The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) is the military of the Southern African Kingdom of Lesotho, which consists of about 2,000 personnel and is tasked with maintaining internal security, territorial integrity, and defending the constitution of Lesotho. Since the mountainous kingdom is completely landlocked by South Africa, in practice the country's external defence is guaranteed by its larger neighbour, so the armed forces are mainly used for internal security. The LDF is an army with a small air wing.

History The military was established in 1978. The Lesotho Defence Force participated in the military coup in 1986, internal conflicts in 1994 and 1998, and unrest in 2007.Allison, Simon (5 September 2017). New Lesotho murders highlight need for military reform. Mail and Guardian. Retrieved 13 April 2019.

Following the 1993 Lesotho general election, in August 1994, King Letsie III dissolved the newly elected parliament in a coup d'état that was supported by the military.Dr. Mothibe, T. The Military and Democratisation in Lesotho. National University of Lesotho.

On 30 August 2014, an alleged military coup took place, forcing then-Prime Minister Tom Thabane to flee to South Africa for three days.Lesotho 'coup' forces PM Thabane to South Africa . BBC. 30 August 2014.Lesotho PM Thabane returns home after fleeing 'coup' . BBC. 3 September 2014 A brief crisis occurred in September 2017 when Lieutenant General Khoantle Motsomotso (then-commander of the LDF) was assassinated by some junior officers, leading to an intervention by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).In Lesotho, military and politics make a dangerous mix. France 24. Published 9 September 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2019.SADC fore deployed in Lesotho after killing of army commander . Times Live. Published 4 December 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2019.

In 2021, a LDF contingent was sent to Mozambique as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to assist the Mozambican government during the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. The contingent consequently took part in pro-government offensives from August 2021.

Army The army of Lesotho began in the 1960s initially as a paramilitary police force, established separately from the Lesotho Mounted Police Service on 1 April 1978. It was recognised as an army in August 1979 and was expanded in the 1980s in response to Basutoland Congress Party insurgent activities. After the January 1986 military coup that brought General Justin Lekhanya to power, the army was renamed the Royal Lesotho Defence Force. As of 1990, it was estimated to have about 2,000 personnel divided into one recon company, one artillery battery, seven infantry companies, one special forces platoon, and a support company.Lesotho Defense Force (LDF). Global Security. Accessed 13 April 2019.

Equipment Small arms Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes Submachine guns Sterling 9×19mm Submachine gun Uzi 9×19mm Submachine gun Rifles AKM 7.62×39mm Assault rifle AK-74 5.45×39mm Assault rifle Type 56 7.62×39mm Assault rifle IMI Galil 5.56×45mm Assault rifle Vektor R4 5.56×45mm Assault rifle M16Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide, Ewen Southby-Tailyour (2005) p. 446. 5.56×45mm Assault rifle Beretta AR70/90 5.56×45mm Assault rifle FN FAL 7.62×51mm Battle rifle Lee-Enfield .303 British Bolt-action rifle Sniper rifles SVD 7.62×54mmR Designated marksman rifleSniper rifle Machine guns Bren 7.62×51mm Light machine gun RPD 7.62×39mm Squad automatic weapon RPK 7.62×39mm Squad automatic weapon FN MAG 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun Browning M2 .50 BMG Heavy machine gun Rocket propelled grenade launchers RPG-7 40mm Rocket-propelled grenade

Anti-tank weapons Name Image Type Origin Caliber Notes M40A1 Recoilless rifle 106mm 6 in service.

Tanks Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes T-55 Medium tank 1

Scout cars Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes BRDM-2 Amphibious armored scout car 2

Reconnaissance Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes Panhard AML Armored car 6 RAM MK3 Armored Car 6 RBY Mk 1 Armored Car 10 Shorland S52 Armored car 8

Air Wing

The Lesotho Defence Force Air Wing was originally a 1978-offshoot of the paramilitary police mobile unit and began operations with two Short Skyvan twin turboprop STOL transports, a leased Cessna A152 Aerobat, two MBB Bo 105 helicopters, and a Bell 47G helicopter converted to turboshaft power. Two Mil Mi-2 twin-turbine helicopters were donated by Libya in 1983 but were retired by 1986.

Deliveries of four Bell 412 helicopters were delayed in 1983 to 1986 because of South Africa's influence. This changed when a 1986 military coup resulted in new security agreements with South Africa being signed. In the mid-1980s the air wing was merged into the Lesotho Defence Force. In 1989, the Skyvans were replaced by two CASA C-212 Aviocar light turboprop transports; one immediately crashed, requiring a third to be delivered in 1992. A fifth Bell 412 (an EP model) was delivered in May 1998 to replace the one written off the previous January.

Aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes TransportCASA C-212SpainTransport2GippsAero GA8AustraliaUtility1 HelicoptersBell 412 United StatesUtility 3 Eurocopter AS350 FranceLight utility3

Accidents and incidents

13 April 2017, a Eurocopter EC135 T2+ crashed in the area of Thaba Putsoa, killing all four people on board. The helicopter was carrying three soldiers and an official from the Ministry of Finance who was delivering pensions to outlying districts. Officials reported it hit power lines and crashed in mountainous terrain near Thaba Putsoa, killing two of the soldiers and critically injuring the other two passengers, both of whom later died in hospital from their injuries.

See also Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force

References

Works cited