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Salvadoran Army

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Salvadoran Army
Active 1824–present
Country El Salvador
Branch Army
Size 14,165[1]

The Salvadoran Army or Ejército Salvadoreño is the land branch and largest of the Armed Forces of El Salvador. In 2006 the government of El Salvador approached the Israeli ambassador to El Salvador seeking assistance in modernizing its army.[2]

Conflicts[]

The Football War[]

Main article: Football War

The Football War (also called The Soccer War or 100-hours War) was a term coined by Polish reporter Ryszard Kapuściński to describe a brief conflict between El Salvador and neighbouring Honduras. He argued that the war began after the rival nations traded wins during the qualifying round for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. But this event was not the cause of the war. Tensions had been mounting between both nations for several years because of immigration and economic problems, resulting on the war in 1969. The soccer matches incidents just one of several events that happened during that time. Longstanding tensions between the countries were heightened by media reports on both sides, each accusing the other of hooliganism and violence toward their own football fans. On June 26, 1969, El Salvador dissolved all ties with Honduras, the events where used as a call for nationalist pride for both governments and the media.

On July 14 Salvadoran forces began moving rapidly into Honduras following a series of border clashes. Their progress halted after the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United States brought heavy diplomatic pressure to bear on both governments in an effort to effect a cease-fire.

A ceasefire was ultimately negotiated and signed by July 18, with Salvadoran forces withdrawing from Honduras by August 2 following guarantees of safety for Salvadoran citizens in Honduras by the Honduran government.

The Salvadoran Civil War[]

Main article: Salvadoran Civil War

Following the 1979 coup d'état, El Salvador split along extremist right-wing and left-wing political ideologies. Unstable governments and growing civil unrest ultimately led to a long, bitterly fought civil war which was not resolved until 1992.

The Iraq War[]

Main article: Iraq War

Up to 380 Salvadoran troops, mostly U.S. Army-trained paratroopers, were deployed as part of the Coalition Forces in Iraq between August 2003 and January 2009. They operated alongside the elite Spanish Legion in Najaf and were well regarded by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, British Army and their Spanish comrades. The Iraqi insurgents and AQI tended to avoid the Salvadoran force, due to their aggressive patrolling in their area of responsibility. While in Iraq, the Salvadoran contingent suffered 5 dead, and 20 wounded.[3]

Organizational structure[]

El Salvador is divided into 6 military zones, each of which has its own infantry brigade:

  • 1st brigade (San Salvador)
  • 2nd brigade (Santa Ana)
  • 3rd brigade (San Miguel)
  • 4th brigade (Chalatenango)
  • 5th brigade (San Vicente)
  • 6th brigade (Usulután)

Furthermore, the army has the following units:

  • 1 Special Military Security Brigade consisting of 2 Military Police and 2 border security battalions,
  • 8 infantry detachments with 2 battalions,
  • 1 Engineer Command with of 2 battalions,
  • 1 artillery brigade with of 2 field artillery and 2 anti-aircraft battalions,
  • 1 mechanized cavalry regiment with 2 battalions, and the
  • Special Forces Command with 1 Special Operations Group, and 1 Anti-Terrorism Command.
  • One all female soldiers battalion composed by 62 female soldiers.

Equipment[]

Infantry Weapons[]

Name Type Quantity Origin Notes
FN P35[4] Handgun Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
Uzi[4] Sub-machine gun Flag of Israel Israel
MP5[4] Sub-machine gun Flag of Germany Germany
MP5SD3[4] Sub-machine gun with silencer, used by the armed forces of El Salvador during the civil war Flag of Germany Germany
FN-P90[4] Sub-machine gun, the Comando Especial Antiterrorista (CEAT) uses 350 FN-P90's it since 2002 Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
T65 Flag of the Republic of China Taiwan Assault rifle, El SALVADOR Armed Forces have the T65 version in 2011 the Salvadoran military gave borrowed 700 T65K1's to the civilian national police of El Salvador as an effort to combat violence. Taiwan sold T65k1's to El Salvador former security forces including the former Tressury Police and National Police. The T65K1 was very used during the Salvadoran Civil War, after the peace accords, these assault rifles were keep in reserve storage but with excellent conditions, the Salvadoran army was keep them in good conditions. 5.56x45 mm.
HK33[4] Assault rifle Flag of Germany Germany
Colt Model 653 M16A1 Carbine Assault rifle used by especial forces and parachute battalion and can be used with an attached M203 grenade launcher United States
HK-416 Assault rifle buyed to Germany in 2006 for the special forces Flag of Germany Germany
M-4 Assault rifle United States
M-4 with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views Assault rifle used with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views by the special forces United States
CAR-15: Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 Assault rifle, CAR-15 Commando (XM177/GAU-5 series) and carabine and other variants including the XM177E2 and also used with grenade launchers also the Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando is used United States
Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) Assault rifle, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) also use with attached M-203 grenade launchers United States
CAR-15: Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 with attached telescopic views and with attached M-203 Grenade launchers Assault rifle, CAR-15 Commando (XM177/GAU-5 series) and carabine and other variants including the XM177E2 and also used with grenade launchers also the Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando is used United States
Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist)with attached telescopic views and with attached M-203 grenade launchers Assault rifle, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) also use with attached M-203 grenade launchers United States
M16A4[4] Assault rifle In 2006 the Salvadorians purchased 500 Colt M16A4, and a number of HK-416 models for the CFE. The M16A4 were followed by a $209,629 contract from TACOM with Colt in 2007 for more than 64,460 M4, and another one in 2008 for more M4A1 Carbines to be delivered to El Salvador under FMS. These numbers appear a little high, but if that is the case, the better. The weapons were part of a US $7 million donation for the Salvadorian participation in Iraq, and they came along with 21 M1151 and 4 M1165 up-armored Humvees, equipped with a shielded 360-degree gunner turret and brand-new M2HB. With the arrival of the M4, the Para Battalion relinquished its FNC Carbines to the Military Police, replacing the MP5. United States
M16A4 with M-203 attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views[4] Assault rifle In 2006 the Salvadorians purchased 500 Colt M16A4, and a number of HK-416 models for the CFE. The M16A4 were followed by a $209,629 contract from TACOM with Colt in 2007 for more than 64,460 M4, and another one in 2008 for more M4A1 Carbines to be delivered to El Salvador under FMS. These numbers appear a little high, but if that is the case, the better. The weapons were part of a US $7 million donation for the Salvadorian participation in Iraq, and they came along with 21 M1151 and 4 M1165 up-armored Humvees, equipped with a shielded 360-degree gunner turret and brand-new M2HB. With the arrival of the M4, the Para Battalion relinquished its FNC Carbines to the Military Police, replacing the MP5. United States
M16A1/A2[4] Assault rifle United States
M16A1/A2 with attached M-203 grenade launchers and telescopic views[4] Assault rifle, the M-16A1's and M-16A2's are used also with telescopic views, in many salvadoran military parades the salvadoran special forces are being watched by using M-16A1's M-16A2's, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist), M4 carbines, CAR-15: Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 with attached telescopic views and attached grenade launchers United States
IMI Galil[4] Assault rifle Flag of Israel Israel
Galil ACE Assault rifle Flag of Colombia Colombia
M14[4] Battle rifle United States
Heckler & Koch G3[4] Battle rifle Flag of Germany Germany
M24 Sniper rifle United States
M21 Sniper rifle United States
M79[4] Grenade launcher United States
M203[5] Grenade launcher United States
Hawk MM-1[5] Semi-automatic grenade launcher United States
M60[4] General purpose machine gun United States
M2HB[4] Heavy machine gun United States
FN FNC[4] Assault rifle, standard assault rifle of the Salvadoran Military Police and the FN FNC PARA version is used in the paratroopers battalion Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
M60E2[4] General purpose machine gun is in reserve, used also during in the Salvadoran Civil War by soldiers and in helicopter machine gunners United States
M60D[4] General purpose machine gun is in active duty, used also during in the Salvadoran Civil War by soldiers and in helicopter machine gunners is still used in helicopters and armored vehicles United States
FN MAG[4] General purpose machine gun is reserve, used also during in the Salvadoran Civil War by soldiers Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
M249(LMG)[4] Used by the Salvadoran Special Forces and also used by the Paratroopers battalion, also the M249 light machine gun (LMG) Para version is used United States
FN Minimi[4] Used by the Salvadoran Special Forces and also used by the Paratroopers battalion, also it was used during the Salvadoran Civil War Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
HK21[4] General purpose machine gun is reserve, used also during in the Salvadoran Civil War by soldiers Flag of Germany Germany
Heckler & Koch G3A4[4] Battle rifle Flag of Germany Germany
G3A3 cutaway[4] Battle rifle Flag of Germany Germany
Paratrooper version of the FN FNC called FN FNC PARA assault rifle[4] Assault rifle, standard assault rifle of the Salvadoran Military Police and the FN FNC PARA version is used in the paratroopers battalion Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
Barrett M82 Sniper rifle United States
Colt Automatic Rifle or Colt Light Machine Gun[4] Used by the Salvadoran Armed Forces during the civil war, also is in reserve storage, variants that they are in storage reserve and they were used were Colt M16 automatic rifle / light machine gun / light support weapon(USA): Colt M16A1 automatic rifle / light machine gun, Colt M16A2 automatic rifle / light machine gun with 100-round Beta-C magazine, ColtM16A3 automatic rifle / light machine gun. Note detachable carrying handle, installed over the integral Picatinny rail, and relocated bipod, Colt M16A3 automatic rifle / light machine gun. United States
CAR-15A1 R639 (XM177E2 Commando – typified as M16A2 for El Salvador)with attached telescopic views and with attached M-203 Grenade launchers Assault rifle, CAR-15 Commando (XM177/GAU-5 series) and carbine and other variants including the XM177E2 and also used with grenade launchers also the Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando is used United States
CAR-15A1 R639 (XM177E2 Commando – typified as M16A2 for El Salvador) Assault rifle, CAR-15 Commando (XM177/GAU-5 series) and carbine and other variants including the XM177E2 and also used with grenade launchers also the Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando is used United States
M16A1[4] Assault rifle United States
M16A2[4] Assault rifle United States
M16A1 with attached M-203 grenade launchers and telescopic views[4] Assault rifle, the M-16A1's and M-16A2's are used also with telescopic views, in many salvadoran military parades the salvadoran special forces are being watched by using M-16A1's M-16A2's, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist), M4 carbines, CAR-15: Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 with attached telescopic views and attached grenade launchers United States
M16A2 with attached M-203 grenade launchers and telescopic views[4] Assault rifle, the M-16A1's and M-16A2's are used also with telescopic views, in many salvadoran military parades the salvadoran special forces are being watched by using M-16A1's M-16A2's, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist), M4 carbines, CAR-15: Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 with attached telescopic views and attached grenade launchers United States
AR-15A1 R613 (M16A1) with attached M-203 grenade launchers and telescopic views[4] | Assault rifle, the M-16A1's and M-16A2's are used also with telescopic views, in many salvadoran military parades the salvadoran special forces are being watched by using M-16A1's M-16A2's, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist), M4 carbines, CAR-15: Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 with attached telescopic views and attached grenade launchers United States
AR-15A1 R613 (M16A1)[4] Assault rifle United States
CAR-15A1 R653 (M16A1) Carbines Assault rifle United States
CAR-15A1 R653 (M16A1) Carbines with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views Assault rifle used with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views by the special forces United States
HK-416 with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views Assault rifle used with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views by the special forces Assault rifle bought from Germany in 2006 for the special forces Flag of Germany Germany
M16A2 carbine with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views Assault rifle used with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views by the special forces Assault rifle bought from Germany in 2006 for the special forces United States
M16A2 Carbines Assault rifle United States
FN FNC 90-00[4] Assault rifle, standard assault rifle of the Salvadoran Military Police and the FN FNC PARA version is used in the paratroopers battalion Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
FN FNC 92-00[4] Assault rifle, standard assault rifle of the Salvadoran Military Police and the FN FNC PARA version is used in the paratroopers battalion Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
FN FNC 90-00 PARA[4] Assault rifle, standard assault rifle of the Salvadoran Military Police and the FN FNC PARA version is used in the paratroopers battalion Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
FN FNC 92-00 PARA[4] Assault rifle, standard assault rifle of the Salvadoran Military Police and the FN FNC PARA version is used in the paratroopers battalion Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
M4 with Mil-Std 1913 sight rail and retractable stock Assault rifle United States
M4 with Mil-Std 1913 sight rail and retractable stock with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views Assault rifle used with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views by the special forces United States
M16A2 Commandos Assault rifle United States
M16A2 Commandos with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views Assault rifle used with attached grenade launchers and attached telescopic views by the special forces Assault rifle buyed to Germany in 2006 for the special forces United States
CAR-15 Commando Model 733 (Model 733/Model 733 series) Assault rifle, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) also use with attached M-203 grenade launchers United States
CAR-15 Commando Model 733 (Model 733/Model 733 series) with attached telescopic views and with attached M-203 grenade launchers Assault rifle, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) also use with attached M-203 grenade launchers United States
CAR-15 Commando (XM177/GAU-5 series) Assault rifle, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) also use with attached M-203 grenade launchers United States
CAR-15 Commando (XM177/GAU-5 series) with attached telescopic views and with attached M-203 grenade launchers Assault rifle, Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and forward assist) also use with attached M-203 grenade launchers United States

[4] [5]

File:T ur-416.jpg

An El Salvadoran Army UR-416

Vehicles[]

Note: Sources are circa 1988, while some equipment listed may no longer be in service.

Utility Vehicles
Model Type Number Dates Manufacturer Details
AIL Storm[7] Light Utility Vehicle 38[1] AIL, Flag of Israel Israel
Jeep CJ[7] Light Utility Vehicle Jeep, USA
M151 MUTT[7] Light Utility Vehicle Various, USA
HMMWV[citation needed] Light Utility Vehicle 20 AM General, USA
Dodge M37[7] Light Utility Vehicle Dodge, USA Mostly converted to Cashuats.[7][8]
M35 truck[7] Medium cargo truck 45 Various, USA
M809 truck[7] Heavy cargo truck AM General, USA
MAN 630 truck[7] Heavy cargo truck MAN SE, Flag of Germany Germany
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Model Type Number Dates Manufacturer Details
VCTA2[7] Anti-Tank Hunter Vehicle 38[1] El Salvador
AML 90[9] Armoured Car 3[1] Panhard, Flag of France France
UR-416[9] Wheeled APC 4[1] Thyssen-Henschel, Flag of Germany Germany
M3 Scout Car[9] Wheeled APC 5 White Motor Company, USA
Cashuat Wheeled APC 41 Flag of El Salvador El Salvador/USA Based on a Dodge M37. Armor kits and turrets purchased from the United States and applied in El Salvador[8]
M113[9] Tracked APC 20 FMC, USA
M3A1[9] Half-track 5 Various, USA

[7] [8] [9]

Artillery[]

TCM-20-hatzerim-2

Example of a TCM-20 AA-mount at the Israeli Air Force Museum.

Mortars
Model Caliber Number Dates Manufacturer Details
M19[1] 60mm 306 USA
M29[10] 81mm 151[1] USA
M74[10] 120mm Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Kept in storage.
UB M-52[10] 120mm Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Kept in storage.
Field Artillery
Model Caliber Number Dates Origin Details
M101[10] 105mm 8[1] USA
M102[10] 105mm 24[1] USA
M56[10] 105mm 18[1] Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia M101 copy produced in Yugoslavia
105/14 Model 56[11] 105mm 14 Flag of Italy Italy Pack Howitzer
M114[10] 155mm 6 USA
Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Model Caliber Number Dates Manufacturer Details
M-55[10] 20mm 31[1] Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Hispano-Suiza HS.804 copy.
M-55 (Self-propelled)[10] 20mm 4 Flag of SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Truck or half-track mounted M-55.
TCM-20[10] 20mm 4[1] Flag of Israel Israel Twin Hispano-Suiza HS.404s on towed pedestal mount.

[10] [11]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 "El Salvador". Bonn : Wehr & Wissen. 2005. p. 60. ISSN 0722-3226. 
  2. ↑ Itamar Eichner (March 20, 2006). "El Salvador seeks to copy IDF model". ynetnews.com. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3229882,00.html. 
  3. ↑ "El Salvador withdraws last soldiers from Iraq". USA Today. February 7, 2009. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2009-02-07-salvador-iraq_N.htm. 
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 World Armies 2008. Jane's Information Group. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Jane's Land Based Air Defence – El Salvador". http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Land-Based-Air-Defence/El-Salvador-El-Salvador.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 "Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics – El Salvador". Jane's Information Group. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/El-Salvador-El-Salvador.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Jane's VAL Light Assault Vehicle Cashuat". Jane's Information Group. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/VAL-light-assault-vehicle-Cashuat-El-Salvador.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "country-data.com > El Salvador > Appendix". http://www.country-data.com/frd/cs/el_salvador/sv_appen.html. 
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 "ArmyRecognition.com > Index of El Salvador Military Equipment". http://www.armyrecognition.com/Amerique_du_nord/El_Salvadore/El-Salvadore_index_equipement.htm. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "105/14 Model 56 105 mm Pack Howitzer". Forecast International. http://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/or/vo0443.htm. Retrieved July 27, 2009. 

Bibliography[]

  • "El Salvador". Bonn : Wehr & Wissen. 2005. p. 60. ISSN 0722-3226. 

External links[]

Armies of Latin America
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