Military of Uruguay
Encyclopedia
The Armed Forces of Uruguay
(Fuerzas armadas del Uruguay or FF.AA. del Uruguay) consist of an army, navy, and air force. These three branches are constitutionally
subordinate to the president
through the Minister of Defense. By offering early retirement incentives, the government has trimmed the armed forces to about 14,500 for the army; 6,000 for the navy; and 3,000 for the air force. As of February 2003, Uruguay has more than 2,500 soldiers deployed on 12 UN peacekeeping
missions. The largest groups are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and Haiti
. There is also an 85-man contingent in the MFO
in the Sinai
.
s.
It is equipped with 15 Israeli Ti-67 (T-55) main battle tanks, 17 American M24
and 46 M41A1 Walker Bulldog light tanks, 24 American M113A1 armored personnel carriers, 15 Czech BMP-1
infantry fighting vehicles and 90 OT-64 SKOT
APCs, 64 German Condor APCs, 15 Brazilian EE-9 Cascavel
and 18 EE-3 Jararaca
armored cars, and 48 Russian lightly armored GAZ-3937
amphibious vehicles. In 2008, Uruguay also purchased 44 6x6 Mowag Piranha
APCs rehabilitated by FAMAE
in Chile after initial service in the Canadian Army after that another batch of 100 of Grizzlys and 5 Huskys and has 4 sets of RM-70
rocket launcher Multiple rocket launcher.
The current assault rifle used by the army is the Belgian FN FAL
- Argentinian Built; it is being replaced by Austrian Steyr AUG
following a bidding contest in 2007 and 2008. In addition, about 300 Russian AK-101
s are already used, and the elite airborne, commando, and antiterrorist Battalion 14 (Batalón de Infantería Paracaidista Nro 14) exclusively employ German HK G36
s.
DIO
, an Iranian company, was involved in the bidding to replace the FN FAL with its Khaybar KH2002
; but since there is a UN embargo
banning arms exports from Iran, the company attempted to smuggle
the 15,000 test bullets through Venezuela. This failed and prompted an investigation.
The current fleet consists of 2 Portuguese João Belo class
frigates, 1 French Commandant Rivière class frigate
(in reserve), 1 German Lüneburg class auxiliary oil replenisher, 3 Vigilante class patrol boats, 2 Castrates class patrol boats, 3 East German Kondor II class minesweepers, and other smaller craft.
The Navy also includes a battalion-sized Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales) and a small naval air station at Laguna del Sauce
.
The Uruguayan Naval Academy (Escuela Naval or ESNAL) is located in Carrasco
, a suburb of Montevideo
. Instruction consists of a 4-year course of study culminating in a cruise on the instructional tall ship
ROU Capitán Miranda, which lasts several weeks and takes graduates to various ports around the world.
Combat aircraft consist of Argentine IA-58 Pucará
s and Cessna A-37B Dragonflies. Transport aircraft consist of Lockheed C-130s, Brazilian Embraer Bandeirante
s and Embraer Brasilia
s, Spanish CASA C-212-200 Aviocars, and Cessna 206H Stationair
s and T-41D Mescalero
s.
Helicopters consist of the Bell UH-1H Iroquois and 212 Twin Huey, the Eurocopter AS-365N2 Dauphin
, and the Westland HC-2 Wessex
.
The Air Force Academy (Escuela Militar de Aeronáutica) is located at General Artigas Air Base in Pando
, Canelones
; the Air Force Technical Academy (Escuela Técnica de Aeronáutica) in Toledo Sur, Canelones
; and the Air Force Command Academy (Escuela de Comando y Estado Mayor Aéreo) at Captain Boiso Lanza Air Base in Montevideo
. Training aircraft consists of Italian Aermacchi SF.260s, Beech Baron
s, and Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
s.
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
(Fuerzas armadas del Uruguay or FF.AA. del Uruguay) consist of an army, navy, and air force. These three branches are constitutionally
Constitution of Uruguay
The Constitution of Uruguay is the supreme law of Uruguay. Its first version was written in 1830 and its last amendment was made in 2002. A new amendment is in talks as of April 2007....
subordinate to the president
President of Uruguay
The President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay is the head of state of Uruguay. His or her rights are determined in the Constitution of Uruguay. Conforms with the Secretariat of the Presidency, the Council of Ministers and the Director of the Office of Planning and Budget, the executive branch...
through the Minister of Defense. By offering early retirement incentives, the government has trimmed the armed forces to about 14,500 for the army; 6,000 for the navy; and 3,000 for the air force. As of February 2003, Uruguay has more than 2,500 soldiers deployed on 12 UN peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
missions. The largest groups are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
and Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
. There is also an 85-man contingent in the MFO
Multinational Force and Observers
The Multinational Force and Observers is an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.-Background:...
in the Sinai
Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangular peninsula in Egypt about in area. It is situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the south, and is the only part of Egyptian territory located in Asia as opposed to Africa, effectively serving as a land bridge between two...
.
Army (Ejército Nacional)
The Army consists of some 15,000 personnel organized into four divisionDivision (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s.
It is equipped with 15 Israeli Ti-67 (T-55) main battle tanks, 17 American M24
M24 Chaffee
The Light Tank M24 was an American light tank used during World War II and in postwar conflicts including the Korean War and with the French in the War in Algeria and First Indochina War. In British service it was given the service name Chaffee, after the United States Army General Adna R...
and 46 M41A1 Walker Bulldog light tanks, 24 American M113A1 armored personnel carriers, 15 Czech BMP-1
BMP-1
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 , meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". The BMP-1 was the world's first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle...
infantry fighting vehicles and 90 OT-64 SKOT
OT-64 SKOT
The OT-64 SKOT is an amphibious armored personnel carrier , developed jointly by Poland and Czechoslovakia well into the 1960s.-History:OT-64 was intended to replace the halftrack OT-810, which was nearly...
APCs, 64 German Condor APCs, 15 Brazilian EE-9 Cascavel
EE-9 Cascavel
The EE-9 Cascavel is a 6 x 6 armoured car developed in the 1970s by Engesa of Brazil. It used as many commercially available parts as possible. It also shares many components with the EE-11 Urutu APC...
and 18 EE-3 Jararaca
EE-3 Jararaca
The EE-3 Jararaca is a 4 wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle developed and manufactured by Brazilian company Engesa and in use by the Brazilian and other armies...
armored cars, and 48 Russian lightly armored GAZ-3937
GAZ-3937
GAZ-3937 "Vodnik" is a Russian high-mobility multipurpose military vehicle manufactured by GAZ. It is a modification of civil GAZ-2330 "Tigr". Its name comes from the Russian "водник" - a person employed in water transport, or can have a meaning of some object related to water...
amphibious vehicles. In 2008, Uruguay also purchased 44 6x6 Mowag Piranha
Mowag Piranha
The MOWAG Piranha is a family of armoured fighting vehicles designed by the Swiss MOWAG , corporation....
APCs rehabilitated by FAMAE
FAMAE
FAMAE is a Chilean government-owned weapons producer. Its products are used by the Chilean armed forces and the police. The company produces among others the FAMAE CT-30 carbine, FAMAE SAF submachine gun, FAMAE FD-200 sniper rifle, Cohete Rayo rocket launcher and FAMAE revolver...
in Chile after initial service in the Canadian Army after that another batch of 100 of Grizzlys and 5 Huskys and has 4 sets of RM-70
RM-70
The RM-70 multiple rocket launcher is a Czechoslovak army version and the heavier variant of the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, providing enhanced performance over its parent artillery system that was introduced in 1971 .- Overview :RM-70 was developed in Czechoslovakia as a successor for...
rocket launcher Multiple rocket launcher.
The current assault rifle used by the army is the Belgian FN FAL
FN FAL
The Fusil Automatique Léger or FAL is a self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal . During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, with the notable exception of the United States...
- Argentinian Built; it is being replaced by Austrian Steyr AUG
Steyr AUG
The AUG is an Austrian bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1970s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG . The AUG was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 in 1977, where it replaced the 7.62mm StG 58 automatic rifle...
following a bidding contest in 2007 and 2008. In addition, about 300 Russian AK-101
AK-101
The AK-101 is an assault rifle of the Kalashnikov series. The AK-101 is designed for the world export market, using 5.56×45mm NATO cartridges, which is the standard of all NATO armies. The AK-101 is marketed at those looking for a weapon that combines the logistical compatibility and familiarity of...
s are already used, and the elite airborne, commando, and antiterrorist Battalion 14 (Batalón de Infantería Paracaidista Nro 14) exclusively employ German HK G36
Heckler & Koch G36
The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
s.
DIO
Defense Industries Organization
The Defense Industries Organization The Defense Industries Organization The Defense Industries Organization (DIO; Persian: Sasadjah (Sazemane Sanaye Defa) is a conglomerate of companies run by the Islamic Republic of Iran whose function is to provide the military of Iran with the necessary...
, an Iranian company, was involved in the bidding to replace the FN FAL with its Khaybar KH2002
Khaybar KH2002
Khaybar/KH-2002 is an Iranian designed assault rifle, derived from the DIO S 5.56 assault rifle and further developed by Iran's Defense Industries Organization...
; but since there is a UN embargo
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747 was a United Nations Security Council resolution that tightened the sanctions imposed on Iran in connection with the Iranian nuclear program...
banning arms exports from Iran, the company attempted to smuggle
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
the 15,000 test bullets through Venezuela. This failed and prompted an investigation.
Navy (Armada Nacional)
The Navy consists of about 5,700 personnel under Admiral Juan H. Fernández and is organized into four commands: the Fleet Command (Comando de la Flota or COMFLO), the Coast Guard (Prefectura Nacional Naval or PRENA), the Chief Directorate of Naval Materiel (Dirección General de Material Naval or DIMAT), and the Chief Directorate of Naval Personnel (Dirección General de Personal Naval or DIPER). The Navy General Staff (Estado Mayor General de la Armada or ESMAY) acts as an advisory body to the admiral.The current fleet consists of 2 Portuguese João Belo class
João Belo class frigate
The João Belo class, also known as Comandante João Belo class, is a class of four frigates of French design, identical to the Commandant Rivière class, with extra equipment for tropical climates...
frigates, 1 French Commandant Rivière class frigate
Commandant Rivière class frigate
The Commandant Rivière class was a type of frigates built for the French Navy in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Labeled "aviso-escorteur" , they were designed to perform the role of overseas patrol in peacetime and Anti-Submarine escort in wartime.Four similar ships were built for the Portuguese...
(in reserve), 1 German Lüneburg class auxiliary oil replenisher, 3 Vigilante class patrol boats, 2 Castrates class patrol boats, 3 East German Kondor II class minesweepers, and other smaller craft.
The Navy also includes a battalion-sized Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales) and a small naval air station at Laguna del Sauce
Laguna del Sauce
Laguna del Sauce is the largest water body in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located west of Punta del Este.-Geography:...
.
The Uruguayan Naval Academy (Escuela Naval or ESNAL) is located in Carrasco
Carrasco, Montevideo
Carrasco is a barrio in Montevideo, Uruguay. It borders Punta Gorda to the west, Carrasco Norte to the north, Canelones Department to the east and the coastline to the south...
, a suburb of Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
. Instruction consists of a 4-year course of study culminating in a cruise on the instructional tall ship
Tall ship
A tall ship is a large, traditionally-rigged sailing vessel. Popular modern tall ship rigs include topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques. "Tall Ship" can also be defined more specifically by an organization, such as for a race or festival....
ROU Capitán Miranda, which lasts several weeks and takes graduates to various ports around the world.
Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya)
The Air Force consists of about 3,000 personnel under General of the Air José R. Bonilla and is organized into three Air Brigades (I, II, & III) and 7 Squadrons.Combat aircraft consist of Argentine IA-58 Pucará
FMA IA 58 Pucará
The FMA IA 58 Pucará is an Argentine ground-attack and counter-insurgency aircraft. It is a low-wing two-turboprop-engined all-metal monoplane with retractable landing gear, manufactured by the Fábrica Militar de Aviones.-Development:...
s and Cessna A-37B Dragonflies. Transport aircraft consist of Lockheed C-130s, Brazilian Embraer Bandeirante
Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
The Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
s and Embraer Brasilia
Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia
-Accidents:*Brazilian Air Force on July 8, 1988 an Embraer EMB 120RT Brasília registration FAB-2001 crashed during and engine-out landing at São José dos Campos. Five of the 9 occupants died....
s, Spanish CASA C-212-200 Aviocars, and Cessna 206H Stationair
Cessna 205
The Cessna 205, 206, and 207, known variously as the Super Skywagon, Skywagon, Stationair, and Super Skylane are a family of single engine, general aviation aircraft with fixed landing gear used in commercial air service and also for personal use...
s and T-41D Mescalero
T-41 Mescalero
The Cessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popular Cessna 172 used by the United States Air Force and Army as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot training aircraft.-Design and development:...
s.
Helicopters consist of the Bell UH-1H Iroquois and 212 Twin Huey, the Eurocopter AS-365N2 Dauphin
Eurocopter Dauphin
The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
, and the Westland HC-2 Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
.
The Air Force Academy (Escuela Militar de Aeronáutica) is located at General Artigas Air Base in Pando
Pando, Uruguay
Pando is a city in Canelones Department of Uruguay. It is an important commercial and industrial centre which has become part of the wider metropolitan area of Montevideo. It is located on Route 8, about northeast of Montevideo. The stream Arroyo Pando flows by the east limits of the...
, Canelones
Canelones
Canelones is the capital of the department of Canelones in Uruguay.-Population:In 2004, it had a population of 19,631. While Canelones is the capital of the department of the same name, it has a considerably smaller population compared with two other cities in the department, Ciudad de la Costa and...
; the Air Force Technical Academy (Escuela Técnica de Aeronáutica) in Toledo Sur, Canelones
Canelones
Canelones is the capital of the department of Canelones in Uruguay.-Population:In 2004, it had a population of 19,631. While Canelones is the capital of the department of the same name, it has a considerably smaller population compared with two other cities in the department, Ciudad de la Costa and...
; and the Air Force Command Academy (Escuela de Comando y Estado Mayor Aéreo) at Captain Boiso Lanza Air Base in Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
. Training aircraft consists of Italian Aermacchi SF.260s, Beech Baron
Beechcraft Baron
|-See also:- Further reading :*Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.*Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.*Taylor, John W. R....
s, and Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
Pilatus PC-7
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air forces as...
s.
External links
- Ministerio de Defensa Nacional - Official site of the Uruguayan Department of National Defense (in Spanish)
- Ejército Nacional - Official site of the Uruguayan Army (in Spanish)
- Armada Nacional - Official site of the Uruguayan Navy (in Spanish)
- Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya - Official site of the Uruguayan Air Force (in Spanish)
- Memorias del tiempo de vuelo - Actual and Historical Site about Uruguayan Air Force (in Spanish)
- Uruguay Militaria - Uruguayan armed forces discussion forum (in Spanish)
- World Ranks
- http://washingtontimes.com/article/20071012/FOREIGN/110120054/1001 - Washington Times article on Iranian arms sales
- http://www.fas.org/asmp/campaigns/smallarms/lainven.html