THE country’s armed forces made significant achievements over the past four years, particularly in safeguarding national peace, strengthening the armed forces, the government has declared.

Dr Stergomena Tax, the Defence and National Service minister, made this observation in remarks to journalists here yesterday, citing deliberate efforts to uphold peace, unity and security as well as protecting the country’s strategic infrastructure.

These achievements have been realized through comprehensive strengthening of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), with higher budget allocations, acquisition of modern equipment and enhanced training programmes, she stated.

“The government's strong investment in the armed forces has not only preserved peace and stability but also enabled economic activities to flourish,” she said. Infrastructure milestones nearing completion include National Defence headquarters at Kikombo in the capital, handled entirely by local experts, she said.

The Technical Assistance Group of the German armed forces was helping with developing a modern regional military hospital near Msalato airport in the capital, she said.

Additional projects include the construction of hostels at the National Defence College at Kunduchi in the commercial capital, staff residences in Arusha and expansion of military facilities in Mwanza and Singida, she elaborated. In securing the country’s borders, TPDF has worked in collaboration with other security agencies to prevent potential threats and maintain Tanzania’s territorial integrity.

 “Thanks to well-structured security policies, Tanzanians can go about their daily economic pursuits without fear,” the minister asserted. Youth training through the National Service was uplifted, as from mid-2021 to the start of the year over 190,000 young people, those conscripted and volunteers, underwent preliminary military training and vocational pursuits, she said.

The programme cultivates patriotism, discipline and job skills, creating a resilient and work-ready batch of youths, she said, also pointing at progress in military research and technology.

In partnership with institutions like the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), and the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation (TIRDO), the military has developed innovations such as an elephant deterrent bomb, armoured vehicle prototypes and agricultural equipment, the minister asserted.

These technologies have not only enhanced national defense but also reduced reliance on imports and contributed to civil applications, she said.

Military industries like the Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre (TATC) and the Mzinga Corporation in Morogoro Region were revamped, with new foundries and production lines built to manufacture spare parts, repair firearms and other tools for various economic needs.

Paramilitary training was also pursued with over 55,000 youths trained in basic military skills across all regions, helping to build national cohesion and citizen readiness for internal security support she emphasised.

Defence diplomacy was pursued in regional and international collaboration, with TPDF units involved in UN peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic and Lebanon.

Regionally, Tanzania contributed troops to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) missions in Mozambique and the DRC, she said. Joint military exercises with global partners like the US, China, India and several African nations enhanced troop readiness, with notable exercises including ‘Shared Accord,’ ‘Dragon Fly,’ ‘Protect Border,’ and “Cutlass Express,” some of which were hosted in Tanzania, the minister noted.

TPDF has also been instrumental in protecting strategic national projects, including the standard gauge railway (SGR), the Julius Nyerere hydropower project, tanzanite mining operations and the Uganda-Tanzania crude oil pipeline, she said, noting that the defence forces supported civil authorities in disasters such as floods, mudslides and building collapse, she added.