Situated on what is known as the South East Island, the Seychelles Defence Academy is one of the units of Seychelles People’s Defence Forces, which houses the SPDF Museum.The Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) was better known from its birth in 1977 as the Seychelles People’s Militia(SPM) and the Seychelles People’s Liberation Army(SPLA).

In 1980 the People’s Defence Forces set up a combined force in Seychelles. This consisted of the Seychelles People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), Seychelles People’s Navy (SPN), Seychelles People’s Air Force (SPAF) and the Seychelles People’s Militia (SPM).

Presently the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces consist of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ), Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Barbarons Unit (BU), President Security Unit (PSU), Grand Police Camp (GPC) and the National Guard (NG).

The SPDF Museum is Seychelles own and only museum to tell the story of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces technology and armaments. It brings the military history into its proper perspective by the collection and preservation of personal stories and memorabilia since 1977 till date. The SPDF Museum was constructed in 1990 and has been since then in operated though not officially opened yet. It is presently being re-organized to meet the required museum standard.

Our Mission
To conserve the historical wealth of the SPDF through the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces Museum. It has for mission the acquisition, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of history of the Seychelles People’s Militia, Seychelles People’s Liberation Army and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces to the present and associated information for public viewing.
It also provides opportunities for study, research and enjoyment. It creates awareness through the various outreach programmes, with the aim of sensitizing the general public over the need of having such museum within the SPDF.

Role of the SPDF Museum
The role of the SPDF Museum is to preserve the history and the most valuable assets of the forces which includes photographs dating back to the early 80’s, showing various aspects of training conducted on various camps, and exchange between the local and foreign forces, National Day Parades, and numerous others.

Sections
The Museum is divided into two major sections. The most attractive and popular of all exhibits is the display depicting the November 25, 1981 mercenary attack. The display features a selection of photographs of some of the mercenaries who were captured, weapons and other equipment which the fleeing mercenaries left behind, alongside their personal belongings which were also confiscated.

A model of the Victory Monument representing the Victory of Seychelles Forces over the mercenaries during the 1981 November 25, Mercenary Aggression is centered in the hall. The Inauguration of its original took place on 25th November 1987 and the monument can be viewed at the Seychelles International Airport.

The other section displays a collection of medals, cups, shields and certificates showing past awards of different categories awarded to members of the Defence Forces. Alongside these are rank structures of the military serving and mannequins dressed in various uniforms worn by the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces.

In addition, the museum has a Documentation Centre.

Staff
Senior Museum Curator-Stella Doway
Assistant Museum Curator- Linda Sinon

Contact:
SPDF Museum,
PO Box 1274,Victoria,Mahe
Seychelles.
Stella M.Doway, Senior Museum Curator
Office: +248 375 444
Email:sda@seychelles.net