Seychelles People's Defence Force

The Seychelles People's Defence Force is the national military of Seychelles. It consists of a number of distinct branches: the Infantry Unit, Coast Guard, Air Force and a Presidential Protection Unit.

Seychelles People's Defence Force
Founded	1977
Service branches	Infantry Unit Seychelles Air Force Seychelles Coast Guard Presidential Security Unit
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	President Danny Faure
Chief of Defence Forces	Colonel Clifford Roseline[1]
Manpower
Military age	18 years of age
Conscription	Voluntary
Available for military service	males age 15-49: 23,210 (2002 est.), age 15–49
Fit for military service	males age 15-49: 11,560 (2002 est.), age 15–49
Active personnel	650 (2012)
Expenditures
Budget	€9.7 million (2012)
Percent of GDP	1% (2012)
Related articles
History	1981 Seychelles coup d'état attempt
Ranks	Military ranks of the Seychelles

Branches

Coast Guard

The Seychelles Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the Seychelles People's Defence Force.

• 1 42m patrol boat - 268 tons full load - commissioned 1983[2]
• 2 Type 062-class gunboats - Donated by UAE[3]
• 2 Type 062-class gunboats - Donated by China[4]
• 2 SDB Mk5 patrol vessels - SCG Constant and SCG Topaz built by GRSE of India to Seychelles defence as INS Tarasa and INS Tarmugli and donated by India in 2014 and 2015.[5]
• 2 Wave Rider Class inshore patrol vessels - Donated by Sri Lanka in 2019.[6]

Air Force

The Seychelles Air Force was originally formed in 1978 as the Air Wing and has the following aircraft:[7]

Current inventory

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	In service	Notes
Transport
Harbin Y-12	China	SAR / MPA		1[8]
Dornier 228	Germany	SAR / utility		2[8]	donated from India[9]
DHC-6 Twin Otter	Canada	SAR / patrol		1[8]	STOL capable aircraft

Presidential Security Unit (PSU)

The Presidential Security Unit (PSU) was created in 1977 alongside the Infantry Unit to engage in protection duties for the President of Seychelles and his/her residence. It also provides support during transit, and social gatherings. Various instructors from foreign nations conduct training with the PSU. It is one of the most elite units in the SPDF. The PSU is located at State House and is administratively attached to the Special Forces Unit.[10]

Other components

National Brass Band

The National Brass Band is the official military band of the SPDF. Its origins date back to 1925 as the Brass Ensemble. It began when the Mariste Brothers of the Roman Catholic Mission training musicians to play the various instruments. The band was disbanded in 1943 as instruments were being delivered by the British Army. The band was refromed only to be disbanded after the Second World War, with its instruments being acquired by the Seychelles Scout Association. A new brass band known as LAFANSA came into being, with a police band also being augmented. With the establishment of the Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 1981, the Police Band was reorganised into the National Brass Band under the patronage of the Ministry of Education. Antoinc Azcmia became its first conductor, leading a unit which was from 1981 to 1996, a voluntary band (a unit in which musicians arw employed on a part-time basis). Full-time musicians were recruited in 1996, and three years later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Defence and based at the Seychelles Defence Academy. Azcmia retired in 2001, being replaced by Thomas Busanya.[11]

Educational institutions

Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA)

The Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) was established on 2 June 1990 by President France Albert Rene. SDA is the premier training institute of the SPDF. The first training camp of the SDA is at Point Larue. The first training was conducted with the help of advisors from the Tanzania People's Defence Force as well as former British Army personnel. It was later decided to shift the camp to Perseverance Island.[12]

Military Training Centre (MTC)

The Military Training Centre (MTC) is located at Barbarons on the West Coast of Mahe. It is tasked to train all new recruits who join SPDF. Recruits undertake 90 days of extensive training at the MTC that covers a variety of military/civil subjects. After graduation, the new privates are posted to their unit of choice.[13]

Defence Forces Day

Defence Forces Day has been celebrated annually since 1982 on November 25 to celebrate the victory of the SPDF over a group of foreign mercenaries who attacked the country.[14] A commemorative parade his held at a Coast Guard Base.[15]

References

1. Ernesta, Sharon. "Colonel Clifford Roseline named new Chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces". Seychelles News Agency. Seychelles News Agency. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
2. "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "Nation Home". Nation.sc. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
6. "Sri Lanka donates two "Wave Rider" craft produced by Navy to Seychelles". colombopage.com. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
7. Martin, Guy. "India donates Do 228 surveillance aircraft to Seychelles". Defenceweb.co.za.
8. "World Air Forces 2020". Flightglobal Insight. 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
9. "About Seychelles Air Force". Seychelles People Defence Force. 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
10. https://www.spdf.sc/presidential-security/#:~:text=Presidential%20Security%20Unit%20%E2%80%93%20Seychelles%20People%20Defence%20Force&text=The%20Presidential%20Security%20Unit%20(PSU,and%20to%20include%20social%20gatherings.
11. https://www.spdf.sc/career-opprtunities/
12. https://www.spdf.sc/about-the-defence-academy/
13. https://www.spdf.sc/training-and-education-5/
14. http://www.nation.sc/archive/247617/-defence-forces-day
15. http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/4670/president-faure-attends-defence-forces-day-parade

External links

• Seychelles People's Defence Force - official site