Military of Suriname
Encyclopedia
After the creation of the Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Army
was entrusted with the defence of Suriname
, while the defence of the Netherlands Antilles
was the responsibility of the Royal Netherlands Navy
. The army set up a separate Troepenmacht in Suriname (Forces in Suriname, TRIS). Upon independence in 1975, this force was turned into the Surinaamse Krijgsmacht (SKM):, Surinamese Armed Forces. On February 25, 1980, a group of 16 junior SKM officers overthrew the Government. Subsequently the SKM was rebranded as Nationaal Leger (NL), National Army.
The Netherlands
has provided limited military assistance to the Surinamese armed forces since the election of a democratic government in 1991. In recent years, the USA
has provided training to military officers and policy
makers to promote a better understanding of the role of the military in a civilian government. Also, since the mid-1990s, the People's Republic of China
has been donating military equipment and logistical material to the Surinamese Armed Forces, as has Brazil
.
In 1982 a small air arm was formed within the Suriname defence force equipped with four PBN BN-2A Defenders. Later on during the decade a Cessna 172 and in 1993 a Cessna 310 was acquired. All aircraft undertake border patrols and SAR missions from the main base at Paramaribo-Zanderij and are occasionally detached to both Zorg en Hoop and Moengo. In 1986 anti-government guerrilla activity prompted the government to acquire a pair of Aerospatiale SA.316B Alouette III and then two PC7's for COIN missions. One of the Alouettes crashed and both PC7s were returned to Switzerland but one was later redelivered. Two CASA 212-400s was delivered in 1999
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| CASA C-212-400 Aviocar
|
| Medium transport
|
| 2
| In service since 1999. 1 with RDR-1500 MP Radar
|----
| Britten-Norman BN-2B Defender
|
| Light transport
|
| 5
| In service since 1982
|-----
| Cessna 182 Skylane
|
| Light transport
|
| 1
| In service since 1993
|-----
|
| Light transport
|
| 1
| In service since 1982
|-----
| Pilatus PC-7
|
| Light attack aircraft
|
| 3
| In service since 1985
|-----
| HAL Dhruv
|
| Light helicopter
|
| 3
|
|-----
, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (Opperbevelhebber van de Strijdkrachten). The President is assisted by the Minister of Defence, Ivan Fernald
.
Beneath the President and Minister of Defense is the Commander of the Armed Forces (Bevelhebber van de Strijdkrachten), Colonel Ernst Mercuur, whose headquarters is in Parimaribo. The Military Branches and regional Military Commands report to the Commander.
who named themselves "Jungle Commando
s" led by Ronnie Brunswijk
between 1986 and 1992.
Surinamese armed forces had also fought with the Resistance Amerindian groups who call themselves "Tucayana Amazonas" was led by Alex Jubitana & Thomas Sabajo. This Amerindian insurgents fought from 1986 to 1989. they oppose the expropriation of land owned by indigenous and discrimination by the military regime
The Army also participated in the Multi-National Force in Haiti in the 90's. and were redeployed again in 2010.
Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
was entrusted with the defence of Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
, while the defence of the Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
was the responsibility of the Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
. The army set up a separate Troepenmacht in Suriname (Forces in Suriname, TRIS). Upon independence in 1975, this force was turned into the Surinaamse Krijgsmacht (SKM):, Surinamese Armed Forces. On February 25, 1980, a group of 16 junior SKM officers overthrew the Government. Subsequently the SKM was rebranded as Nationaal Leger (NL), National Army.
The Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
has provided limited military assistance to the Surinamese armed forces since the election of a democratic government in 1991. In recent years, the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has provided training to military officers and policy
Policy
A policy is typically described as a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome. The term is not normally used to denote what is actually done, this is normally referred to as either procedure or protocol...
makers to promote a better understanding of the role of the military in a civilian government. Also, since the mid-1990s, the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
has been donating military equipment and logistical material to the Surinamese Armed Forces, as has Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
Organization
Suriname's National Armed Forces are composed of some 2,200 personnel, the majority of whom are deployed in the Army of Suriname.Army
- A Light InfantryLight infantryTraditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
BattalionBattalionA battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
(33ste Bataljon der Infanterie) Formed in 1987. - A Special Forces Corps.
- A support arm (Staf verzorgings Bataljon)
Rifles
- Colt M16A2M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
5.56x45mm assault rifle - Colt M4 carbineM4 carbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
5.56x45mm - IMI Galil 5.56x45mm assault rifle
- FN FALFN FALThe Fusil Automatique Léger or FAL is a self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal . During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, with the notable exception of the United States...
7.62x51mm battle rifleBattle rifleA battle rifle is a military service rifle that fires a full power rifle cartridge, such as 7.62x51mm NATO. While the designation of battle rifle is usually given to post-World War II select fire infantry rifles such as the H&K G3, the FN FAL or the M14, this term can also apply to older military...
Belgium - AKMAKMThe AKM is a 7.62mm assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is an upgraded version of the AK-47 rifle and was developed in the 1950s....
7.62x39mm assault rifleAssault rifleAn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
- Type 56Type 56 Assault RifleThe Type 56 assault rifle is a Chinese copy of the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle, which has been manufactured since 1956. It was produced by State Factory 66 from 1956-73, then by Norinco from 1973 onwards.-Service history:...
7.62x39mm assault rifle
Mainland China - SVD 7.62x54mmR sniper rifle
- M1 GarandM1 GarandThe M1 Garand , was the first semi-automatic rifle to be generally issued to the infantry of any nation. Called "the greatest battle implement ever devised" by General George S...
.30-06 (7.62x63mm) battle rifle - M1 CarbineM1 CarbineThe M1 carbine is a lightweight, easy to use semi-automatic carbine that became a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and was produced in several variants. It was widely used by U.S...
.30 carbine (7.62x33mm) caliber.30 CarbineThe .30 Carbine is the cartridge used in the M1 Carbine introduced in the 1940s. It is an intermediate round designed to be fired from the M1 carbine's 18-inch barrel.-History:...
Handguns
- FN/BrowningBrowning Arms CompanyBrowning Arms Company is a maker of firearms, bows and fishing gear. Founded in Utah in 1927, it offers a wide variety of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and rimfire firearms and sport bows, as well as fishing rods and reels....
Hi-PowerBrowning Hi-PowerThe Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized...
9x19mm pistol Belgium - BerettaBerettaFabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
Model 92FS 9x19mm pistol
Italy - S&W .38 caliber revolvers
Submachine guns
- FN P90FN P90The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
5.7x28mm PDWPersonal defense weaponA personal defense weapon is a compact semi-automatic or fully automatic firearm similar in most respects to a submachine gun, but firing an armor-piercing rifle round, giving a PDW better range, accuracy and armor-penetrating capability than submachine guns, which fire pistol-caliber cartridges... Belgium - Uzi 9x19mm submachine gun
Israel - HK MP5A2 9x19mm submachine gun
Germany - M3M3 submachine gunThe M3 was an American .45-caliber submachine gun adopted for U.S. Army service on 12 December 1942, as the United States Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M3. The M3 was designed as a more cost-effective alternative to the Thompson, optimized for mass production...
.45 caliber submachine gun
Machine guns
- FN MinimiFN MinimiThe Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
5.56x45mm light machine gun Belgium - FN MAGFN MAGThe FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
7.62x51mm GPMGGeneral purpose machine gunA general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon...
Belgium - BrenBrenThe Bren, usually called the Bren Gun, was a series of light machine guns adopted by Britain in the 1930s and used in various roles until 1991...
.303 caliber (7.7x56mmR) light machine gun - Browning M2HB .50 caliber (12.7x99mm) heavy machine gun
Grenade launchers and other heavy weapons
- Colt M203A1M203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
40x46mm grenade launcher - MBDA MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
-2T Anti-tank guided missile launcher (10x reported) / - RPG-7RPG-7The RPG-7 is a widely-produced, portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Originally the RPG-7 and its predecessor, the RPG-2, were designed by the Soviet Union, and now manufactured by the Bazalt company...
V rocket propelled grenade (159x) / - 106mm M40A1M40 recoilless rifleThe M40 recoilless rifle was a lightweight, portable, crew-served 105 mm weapon intended primarily as an anti-tank weapon made in the United States...
recoilless rifle (24x) - 57mm M18 recoilless rifleM18 recoilless rifleThe M18 recoilless rifle was a 57 mm shoulder fired anti-tank recoilless rifle used by the U.S. Army in World War II and the Korean War. Recoilless rifles are capable of firing artillery-type shells at reduced velocities comparable to those of standard cannon, but with greater accuracy than...
(17x) - L16A1\2L16 81mm MortarThe United Kingdom's L16 81 mm mortar is the standard mortar used by the British armed forces. It originated as a joint design by UK and Canada. The version produced and used by Australia is named the F2 81mm Mortar, whilst the version used by the U.S...
81mm medium mortar (up to 24x) - M45 Quad M2HB Browning 12.7mm mounded on DAF trucks as self-propelled antiaircraft guns (24x) /
Netherlands
Equipment
- 60x Engesa EE-9 CascavelEE-9 CascavelThe EE-9 Cascavel is a 6 x 6 armoured car developed in the 1970s by Engesa of Brazil. It used as many commercially available parts as possible. It also shares many components with the EE-11 Urutu APC...
MK-VII\SRs-VII 90mm gun, M2HB 12.7mm HMG and with Laser Rangefinder+Nigth Optics 6x6 ARV - 15x Engesa EE-11 UrutuEE-11 UrutuThe EE-11 Urutu is a 6x6 armored personnel carrier developed in the seventies by Engesa of Brazil. It used as many commercially available parts as possible. It also shares many components with the EE-9 Cascavel Armoured fighting vehicle. The suspension includes Engesa's Boomerang double-axle rear...
MK-VI\SRs-III with M2HB 12.7mm HMG 6x6 APC\AIFV - 1x Engesa EE-11 UrutuEE-11 UrutuThe EE-11 Urutu is a 6x6 armored personnel carrier developed in the seventies by Engesa of Brazil. It used as many commercially available parts as possible. It also shares many components with the EE-9 Cascavel Armoured fighting vehicle. The suspension includes Engesa's Boomerang double-axle rear...
6x6 Recovery APC - 20x AM General HMMWV M998 Hummer with M2HB 12.7mm HMG 4x4 APC
- 9x DAF YP-408DAF YP-408The DAF YP408 is a Dutch 6x8 armoured car, with three out of four axles driven. It has a 6-litre, 6-cylinder diesel engine, 5-speed gearbox and 2-speed transfer case....
PWI-S with 12.7mm M2HB HMG 6x8 APC Netherlands - BaileyBailey-Fictional Characters:* Beetle Bailey, a comic strip created by Mort Walker* Bailey Pickett, a character on The Suite Life on Deck* Miranda Bailey, a character Grey's Anatomy...
Bridges - 10x Zodiak with Yamaha engine
Japan - GPSGlobal Positioning SystemThe Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
/ - Night vision goggles /
- Bose Head-phone
- Red dot sights //
- Optical Sights //
- PASGT Helmets
- M1 Helmets
- Interceptor Body Armor
- RACAL Radio systems
- Bel-(Bahrat Electronics) Night Vision Equipment
India - DAFDAF-Science, nature and technology:* Decay accelerating factor, a protein involved in the complement system* Delayed auditory feedback, a device used to delay a person's voice to their own ear, which reduces stuttering and cluttering...
YA-4440 trucks Netherlands - DAFDAF-Science, nature and technology:* Decay accelerating factor, a protein involved in the complement system* Delayed auditory feedback, a device used to delay a person's voice to their own ear, which reduces stuttering and cluttering...
5-Ton trucks Netherlands - Land RoverLand RoverLand Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
4x4 - PolarisPolarisPolaris |Alpha]] Ursae Minoris, commonly North Star or Pole Star, also Lodestar) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is very close to the north celestial pole, making it the current northern pole star....
4x4 ATV
Navy
In 1977 Suriname received 2 patrol boats from the Dutch government. Little is documented on them.Equipment
- 3x S-401 class PCs 30m with 2x40mm Bofors Guns, and M2HB heavy machine guns Netherlands
- 3x RodmanRodman-Places in the United States:* Rodman, Iowa* Rodman, New York* Rodman Mountains, California* Rodman Reservoir, Florida-People:* Rodman "Rod" Serling, television host* Dennis Rodman, former NBA basketball player* Isaac P...
105 ft class PCs with M2HB 12.7mm heavy machine gun
Spain - 5x RodmanRodman-Places in the United States:* Rodman, Iowa* Rodman, New York* Rodman Mountains, California* Rodman Reservoir, Florida-People:* Rodman "Rod" Serling, television host* Dennis Rodman, former NBA basketball player* Isaac P...
85 ft Interceptor class PCs with 7.62mm GPMG Spain - BelBelBel can mean:* bel , a unit of ratio used in acoustics, electronics, etc. A derived unit of 1 decibel = 0.1 B is often used.* Bel , a Semitic deity * Belenus aka Bel; a Celtic deity...
-Bharat Electronics Costal Communication System Server-CCN India
Air Force
Equipment
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| CASA C-212-400 Aviocar
|
| Medium transport
|
| 2
| In service since 1999. 1 with RDR-1500 MP Radar
|----
| Britten-Norman BN-2B Defender
Britten-Norman Defender
|-External links:*...
|
| Light transport
|
| 5
| In service since 1982
|-----
| Cessna 182 Skylane
Cessna 182
The Cessna 182 Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engine, light airplane, built by Cessna of Wichita, Kansas. It has the option of adding two child seats, installed in the baggage area....
|
| Light transport
|
| 1
| In service since 1993
|-----
|
| Light transport
|
| 1
| In service since 1982
|-----
| Pilatus PC-7
Pilatus PC-7
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air forces as...
|
| Light attack aircraft
|
| 3
| In service since 1985
|-----
| HAL Dhruv
HAL Dhruv
The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter developed and manufactured by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited . Dhruv was first announced in November 1984. The ALH was designed with assistance from MBB in Germany. The Dhruv first flew in 1992; but, due to the changing demands of the Indian Army and...
|
| Light helicopter
|
| 3
|
|-----
Obsolete aircraft
- Aerospatiale SA.316B Alouette IIIAérospatiale Alouette IIIThe Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.The Alouette III is the...
- Two helicopters, in service from 1986 to 1999.
Early Modern France - Cessna 310Cessna 310The Cessna 310 is an American six-seat, low-wing, twin-engined monoplane that was produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. It was the first twin-engined aircraft that Cessna put into production after World War II.-Development:...
- One aircraft, in service from 1993 to 1997. - Hughes 500 - One helicopter, in service for a short time in 1982.
- Bell 205A - One helicopter.
- Bell 206Bell 206The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
\OH-58 -One helicopter via
Venezuela - Cessna 172Cessna 172The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
\T-41D -One aircraft
Command structure
The President of the Republic, Dési BouterseDési Bouterse
Desiré Delano "Dési" Bouterse is the 9th and current President of Suriname.As an army officer, he was the de facto leader of Suriname through most of the 1980s, serving as Chairman of the National Military Council...
, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (Opperbevelhebber van de Strijdkrachten). The President is assisted by the Minister of Defence, Ivan Fernald
Ivan Fernald
Ivan Christiaan Fernald is a Surinamese politician, currently serving as the Minister of Defence since 1 September 2005.Previously Fernald was director of the Institute for Economic Administrative Secondary Education ....
.
Beneath the President and Minister of Defense is the Commander of the Armed Forces (Bevelhebber van de Strijdkrachten), Colonel Ernst Mercuur, whose headquarters is in Parimaribo. The Military Branches and regional Military Commands report to the Commander.
Commanders of the Suriname Armed Forces
- Yngwe Elstak (25 November 1975 - 25 February 1980)
- Desi Bouterse (July 1980 – 3 December 1992)
- Iwan Graanoogst (temporary, 3 December 1992 – 15 May 1993)
- Arthy Gorré (15 May 1993 – 30 June 1995)
- Glenn Sedney (30 June 1995 – 1 July 2001)
- Ernst Mercuur (1 July 2001 - PRESENT )
Contra
The Armed Forces of Suriname were engaged in a domestic war, against a few hundred freedom fightersResistance movement
A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups, dedicated to opposing an invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign state. It may seek to achieve its objects through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of armed force...
who named themselves "Jungle Commando
Jungle Commando
The Jungle Commando was a guerrilla commando group in Suriname. It was founded by Ronnie Brunswijk in 1986 to ensure equal rights for Suriname's minority Maroon population.group was formed after the troops Suriname commit mass murder against 35 people Moiwana Village, near Moengo, after the ...
s" led by Ronnie Brunswijk
Ronnie Brunswijk
Ronnie Brunswijk is a Surinamese rebel leader, politician, business man, and convict. After having been the personal body guard of Desi Bouterse in the early 1980s, he turned against his former boss by forming the Jungle Commando which fought the Bouterse regime "on behalf of the Maroon...
between 1986 and 1992.
Surinamese armed forces had also fought with the Resistance Amerindian groups who call themselves "Tucayana Amazonas" was led by Alex Jubitana & Thomas Sabajo. This Amerindian insurgents fought from 1986 to 1989. they oppose the expropriation of land owned by indigenous and discrimination by the military regime
Role
- Defend the territorial integrity of Suriname.
- Assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required.
- Contribute to the economic development of Suriname.
The Army also participated in the Multi-National Force in Haiti in the 90's. and were redeployed again in 2010.