Tanzania
-- Defenses
The
defense
structure
is headed
by the president
who has
operational
control
over all
the armed
forces.
Below the
president,
the entire
military
structure
is commanded
by the chief
of staff,
but this
is mainly
for the
mainland.
The units
in Zanzibar
are commanded
by a senior
officer.
The Tanzanian
People's
Defense
Force (TPDF)
includes
the army,
navy, and
air force.
Outside
the TPDF
there is
a militia
and the
paramilitary
Police Field
Force. Military
expenditures
in 1994
were $69
million.
The
TPDF was
involved
in the successful
invasion
of Uganda
in 1979
in order
to overthrow
Idi Amin.
It proved
its capability
and power
and also
demonstrated
it was the
strongest
military
power in
East Africa.
TPDF sailors,
pilots and
officers
are trained
in China.
The
army consists
of 8 infantry
brigades,
2 divisional
headquarters,
1 tank battalion,
2 field
artillery
battalions,
2 AA artillery
battalions,
1 SAM battalion,
2 anti-tank
battalions,
and 2 signal
battalions.
Equipment
includes
30 heavy
tanks, 66
light tanks,
20 combat
vehicles,
50 armored
personnel
carriers,
240 guns,
50 rocket
launchers,
350 mortars,
400 air
defense
guns, 61
SAMs.
The
navy operates
7 fast attack
craft and
12 patrol
boats.
The
air force
operates
29 combat
aircraft
divided
into three
fighter
squadrons,
1 transport
squadron,
2 training
squadrons,
2 helicopter
squadrons.
TPDF operates
four air
bases at
Dar es Salaam,
Morogoro,
Tabora and
Zanzibar.
Source:
Kurian,
George Thomas
1992. Encyclopedia
of the Third
World,
fourth edition,
volume III,
Facts on
File: New
York, N.Y