Somali Navy
| Somali Navy Ciidamada Badda Soomaaliya | |
|---|---|
|
Somali Navy Emblem | |
| Country |
 Somalia |
| Branch | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Part of | Somali Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ |
Kismayo Berbera Merca |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Admiral Farah Omar Ahmed |
| Notable commanders | |
The Somali Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Somali Armed Forces. Before independence in 1960, the Somali Navy was established in conjunction with the Italian Navy, the latter of which also helped maintain security in Somali waters. During the post-independence period, the Somali Navy mostly did maritime patrols so as to prevent ships illegally infringing on the nation's maritime borders. The Somali Navy and Somali Air Force also regularly collaborated. In addition, the Somali Navy carried out Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.
History
The Somali Navy was founded in 1965 with the help of Soviet military advisers. Its mandate was the protection of Somali waters, including its economic exclusive zone. It had its bases in Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden and Kismayo on the Indian Ocean near the border with Kenya. It also operated a radar facility in Merca.[1] Its inventory consisted of Soviet-made patrol crafts.[1] In 1977, Siad Barre terminated the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Moscow and expelled all Soviet military advisers from Somalia due to their intervention the Ogaden War.[2] Thus much of the naval equipment fell into disrepair and the navy was not operational from 1991.[1]
Re-establishment
In June 2009, the Somali navy was re-established with a new commander appointed: Admiral Farah Omar Ahmed. Up to 500 marines are training in Mogadishu with their training expected to finish in December 2009. They are the first batch of a 5000 strong navy force.[3] In addition, a visiting Somali delegation to Turkey in 2011 tabled a request for two search-and-rescue ships and six coast guard boats. Worth some 250 million euros, it is intended to turn the new Somali navy into a stronger naval force capable of curbing piracy and protecting its coastline.[4] It is said by Admiral Omar that the recruits are being paid $60 per month.[5]
Following a Transitional Federal Government-Puntland cooperative agreement in August 2011 calling for the creation of a Somali Marine Force, of which the already established Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) would form a part, the Puntland administration resumed training of PMPF naval officials.[6]
On June 30, 2012, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Gargash announced that his administration would contribute $1 million toward enhancing Somalia's naval security capacity. The funds would enable the Somali authorities in collaboration with international partners to acquire the boats, equipment and communication gear necessary for the rebuilding of the coast guard. A central operations naval command was also slated to be set up in Mogadishu.[7]
Equipment
The following was the Somali Navy's major equipment:[8]
| Type | Description | Country of Manufacture | Inventory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missile boat | |||
| Osa-II missile-armed fast attack craft | Missile boat | Soviet Union | 2 |
| Mol PFT torpedo-armed fast attack craft | Missile boat | Soviet Union | 4 |
| Amphibious warfare ship | |||
| Polnocny-class landing ship, tank | Landing ship capable of carrying 5 tanks and 120 soldiers | Soviet Union | 1 |
| Patrol boats | |||
| Poluchat-class patrol boats | Patrol torpedo boat | Soviet Union | 5 |
References
- 1 2 3 Lehr, ed. by Peter (2007). Violence at sea : piracy in the age of global terrorism. New York [u.a.]: Routledge. ISBN 978-0415953207.
- ↑ "Country Data - Somalia". Retrieved 22 June 2015.
- ↑ "Somalia gets new navy force after years of absence". English.people.com.cn. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ↑ "TURKEY - Starving Somalia asks for coast guard ships". hurriyetdailynews.com.
- ↑ "BBC News - Somali navy chief: World's worst job?". News.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ↑ "Somalia: Puntland President Speech at Constitutional Conference in Garowe". Maritimesecurity.asia. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ↑ "UAE committed to contribute US$1 million to support Somali naval security capabilities, says Gargash". UAE Interact. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ↑ Polmar, Norman (1991). The Naval Institute guide to the Soviet Navy. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 9780870212413.
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