Seychelles People's Defence Force
Flag of the SPDF
MottoService before self
Founded1977
Service branches
WebsiteOfficial website
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief & Minister of DefenceWavel Ramkalawan
Chief of Defence ForcesColonel Michael Rosette[1]
Personnel
Military age18 years of age
ConscriptionVoluntary
Available for
military service		23,210 (2002 est.), age 15–49
Fit for
military service		11,560 (2002 est.), age 15–49
Active personnel650 (2012)
Expenditures
Budget€9.7 million (2012)
Percent of GDP1% (2012)
Related articles
History1981 Seychelles coup d'état attempt
RanksMilitary ranks of the Seychelles

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.

Branches

Coast Guard

The Seychelles Coast Guard is the maritime arm of the Seychelles People's Defence Force. Some of the ships they currently have include:

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
Dornier 228 Germany SAR / utility 2[8] donated by India[9]
Harbin Y-12 China MEDEVAC / patrol 1[10]
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 their 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.[11]

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 reformed only to be disbanded after World War II, 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 are 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.[12]

Educational institutions

Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA)

The Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) was established on 2 June 1990 by President France-Albert René. 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.[13]

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.[14]

Defence Forces Day

Defence Forces Day has been celebrated annually since 25 November 1982 to celebrate the victory of the SPDF over a group of foreign mercenaries who attacked the country in 1981.[15] A commemorative parade is held at a Coast Guard Base.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "President Ramkalawan appoints New Command, Promotes and Commissions new Officers on New Year's Day". Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "Seychelles takes delivery of new Chinese patrol boat - IHS Jane's 360". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nation Home". Nation.sc. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "Seychelles receives another donated patrol boat - IHS Jane's 360". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  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. 1 2 "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "About Seychelles Air Force". Seychelles People Defence Force. 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  10. ↑ "Seychelles air force". spdf.sc. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "Presidential Security Unit – Seychelles People Defence Force". Spdf.sc. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  12. ↑ "National Brass Band".
  13. ↑ "About Seychelles Defence Academy".
  14. ↑ "About Military Training Centre".
  15. ↑ "Defence Forces Day -Archive -Seychelles Nation". www.nation.sc.
  16. ↑ "President Faure attends Defence Forces Day Parade". Seychelles: State House. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
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