Monaco Armed Forces

The Principality of Monaco was formed in 1419, but already in 1524, while maintaining formal autonomy, it was ruled by Spain, and in 1605 Spanish troops were stationed here ^[1] .

After the protest speeches of the population in 1641, the Spanish troops were withdrawn and the principality was in the sphere of influence of France ^[1] .

On February 15, 1793, the principality of Monaco was incorporated into the Alpes-Maritime Alpes Department of the French Republic ^[2] , and the French garrison was deployed in the city of Monaco (known as Fort-d'Hercule ). During the Napoleonic wars, a number of local residents served in the French army ^{[1] [3]} .

On May 30, 1814, in accordance with the Paris Peace Treaty, the independence of Monaco was restored ^[2] , but according to the second Treaty of Paris, on November 20, 1815, Monaco was transferred under the protectorate of the Sardinian kingdom ^[1] .

On December 8, 1817, the armed forces of Monaco were officially created, due to the increase in the number of armies of European countries by this time did not have military significance.

During the revolution of 1848 in Italy, the situation in the principality became complicated, on March 20, 1848, the cities of Menton and Roquebrune declared independence from Monaco (after which the territory of the principality decreased from 24 km² to 2 km²) ^[3] . Prince Florestan I was arrested by his subjects and was in prison for some time, but the revolution was suppressed with the help of Sardinian troops ^[2] .

In March 1860 , in gratitude for the military assistance provided by the French emperor Napoleon III to the unification of Italy , the Sardinian kingdom ceded France to Savoy and the county of Nice (including Menton and Roquebrune), and on July 18, 1860, withdrew its troops from Monaco, putting an end to protectorate.

After the signing of the customs agreement with France in 1865, the Monaco border customs office was disbanded ^{[2] [1] [3]} .

As of 1895, the armed forces of Monaco included a company of palace guards of 70 people and 60 carabineros who served as gendarmerie ^[2] .

During the First World War, Monaco declared neutrality and did not take part in hostilities.

On July 17, 1918, the Treaty of Friendship and Protection was signed between France and the Principality of Monaco, under which France recognized and guaranteed the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Monaco, and the principality’s government pledged to act "in accordance with the political, military, maritime and economic interests of France ”and coordinate with her foreign policy. The French armed forces received the right to enter the territory of Monaco without the consent of the prince. The treaty entered into force on June 23, 1919 ^[4] .

During the Second World War, Monaco declared neutrality, but in November 1942 it was occupied by Italian troops, and after the capitulation of Italy in September 1943, it was occupied by German troops until September 3, 1944 ^[3] .

Since June 13, 1956, Monaco has been a member of Interpol and an Interpol office has been opened on its territory ^[5] .

Since June 25, 1973, Monaco has been a member of the OSCE .

The Monaco Armed Forces are under the supervision of the Department of the Interior ^[3] .

In 2010, the total strength of the country's armed forces was about 240 in the corps of engineers ( Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers , 130 soldiers and several civilian specialists) and a company of carabineers ( Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince , 110 soldiers) armed with small arms and equipped with , rescue and special equipment ^[3] .

The armed forces do not include the police (400 people), which perform the functions of law enforcement and the border guard (as they patrol the land and sea borders) ^[3] .

In the event of a military conflict, the country relies on military support from France ^[3] .

Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers

The corps consists of 9 officers, 25 non-commissioned officers and 96 soldiers. In total, there are 130 people in the corps (besides this there are also civil servants ensuring the normal functioning of the corps). Officers include the following ranks: colonel , lieutenant colonel , commandant , captain , lieutenant , sub-lieutenant. In addition, there are nine ranks of non-commissioned officers and service personnel.

The corps is located in two barracks: in the Condamin districts ( fr. La Condamine ) and Fontvieille ( fr. Fontvieille ). The building is equipped with fire engines, emergency and rescue equipment, as well as a number of specialized vehicles, including fireboats and special tools for action in mountain tunnels in cases of emergency. ^[6] .

Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince

The company consists of a total of 112 people: 3 officers, 15 non-commissioned officers and 94 contract soldiers. As a rule, many of them served in the French armed forces. The main task of the compound is to protect the prince, and the princely palace in Monaco-Ville, located in the old district of Monaco. In addition, military corps members are involved in the protection of members of the judiciary who administer justice on behalf of Prince of Monaco.

There are a number of special units that exist within the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, which include a motorcyclists squad (to respond quickly and accompany the princely motorcade), a scuba diving squad, a first aid unit that provides first aid and emergency medical assistance to public and sports events, as well as a military band, which includes state trumpeters, an ensemble of brass instruments, and a small orchestra present at official state centers repairs.

The ceremonial "change of guard" at the prince's palace at 11:55 am attracts a large number of tourists every day. The ceremony is not only for tourists. The building serves as a guard of the palace and the princely family of Monaco. ^[7]