Abstract
The conventional wisdom about the African military is becoming outdated. Many African armies have reached a watershed in transition from the internal securityoriented forces of their colonial origins, becoming national armed forces with serious defense responsibilities. Available data indicate that African forces are growing in size, sophistication, and combat capability. Their capacity for waging war is improving, and this will have a significant impact on the frequency, scope, and character of African wars of the future. African armies are becoming more externally oriented, and regional military powers are developing. All these trends are changing the continent's military environment.
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