Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Capital: Kinshasa

Historical

Former Belgian colony.

In 1960, Patrice Lumumba was the first president of the Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville). After only twelve weeks, Lumumba was overthrown in a western backed coup. With Belgian assistance, Lumumba was captured and executed by firing squad in 1961. In 2002, the government of Belgium officially apologized for their involvement in the affair.

Under the new president, Mobutu, the Republic of the Congo became known as Zaire from 1971 until 1997.

Mobutu supported the FNLA against the MPLA in Angola. The MPLA won anyway.

1975- Under Mobutu, military forces from Zaire teamed up with the South African military, FNLA and UNITA guerrilla forces to invade Angola. These operations against the MPLA of Angola and Cuban forces stationed there, received help from the CIA and the backing of the U.S. These combined forces were eventually repulsed by the Cuban and MPLA forces.

Mobutu had to request assistance from Morocco to put down enemy forces in the Shaba area.

Mobutu got help from Belgium, France and the U.S to suppress rebellions in Zaire.

Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC)

130,000 total military personnel

SS-1 Scud or North Korean Hwasong ballistic missiles?

Air Force

Approximately 1,800 personnel

As with many African nations, many aircraft may not be flyable due to lack of spare parts, training, etc.

The Air Force of Angola may be called upon to help defend Kinshasa in case of an attack.

MiG-23 Flogger fighter aircraft (2)

Su-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft (8)?

Aermacchi MB-326 trainer/light attack aircraft (8)

Aermacchi SF-260 trainer aircraft (5)

C-130 Hercules transport aircraft (2)

An-26 transport aircraft (1)

de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo transport aircraft (2)

C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft (4)

Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft (1)

Cessna 150 utility aircraft (12)

Cessna 310 utility aircraft (3)

Cessna 337 Skymaster aircraft (10)

Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters (6)

Mi-26 Halo transport helicopters (1)

AS.332 Cougar helicopters (1)

SA.316 Alouette III helicopters (2)

SA.330 Puma helicopters (4)

Navy

1,000 personnel

Operate out of bases along the Congo River, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Kivu.

Type 062 class gunboats (6)

Swiftships (2)

Barges

Small patrol boats with machine guns

Naval personnel

Army

Forces du Terrestres (Land Forces)

2010- A FARDC battalion is being trained by a private contractor from the U.S called Protection Strategies Inc. This operation is being supervised by the U.S. AFRICOM.

China is also training FARDC troops in Kamina in the Katanga province.

Belgium is also training a rapid reaction battalion.

T-72 tanks (20)?