RSLAF Seeks $33 Million to Fund 4,000-Strong Recruitment Drive
Ben Bassey The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) plans to recruit 4,000 new personnel in 2027, more than doubling its initial proposal, as the military seeks NLe7.59 billion (about $33 million) to address manpower shortages.
Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura disclosed the expansion during 2027 bilateral budget hearings at the Miatta Conference Centre on Monday, where ministries defended their financial proposals before the Finance and Planning ministries.
Bangura said recruitment would run in two phases of 2,000 personnel each, describing the exercise as a “brigade” formation. The revised figure exceeds the 1,800 new personnel, including 300 specialists, plus 500 border guards, outlined in the original Ministry of Defence budget document. Bangura said the increase was necessary to replace retiring officers and fill critical gaps.
The Chief of Defence Staff said training a single soldier costs more than $45,000, underscoring the financial weight of building a professional force.
The ministry is requesting NLe1.29 billion in recurrent expenditure and NLe6.30 billion in public investment programmes. Priorities for 2027 include operationalising C5ISTAR and cybersecurity capabilities, constructing and refurbishing barracks, establishing Level III healthcare services within the Joint Medical Unit, equipping the newly formed Commando Regiment, and providing professional military training for at least 30 percent of personnel.
Figures presented at the hearing show the RSLAF recruited 1,624 personnel between January and September 2026, with 1,452 still undergoing training. A further 1,048 soldiers recruited in 2025 are now in active service, while a planned recruitment of 500 border guards remains incomplete. The military currently has an estimated 13,000 active personnel across its army, navy and air force branches.
Bangura acknowledged the force lacks sufficient resources to fully secure the country across land, air, maritime and cyber domains. “Defence is expensive,” he told officials, appealing to the Finance Ministry for adequate funding to meet the 2027 objectives.
The ministry’s strategic plan extends beyond 2035 and is guided by the national Defence Policy and Strategy to protect Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, maintain stability, deter threats including terrorism and subversion, and support democratic governance and national development.
The presentation forms part of the government’s FY2027 budget process, launched earlier this month, which will set spending priorities amid tight fiscal conditions.