Military of Montenegro

Military of Montenegro
Montenegrin: Vojska Crne Gore
Founded 1879. (reconstituted 2006.)
Service branches Montenegrin Ground Army
Montenegrin Navy
Montenegrin Air Force
Headquarters Podgorica
Leadership
President Filip Vujanović
Minister of Defence Milica Pejanović-Đurišić
Chief of Staff Admiral Dragan Samardžić
Manpower
Military age 18+
Conscription Abolished in 2006
Active personnel 1,950 (2014)
Expenditures
Budget 36.5 million euros (2015)
Percent of GDP 1.09% (2015)
Industry
Domestic suppliers TARA group
Foreign suppliers  Austria
 Germany
 Russia
 Serbia
 Israel
Related articles
History Battle of Grahovac (1858)
Battle of Vučji Do (1876)
Battle of Fundina (1876)
First Balkan War (1912-1913)
Siege of Shkoder ( 1913)
Second Balkan War (1913–1913)
First World War (1914-1918)
Christmas Uprising (1919)
Roundel of the Montenegrin Air Force

The Military of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Vojska Crne Gore) consists of an army, navy and air force. Conscription was abolished in 2006; the military is now a fully professional standing army.

The military currently maintains a force of 1,950 active duty members. The bulk of its equipment and forces were inherited from the armed forces of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro; as Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former union, it retained practically the entire naval force.

Montenegro is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program and is an official candidate for full membership in the alliance. Montenegro applied for a Membership Action Plan on 5 November 2008, which was granted in December 2009. Montenegro is also a member of Adriatic Charter.

Peacekeeping operations

Montenegro participates in peace operations under the NATO and UN auspices as military troops and observers. Minister of Defense said that 85 soldiers are trained for international missions.[1] Montenegrin soldiers are trained by the German Bundeswehr.[2]

Montenegro sent 45 troops and medical personnel to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.[3]

Montenegro also participates in UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia, UNMIL, Cyprus, UNFICYP as military observers and Somalia, EU-NAVFOR.

Current Mission Organization Country Nr. of personnel
ISAF NATO Afghanistan 45 Members (Military troops and medical team)
UNMIL United Nations Liberia Officers as military observers
UNFICYP United Nations Cyprus Officers as military observers
EU-NAVFOR EU Somalia Navy officers (3)

Command

Leadership

Ministry of Defense

Bases

Kotor class Frigate

Air Bases

Golubovci Airbase (Podgorica)

Naval Bases

Bar Naval base, (Bar)

"Pero Ćetković" base, (Bar)

Pristan base, (Herceg Novi)

Army Bases

Army base "Milovan Šaranović", (Danilovgrad)

Army base "13 jul", Nikšić, (Nikšić)

Army base "V. K. Volođa", (Pljevlja)

Army base "Breza", (Kolašin)

Units & Structure

Structure of the Military of Montenegro as of 31. December 2014. (click to enlarge)
Members of Special Forces Brigade
Members of Marine Platoon

Ranks and insignia

Infantry Battalion
Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan

Enlisted rank insignia

NATO CodeOR-1OR-2OR-3OR-4OR-5OR-6OR-7OR-8OR-9
Insignia
Title Razvodnik Desetar Mladji Vodnik Vodnik Vodnik Prve Klase Stariji Vodnik Stariji Vodnik Prve Klase Zastavnik Zastavnik Prve Klase

Ground Army and Aifrorce Officer rank insignia

NATO CodeOF-1OF-2OF-3OF-4OF-5OF-6OF-7OF-8OF-9
Insignia
Title Potporučnik Poručnik Kapetan Major Potpukovnik Pukovnik Brigadir General Major General Potpukovnik General Pukovnik

Navy Officer rank insignia

NATO CodeOF-1OF-2OF-3OF-4OF-5OF-6OF-7OF-8OF-9
Insignia
Title Poručnik Korvete Poručnik Fregate Poručnik Bojnog Broda Kapetan Korvete Kapetan Fregate Kapetan Bojnog Broda Komodor Kontra Admiral Vice Admiral Admiral

The Military before 1918

After military successes in the wars 1876-1878 during which the Principality of Montenegro was enlarged by a large territory, from the Tara River in the north to the Adriatic Sea in the south (liberated towns Podgorica, Niksic, Kolasin, Andrijevica, Bar and Ulcinj), reorganization in Montenegrin army was conducted in 1880. Each kapetanija (municipality) formed its reserve battalion. There were 42 battalions in total. Since 1881, regular military exercises were conducted.

Supreme Commander of the Montenegrin army was the monarch, Prince / King Nikola I. Operational command, organization and financial support of the Montenegrin army was entrusted to the Ministry of Defence, the department of the Government of the Principality / Kingdom of Montenegro.

Montenegrin military Krstaš barjak riddled with bullets after victory in wars 1876th-1878th

General Staff of the Montenegrin army was part of the Ministry of Defence.

In 1882 first 14 Montenegrins were sent to officer schools abroad, particularly in Italy and Russia. In 1886, 10 of them completed their education and they become first trained officers in Montenegrin warrior history. These Montenegrin officers held courses in Podgorica, Nikšić and Cetinje.

In September 1895, the first permanent Infantry NCO school in Podgorica was opened, and the first NCOs got desečar rank. At the end of 1896, artillery officer school in Cetinje was established - the first Montenegrin officer school.

Formations and ranks

Montenegrin Artillery

In 1906 Montenegrin army received the first systematized regulations, and the Law on Organization of the Army was adopted in 1910. Infantry and artillery, were established, followed by two specialized branches (reconnaissance and pioneering), and additional branches (medics, military workshop, the military court staff, gendarmerie and logistics).

In 1913 the Montenegrin gendarmerie become a special Military Police unit.

Since the establishment of the internal Montenegrin telecommunications system in 1869, vital for the flow of military-defense information, it was under the jurisdiction of Ministry of the military.

Until 1912, the territory of the Kingdom of Montenegro was divided into four divisional areas:

After wars 1912th-1913th established additional two divisions field:

By 1912, the Montenegrin Army had 11 brigade areas, 52 districts and 322 battalion troop areas. Divisions were composed of 2-3 Infantry Brigade.

Each divisional command had three artillery batteries. On the eve of the First Balkan War Kingdom of Montenegro lined up 55,000 soldiers.

All Montenegrins between 18 and 62 years were conscripts. Recruitment was done three times a year, and the recruits are in peacetime had to have at least 25 years.

After the establishment of the Kingdom of Montenegro in 1910, Montenegro was involved in three wars with the first one being the First Balkan War, in alliance with Serbia, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria against the Ottoman Empire. The Second Balkan War was fought between Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Romania, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria with Bulgaria losing significant territory in the north, Thrace, and Macedonia.

The Military of Montenegro before 1918, was much larger than today's military. During World War I, Montenegro mobilised 50,000 troops. The Commander-in-Chief was King Nikola I of Montenegro, while the General of Staff was Božidar Janković. Units included:

The Pljevlja Division was commanded by brigadier Luka Gojnić. The division was made up of 10 battalions. It had around 6,000 soldiers, and patrolled the area east from Pljevlja.

The Herzegovina Detachment was commanded by Serdar (Count) Janko Vukotić. The detachment was made up of 15 battalions. It had around 15,000 soldiers, and patrolled the border with Herzegovina.

The Lovćen Detachment was commanded by divizijar Mitar Martinović. The detachment was made up of 18 battalions. It had around 8,000 soldiers, and patrolled the areas of Lovćen and Sutorman.

The 'Old Serbia' Detachment was commanded by brigadier Radomir Vešović. The detachment was made up of 13 battalions. It had around 6,000 soldiers, and secured the Albanian border.

Equipment

Ground Army

Weapon Cartridge Contury Manufactured Notes Pictures
Pistols
Glock 17[5] 9x19mm  Austria Standard Gun of Montenegrin Military
Zastava CZ 99 9x19mm  Yugoslavia/ Serbia Standard Gun of Montenegrin Military
Tara TM9 9x19mm  Montenegro Testing
Assault Rifles
G36 5.56x45mm NATO  Germany Standard rifle of Montenegrin Military
Steyr AUG 5.56×45mm NATO  Austria Used by Special Forces
Heckler & Koch HK416 5.56×45mm NATO  Germany Used by Special Forces
Tara TM4 5.56×45mm NATO  Montenegro Testing
Zastava M70/M70A 7.62x39mm  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In reserve
Submachine guns
H&K MP5 9x19mm Parabellum  Germany Used by Special Forces
Sniper Rifles
Heckler & Koch PSG1 7.62×51mm NATO  Germany In service
Zastava M93 Black Arrow 12.7x108mm  FR Yugoslavia/ Serbia In service
Zastava M76 7.92x57mm  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In reserve
Zastava M91 7.62x54mmR  FR Yugoslavia/ Serbia In reserve
Machine Guns
Zastava M84 7.62x54mmR  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In service
Zastava M72 7.62x39mm  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In reserve
Grenade launcher
BGA 30mm 30mm  Serbia In service
Heckler & Koch AG36 40mm  Germany In service
Anti-tank
M79 "Osa" 90mm rocket  Yugoslavia In service
M80 "Zolja" 64mm rocket  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In service
9M14 Malyutka 64mm rocket  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In service
Mortar
M57 mortar 60mm  Yugoslavia In service
M69 mortar 82mm  Yugoslavia In service
M74/M75 mortar 120mm  Yugoslavia In service
Howitzer
D-30J 122 mm 122 mm  Soviet Union/ Yugoslavia In service
MLRS
M-94 Plamen-S 128 mm  Yugoslavia In service
Armoured personnel carrier
BOV VP М86  Yugoslavia In service
Achleitner RCV Survivor  Austria In service
Tank destroyer
BOV 1 POLO M-83  Yugoslavia In service, armed with 6 AT-3missiles
Off-road utility vehicle
Achleitner MMV Survivor  Austria/ Japan In service
Puch 300gd[6]  Germany/ Austria In service
Pinzgauer  Austria In service
Trucks
TAM 110/150  Yugoslavia/ Slovenia In service
FAP 2026  Yugoslavia/ Serbia In service
Logistics vehicles
IMK TG-110
IMK TG-140
IMK TG-160
IMK TG-190
IMK TG-220
 Yugoslavia Tracked dozer
IMK ULT-160  Yugoslavia Wheel dozer
CAT 434F  United States Backhoe loader
Mercedes-Benz Unimog  Germany Multi-purpose utility vehicle

Navy

Class Number Contury Manufactured Notes Pictures
Frigate
Kotor class frigate 2 in active service  Yugoslavia - P-33 Kotor
- P-34 Novi Sad
Fast attack craft
Končar class fast attack craft 2 overhauled and stored  Yugoslavia - RTOP-405 Jordan Nikolov Orce
- RTOP-406 Ante Banina
Transport and support
PO class 1 in active service  Yugoslavia - PO91
Tugboats
Salvage tug 2 in active service  Yugoslavia - PR-41 (Orada)
- LR-77
Sailing ship
Jadran 1 in active service  Germany Used as a training ship
Motor sailboat 2 in active service  Yugoslavia - Bojana
- Milena
Motorboat
Divers boat 2 in active service  Yugoslavia -Ronilačka baraksa 81
-Ronilačka barkasa 85
Motor boat Polycat 1 in active service  Netherlands
Motor boat 1 in active service  Yugoslavia - ČM 33
Motor Yacht
Jadranka 1 in active service  Yugoslavia VIP Yacht
Floating Crane
Floating Crane 1 in active service  Yugoslavia LDI 18

Airforce

Aircraft Number Contury Manufactured Notes Pictures
Armed Advanced Jet Trainer
Soko G-4 Super Galeb 4 Stored  Yugoslavia G-4 / N-62
Trainer Aircraft
Utva 75 3 Stored  Yugoslavia Utva 75 / V-53
Aerial firefighting
Air Tractor AT-802 2 Active, Government aircraft  United States AT-802A
PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader 2 Active, Government aircraft  Poland
Utility transport
Learjet 45 1 Active, Government aircraft  United States VIP Transport
Transport and Utility Helicopters
SOKO Gazelle 7 active 15 in total  France /  Yugoslavia HO-42/45
HI-42 Hera
HN-45 Gama
Augusta-Bell AB412 2 Active, Government aircfraft  United States
/  United Kingdom /  Italy
AB412
Mil Mi-8 1 Stored  Soviet Union Mi-8T/HT-40
Air Defence
9K32 Strela-2M  Soviet Union/ Yugoslavia Portable low-altitude SAM
Bofors 40 mm  Sweden Autocannon 40mm L/70,
works with GIRAFFE Radar
GIRAFFE Radar  Yugoslavia Early warning radar, works
with Bofors 40mm L/70

Gallery

See also

Law enforcement in Montenegro

References

External links

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