page_title: Malian Armed Forces
section_title: Army
hierarchical_section_title: Malian Armed Forces / Army
caption_attribution_description: English: Mali Army Fahd APC is prepared to be loaded into a US C-130E Hercules aircraft. The vehicle belongs to the Economic Community Military Observation Group (ECOMOG). This APC will be transported with Mali Army Troops to Roberts International Airport in Liberia for a six month deployment in support of Operation ASSURED LIFT. ASSURED LIFT is a Joint Task Force (JTF) operation to provide airlift and other logistical support to West African states that are deploying more than 600 troops to Liberia as part of the regions ongoing peacekeeping mission. Most of the inbound West African forces will come from the country of Mali, with the Ivory Coast and Ghana also expected to contribute troops.
context_page_description: The Malian Armed Forces consists of the Army, Republic of Mali Air Force, and National Guard. They number some 7,000 and are under the control of the Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans. The Library of Congress as of January 2005 stated that "[t]he military is underpaid, poorly equipped, and in need of rationalization. Its organisation has suffered from the incorporation of Tuareg irregular forces into the regular military following a 1992 agreement between the government and Tuareg rebel forces."
  In 2009, the IISS Military Balance listed 7,350 soldiers in the Army, 400 in the Air Force, and 50 in the Navy. The Gendarmerie and local police forces maintain internal security. The IISS listed paramilitary total force as 4,800 personnel: 1,800 in the Gendarmerie, 2,000 in the Republican Guard, and 1,000 police officers. A few Malians receive military training in the United States, France, and Germany.
  Military expenditures total about 13% of the national budget.
context_section_description: Manpower is provided by two-year selective conscription. Mali apparently has six military regions, according to Jane's World Armies. The 1st Military Region and 13th Combined Arms Regiment may be in Gao. The 3rd Military Region appears to be at Kati. The 4th Military Region is at Kayes  and the 5th Military Region is at Timbuktu.
  The 512 Regiment was reported within the 5th Military Region in 2004.
  In 2010 Agence France-Presse reported that French training would be given to the 62nd Motorized Infantry Regiment of the 6th Military Region, based at Sévaré. The same story said that the regiment consisted of three Rapid Intervention Companies (CIR) and AFP said it was "considered the elite...of the Malian army."
  Mali is one of four Saharan states which has created a Joint Military Staff Committee, to be based at Tamanrasset in southern Algeria. Algeria, Mauritania, Niger, and Mali will take part.
  The Army controls the small navy (approx. 130 sailors and 3 river patrol boats).
  Sources: Mali Actu 17 February 2012: Liste des généraux du Mali sous ATT : À quoi servaient-ils ? Quel sera leur sort ? and Le Monde-Duniya du 12 avril 2012: Les Generaux du MALI
caption: Fahd armoured personnel carrier of the Mali Army being prepared for an airlift.
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