Since Chad's independence, France has exercised a preeminent role in the military sphere, sustaining both ground and air forces by providing the bulk of the equipment and training needs of the country. French military contingents have either been present in Chad or poised in nearby countries for rapid deployment during periods of instability. Aside from Libya, which had provided massive help to the forces arrayed against Habré, the United States was the only other country that had supplied military equipment. The rate of arms transfers to FANT from both France and the United States mounted sharply in 1986 and 1987 as the conflict with Libya intensified. During this phase, the value of the equipment supplied by the two countries was roughly the same, although the ongoing burden on France--including support for the defense budget, training, construction, and French troop operations--was much higher.

Data as of December 1988