Ecuadorian Army
Encyclopedia
The Ecuadorian Army is the land component of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces
. Its 24,135 soldiers are sensibly deployed in relation to its military doctrine
. The contemporary Ecuadorian Army is well equipped with reasonably homogeneous material and a large component of jungle
and special forces infantry units
implemented within its structure.
history could start as early as 1531, when civil war
ravaged through the inca empire
. In a key battle near Riobamba
, where Huascar
s troops were met and defeated by Atahualpa
s troops. Atahualpa
s final victory over Huascar
in the days just before the Spanish
conquerors
arrived, are seen until today, as a source of national pride. This did not safe Atahualpa
and his army from total defeat, only a year later at the Battle of Cajamarca
against the Spanish conquerors
. It would take almost 300 years when Ecuador
s struggle for emancipation from the Spanish colonial rule
would reach its peak at the Battle of Pichincha
. Following a victory, Ecuadorian troops would become part of the Gran-Colombian coalition. These were years in which warfare dominated. First, the country found itself on the front lines of Gran Colombia
s efforts to liberate Peru
from Spanish
rule between 1822 and 1825; afterward, in 1828 and 1829, Ecuadorian troops would find themselves in the middle of an armed struggle between Peru and Gran Colombia over the location of their common border. After a long campaign the forces of Gran Colombia
, under the leadership of Sucre
and Venezuelan General Juan José Flores
, proved victorious. The Treaty of 1829 fixed the border on the line that had divided the Quito audiencia and the Viceroyalty of Peru
before independence. By 1859 the nation was on the brink of anarchy. This led to a civil war
and the first Ecuadorian-Peruvian conflict. Backed by Guillermo Franco
, an Ecuadorian General, the Peruvian army led by General Ramón Castilla
arrived in Guayaquil
. Accusing Guillermo Franco
of treason for signing a treaty with the Peruvians, Gabriel García Moreno
, allied with former enemy General Juan José Flores
, attacked Franco's forces. After several battles, García Moreno's forces were able to force Franco's troops to retreat back to Guayaquil
, the site of the final battle. Ecuador
s victory at the Battle of Guayaquil
deterred the Peruvians and re-unified the country. Ecuadorian troops would face their greatest challenge and defeat, when in 1941, under controversial circumstances, another Ecuadorian–Peruvian War erupted. A much larger and better equipped Peruvian force, quickly overwhelmed the Ecuadorian forces, driving them back from Zarumilla
and invading the Ecuadorian province of El Oro
. The government of Ecuador
, saw itself forced to accept Peru
s territorial claims. Subsequently Peruvian troops withdrew from the invaded El Oro
province. However, occasional clashes kept occurring and flared into another outbreak of serious fighting in January 1981 called the Paquisha War
, for the control of three watchposts set up by Ecuadorian troops inside a disputed border area. The conflict ceased with the Peruvian Army
gaining control of the disputed area. In 1995, Ecuadorian troops would become part of the longest-running source of armed international conflict in the Western Hemisphere when both sides encountered again in the Cordillera del Cóndor
. Focus of all fighting would become a small outpost called Tiwintza by the Ecuadorians (and Tiwinza or Tihuintsa by the Peruvians) until the signing of a ceasefire.
was with around 40.000 troops nearly four times the combined strength of the Navy
and air force
. In 2003, it was structured into four independent Army Division
s operating around 25 Infantry
Battalion
s. These battalion
s were implemented in Brigade
s which were not numbered consecutively but carried odd numbers in the series 1 to 27. All Brigade
s had also a Special Forces
and engineer
, or at least a communications
and Logistic Support
Company
.. As of 2008, along with the Air Force and Navy, the Army (also referred to as Land Forces) is undergoing a reform in order to maximize is joint capability. This process involves the creation of U.S. like Operational Commands. There are 4 Operational Joint Commands to be geographically distributed.
, the fifth being the maritime territory (including the Galapagos Islands
). Changes concerning structure and troop-deployment as of 2010 are not available due to the fact that the Ecuadorian Armed Forces
keep such information restricted.
in 1981, the unit was renamed Brigada de Aviación del Ejército No.15 "Paquisha" (BAE) on July, 1 1987. Finally, in 1996 the BAE gained the status of a full arm within the army recognising its vital role in the Cenepa conflict
of 1995. At present the BAE No.15 consists of:
Military of Ecuador
The Military of Ecuador is under civilian control. The commander-in-chief is the President of Ecuador, currently Rafael Correa. The military of Ecuador has been involved in border disputes with Peru , and has provided Military Observers and troops to the United Nations since 1948.-Mission:The...
. Its 24,135 soldiers are sensibly deployed in relation to its military doctrine
Military doctrine
Military doctrine is the concise expression of how military forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements.It is a guide to action, not hard and fast rules. Doctrine provides a common frame of reference across the military...
. The contemporary Ecuadorian Army is well equipped with reasonably homogeneous material and a large component of jungle
Jungle warfare
Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
and special forces infantry units
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
implemented within its structure.
Main Objectives
- To defend the national territory as part of a Joint Task Force.
- To represent a strong military image as part of the Ecuadorian Armed ForcesMilitary of EcuadorThe Military of Ecuador is under civilian control. The commander-in-chief is the President of Ecuador, currently Rafael Correa. The military of Ecuador has been involved in border disputes with Peru , and has provided Military Observers and troops to the United Nations since 1948.-Mission:The...
, national as well as international. - Take part in activities and support the development and co-operation in times of crisis.
- Take part in Peacekeeping and international security operations.
- To reach and maintain a high operational level within the Ground Forces.
- To represent, implement an integrated institution, within the operational system.
- To guarantee the disposition of prepared military personnel in order to accomplish all missions and assignments.
- To dispose of an investigations and development element, with focus on national defense.
- To correctly execute administration procedures involving all institutional issues.
Mission
To develop territorial-power, in order to accomplish institutional objectives, which guarantee the integrity and sovereignty of the national territory and contribute to the security and development of the nation, as well as to accomplish all objectives indicated by the military strategic planning. ART 26 LEY ORGÁNICA DE LA DEFENSA NACIONALVision
To be an institution of the highest level and credibility, systematically integrated, with professional military personnel, orientated on ethics and moral. Capable of adapting itself to new requirements which guarantee peace, security and the nations development.History
The Ecuadorian Armed ForcesMilitary of Ecuador
The Military of Ecuador is under civilian control. The commander-in-chief is the President of Ecuador, currently Rafael Correa. The military of Ecuador has been involved in border disputes with Peru , and has provided Military Observers and troops to the United Nations since 1948.-Mission:The...
history could start as early as 1531, when civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
ravaged through the inca empire
Inca Empire
The Inca Empire, or Inka Empire , was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in Cusco in modern-day Peru. The Inca civilization arose from the highlands of Peru sometime in the early 13th century...
. In a key battle near Riobamba
Riobamba
Riobamba is the capital of the Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. It is south of Ecuador's capital Quito and located at 2754 m on the Avenue of the Volcanoes...
, where Huascar
Huáscar
Huáscar Inca was Sapa Inca of the Inca empire from 1527 to 1532 AD, succeeding his father Huayna Capac and brother Ninan Cuyochi, both of whom died of smallpox while campaigning near Quito.After the conquest, the Spanish put forth the idea that Huayna Capac may have...
s troops were met and defeated by Atahualpa
Atahualpa
Atahualpa, Atahuallpa, Atabalipa, or Atawallpa , was the last Sapa Inca or sovereign emperor of the Tahuantinsuyu, or the Inca Empire, prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru...
s troops. Atahualpa
Atahualpa
Atahualpa, Atahuallpa, Atabalipa, or Atawallpa , was the last Sapa Inca or sovereign emperor of the Tahuantinsuyu, or the Inca Empire, prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru...
s final victory over Huascar
Huáscar
Huáscar Inca was Sapa Inca of the Inca empire from 1527 to 1532 AD, succeeding his father Huayna Capac and brother Ninan Cuyochi, both of whom died of smallpox while campaigning near Quito.After the conquest, the Spanish put forth the idea that Huayna Capac may have...
in the days just before the Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
conquerors
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
arrived, are seen until today, as a source of national pride. This did not safe Atahualpa
Atahualpa
Atahualpa, Atahuallpa, Atabalipa, or Atawallpa , was the last Sapa Inca or sovereign emperor of the Tahuantinsuyu, or the Inca Empire, prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru...
and his army from total defeat, only a year later at the Battle of Cajamarca
Battle of Cajamarca
The Battle of Cajamarca was a surprise attack on the Inca royal entourage orchestrated by Francisco Pizarro. Sprung on the evening of November 16, 1532, in the great plaza of Cajamarca, the ambush achieved the goal of capturing the Inca, Atahualpa, and claimed the lives of thousands of his...
against the Spanish conquerors
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
. It would take almost 300 years when Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
s struggle for emancipation from the Spanish colonial rule
Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire
The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire was one of the most important campaigns in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. This historic process of military conquest was made by Spanish conquistadores and their native allies....
would reach its peak at the Battle of Pichincha
Battle of Pichincha
The Battle of Pichincha took place on 24 May 1822, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea-level, right next to the city of Quito, in modern Ecuador....
. Following a victory, Ecuadorian troops would become part of the Gran-Colombian coalition. These were years in which warfare dominated. First, the country found itself on the front lines of Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia is a name used today for the state that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America from 1819 to 1831. This short-lived republic included the territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, northern Peru and northwest Brazil. The...
s efforts to liberate Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
from Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
rule between 1822 and 1825; afterward, in 1828 and 1829, Ecuadorian troops would find themselves in the middle of an armed struggle between Peru and Gran Colombia over the location of their common border. After a long campaign the forces of Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia is a name used today for the state that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America from 1819 to 1831. This short-lived republic included the territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, northern Peru and northwest Brazil. The...
, under the leadership of Sucre
Antonio José de Sucre
Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá , known as the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho" , was a Venezuelan independence leader. Sucre was one of Simón Bolívar's closest friends, generals and statesmen.-Ancestry:...
and Venezuelan General Juan José Flores
Juan José Flores
Juan José Flores y Aramburu was a Venezuelan military general who became Supreme Chief, and later the first President of the new Republic of Ecuador. He later served two more terms from 1839 to 1843 and from 1843 to 1845, and is often referred to as "The founder of the Republic".-Biography:Flores...
, proved victorious. The Treaty of 1829 fixed the border on the line that had divided the Quito audiencia and the Viceroyalty of Peru
Viceroyalty of Peru
Created in 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was a Spanish colonial administrative district that originally contained most of Spanish-ruled South America, governed from the capital of Lima...
before independence. By 1859 the nation was on the brink of anarchy. This led to a civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
and the first Ecuadorian-Peruvian conflict. Backed by Guillermo Franco
Guillermo Franco (Ecuadorian general)
Guillermo Franco was an Ecuadorian general.From a young age, Franco was interested in becoming a military man. He could not participate in the Revolution of October 9, 1820 due to his young age, but soon thereafter enrolled at the Nautical School founded by Admiral Illingworth...
, an Ecuadorian General, the Peruvian army led by General Ramón Castilla
Ramón Castilla
Ramón Castilla y Marquesado was a Peruvian caudillo and President of Peru four times. His earliest prominent appearance in Peruvian history began with his participation in a commanding role of the army of the Libertadores that helped Peru become an independent nation...
arrived in Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
. Accusing Guillermo Franco
Guillermo Franco (Ecuadorian general)
Guillermo Franco was an Ecuadorian general.From a young age, Franco was interested in becoming a military man. He could not participate in the Revolution of October 9, 1820 due to his young age, but soon thereafter enrolled at the Nautical School founded by Admiral Illingworth...
of treason for signing a treaty with the Peruvians, Gabriel García Moreno
Gabriel García Moreno
Gabriel Gregorio Fernando José María García y Moreno y Morán de Buitrón was an Ecuadorian statesman who twice served as President of Ecuador and was assassinated during his second term, after being elected to a third term...
, allied with former enemy General Juan José Flores
Juan José Flores
Juan José Flores y Aramburu was a Venezuelan military general who became Supreme Chief, and later the first President of the new Republic of Ecuador. He later served two more terms from 1839 to 1843 and from 1843 to 1845, and is often referred to as "The founder of the Republic".-Biography:Flores...
, attacked Franco's forces. After several battles, García Moreno's forces were able to force Franco's troops to retreat back to Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
, the site of the final battle. Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
s victory at the Battle of Guayaquil
Battle of Guayaquil
The Battle of Guayaquil was the final and pivotal armed confrontation of the Ecuadorian Civil War. The battle was fought on the outskirts of the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador on September 22 – 24, 1860 among several factions claiming control of the country's territory in the wake of the abdication of...
deterred the Peruvians and re-unified the country. Ecuadorian troops would face their greatest challenge and defeat, when in 1941, under controversial circumstances, another Ecuadorian–Peruvian War erupted. A much larger and better equipped Peruvian force, quickly overwhelmed the Ecuadorian forces, driving them back from Zarumilla
Zarumilla
Zarumilla is a town in the Tumbes Region, in northwestern Peru. It has a population of 17,587 and is the capital of the Zarumilla Province...
and invading the Ecuadorian province of El Oro
El Oro
El Oro may refer to:*El Oro Province, a province in Ecuador*El Oro Municipality, Mexico State, a municipality of Mexico State, Mexico*El Oro Municipality, Durango*El Oro District, a district of Antabamba, Peru...
. The government of Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, saw itself forced to accept Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
s territorial claims. Subsequently Peruvian troops withdrew from the invaded El Oro
El Oro
El Oro may refer to:*El Oro Province, a province in Ecuador*El Oro Municipality, Mexico State, a municipality of Mexico State, Mexico*El Oro Municipality, Durango*El Oro District, a district of Antabamba, Peru...
province. However, occasional clashes kept occurring and flared into another outbreak of serious fighting in January 1981 called the Paquisha War
Paquisha War
The Paquisha War was a brief military clash that took place between January and February 1981 between Ecuador and Peru over the control of three watchposts. While Peru felt that the matter was already decided in the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War of 1941, Ecuador did not agree with the Rio de Janeiro...
, for the control of three watchposts set up by Ecuadorian troops inside a disputed border area. The conflict ceased with the Peruvian Army
Peruvian Army
The Peruvian Army 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...
gaining control of the disputed area. In 1995, Ecuadorian troops would become part of the longest-running source of armed international conflict in the Western Hemisphere when both sides encountered again in the Cordillera del Cóndor
Cordillera del Cóndor
The Cordillera del Condor is a range in Ecuador and Peru....
. Focus of all fighting would become a small outpost called Tiwintza by the Ecuadorians (and Tiwinza or Tihuintsa by the Peruvians) until the signing of a ceasefire.
Structure
Already back in 1989 the ArmyArmy
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
was with around 40.000 troops nearly four times the combined strength of the Navy
Ecuadorian Navy
The Ecuadorian Navy is responsible for the surveillance and protection of national maritime territory and has a personnel of 7,258 men to protect a coastline of 2,237 km which reaches far into the Pacific Ocean...
and air force
Ecuadorian Air Force
The Ecuadorian Air Force is the Air arm of the Military of Ecuador and responsible for the protection of the Ecuadorian airspace.-Mission:To develop the military air wing, in order to execute institutional objectives which guarantee sovereignty and contribute towards the nation's security and...
. In 2003, it was structured into four independent Army Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s operating around 25 Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s. These battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s were implemented in Brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s which were not numbered consecutively but carried odd numbers in the series 1 to 27. All Brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s had also a Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
and engineer
Military engineer
In military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
, or at least a communications
Military communications
Historically, the first military communications had the form of sending/receiving simple signals . Respectively, the first distinctive tactics of military communications were called Signals, while units specializing in those tactics received the Signal Corps name...
and Logistic Support
Military logistics
Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...
Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
.. As of 2008, along with the Air Force and Navy, the Army (also referred to as Land Forces) is undergoing a reform in order to maximize is joint capability. This process involves the creation of U.S. like Operational Commands. There are 4 Operational Joint Commands to be geographically distributed.
"PATRIA I"
Since 2009 a restructurization within the Ecuadorian Armed Forces has been launched under the name of "PATRIA I". It shall be completed by 2011 and improve military structure, equipment and operations within the Ecuadorian territory. The Ecuadorian territory has been also newly divided into five "Joint Task Force Zones" or Fuerzas de Tarea Conjunta, four on mainland EcuadorEcuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, the fifth being the maritime territory (including the Galapagos Islands
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, west of continental Ecuador, of which they are a part.The Galápagos Islands and its surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a...
). Changes concerning structure and troop-deployment as of 2010 are not available due to the fact that the Ecuadorian Armed Forces
Military of Ecuador
The Military of Ecuador is under civilian control. The commander-in-chief is the President of Ecuador, currently Rafael Correa. The military of Ecuador has been involved in border disputes with Peru , and has provided Military Observers and troops to the United Nations since 1948.-Mission:The...
keep such information restricted.
- 1st "North" or Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta No. 1 "Norte", (HQ IbarraIbarraIbarra is a surname of Basque origin meaning 'valley' or 'plain by the river'.*Places**Ibarra is the capital of the province of Imbabura in Ecuador.**Ibarra is also a locality in Guipúzcoa, Spain....
). - 2nd "West" or Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta No. 2 "Guayas", (HQ GuayaquilGuayaquilGuayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
). - 3rd "South" or Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta No. 3 "Cuenca", (HQ CuencaCuenca, EcuadorCuenca is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2500 m above sea level...
). - 4th "Central" or Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta No. 4 "Central", (HQ QuitoQuitoSan Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
). - 5th "Maritime" or Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta No. 5 "Mar y Galapagos", (HQ ?).
Specialties
- InfantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
- Armoured cavalryArmoured cavalryArmoured cavalry began to replace horse cavalry as the reconnaissance arm in most armies after the First World War, although many armies continued to maintain horse cavalry through the end of the Second World War....
- ArtilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
- Engineer CorpMilitary engineerIn military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
- SignalsMilitary communicationsHistorically, the first military communications had the form of sending/receiving simple signals . Respectively, the first distinctive tactics of military communications were called Signals, while units specializing in those tactics received the Signal Corps name...
- Army aviationArmy aviationArmy Aviation refers to aviation-related units of a nation's army, often described as an air corps. These units are generally separate from a nation's dedicated air force, and usually comprise helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft....
- LogisticsMilitary logisticsMilitary logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...
- Special ForcesSpecial forcesSpecial forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
Special Forces
- The Military IntelligenceMilitary intelligenceMilitary intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
remains until today the greater unit of the Intelligence Weapon of the Terrestrial Forces. - The 9th Special ForcesSpecial forcesSpecial forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
BrigadeBrigadeA brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
PATRIA, consists of paratrooperParatrooperParatroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
s, specialized as CommandosCommandosCommandos is a stealth-oriented real-time tactics game series, available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. The game is set in the Second World War and follows the escapades of a fictional British Commandos section. It leans heavily on historical events during WWII to carry the plot...
, Operational Free Jumpers, Mountain WarfareMountain warfareMountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains...
, Frogmen, Snipers and Dog guidesDogs in warfareDogs in warfare have a long history starting in ancient times. From 'war dogs' trained in combat to their use as scouts, sentries and trackers, their uses have been varied and some continue to exist in modern military usage.-History:...
. - The CommandoCommandoIn English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
Special ForcesSpecial forcesSpecial forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
School, the GEK-9 is an independent operating body transforming soldiers into future CommandosCommandosCommandos is a stealth-oriented real-time tactics game series, available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. The game is set in the Second World War and follows the escapades of a fictional British Commandos section. It leans heavily on historical events during WWII to carry the plot...
. - The Counter-terror unit "GEO" (Grupo Especial de Operaciones), formed in 1985, it was trained by the US Navy Seals and the British SASSpecial Air ServiceSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
and maintains the highest standards. - The 17th, 19th and 21st Jungle BrigadeBrigadeA brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s, trained and experienced in jungle warfareJungle warfareJungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
. - The Jungle WarfareJungle warfareJungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
Special OperationsSpecial operationsSpecial operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
Iwia BattalionBattalionA battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
No. 60, recruited from local warriorWarriorA warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
tribeTribeA tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
s like the ShuarShuarThe Shuar people are an indigenous people of Ecuador and Peru. They are members of the Jivaroan peoples, who are Amazonian tribes living at the headwaters of the Marañón River.-Name:...
, Záparo, Kichwa and Achuar. - The Jungle WarfareJungle warfareJungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
and Counter-insurgencyCounter-insurgencyA counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency taken up against it...
Iwia School is at Coca in the OrienteOriente (Ecuador)The Oriente is a region of eastern Ecuador, comprising the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes and the lowland areas of rainforest in the Amazon basin.- Geographical Location :...
. - The Special boat detachments called ratas de río or fusileros fluviales (engl. sea rats). Three BattalionBattalionA battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s with a strength of 550 men, equipped with forty Vector and Phantom tactical speed-patrol boats. These undergo a three week training in the Special ForcesSpecial forcesSpecial forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
center in Coca. In addition the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
provide training and assistance.
Army Aviation
The aviation element of the Army (Ejército) was formed in 1954 originally named Servicio Aéreo del Ejército (SAE). It was renamed Aviación del Ejército Equatorina (AEE) in 1978. From 1981 onward the flying elements were concentrated into an aviation-brigade, effectively transforming the army-aviation into an operational brigade within the army-structure. Honouring the army-aviation's role in the Paquisha conflictPaquisha War
The Paquisha War was a brief military clash that took place between January and February 1981 between Ecuador and Peru over the control of three watchposts. While Peru felt that the matter was already decided in the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War of 1941, Ecuador did not agree with the Rio de Janeiro...
in 1981, the unit was renamed Brigada de Aviación del Ejército No.15 "Paquisha" (BAE) on July, 1 1987. Finally, in 1996 the BAE gained the status of a full arm within the army recognising its vital role in the Cenepa conflict
Cenepa War
The Cenepa War , also known as the Alto Cenepa War, was a brief and localized military conflict between Ecuador and Peru, fought over control of a disputed area on the border between the two countries...
of 1995. At present the BAE No.15 consists of:
- Grupo Aero del Ejercito No. 43 “PORTOVIEJO”
- Grupo Aero del Ejercito No. 44 “PASTAZA”
- Gupo Aero del Ejercito No. 45 “PICHINCHA”
- Escuela de Aviacion del Ejercito “CAPT. FERNANDO VASCONEZ”
Organization
As of November 2004, the Ecuadorian Land Forces Order of Battle was as followed: (under construction)- I Army Division "Shyris" (HQ QuitoQuitoSan Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
)- 1st Armored Cavalry Brigade "Galápagos"
- Grupo Escolta Presidencial
- Grupo de Caballería Blindada No 4
- Grupo de Caballería Mecanizada No 6
- Grupo de Caballería Mecanizada No 12
- Grupo de Caballería Mecanizada No 16
- Grupo de Caballería Blindada No 18
- Grupo de Caballería Mecanizada No 36
- Escuela de Equitación
- 1st Armored Cavalry Brigade "Galápagos"
-
- 13th Infantry Brigade "Pichincha"
-
- 9th Special Forces Brigade "Patria"
- 24th Special Forces Group "Rayo"
- 25th Special Forces Group "Santo Domingo de los Colorados"
- 26th Special Forces Group "Quevedo"
- 27th Special Forces Group "Latacunga"
- 9th Special Forces Brigade "Patria"
- II Army Division "Libertad" (HQ GuayaquilGuayaquilGuayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
)- 5th Infantry Brigade "Guayas"
- III Army Division "Tarqui" (HQ CuencaCuenca, EcuadorCuenca is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2500 m above sea level...
)- 1st Infantry Brigade "El Oro"
- 7th Infantry Brigade "Loja"
- 27th Artillery Brigade "Bolívar"
- IV Army Division "Amazonas" (HQ El CocaEl CocaPuerto Francisco de Orellana, also known as Coca, is the capital of province of Orellana in eastern Ecuador. The city is located in the Amazon Rainforest at the confluence of the Coca River and the Napo River. It has a population of 30,300 inhabitants as of 2010...
)- 17th Jungle Infantry Brigade "Pastaza"
- 17th Special Forces Company
- 49th Jungle Infantry Battalion
- 50th Jungle Infantry Battalion
- 51st Jungle Infantry Battalion
- 17th Jungle Infantry Brigade "Pastaza"
-
- 19th Jungle Infantry Brigade "Napo"
- 19th Special Forces Company "Aguarico"
- 55th Jungle Infantry Battalion "Putumayo"
- 56th Jungle Infantry Battalion "Tungurahua"
- 57th Jungle Infantry Battalion "Montecristi"
- 19th Jungle Infantry Brigade "Napo"
-
- 21st Jungle Infantry Brigade "Cóndor" (HQ Patuca)
- 60th Special Forces Battalion "Capitán Calles"
- 61st Jungle Infantry Battalion "Santiago"
- 62nd Jungle Infantry Battalion "Zamora"
- 63rd Jungle Infantry Battalion "Gualaquiza"
- 21st Jungle Infantry Brigade "Cóndor" (HQ Patuca)
- Independent Units
- 23rd Engineer Command "Cenepa" (HQ Quito)
- 25th Logistics Support Brigade "Reino de Quito" (HQ Quito)
Equipment As of 2011
Historically, the Army depended on a wide variety of foreign suppliers for virtually all of its equipment needs. Only in the 1980s did it begin to develop a modest domestic arms industry as the Directorate of Army Industries manufactured rifle ammunition, uniforms, boots, and other consumable items. The Army's present day equipment is mostly of western origins.External links
- Official site
- SAORBATS Order of Battle & Equipment of South American Armed Forces.
- Aeroflight Ecuador Army Aviation