Peruvian Army

Independence

Peruvian Army

History History of the Peruvian Army Battles of the Peruvian Army Personnel Senior officers Officer rank insignia Enlisted rate insignia Other Military Academy

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.
Painting by Juan Lepiani

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. These 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.^[1] A military school was reportedly operating in the Chorrillos District of Lima and French officers were continuing to assist in the army's reorganization.^[2]

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 these 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, including T-55 tanks, the BM-21 Grad, AK series rifles and the BTR series APCs plus a new Soviet-styled national military strategy of regaining the lost southern provinces which were now part of Chile. 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 for both genders.

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.

The Ollanta Humalla administration has also had the Army engaged in training members of Peru's indigenous peoples for the duties of national defense as well as, through the BECA 18 program, helping to reduce poverty while teaching the youth of the values of national service. His term also saw the revival of the Army's modernization process with the arrival of the Type 81 MRL, pushing its BM-21s into retirement.

Región Militar del Norte

North Military Region and 1st Division, headquartered at Piura

• 1st Cavalry Brigade (Sullana)
• 1st Infantry Brigade (Tumbes)
• 7th Infantry Brigade (Lambayeque)
• 32nd Infantry Brigade (Trujillo)
• 6th Jungle Brigade (El Milagro)
• 9th Armored Brigade

Región Militar del Centro

Peruvian Special Forces marching in 2016.

Central/North Central Military Region and 2nd Division, headquartered at Lima

• 18th Armored Brigade (Lima)
• 2nd Infantry Brigade (Ayacucho)
• 1st Special Forces Brigade (Lima)
• 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Tarapoto)
• 1st Army Aviation Brigade (Callao)
• 1st Life Dragoon Guards Escort Cavalry Regiment of the President of Peru "Field Marshal Domingo Nieto" (Lima)
• Guards Brigade of the Army "Peruvian Legion of the Guard" (Lima)
  • 1st Mechanized Cavalry Regiment "Junin Hussars" (Peru's Liberators) (Lima)
  • 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion Peruvian Legion of the Guard
  • 1st Artillery Battery (Separate)
• 1st Combined Arms Brigade
• 21st Infantry Brigade (Reserve)

Región Militar del Sur

Peruvian Army March - Cusco, Peru

South Military Region and 3rd division, headquartered at Arequipa

• 3rd Armored Brigade (Moquegua)
• 6th Armored Brigade
• 3rd Cavalry Brigade (Tacna)
• 4th Mountain Brigade (Puno)
• 5th Mountain Brigade (Cuzco)
• 6th Special Forces Brigade
• 3rd Divisional Communications Brigade
• 3rd Divisional Air Defense Artillery

Región Militar del Oriente

Eastern Military Region and 5th Division, headquartered at Iquitos

• 5th Jungle Brigade (Iquitos)
• 35th Jungle Brigade
• 115th Logistics Brigade

Region Militar V

4th (South Central) Military Region and Division

• 2nd Infantry Brigade
• 31st Infantry Brigade
• 32nd Engineering Brigade
• 33rd Infantry Brigade

Infantry weapons

Pistols

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
Beretta 92		9×19mm Parabellum	Italy	Semi-automatic pistol
Browning Hi-Power		9×19mm Parabellum	Belgium	Semi-automatic pistol
FN Five-seveN		FN 5.7×28mm	Belgium	Semi-automatic pistol
Smith & Wesson M&P9		9×19mm Parabellum	United States	Semi-automatic pistol

Shotguns

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
Winchester 1300		12-gauge	United States	Pump-action shotgun	Parachute Commandos and Special Forces[4]

Assault rifles and carbines

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
AKM		7.62×39mm	Soviet Union	Assault rifle	Standard issue rifle[4]
F2000		5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Assault rifle	Special forces
FAD		5.56×45mm NATO	Peru	Modular Assault Rifle	Limited prototype production
FN FAL 50.62		7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium	Battle rifle	Standard issue rifle[4]
FN SCAR-L FN SCAR-H		5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium	Assault rifle Battle rifle	8,000 SCAR-H for army, 250 SCAR-L for special forces[5][6]
Galil ACE		5.56×45mm NATO	Israel	Assault rifle
Galil SAR		5.56×45mm NATO	Israel	Assault rifle	Special forces[4]
M16A2		5.56×45mm NATO	United States	Assault rifle
M4A1		5.56×45mm NATO	United States	Assault rifle
SAR-21		5.56×45mm NATO	Singapore	Assault rifle	Special forces
Zastava M21		5.56×45mm NATO	Serbia	Assault rifle	[7]

Battle and sniper rifles

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Accuracy International AW50		.50 BMG	United Kingdom	Sniper rifle Anti-material rifle	[4]
Barrett M82		.50 BMG	United States	Anti-materiel rifle
FAL 50.00 FAL 50.41 / FALO		7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium	Battle rifle
G3		7.62×51mm NATO	Germany	Battle rifle
SR-99 Galatz		7.62×51mm NATO	Israel	Sniper rifle	[4]
Steyr SSG 69		7.62×51mm NATO	Austria	Sniper rifle	[4]

Submachine guns

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
Beretta PM12S		9×19mm Parabellum	Italy	Submachine gun
BXP		9×19mm Parabellum	South Africa	Submachine gun
MP5A4 MP5A5 MP5SD MP5K		9×19mm Parabellum	Germany	Submachine gun
P90		5.7×28mm	Belgium	Submachine gun	Parachute Commandos and Special Forces[4]
Uzi		9×19mm Parabellum	Israel	Submachine gun

Machine guns

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
FN Minimi		5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Light machine gun	[4]
Ultimax 100		5.56×45mm NATO	Singapore	Light machine gun
Mini-SS		5.56×45mm NATO	South Africa	Light machine gun
Browning M1919A4 Browning M1919A4A6		.30-06 Springfield	United States	Medium machine gun
Heckler & Koch HK21E		7.62×51mm NATO	Germany	General purpose machine gun
PK PKM		7.62×54mmR	Soviet Union	General purpose machine gun	[4]
MAG		7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium	General purpose machine gun
M2		.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)	United States	Heavy machine gun
DShK		12.7×108mm	Soviet Union	Heavy machine gun

Portable anti-materiel weapons

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Type	Details
MGL MGL-6 XRGL-40		40mm	South Africa	Grenade launcher
Type 87 grenade launcher		35x32mm	China	Grenade launcher
M203 grenade launcher		40mm	United States	Grenade launcher
RPG-22 Neto		72.5 mm	Soviet Union	Rocket-propelled grenade	[4]
RPG-7V		85mm	Soviet Union	Rocket-propelled grenade	Airtronic RPG-7[8] and RPG-7V variants[4]
Alcotán-100		100mm	Spain	Anti-tank rocket launcher	74 launchers with 660 rockets, for cavalry, mountain infantry, special forces[9]
Panzerfaust 3		110mm	Germany	Anti-tank rocket launcher	181 launchers with 1,700 rockets, for armored infantry and special forces[9]

Vehicles

Armoured Vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Details
T-54/T-55		MBT	T-55	50 (300)[10]	Soviet Union	From the total of 300, only 50 in service.
AMX-13		Light tank		96[11]	France
M-113A1		APC	M-113A1	120[12]	United States
M3 Half-track		APC	M-3A1	50	United States
UR-416		APC	UR-416	150[13]	Germany
Fiat 6614		APC	Fiat 6614-G	60	Italy
BRDM-2/Malyutka		Armored car		30	Soviet Union
Fiat 6616		Armored car	Fiat 6616-H	70	Italy
M8 Greyhound (M-20 Greyhound )		Armored car		60 (6)	United States
BTR-60		APC		12	Soviet Union

Light Utility Vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Details
HMMWV		Light utility vehicle	M1165	112	United States
Jeep J8		Light utility vehicle		38[14]	United States

Artillery

Name	Image	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Details
OTO Melara Mod 56		105 mm pack howitzer	M56	24	Italy
M101 howitzer		105 mm howitzer	M-2A1	63	United States
Yugoimport M56		105 mm howitzer	M-56	72	Yugoslavia	Copy of the M101A1
D30		122 mm howitzer	D30 Lyagushka	36	Soviet Union
M46		130 mm gun	M46	36	Soviet Union
Mk F3 155mm		155 mm howitzer	Mk F3	12	France
M109 howitzer		155 mm self-propelled howitzer	M109A2	12	United States
9K132		Portable single-tube launcher	Grad-1P Partisan	20	Soviet Union
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	Soviet Union	only 14 in service.
Type 81		122 mm multiple rocket launcher	Type 90B	40	China	Replacing BM-21[15][16]
BM-13 Katyusha		132 mm multiple rocket launcher	BM-13 Katyusha	2	Soviet Union

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Image	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Details
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 (Копё)	2	Soviet Union	Very small quantity[4]
9K11 Malyutka		Anti-tank guided weapon	AT-3 Sagger B	1800 missiles	Soviet Union	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[17]	Israel

Air-defense systems

Name	Image	Type	Version	Quantity	Origin	Details
ZSU-23-4 Shilka		23 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun		32	Russia
ZU-23-2		23mm towed anti-aircraft twin autocannon		80	Soviet Union
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.[18]
Poprad		Self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle		6 on order	Poland	Each equipped with 4 Grom missiles. To be delivered March 2014.[18]
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.[18][19]

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	Image	Origin	Type	Version	In service	Details
Hawker Beechcraft 1900D		United States	Custom, VIP, MEDEVAC	Beechcraft 1900D	1	Acquisition 2010 for 1, and the amount was $2,694,500.[5]
Cessna 150		United States	Training	150/152	3
Cessna 172 Skyhawk		United States	Training	172 Skyhawk	2	Acquisition 2010 for 2, and the amount was $249,500, each.[5]
Cessna 182		United States	Training	172 Skyhawk	1	Acquisition 2010 for 1.
Robinson R-44		United States	Training	R44	3
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.[5]
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-171		Russia	Transport helicopter	Mi-171Sh - Mi 171Sh-P	3 + 24	16 in services
Mil Mi-26		Russia	Heavy transport helicopter	Mi-26	3	All in storage