Military of Paraguay

Military of Paraguay

Paraguayan Coat of Arms
Service branches Paraguayan Army
Paraguayan Air Force
Paraguayan Navy
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief President Horacio Cartes
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)[1]
14,800 paramilitary (2012)[1]
Reserve personnel 164,500 (2012)[1]
Expenditures
Budget $US 248 million (2011)[1]

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.[2][3]

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 have reached 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

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)

BIM 1 - Rosario

BIM 2 - Vallemi

BIM 3 - Carapegua

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)

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)

Naval aviation

Aircraft Origin Type Version In service Notes
Helicopters
Helibras HB350  Brazil utility HB350B 1[4]

Air Force

Air Force roundel

The air force, the newest and smallest of the services, has about 1,100 personnel as at 2012.[5] 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.[6]

Order of Battle

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)

Bat. Paracaid. (Para.batt.)

Bat. Apoy.Sev (Longist.Batt).

Escu. Paracaid. (Para. School)

Bat. Inf. Aeromo.( Airmobail batt.)

Bat.Securit. (Sec.Batt)

Comando Reg.Or.

Comando Reg. Oc.

Direcc. Meteo.

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
EMB 312 Tucano  Brazil COIN 6[4]
Trainer Aircraft
ENAER T-35  Chile basic trainer T-35 10[4] (7) 35A (3) 35B[5]
Transport Aircraft
Boeing 707  United States VIP 1
Cessna 208 Caravan  United States transport 2[4] 2 on order
CASA C-212  Spain transport
medevac		 C-212
C-212-400		 4[4]
Helicopters
Helibras HB350  Brazil utility 3[4]
Bell UH-1 Iroquois  United States utility UH-1H 9[4]

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

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References

Notes
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 IISS (2012), p. 398
  2. ↑ "U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations". International Relations Center. December 14, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-06-24. Retrieved April 2006.
  3. ↑ US Marines put a foot in Paraguay, El Clarín, September 9, 2005 (Spanish)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 World Air Forces 2014 "World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 IISS (2012), p. 399
  6. ↑ Paraguayan military aviation OrBat
Works cited

External links