Peruvian Army

The Peruvian Army (Spanish language: Ejército del Perú , abbreviated EP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations and participating in international peacekeeping operations. It celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of Ayacucho (1824) on December 9.

History

Military traditions in Peruvian territory go back to prehispanic times, ranging from small armed bands to the large armies assembled by the Inca Empire. After the Spanish conquest, small garrisons were kept at strategic locations but no standing army existed until the Bourbon reforms of the 18th century. The main purpose of this force was the defense of the Viceroyalty from pirates and corsairs as well as internal rebellions.

Independence

The Ejército del Perú was officially established on August 18, 1821 when the government of general José de San Martín established the Legión Peruana de la Guardia (Peruvian Guard Legion), although some militia units had been formed before. Peruvian troops were key participants in the final campaign against Spanish rule in South America, under the leadership of general Simón Bolívar, which ended victoriously in the battles of Junín and Ayacucho in 1824.

19th century

Battle of Arica, July 7, 1880.

After the War of Independence the strong position of the Army and the lack of solid political institutions meant that every Peruvian president until 1872 held some military rank. The Ejército del Perú also had a major role in the definition of national borders by participating in several wars against neighbor countries. This included an indecisive conflict against the Gran Colombia (1828–1829), the wars of the Peru-Bolivian Confederacy (1836–1839), two invasions of Bolivia (1827–1828 and 1841) and a brief occupation of Ecuador (1859–1860). Starting in 1842, increased state revenues from guano exports allowed the expansion and modernization of the Army, as well as the consolidation of its political power. This improvements were an important factor in the defeat of a Spanish naval expedition at the Battle of Callao (1866). However, continuous overspending and a growing public debt led to a chronic fiscal crisis in the 1870s which severely affected defense budgets. The consequent lack of military preparedness combined with bad leadership were major causes of Peru's defeat against Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879–1883). The reconstruction of the Army started slowly after the war due to a general lack of funds. A major turning point in this process was the arrival in 1896 of a French Military Mission contracted by president Nicolás de Piérola. By 1900 the peacetime strength of the army was evaluated at six infantry battalions (nearly 2,000 soldiers), two regiments and four squadrons and cavalry (between six and seven hundred soldiers), and one artillery regiment (just over 500 soldiers) for a total of 3,075 personnel. A military school was reportedly operating in the Chorrillos District of Lima and French officers were continuing to assist in the army's reorganization.

20th century

During the early years of the 20th century the Peruvian Army underwent a series of reforms under the guidance of the French Military Mission which operated in the periods 1896-1914, 1919–1924 and 1932-1939. Changes included the streamlining of the General Staff, the establishment of the Escuela Superior de Guerra (War College) in 1904, the creation of four military regions (North, Center, South and Orient) in 1905 and a general professionalization of the military career. Improvements such as this were instrumental in the good performance of the Army in border skirmishes with Colombia (1911 and 1932) and a major war against Ecuador (1941).

Even though the Peruvian Army was not involved in World War II, this conflict had a significant effect in its development, mainly through the replacement of French military influence by that of the United States. A US military mission started operations in 1945 followed by an influx of surplus American military equipment delivered as military aid or sold at a very low cost. Washington also established itself as the leader of continental defense through the creation of the Inter-American Defense Board in 1942 and the signing of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance in 1947. A parallel development was the founding in 1950 of the Centro de Altos Estudios Militares (CAEM, Center of High Military Studies) for the formation of officers in the major problems of the nation beyond those related to its military defense.

The Peruvian Army was the main protagonist of the Gobierno Revolucionario de las Fuerzas Armadas (Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces), an institutionalized military government that ruled the country between 1968 and 1980. During this period, defense expenditures underwent exponential growth allowing a rapid expansion of the Armed Forces and an unprecedented level of weapon acquisitions. In the early 1970s, US influence over the Army was replaced by a massive influx of Soviet training and equipment. Political power returned to the civilians in the 1980s, but the rise of the terrorist insurgent group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) prompted the deployment of several Army units in a counter-insurgency role. Human rights violations associated with this intervention and a sharp decrease in the defense budget due to a general economic crisis caused serious problems for the Army morale and readiness as well as a strain on civil-military relations.

The presidency of Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000) saw the Army regain protagonism in the public scene, but its increased political power led to some cases of corruption. The internal conflict ceased for the most part after the capture in 1992 of Abimael Guzmán, leader of the terrorist group Shining Path, but a brief border war with Ecuador broke out in 1995. During this period, women were incorporated into the Army first as conscripts in 1993 and then as officers in 1997. Army commandos had an important participation in operation Chavín de Huantar which put an end to the Japanese embassy hostage crisis. In 1999, one year after the signing of a peace treaty with Ecuador conscription was abolished and replaced by a voluntary military service.

21st century

Peruvian Infantry disembarking from Infantry Fighting Vehicles in the Cruz de Hueso Exercise, 2007

The downfall of the Alberto Fujimori regime left the Peruvian Army in a difficult state, with some of its senior officers compromised in scandals of corruption and human rights violations. Several reforms were undertaken during the presidencies of Valentín Paniagua (2000–2001) and Alejandro Toledo (2001–2006), among them the prosecution of criminal cases related to the military, the reorganization of the military rank system and an increased civilian supervision through a revamped Ministry of Defense. The outcome of this and other initiatives is a major factor of order, major preparation, new equipment and development of the Ejército del Perú. G-3 America (G3 and Associates International Corporation) facilitated the incorporation of new technology to eliminate or reduce terrorism. They have been working tenaciously in getting the right equipment for the Armed Forces while working with the US State Department and US companies to accomplish it.

Organization

Cavalry Regiment of the Chorrillos Military School.

The current Commanding General of the Peruvian Army is General Ricardo Moncada Novoa. Land forces are subordinated to the Ministry of Defense and ultimately to the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. They are organized as follows:

• Comandancia General del Ejército (Army General Command)
• Estado Mayor General del Ejército (Army General Staff)
• Inspectoría General del Ejército (Army General Inspectorate)
• Secretaría General del Ejército (Army General Secretariat)

Operational units are assigned to one of the following military regions, which are directly subordinate to the Army General Command.

Región Militar del Norte

North Military Region, headquartered at Piura

• 1st Cavalry Brigade (Sullana)
• 1st Infantry Brigade (Tumbes)
• 7th Infantry Brigade (Lambayeque)
• 32nd Infantry Brigade (Trujillo)
• 6th Jungle Brigade (El Milagro)

Región Militar del Centro

Center/South Central Military Region, headquartered at Lima

• 18th Armored Brigade (Lima)
• 2nd Infantry Brigade (Ayacucho)
• 31st Infantry Brigade (Huancayo)
• 1st Special Forces Brigade (Lima)
• 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Tarapoto)
• 1st Army Aviation Brigade (Callao)
• 1st Dragoon Life Guards Escort Cavalry Regiment of the President of Peru "Field Marshal Domingo Nieto" (Lima)
• 1st Mechanized Cavalry Regiment "Glorious Junin Hussars" (Peru's Liberators) (Lima)
• 1st Infantry Battalion "Peruvian Legion of the Guard" (Lima)

Región Militar del Sur

Peruvian Army March - Cusco, Peru

South Military Region, headquartered at Arequipa

• 3rd Armored Brigade (Moquegua)
• 3rd Cavalry Brigade (Tacna)
• 4th Mountain Brigade (Puno)
• 5th Mountain Brigade (Cuzco)

Región Militar del Oriente

Orient Military Region, headquartered at Iquitos

• 5th Jungle Brigade (Iquitos)

Region Militar V

5th (North Central) Military Region

• 2nd Infantry Brigade
• 31st Infantry Brigade

Personnel

Order of battle (click to enlarge)

Personnel (as of 2001)
Commissioned Officers	6,231
Non-commissioned officers	13,586
Cadets	1,090
NCO in training	1,000
Enlisted	54,321
Civilians	11,480
Total	76,228 (excl. civilians)

Ranks

• Ranks of the officers, sub-officers and enlisted of the Army [2]

Equipment

Infantry weapons

Name	Type	Caliber	Origin	Notes
MP9	Semi-automatic pistol	9x19mm Parabellum	United States
Beretta 92	Semi-automatic pistol	9x19mm Parabellum	Italy
Browning Hi-Power	Semi-automatic pistol	9x19mm Parabellum	Belgium United States
Winchester 1300	Pump-action shotgun	12-gauge	United States
M16A2	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	United States
M4A1	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	United States
Zastava M21	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Serbia
F2000	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Belgium	Special forces
SAR-21	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Singapore	Special forces
FAD	Assault Rifle, Light Machine Gun, Sniper Rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Peru
AKM	Assault rifle	7.62x39mm	USSR	Airborne only
Galil	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Israel
Galil ACE	Assault rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Colombia
FN SCAR-L FN SCAR-H.	Assault rifle Battle rifle	5.56x45mm NATO 7.62x51mm NATO	Belgium
FAL 50.00 FAL 50.41 / FALO	Battle rifle	7.62x51mm NATO	Belgium
G3	Battle rifle	7.62x51mm NATO	Germany
Galatz	Sniper rifle	7.62x51mm NATO	Israel
Beretta PM12S	Submachine gun	9x19mm Parabellum	Italy
BXP	Submachine gun	9x19mm Parabellum	South Africa
MP5A4 MP5A5 MP5SD MP5K	Submachine gun	9x19mm Parabellum	Germany
P90	Submachine gun	5.7x28mm	Belgium
Uzi	Submachine gun	9x19mm Parabellum	Israel
M249 Minimi	Light machine gun	5.56x45mm NATO	Belgium
Ultimax 100	Light machine gun	5.56x45mm NATO	Singapore
Mini-SS	Light machine gun	5.56x45mm NATO	South Africa
Browning M1919A4 Browning M1919A4A6	Medium machine gun	.30-06 Springfield	United States
Heckler & Koch HK21E	General purpose machine gun	7.62x51mm NATO	Germany
PK PKM	General purpose machine gun	7.62x54mmR	USSR
MAG	General purpose machine gun	7.62x51mm NATO	Belgium
M2	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)	United States
DShK	Heavy machine gun	12.7x108mm	USSR
MGL	Grenade launcher	40mm	South Africa
Type 87 grenade launcher	Grenade launcher	35x32mm	China
MGL-6 XRGL-40	Grenade launcher	40mm	South Africa
M203 grenade launcher	Grenade launcher	40mm	United States
M65	Rocket-propelled grenade	88.9 mm	USSR
RPG-22 Neto	Rocket-propelled grenade	72.5 mm	USSR
RPG-7V	Rocket-propelled grenade	85mm	USSR	Airtronic RPG-7 seen with special forces at the 2013 Great Military Parade of Peru.
Alcotán-100	Anti-tank rocket launcher	100mm	Spain	74 launchers with 660 rockets, for cavalry, mountain infantry, special forces
Panzerfaust 3	Anti-tank rocket launcher	110mm	Germany	181 launchers with 1,700 rockets, for armored infantry and special forces

Armour

Name	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Notes
T-55	MBT	T-55	50(280)	USSR	280, only 50 is in service.
AMX-13	Light tank		35	France
M-113A1	APC	M-113A1	280	United States
UR-416	APC	UR-416	210	Germany
Fiat 6614	APC	Fiat 6614-G	60	Italy
BTR-60	APC		12	USSR
M3 Half-track	APC	M-3A1	50	United States
BRDM-2/Malyutka	Armored car		30	USSR
Fiat 6616	Armored car	Fiat 6616-H	70	Italy
M8 Greyhound	Armored car		60	United States
M-20 Greyhound	Armored car	M-20 Greyhound	6	United States
HMMWV	Light utility vehicle	M1165	112	United States

Artillery

Name	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Notes
M46	130 mm gun	M46	36	USSR
OTO Melara Mod 56	105 mm pack howitzer	M56	24	Italy
D30	122 mm howitzer	D30 Lyagushka	36	USSR
M101 howitzer	105 mm howitzer	M-2A1	63	United States
Yugoimport M56	105 mm howitzer	M-56 (copy of the M101A1)	72	Yugoslavia
SOFAM	155 mm howitzer	SOFAM	12	France
M109 howitzer	155 mm self-propelled howitzer	M109A2	12	United States
RO-107	107 mm multiple rocket launcher	Denel RO-107 Mechem	4	South Africa
BM-21 Grad	122 mm multiple rocket launcher	BM-21	24	USSR	only 14 in service.
9K132	Portable single-tube launcher	Grad-1P Partisan	20	USSR
BM-13 Katyusha	132 mm multiple rocket launcher	BM-13 Katyusha	2	USSR

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Notes
M40A2	106 mm recoilless rifle	M40A2	36	United States
Carl Gustav M2	84 mm recoilless rifle	Gustav M2	6	Sweden
SPG-9	73 mm recoilless rifle	SPG-9 Koype (spear)	2	USSR
9K11 Malyutka	Anti-tank guided weapon	AT-3 Sagger B	1800 missiles	USSR	Being replaced by Kornet and Spike ATGMs
Kornet	Anti-tank guided weapon	Kornet-E	288 missiles	Russia
Spike	Anti-tank guided weapon	MR LR	288 missiles	Israel

Air-defense systems

Name	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Notes
ZSU-23-4 Shilka	23 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun		32	Russia
ZU-23-2	23mm towed anti-aircraft twin autocannon		80	USSR
Bofors 40 mm	Anti-aircraft autocannon	L/60 40	28	Sweden
9K38 Igla	MANPADS	SA-18 Grouse SA-16 Gimlet	200 missiles	Russia
QW-1 Vanguard	MANPADS	CPMIEC QW-18	18	China
Grom	MANPADS		150 on order	Poland	150 sets of missiles and firing systems, plus another 96 missiles in launch containers. To be delivered March 2014.
Poprad	Self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle		6 on order	Poland	Each eqiupped with 4 Grom missiles. To be delivered March 2014.
S-125 Neva/Pechora	SAM		14	Russia
SPYDER	SAM		1 battery on order	Israel	Includes 6 launcher trucks, 1 radar truck, and 1 resupply truck. To be delivered March 2014.

Peruvian Army aviation

The Peruvian army aviation (Aviación del Ejército Peruano) was formed in 1971 to support army ground units. A large number of MI-8 Hip Cs were purchased in the mid-1970s to provide an airborne assault assets. This led to the purchase of the MI-17 which now makes up much of the army transport fleet. A number of Aerospatiale SA 315Bs are used for training purposes, also used in the training role are nine Enstrom F28F Falcons that were received in 1992. The mainstay of long range army logistics are three AN-32s acquired in 1994.

Aircraft Inventory

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service	Notes
Hawker Beechcraft 1900D	United States	Custom, VIP, MEDEVAC	Beechcraft 1900D	1	Acquisition 2010 for 1, and the amount was $2,694,500.
Cessna 172 Skyhawk	United States	Training	172 Skyhawk	2	Acquisition 2010 for 2, and the amount was $249,500, each.
Enstrom F-28	United States	Training helicopter	Enstron F-28F Falcon	4	Acquisition 2010 for 2 new factory, $400,000 each. Acquisition 2011 for 2 used, $250,000 each.
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	Liaison	208B Amphibious	1	Acquisition 2009, for $1'550,000
Cessna 303 Crusader	United States	Liaison	T303 Crusader	2
Piper PA-31T	United States	Liaison	Cheyenne II	2
Piper PA-34T	United States	Liaison	Seneca III	1
Ilyushin Il-103	Russia	Trainer	Il-103	5	All in storage
Antonov An-28	Poland	Transport	An-28	2	All in storage
Antonov An-32	Ukraine	Transport	An-32B	2
Beechcraft Super King Air	United States	VIP transport	B300	1
Agusta A109	Italy	Light attack helicopter	A-109K	4	In storage
Mil Mi-2	Poland	Training helicopter	Mi-2	6	All in storage
Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport helicopter	Mi-17	23	only 9 in services
Mil Mi-26	Russia	Heavy transport helicopter	Mi-26	3	All in storage

Future Equipment

Peru is expected to acquire between 120 and 170 tanks, Russian T-90S, US M1A1 Abrams, Spanish Leopard 2A4s and Dutch Leopard 2E6s, as well as Ukrainian T-64E and T-84 MBTs are under consideration. By September 2013, the Leopard 2A4/6 entries were disqualified due to logistical complexities. Current contenders are the Ukrainian T-84, Russian T-90S or T-80, and the American M1A1 Abrams. In late September 2013, the South Korean K2 Black Panther was entered in the competition.

Peru is seeking replacement for its BM-21 rocket systems. Norinco is offering its Type 90B and AR-3 multiple launch rocket systems.

Russia is pushing for the sale of 110 BTR-80A armored personnel carriers to Peru. Peru is also looking to replace its SA-3 air defense systems.

Heroes and Patrons

• Patron of the Army: Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes
• Patron of the Infantry branch: Andrés A. Cáceres Dorregaray
• Patron of the Cavalry branch: Ramón Castilla y Marquezado
• Patron of the Artillery branch: José Joaquín Inclán Gonzáles Vigil
• Patron of the Engineering branch: Pedro Ruiz Gallo
• Patron of the Communications branch: José Olaya
• Patron of the Legal Service: Mariano Melgar
• Patron of the Health Service: José Casimiro Ulloa Bucello
• Patron of the War Material Service: Leoncio Prado Gutiérrez
• Patron of the Intendancy Service: Pedro Muñiz Sevilla

Anthem of the Army

Spanish lyrics El ejército unido a la historia por fecunda y viril tradición, se corona con lauros de gloria al forjar una libre nación. Evocando un pasado glorioso del Incario su antiguo esplendor, Ayacucho, Junín, Dos de Mayo libertad conquistó con valor. Zarumilla, La Breña y Arica gestas son que a la historia legó Bolognesi ¡oh, sublime soldado! por patrono ejemplar te aclamó. Las fronteras altivo defiende cual guardián del honor nacional de su pueblo recibe las armas y es bastión de justicia social. Soy soldado que en filas milito y un deber tengo yo que cumplir, a la patria vivir consagrado y por ella luchar a morir.

English translation The army tied to history by fecund and virile tradition, is crowned with laurels of glory by forging a free nation. Evoking a glorious past from the Incas its ancient splendor, Ayacucho, Junín, Dos de Mayo liberty conquered with bravery. Zarumilla, La Breña and Arica heroic deeds are bequeathed to history by Bolognesi ¡oh, sublime soldier! as exemplary patron acclaimed you. The borders he proudly defends like a guardian of national honor from his people receives the arms and is bastion of social justice. I am soldier who in these militate ranks and a duty I have to fulfill, to the fatherland I shall live consecrated and for it I will fight to the death.

See also

• Cenepa War
• Ecuadorian-Peruvian war
• Paquisha War
• War of the Pacific

Sources

• (Spanish) Basadre, Jorge, Historia de la República del Perú. Editorial Universitaria, 1983.
• (Spanish) Cobas, Efraín, Las Fuerzas Armadas Peruanas en el Siglo XXI. CESLA, 2003.
• Cruz, César, "Latin America Air Forces Survey - Peru". Air Forces Monthly 220: 77-78 (July 2006).
• International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 2000-2001. IISS, 2000.
• (Spanish) Mejía, Lewis and César Cruz, "La Aviación del Ejército del Perú".
  Defensa 290: 42-48 (June 2002).
• (Spanish) Ministerio de Defensa del Perú, Libro blanco de la defensa nacional.
  http://www.mindef.gob.pe/lb_2005/index.htm
• (Spanish) Rial, Juan, Los militares tras el fin del régimen de Fujimori-Montesinos.
  http://www.resdal.org/art-rial.htm
• (Spanish) Tecnología Militar, N°1/2006 ISSN 0 722-2904
• (Spanish) Marchessini, Alejo, "Plan Bolognesi: Actualidad y Futuro del Ejército del Peru". Defensa 347 (March 2007).
• Aircraft information files Brightstar publishing File 344 sheet 4

External links

• Official Peruvian Army Website
• Maquina de Combate
• Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories