Burundi Defense

The total force figures for Burundi’s armed forces are 30,050 active personnel (2018, IISS). In addition, there are 21,000 semi-military personnel, of which about 20,000 are in local militias. Burundi does not have its own air force, but the army has a small air component.

Army

The army has a workforce of 30,000 active personnel. Materials include 55 light trucks, and 94 armored personnel vehicles. In addition, the Army has medium-heavy artillery, short-range air defense missiles and light air defense artillery.

The Army air component has three light aircraft (including one SF-260 Warrior training aircraft / light attack aircraft), and four helicopters, including two Mi-35 combat helicopters.

The Navy

The Navy has a workforce of 50 active personnel, four patrol vessels and two landing craft.

International operations

In 2018, Burundi participated in the African Union Operation in Somalia (AMISOM) with six infantry battalions (5073 personnel), and in the UN operation in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with 760 personnel and nine observers.