Military of Suriname

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 policymakers 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 well as Brazil.

Organization
Suriname's National Armed Forces are composed of some 2200 personnel, the majority of whom are deployed in the Army of Suriname

including:

Army

 * A Light Infantry Battalion (33ste Bataljon der Infanterie)Formed in 1987.
 * A Special Forces Corps.
 * A support arm (Staf verzorgings Bataljon)

Air Force
In 1982 a small air arm was formed within the Surinam defence force equipped with four PBN BN-2A Defenders. Later on during the decade a Cessna 172 and in 1993 a Cessna 130 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 guerilla activity prompted the government to acquire a pair of Aeropatiale 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

Current Aircraft
 * CASA C-212-400 Aviocar - In service since 1999.
 * Britten-Norman BN-2B Defender - In service since 1982.
 * Cessna 182 Skylane - In service since 1993.
 * Cessna TU206 Turbo-Stationair - In service since 1982.
 * Pilatus PC-7 - In service since 1985.
 * HAL Dhruv

Obsolete aircraft
 * Aeropatiale SA.316B Alouette III - Two helicopters, in service from 1986 to 1999.
 * Cessna 310 - One aircraft, in service from 1993 to 1997.
 * Hughes 500 - One helicopter, in service for a short time in 1982.

Command
The President of the Republic, Drs. Ronald Venetiaan, is the head of the armed forces, with the title of "Opperbevelhebber" which means "Chief of the Military Forces". The President is the supreme authority for all national military matters. The Minister of Defence, Ivan Fernald, assists the President of Suriname in his role over the armed forces.

The "Bevelhebber", Military Chief, is charged with command over the different Military Branches. The current Bevelhebber is Colonel Ernst Mercuur.

The armed Forces is Headquartered in Paramaribo.

All Army Branches have their respective commanders subordinate to the Bevelhebber.

Military Command is also decentralized on the regional level. These military commands also answer directly to the Bevelhebber.

FORMER 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 Guerillas who named themselves "Jungle Commandos" led by Ronnie Brunswijk between 1986 and 1992.

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. In 2010 Suriname troops were sent to Haiti again.

Armoured Vehicles

 * DAF YP-408 - 5 were donated by the Netherlands
 * 45 Engesa EE-9 Cascavel
 * Engesa EE-11 Urutu

Infantry Weapons
COLT M-16A-2\COLT M-4A1\SVD
 * FN P90
 * FN FAL
 * FN MAG
 * Uzi submachine gun
 * AKM
 * FN Minimi
 * RPG-7