The Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) is descended from the former Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), a Tutsi rebel/liberation force which overthrew the Hutu government in 1994 during the Rwandan Genocide. The RDF has built a strong reputation for competence and combat effectiveness, and is widely considered one of East and Central Africa’s most capable armed forces.
Since 2002, the RDF has operated under a Joint Command Structure, with a Chief of Defence Staff at the helm. The Rwandan Constitution describes the RDF’s mission as: “to defend the territorial integrity and the national sovereignty of the Republic; to collaborate with other security organs in safeguarding public order and enforcement of law; to participate in humanitarian activities in case of disasters; to contribute to the development of the country; to participate in international peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance and training.”
The Rwandan army, while small, is extremely well-trained and responsive to civilian oversight, thanks to aggressive efforts to professionalise the service. This professionalism is supported by peacekeeping experience in several missions across Africa, with between 6,000 and 9,000 troops actively deployed. Additionally, foreign countries, notably the US and UK, have assisted the RDF in capacity-building and peacekeeping deployment. The RDF’s combat effectiveness has been particularly notable in its deployment to Mozambique, where roughly 3,000 troops have been active in counter-insurgency operations in Cabo Delgado Province, as part of a secretive bilateral agreement between the Rwandan and Mozambican governments.
Defence spending remains relatively high due to security concerns along the borders with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly given that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group based in eastern DRC, have launched attacks on Rwanda in the past. More recently, Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 rebel group, a Tutsi-led group in eastern DRC, by the DRC government, the United Nations, and several other countries and organisations, with some estimates placing approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Rwandan troops as actively operating in the region.
The Rwandan Air Force is extremely small and has no fixed-wing combat aircraft. Its only combat capabilities consist of approximately 11 Soviet/Russian attack helicopters. It also has minimal airlift capacity, possessing only a handful of aircraft suitable for light transport.
The Rwandan Reserve Force is recognised as a separate and distinct service branch of the RDF. While little is known about its personnel numbers or dedicated equipment, it is likely that the force is closely integrated with the standing army. More recently, the Rwandan government announced and established the Rwandan Military Health Service as a distinct and separate branch of the RDF. As with the Reserve Force, there is little to no publicly available information regarding its structure or personnel numbers.
