Sudanese Armed Forces

Sudanese Armed Forces. The national military force of Sudan, tracing its origins to the early 20th century under the Anglo-Egyptian condominium. It is a combined arms force comprising the Sudanese Army, Sudanese Navy, Sudanese Air Force, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), though the latter has operated with significant autonomy. The institution has been a central political actor, having ruled the country directly for decades following the 1969 coup led by Gaafar Nimeiry and the 1989 coup led by Omar al-Bashir.

History

The modern force's foundations were laid with the establishment of the Sudan Defence Force in 1925 during the British colonial administration. Following Sudan's independence in 1956, the force was nationalized, inheriting British military traditions and structures. Its political role was cemented after the 1969 coup which brought Gaafar Nimeiry to power, aligning the country with the Eastern Bloc and receiving significant equipment from the Soviet Union. The Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudan People's Liberation Army in the south defined much of its late 20th-century activity. The 1989 Sudanese coup d'état orchestrated by then-Brigadier Omar al-Bashir further entrenched military rule, with the force later engaging in the War in Darfur and conflicts in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. The Sudanese Revolution in 2019 led to al-Bashir's ouster and a fragile power-sharing agreement with civilian leaders, which collapsed leading to the 2023 Sudan conflict against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Structure and organization

The force is headed by a commander-in-chief, a position held by the President of Sudan during civilian rule and often by military council chairs during junta periods. The Ministry of Defence oversees the general staff and the four main service branches: the Sudanese Army, the Sudanese Air Force, the small Sudanese Navy based at Port Sudan, and the Sudanese Air Defence Force. Historically, a separate and powerful intelligence apparatus, the National Intelligence and Security Service, operated alongside it. The controversial integration of the Janjaweed militias into the formal structure as the Rapid Support Forces created a parallel chain of command, which ultimately led to violent factional rivalry. Key installations include the Wadi Sayyidna Air Base and the Armoured Corps Headquarters in Omdurman.

Equipment

Historically reliant on Soviet and later Russian and Chinese suppliers, its inventory reflects decades of conflict and international isolation. The army's main battle tanks have included the T-55, T-72, and Type 59. Artillery systems range from the D-30 howitzer to BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. The Sudanese Air Force operates a mix of aging combat aircraft such as the MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-24, and Shenyang J-6, alongside transport planes like the Antonov An-26 and attack helicopters including the Mil Mi-24. The navy operates patrol boats and small craft for duties on the Red Sea. Domestic production, though limited, has been pursued through the Military Industry Corporation in Khartoum Bahri, which has assembled vehicles and produced small arms and ammunition.

Role and operations

Its primary role has been the defense of Sudanese sovereignty, though its operations have frequently been internal, countering rebel movements and insurgencies. Major campaigns include the lengthy Second Sudanese Civil War, the counter-insurgency in Darfur which attracted international condemnation and allegations of war crimes, and sporadic conflicts in the Nuba Mountains. It has also participated in international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the African Union, contributing troops to operations in Darfur (UNAMID) and South Sudan. Since April 2023, its primary operation has been the 2023 Sudan conflict, a large-scale civil war against the Rapid Support Forces for control of the country, with intense fighting in Khartoum, El Geneina, and El Fasher.

International relations and cooperation

Its foreign military relationships have shifted with Sudan's political alignments. During the Cold War, it was closely tied to the Soviet Union and its allies. Following the September 11 attacks and pressure from the United States, cooperation briefly improved, leading to intelligence sharing. In recent decades, it has cultivated strong defense ties with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. The Wagner Group has been reported to provide training and support. It has also engaged in joint exercises with regional partners and received training from China and Iran. The force's involvement in the Yemeni Civil War as part of the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen underscored its regional security role, though it withdrew its contingent in 2020.

Category:Military of Sudan Category:Armies by country Category:1925 establishments in Sudan