Rifles after a mutiny in 1964. Soldiers of the regiment mutinied on January 1964. The Mutiny began in Colito barracks in Dar es Salaam, then spread to Kalewa barracks in Tabora with Nachingwea, a new barracks, following suit. The mutiny was over pay, promotions, the removal of British officers and Africanisation. Julius Nyerere conceded that the "soldiers had genuine grievances and the demands presented a perfectly reasonable case." However, he could not tolerate a mutiny. The mutiny raised questions about the place of the military in the newly independent Tanganyika — a military under a foreign command and not integrated into the country’s system. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise as the government set out to rectify the situation. After the mutiny, the army was disbanded and fresh recruits were sought within the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) youth wing as a source.

[edit] Wars fought

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JWTZ Honour Guard
JWTZ Honour Guard

The TPDF was one of the front line National Armies during the struggle to liberate Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda.[citation needed] TPDF officers also trained African National Congress fighters in Morogoro. TPDF officers also participated in the training of the new Democratic Republic of Congo army, but were later withdrawn because of the war in the Congo.

The most significant TPDF involvement in the Uganda-Tanzania War following a Ugandan invasion of Kagera in 1978. Idi Amin with the help of Libya, accused Julius Nyerere of being at the root of his troubles and of waging war against Uganda. Amin invaded Tanzanian territory on 1 November 1978 and annexed Kagera. Julius Nyerere told the nation that Tanzania had the reason to fight Amin, was intent on fighting Amin and had the ability to defeat him. The war effort was not for the army alone on 22 November 1978, but for the entire population, the nation understood him and the reaction was predictable. In April 1979, Tanzania took Kampala and Amin fled the country to Libya and eventually ending up in Saudi Arabia after falling out of favour with Muammar al-Gaddafi. Unlike Amin’s soldiers, the TPDF had a relaxed relationship with the locals and at times went out of their way to assist them. As late as 1982, some Ugandans still marvelled at the gentle manners of the Tanzanians, which they could not associate with soldiers.[citation needed] On returning home, the TPDF soldiers were reportedly seen as heroes[citation needed].

[edit] Officer Corps

The TPDF employs a delibarate policy of drawing its officers from various regions of the country. This policy has ensured a development of a national force that has tended to promote stability.

[edit] Military branches

[edit] Army

The army consists of:[citation needed]

  • 8 infantry brigades
  • 2 divisional headquarters
  • 1 tank battalion
  • 2 field artillery battalions
  • 2 AA artillery battalions
  • 1 SAM battalion
  • 2 anti-tank battalions
  • 2 signal battalions.

Equipment includes: 30 China Type 59 heavy tanks, 66 China Type 62 light tanks, 20 Russia BRDM-2/BTR-40 combat vehicles, 30 China YW 531C, 10 Russia BTR-152 armoured personnel carriers, 240 Russia D-30 122mm guns, 50 Russia BM-21 rocket launchers, 350 mortars, 400 air defence guns, 61 SAMs.[citation needed]
Small arms:
- Type 56
- RPD
- RPG-7

[edit] Navy

The navy operates 7 fast attack craft and 12 patrol boats.

[edit] Air Force

A few of the Tanzanian air wing's transport remain serviceable. However, its Shenyang F-5s, Shenyang F-6s and Chengdu F-7s are reported to rarely fly because of airworthiness problems[1]. Tanzania's long coastline means that transports are also used for patrol flights.

The Air Force currently operates[2]:

Combat Aircraft:

Transport:

Combat Helicopter:

Training Aircraft:

TPDF operates four air bases at Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Tabora and Zanzibar.[citation needed]

[edit] Current High Command

[citation needed]

[edit] Former Generals and high-ranking officers

[edit] Former CDF's

[edit] Chiefs of Staff

[edit] Other statistics

  • 15 years of age for voluntary military service.
  • 18 years of age for compulsory military service upon graduation from secondary school.
  • conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Tanzanian military aviation OrBat
  2. ^ Tanzanian military aviation OrBat

[edit] External links

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