The Somali Navy is the naval warfareservice 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 missions. It currently has a few land and amphibious battalions and the PMPF is under the naval jurisdiction.
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. Its inventory consisted of Soviet-made patrol craft. 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 in the Ogaden War. In 1990 the naval inventory included two Soviet Osa-II missile-armed fast attack craft, four Soviet Mol PFT torpedo-armed fast attack craft, and several patrol craft. The navy also possessed a Soviet Polnocny-class landing ship capable of carrying five tanks and 120 soldiers, and four smaller landing craft. The Navy dissolved as Barre's regime fell in 1990-91; there are reports that some vessels took refuge in Aden.
Re-establishment
Announcements that the navy would be rebuilt date from the first decade of the 21st century. In June 2009, the Somali navy was re-established with a new commander appointed: Admiral Farah Omar Ahmed. Up to 500 marines were training in Mogadishu, with their training expected to finish in December 2009. They were reported as the first batch of a 5000 strong navy force. Admiral Farrah Ahmed Omaar told a New Yorker reporter in December 2009 that the navy was 'practically nothing' at the time, though five hundred new recruits were in training. A Somali delegation visiting Turkey in 2011 tabled a request for two search-and-rescue ships and six coast guard boats. Worth some 250 million euros, if approved, the request might have turned the new Somali navy into a stronger naval force, capable of curbing piracy and protecting its coastline. It is said by Admiral Omar that the recruits are being paid $60 per month. In August 2011 a Transitional Federal Government-Puntland cooperative agreement called for the creation of a Somali Marine Force. On 30 June 2012, the United Arab Emirates announced a contribution of $1 million toward enhancing Somalia's naval security. Boats, equipment and communication gear necessary for the rebuilding of the coast guard would be bought. A central operations naval command was also planned to be set up in Mogadishu. On 23 January 2020, it was announced that the Turkish Naval Forces donated several patrol vessels and amphibious vessels to the Somali Navy as a form of military aid to Somalia and to carry on its commitment to the nations joint task force.
Ships and equipment
Current equipment
Inventory circa 1970s
The following was the Somali Navy's major equipment:
Ranks and uniform
Somali Navy personnel wear camouflage uniforms but with black shoulder boards to identify them as Navy men. They also wear black berets to identify them as such, their service uniform is white, and they traditionally wear black ties alongside a white blazer, shirt, trousers, belts and if their rank allows, golden laces on their dress uniforms and black laces on their regular service dress and black collar patches with more golden ornate design for flag officers and black formal shoes, however in more recent years, a high collar variant is worn by more junior officers who graduate from Camp TURKSOM's Navy Academy, also Rear Admirals and Commodore Admirals may have a red stripe at the bottom of their shoulder boards to identify them as high ranking navy officers, also the Navy also utilises sleeve rank insignia. There is also khaki uniforms utilised by the Navy with them retaining the black shoulder boards, lace and berets, although officers may wear a peaked cap.
