| 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 Military of El Salvador. In 2006 the government of El Salvador approached the Israeli ambassador to El Salvador seeking assistance in modernizing its army.[2]
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The Football War (also called The Soccer War or 100-hours War) was a brief conflict between El Salvador and neighbouring Honduras. The war began after the rival nations traded wins during the qualifying round for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. 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, citing the unwillingness of the Honduran government to take action against Honduran citizens accused of violence, or make reparations.
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.
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.
Up to 380 Salvadoran troops, mostly 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]
El Salvador is divided into 6 military zones, each of which has its own infantry brigade:
Furthermore, the army has the following units:
| Name | Type | Quantity | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FN P35[4] | Handgun | Belgium | ||
| Uzi[4] | Sub-machine gun | Israel | ||
| MP5[4] | Sub-machine gun | Germany | ||
| HK33[4] | Assault rifle | Germany | ||
| M-4 | Assault rifle | USA | ||
| M16A1[4] | Assault rifle | USA | ||
| IMI Galil[4] | Assault rifle | Israel | ||
| M14[4] | Battle rifle | USA | ||
| Heckler & Koch G3[4] | Battle rifle | Germany | ||
| M24 | Sniper rifle | USA | ||
| M79[4] | Grenade launcher | USA | ||
| M203[5] | Grenade launcher | USA | ||
| Hawk MM-1[5] | Semi-automatic grenade launcher | USA | ||
| M60[4] | General purpose machine gun | USA | ||
| M2HB[4] | Heavy machine gun | USA |
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, Israel | ||
| Jeep CJ[7] | Light Utility Vehicle | Jeep, USA | |||
| M151 MUTT[7] | Light Utility Vehicle | Various, USA | |||
| HMMWV | 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, Germany | |||
| Armoured Fighting Vechiles | |||||
| Model | Type | Number | Dates | Manufacturer | Details |
| AML 90[9] | Armoured Car | 3[1] | Panhard, France | ||
| UR-416[9] | Wheeled APC | 4[1] | Thyssen-Henschel, Germany | ||
| M3 Scout Car[9] | Wheeled APC | 5 | White Motor Company, USA | ||
| Cashuat | Wheeled APC | 41 | 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 | ||
| Mortars | |||||
| Model | Caliber | Number | Dates | Manufacturer | Details |
| M19[1] | 60mm | 306 | USA | ||
| M29[10] | 81mm | 151[1] | USA | ||
| M-74[10] | 120mm | Yugoslavia | Kept in storage. | ||
| UB M-52[10] | 120mm | 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] | Yugoslavia | M101 copy produced in Yugoslavia | |
| 105/14 Model 56[11] | 105mm | 14 | Italy | Pack Howitzer | |
| M114[10] | 155mm | 6 | USA | ||
| Anti-Aircraft Artillery | |||||
| Model | Caliber | Number | Dates | Manufacturer | Details |
| M-55[10] | 20mm | 31[1] | Yugoslavia | Hispano-Suiza HS.804 copy. | |
| M-55 (Self-propelled)[10] | 20mm | 4 | Yugoslavia | Truck or half-track mounted M-55. | |
| TCM-20[10] | 20mm | 4[1] | Israel | Twin Hispano-Suiza HS.404s on towed pedestal mount. | |