Military of Paraguay

Military of Paraguay
Service branches	Paraguayan Army Paraguayan Air Force Paraguayan Navy
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	President Federico Franco
Manpower
Military age	17
Available for military service	1,349,800, age 15–49 (2000 est.)
Fit for military service	974,313, age 15–49 (2000 est.)
Reaching military age annually	56,701 (2000 est.)
Active personnel	10,650 military (2012) 14,800 paramilitary (2012)
Reserve personnel	164,500 (2012)
Expenditures
Budget	$US 248 million (2011)

The armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy (including naval aviation and marine corps) and air force.

The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief.

Paraguay has compulsory military service, and all 18-year-old males and 17-year-olds in the year of their 18th birthday are liable for one year of active duty. Although the 1992 constitution allows for conscientious objection, no enabling legislation has yet been approved.

In July 2005, military aid in the form of U.S. Special Forces began arriving at Paraguay's Mariscal Estigarribia air base, a sprawling complex built in 1982.

Army

Main article: Paraguayan Army

In land forces the Paraguayan Army is composed of a Presidential Escort Regiment, two battalions (infantry and military police), an armored squadron, and a battery of field artillery. Their equipment includes three Argentinean modified M-4 tanks, four EE-9 armored cars, four EE-11 armored personnel carriers (APCs), three M-9 half-tracks mounting 20mm guns, and four M-101 105 mm howitzers. Arguably, this "flagship" of military rule is structurally and physically the strongest of the EP. The REP is an independent unit from other commands. The EP features two artillery groups (GAC 1–12 88 mm QF-25 and GAC 2–12 105mm M-101) and one antiaircraft artillery group (GAA 13 40 mm L 40/60, Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, and six M-55 4x12, 7.0 mm).

Six battalions of combat engineers, one communications battalion, one Special Forces battalion, seven regiments of infantry, six regiments of cavalry (R.C.-2 equipped with 12 M3A1, five operational, 20 M9 semioruga and R.C.-3: 24 EE-9 Cascavels, eitht EE-11 Urutu). This has little organic aviation available to it.

Each corps has a weapons school run by its command. The logistical command manages 10 addresses materials, mobilization, health care, etc. The command of the Army Institute of Education administers three schools, commissioned and noncommissoned officers, a military academy, and the CIMEFOR (a center for pre-military study that trains Reserve officers).

Each of the nine divisions that make up the three corps has one or two regiments of infantry or cavalry, its platoon of engineers, its communications section, military police units, etc.

Navy

Naval Jack of Paraguay

Although Paraguay is a landlocked country, it has a strong naval tradition by virtue of the fact that it has access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Paraguay–Paraná rivers. The Paraguayan Navy has twelve bases. The main base is the Puerto Sajonia in Asuncion, followed by Bahia Negra, Ciudad del Este, Encarnacion, Salto del Guaira. It also has facilities in Puerto Sajonia for helicopters and airplanes in SGAS. Naval personnel including Marine Corps aviation personnel, and the naval guard equal about 1,950. The Marine Corps have 800 marines, of which 400 are assigned to one commando unit with the rest being organized into a single battalion consisting of three companies.

In terms of vessels, the Navy has 34 surface ships, some of which will soon reach centenarian age. (This is due in part to limited use and floating in fresh water.) The main vessels and the flagship of the Paraguay is still the Humaita, which was commissioned prior to Paraguay's involvement in the Chaco War. It has a further four patrol vessels, of which the oldest was commissioned in 1908 and the newest in 1985. The Navy has 17 patrol boats of various drafts, four of which were donated by Taiwan and the USA, while the other 13 were built locally. The rest of the fleet is composed of tug boats, barges, landing craft, transports, and a presidential yacht.

The core assets of Paraguay's naval aviation wing are 2 attack helicopters, the Aeschylu Eurocopter AS350. It also has 6 training and liaison Cessna airplanes.

Equipment

Vessel	Origin	Type	Class	In service	Notes
Gunboat
Paraguay - C1	Italy	Gunboat	Humaitá class	no	1931 - Planned to re-powered. designed by naval engineer José Bozzano.
Humaitá – C2	Italy	Gunboat	Humaitá class	no	1931 - Preserved as Museum. designed by naval engineer José Bozzano.
Patrol ship
Cap. Cabral – P01	Netherlands	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1908 - Modified diesel engine, 40 mm Bofors cannon, 2 Oerlikon 20 mm and 2 × 12.7 mm.
Tte. Fariña - P04	Argentina	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1939 – 40 mm Bofors in 4 double rooms, 2 machine guns of 12.7 mm, track for mines.
Itaipu - P05	Brazil	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1985 - 1 Bofors 40 mm, 2 mortars of 81 mm and 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns.
Patrol boats
Cap.Ortiz - P06	Taiwan	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1996 - armed with Oerlikon AA gun 20 mm and 12.7 mm machine gun
Lt. Robles - P07	Taiwan	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1996 - armed with Oerlikon AA gun 20 mm and 12.7 mm machine gun
Yhaguy - P08	Taiwan	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1999 - armed with 7.62 mm machine guns
Tebicuary - P09	Taiwan	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1999 - armed with 7.62 mm machine guns
LP 7	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1991 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 8	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1991 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 9	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1991 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 10	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1991 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 11	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1991 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 101	United States	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 102	United States	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 103	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 104	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 105	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 106	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 107	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 108	Paraguay	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	1967/71 - Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 201	Australia	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 202	Australia	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	yes	Armed with 12.7 mm machine guns
LP 203	Australia	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	no	Delivered in 2013
LP 204	Australia	River patrol vessel	Patrol boat	no	Delivered in 2013

• Tugs

Triumph R4 - 1 - 1960 - U.S. Angostura R5 - 1 - 1960 - U.S. Stella Maris R6 - 1 - 1970 - Paraguay Hope R7 - 1 - 1970 - Paraguay

Others Landing craft - 3 - 1980 - Brazil DF-1 Floating Dock - 1 - 1944 - U.S. Training Ship Guarani - 1 - 1968 - Spain - Inoperative, modernized in 1975. February 3 Presidential Yacht - 1 - 1972 - Paraguay Transport Lt. Herreros—T1 - 1 - 1964 - Paraguay

Small Patrol Boats Pira 500 SL 5 x 1.60 m. Yamaha 25 hp.,Paraguay Pira 170 SVX 5.20 x 1.60 m. Yamaha 40 hp., Paraguay Pira 240 SVX 6.50 x 2,40 m. Yamaha 90 hp.,Paraguay Pira 4.80 x 1.80 m. Yamaha 50 hp.,Paraguay

Order of Battle

COMANFLOT: Comando de la Flota de Guerra.(Command of the Fleet)

COMIM: Comando de Infantería de Marina.(Command of the Marines)

• Marines

BIM 1 - Rosario

BIM 2 - Vallemi

BIM 3 - Carapegua

• COMAVAN(Naval Aviation Command)

Grupo Aeronaval de Helicópteros (GAHE), Sajonia

Escuadrilla de Helicópteros de Ataque (EHA)

Escuadrilla de Propósitos Generales (EPG)

Grupo Aeronaval de Propósitos Generales (GAPROGEN)

Grupo Aeronaval Entrenamiento (GAEN)

• COAPCOM: Comando de Apoyo al Combate.(Combat Support Command)

• CINAE: Centro de Instrucción Naval de Enseñanza.(Naval Training Centar)

• PGN: Prefectura General Naval.(General Naval Prefecture)

Cuartel General (Command)

Estado Mayor (HQ)

Prefectura Zona Pilar (Pilar Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Alberdi (Alberdi Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Central (Central Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Concepcion (Cencepcion Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Olimpo (Olimpo Naval Prefecture)

• DIRMAT: Dirección del Material (Material Directorate)

• DIAPSER: Dirección de Apoyo al Servicio (Service Support Directorate)

Naval aviation

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service	Notes
Helicopters
Helibras HB350 Esquilo	Brazil	utility helicopter	HB350B	2
Trainer aircraft
Cessna 150	United States	training aircraft	150M	2
Utility aircraft
Cessna 210	United States	liaison aircraft	210	1
Cessna 310	United States	liaison aircraft	310	2
Cessna 401	United States	transport aircraft	401	1

Air Force

Paraguayan Air Force Roundel

The air force, the newest and smallest of the services, has about 1,100 personnel as at 2012. The Paraguayan Air Forces is organised in an Air Brigade of seven air groups and a brigade of paratroopers on battalion level. Almost all operating units are based in premises at Silvio Pettirosi internacional airport (SGAS) in Asuncion.

The units comprising the force are: the Aerotactico group (TAG) with three fighter squadrons (numbered 1 to 3), respectively equipped with the MB-326, T-33 and EMB-312.It is noteworthy that the first two are in storage or operating either by withdrawal of this aircraft. The squadron "Moros", equipped with Tucanos, has only one squadron (3 airplanes active). The Air Transport Group (GTA) operates aircraft of the CASA, DHC-6, and Beechcraft types. The Helicopter air group (HLG) has a SAR squadron, a utility squadron, and a squadron of attack craft, and is equipped with ex-Taiwanese UH-1H and Brazilian HB-350B aircraft. The Air Group Instruction (AFI) has materials and T-25 and T-35 aircraft. Photogrammetric called air group (GAF) and group aviation maintenance section (SEMAER) do not have aircraft assigned. The Parachute Brigade operates CASA aircraft.

Besides these groups is a command of Institutes of Education and one of regions air, this latter has nominal jurisdiction over 12 tracks and airports as six of these are considered Air Bases.

Order of Battle

• 1º BRIGADA AÉREA( Air Brigade) (Asunción/Base Aérea Ñu Guazú)

Grupo Aerotáctico ( Air Tactical Group)(Asunción/Base Aérea Pettirossi)

1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní' (Escuadrilla 'Orion' y 'Centauro'),no longer active

2º Escuadrón de Caza 'Indios' (Escuadrilla 'Taurus' y 'Scorpio'),no longer active

3º Escuadrón de Reconocimiento y Ataque 'Moros' (Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron)(Escuadrilla 'Gamma' y 'Omega'): EMB-312

Grupo Aéreo de Instrucción (Instrucción Air Group) 'Escuadrón Fenix': T-25A

Escuadrilla 'Antares' / 'Pantera' / 'Halcón': T-35A/B

Grupo de Transporte Aéreo(Transport Air Group) (Asunción/Base Aérea Pettirossi)

Escuadrilla de Transporte aéreo: C-212 (Asuncion/Base Aérea Ñu Guazu)

Escuadrilla Presidencial: DHC-6 (Asunción/Base Aérea Pettirossi)

Grupo Aéreo de Helicópteros(Helicopters Air Group): UH-1H / HB-350 (Asunción/Base Aérea Ñu-Guanzu)

Grupo Aéreo de Transporte Especial(Special Transport Air Group): CE u206, Ce 210N, Ce 402B, PA 32R, PZL 104 (Asunción/Base Aérea Ñu Guazu)

Grupo Aéreo Fotogramétrico (GAF)(Photogrammetric Air Group)

Grupo Aéreo Mantenimiento (SEMAR)(Maintenance Air Group)

• BRIGADA AEROTRANSPORTADA 'SILVIO PETTIROSSI' (Airborne Brigade)(Asunción/Base Aérea Ñu Guazu)

Bat. Paracaid. (Para.batt.)

Bat. Apoy.Sev (Longist.Batt).

Escu. Paracaid. (Para. School)

Bat. Inf. Aeromo.( Airmobail batt.)

Bat.Securit. (Sec.Batt)

• COMANDO DE REGIONES AÉREAS

Comando Reg.Or.

Comando Reg. Oc.

Direcc. Meteo.

• BRIGADA LOGÍSTICA

Unid. de Apoyo

Unid. de Servicio

COMANDO DE INSTITUTOS AERONÁUTICOS DE ENSEÑANZA (Concepción/Base Aérea de Peralta)

Equipment

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service	Notes
Attack Aircraft
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano	Brazil	COIN		0	Negotiations for six units were temporarily suspended.
Embraer EMB 312 Tucano	Brazil	COIN		6
Trainer Aircraft
Neiva N621 Universal	Brazil	basic trainer	T-25	6
ENAER T-35 Pillán	Chile	basic trainer	T-35	10	7 T-35A and 3 T-35B
Transport Aircraft
Boeing 707	United States	Passenger aircraft		1
Cessna 206 Stationair	United States	liaison aircraft	206	2
Cessna 210 Centurion	United States	liaison aircraft	210	1
Baron 58	United States	liasion aircraft	Baron 58	1
Cessna 310	United States	transport	310	1
Cessna 402	United States	transport	402B	2
de Haviland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter	Canada	utility aircraft	DHC-6	1
CASA C-212	Spain	transport medevac	C-212 C-212-400	4 2
Piper PA-32R	United States	transport aircraft		1
PZL-104 Wilga	Poland	transport aircraft		2
Helicopters
Helibras HB-350 Esquilo	Brazil	transport helicopter		9
Bell UH-1 Iroquois	United States	transport helicopter	UH-1H	6

Military Ranks

Officer Ranks

The stars worn by Army and Air Force lieutenants (Sub-Teniente, Teniente, Teniente 1ro) and captains are silver in color. The ones worn by the Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel are gold. The army officers branch is denoted by the color of circular pads under the stars, which is also the same color used for the chevron. Red denotes branches such as Infantry and Artillery, while Cavalry is denoted by a pink. A darker red denotes support branches such as Engineering Corps, Communications, and Intelligence. Green means Supply and Transportation, while purple is reserved for the Medicine Branch. Generals' special chevron consists of a woven depiction of the olive and palm found in the national emblem in gold threads.

Enlisted Ranks

As in the case of the army officers, the army enlisted branch is denoted by the color of their chevrons and bars. The colors and meanings are the same as the ones explained above.

See also

• List of wars involving Paraguay

References

Notes

Works cited

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222. 
• [1]
• http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?175797-Small-Latin-American-military/page12 (army of Paraguay)

External links

• [2]
• [3]