Capacity building for Benin’s navy: EU supports with €35 million

On Monday 15 July 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted a €5 million assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF), designed to provide Benin’s Armed Forces with military equipment to meet their operational requirements and pre-deployment training needs.

This decision is in addition to two other assistance measures, for €25 million and €5 million respectively, adopted on 21 May and 13 June. The adoption of this measure brings the EU’s overall support to Benin to €35 million in 2024, or 27% of Benin’s defence budget.

The three assistance measures aim to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Benin and its civilian population. They also aim to strengthen the capabilities of the country’s navy, thereby supporting its commitment to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, as part of the Yaoundé Architecture.

Thanks to this assistance, Benin’s armed forces will be equipped with a multi-purpose military aircraft and will see their medical and land medical evacuation capabilities strengthened. EU support will also enable the creation of a national military academy for the training of pilots and aircraft mechanics, through the training of instructors. It will also provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance radar, as well as command and control capabilities, training ammunition and small arms for operational use.

Support under the European Peace Facility is part of a wider package combining various tools, including development aid aimed at preventing and combating violent extremism, which represents a growing threat to stability in northern Benin. This package complements the recently launched EU Security and Defence Initiative for the Gulf of Guinea, contributing to peace and stability in the region.