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{{Short description|Land warfare branch of Bolivia}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{cleanup|date=September 2011}}
{{Update|part=History|reason=Coup attempts|date=June 2024}}
 
}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Bolivian Army
| native_name ='' {{lang|es|Ejército de Bolivia''}}
| image =
|image=File:Logo_del_Ej%C3%A9rcito_de_Bolivia..jpg
| caption= The Bolivian Army's seal =
|dates start_date = {{Start date and age|1810}}
| country = {{Flagcountry|Bolivia|state|size=23px}}
| allegiance =
|allegiance= {{Flagicon image|Banner_of_the_Qulla_Suyu.svg}} [[Armed Forces of Bolivia]]
| branch = [[Army]]
| type =
|type=
| role =
|role=
| size = 26,000 to 60,000 (2019 est.)
|size= 31,500
| command_structure = [[Armed Forces of Bolivia]]
| garrison =
| garrison_label =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto = "Army of Bolivia, Forger of the country."
| colors = {{color box|#FF0000}}{{color box|#FFD700}}{{color box|#006400}}
|march= Bolivian Army Song
| colors_label = Colors
|mascot=
| march = Bolivian Army Song
|battles=
| mascot =
|anniversaries= 6 August (Independence Day)
| battles =
|decorations=
| anniversaries = 6 August (Independence Day)
|battle_honours=
| decorations =
<!-- Commanders -->
| website = {{url|https://ejercito.mil.bo/}}<!-- Commanders. -->
|commander1= President [[Evo Morales]]
| battle_honours = <!-- Commanders -->
|commander1_label= Commander-in-Chief
| commander1 = President [[Luis Arce]]
|commander2= General of the Army [[Williams Kaliman]] Romero
| commander1_label = Commander-in-Chief
|commander2_label= General Commander of the Army
| commander2 = General de Ejército<br>[[José Wilson Sánchez]]
|notable_commanders=
| commander2_label = Commanding General of the Army
<!-- Insignia -->
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol= [[File:Flag of Bolivia (militar).svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:Bandera de Bolivia (Guerra).svg|150px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Military flag
| identification_symbol_label = Flag
|identification_symbol_2=
| identification_symbol_2 =
|identification_symbol_2_label=
| identification_symbol_2_label =
}}
[[File:Bolivian Army 2nd Lt. Mauricio Vidangos stands guard at the entry control point of an Observation Point.jpg|thumb|A Bolivian soldier stands guard at the entry control point during training in October 2002]]
 
The '''Bolivian Army''' ({{lang-es|Ejército Boliviano}}) is the land forcesforce componentbranch of the [[Armed Forces of Bolivia]]. On average, the army consists of 31,500 men.
Figures on the size and composition of the Bolivian army vary considerably, with little official data available. It is estimated that the army has between 26,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/410.html|title=CIA World Facts|language=es|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=1 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701071542/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/410.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 60,000 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/evo-y-los-militares-una-relacion-con-altibajos-que-tuvo-un-abrupto-fin-nid2305937|title=Evo y los militares, una relación con altibajos que tuvo un abrupto fin|date=13 November 2019 |language=es|access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comunidad.org.bo/index.php/noticia/detalle/cod_noticia/257 |title=Sesenta mil conscriptos tendrán formación técnica|date=2 May 2005|language=es|access-date=7 January 2023}}</ref> men. On June 26, 2024, the General of the Army, General [[Juan José Zúñiga]], was dismissed and replaced with [[José Wilson Sánchez]] due to the former leading the [[2024 Bolivian coup attempt]] against President [[Luis Arce|Luis Acre]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bolivian police arrest leader of apparent coup attempt |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c288eewr1wko |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
==History==
{{Empty section|date=June 2024}}
 
==Organization==
Line 63 ⟶ 70:
 
==== Army aviation command ====
 
Army aviation company 291 (La Paz), army aviation company 292 (Santa Cruz)
*291st Cavalry Group (La Paz)
** Army aviation company 291 (La Paz)
** army aviation company 292 (Santa Cruz)
 
===Regional===
The Bolivian Army has six military regions (regiones militares—RMs) covering the various [[Departments of Bolivia]]:
 
* RM 1, [[La Paz]], most of [[La Paz Department, Bolivia|La Paz Department]]: 1st Army Division, 1st Mechanized Division, 297th MPB C.L.Saavedra (Military Police battalion), 296th En Btn CNL R.C.Zabalegui (ecological batt.), BE-297 (ecolog. batt.), BATLOG-1 (Logistics btn.), 291st Air Group, 1st Military Hospital,, Military Police School, Army Equestrian Center, [[Military College of Bolivia]] "COL Gustavo Villaroel Lopez", Army School of Intelligence, Army Engineers School MCAL Antonio Jose de Sucre, Army Signals and Communications School, Army Armor School, Army 1st Engineering Regiment CPN Felipe Ochoa "Army Engineering and Maintenance Center", Bolivian Army Military School of Music "LTCOL Antonio Patino"
* RM 2, [[Potosí]], covering the departments of [[Oruro Department|Oruro]] and [[Potosí Department|Potosí]]: 2nd and 10th ADs,1st RR, 24th RR M.Arcos (ranger regt.), ADA-202 (a.a. group), Army Mountain School
* RM 3, [[Tarija, Bolivia|Tarija]], consisting of [[Tarija Department]] and eastern [[Chuquisaca Department|Chuquisaca]] and southern [[Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia)|Santa Cruz]]:3rd and 4th AD
* RM 4, Sucre, covering the departments of [[Cochabamba Department|Cochabamba]] and northern Chuquisaca: 7th Army Division, 272th272nd MP Btn., BATLOG-2 (long.Batt), mili.hospital no2, Army Arsensals Cochabamba, Army Command and Staff College MSHL Antonio de Santa Cruz, Army NCO School "SGT M. Paredez", Army Artillery School, 18th PIR "Victoria" (Army Special Troops Training Center), Army NCOs and Warrant Officers Advance Studies Institute, Army Arms Applications School, 1LT Edmundo Andrade Military High School
* RM 5, [[Cobija]], encompassing the [[Pando Department]] and parts of La Paz and [[Beni Department|Beni]] departments: 6th AD, 16th IR Jordan (special forces), Army Jungle Operations School
* RM 6, Santa Cruz, covering most of Santa Cruz Department: 5th and 8th ADs, 273rd MPB R.Amezaga (Military Police), BE-298 (ecological batt.), 12th RR Manchego (ranger), BATLOG-3 (logist. batt.), 292 army aviation company, [[School of condors|Bolivian Condores school]] (special forces), 6th IR
Line 78 ⟶ 87:
===Army Divisions===
The army is organized into ten territorial divisions, titled Army Divisions (AD), plus a mechanized division, each of which, with the exception of Viacha, occupy a region generally corresponding to the administrative departments, with some overlapping. These and their respective divisional headquarters and constituent units are:
* 1st Mechanized Division, Viacha (La Paz Department): 1st Field Artillery Regiment "Camacho", 6th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 23rd IR (Mechanized Infantry Training), 4th IR Tarapaca (Mech.) 5th ACR, 2nd ACR (Training), 1st Armor Regiment, 8th IR (Mech) "Ayacucho", 2nd Artillery Regt., 6th ADA Regt.
* 1st AD, Viacha (La Paz Department): 36th IR, 35th IR, 30th IR Murillo (mountain), 2nd CEB G.F.Roman.
* 2nd AD (Mountain), Oruro: 21st IR Illimani (Mountain), RI 22 Mejillones, 25th RI (Mountain Training) Tocopilla, RC 8 Braun, Bat.Ing. 7 Sajama.
* 3rd AD, Villamontes (Tarija Department): 5th IR Campero, RI 20 Padilla, RC 3 Aroma, RA 3 Pisagua, 1st CEB Chorolque.
* 4th AD, Camiri (Santa Cruz Department):, 6th Infantry Regiment Campos, RI 11 Boqueron, 1st Cavalry Regt. "E. Avaroa", FAR 4 Bullian
* 5th AD, Roboré (Santa Cruz Department): RI 13 Montes, RI 14 Florida, RI 15 Junin, RC 6 Castrillo, RA 5 Vergara
* 6th AD, Trinidad: RI 17 Indepedencia, RI 29 Echevarria, RI 31 Rios, RI 32 Murguia, 2nd Cavalry Regt. Ballivan, 8th AR Mendez (reserve), Bat.Ing. 6 Riosinho.
* 7th Army Division, Cochabamba (the largest):, 18th Parachute Infantry Regiment "Victoria" (Army Special Troops Training Center), 26th IR R.Barrientos (mech.) 29th PIR "CPT V.Ustariz" (airborne), RA7th 7FA Regt. Tumusia, Bat.Ing.5 T.N.Ovando, 3rd Mil. Police Regt.
* 8th AD, Santa Cruz: RI 7 Marzana, RI 10 Warnes (mech.), RC 10 G.M.J.M. Mercado, RA 9 Mitre (reserve), Bat.Ing. 3 Pando.
* 9th AD (Reserve), [[Rurrenabaque]]: the Division has been reduced to reserve status and its component units have been divided up between DE-1 and DE-6
* 10th AD, Tupiz: 2nd Infantry Regiment "Marshal Antonio Jose de Sucre", 3rd IR "Juan Jose Perez", RI 4 Loa, RI 27 Antofagasta, 7th ACR Chichas (Armored Cavalry), RA 12 Ayohuma (reserve)
[[File:0033FSDF.JPG|thumb|[[SK-105 Kürassier]] 19 -ton light tank with 105mm105 mm gun in [[oscillating turret]]]]
Regimental abbreviations
 
RIRIE/IR/PIR: infantry regiment
 
RC/ACR: cavalry regiment
Line 100 ⟶ 109:
Bat.Ing./CEB: Engineer battalion
 
The ten11 divisions control the following units:
[[File:Francotiradores bolivianos de la Armada, Tierra y montaña.jpg|thumb|Snipers carrying [[Dragunov SVD]] rifles.]]
* eight cavalry regiments, included two mechanized regiments
Line 123 ⟶ 132:
[[File:EE-9 Cascavel de Bolivia.jpg|thumb|Bolivian EE-9 Cascavel AFV.]]
 
=== Vehicles ===
{| class="wikitable"
| bgcolor="#ff2222 align="center"! colspan="2" | '''Bolivian army equipment'''<ref name="saorbats.com.ar">{{cite web |url=http://www.saorbats.com.ar/ORBAT-Bolivia-%20EB.htm |title=ArchivedORBAT copydel Ejercito de Bolivia |access-date=2009-08-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209225432/http://saorbats.com.ar/ORBAT-Bolivia-%20EB.htm |archive-date=2009-02-09 |df= }}</ref>
|-
| [[Tank]]s
Line 133 ⟶ 143:
50 [[HMMWV]]
|-
|[[Armoured Personnelpersonnel Carrierscarriers]]
| 50 [[M113 armored personnel carrier]]s with local upgrades,
24 [[EE-11 Urutu]] APC,
Line 142 ⟶ 152:
 
24 [[MOWAG Roland]] (locally upgraded; used by the military police)
 
41 [[ZFB-05]]
|-
|[[Artillery]]
|
| 18 [[122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30)|Type 54]] 122mm [[howitzer]]s,
20* 6 [[10.5 cm leFHM101 18howitzer|M101]] 105mm105 mm howitzers.
* 36 [[M116 howitzer|75 mm Pack Howitzer M1]]
 
* 6 [[M101Bofors howitzer75 mm Model 1934|M101]]Bofors 105mmL/40 M1935 75 mm howitzers,]]
 
36 [[M116 howitzer|75mm Pack Howitzer M1]]
 
6 [[Bofors]] L/40 [[152 mm gun M1935|M1935]] 75mm howitzers .
 
'''Mortars:'''
 
* [[M120 mortar|M120]] 120mm,120 mm
* [[M30 mortar|M30]] 107 mm mortars
 
* 250 [[M30M29 mortar|M30M29]] 107mm81 mm mortars,
* [[FM mortar|FM]] 81 mm
 
250* [[M29Type 87 mortar|M29W87]] 81mm mortars,
* M-60 60 mm
 
* [[FMType mortar|FM63-1]] 81mm,60mm
* [[M224 mortar|M224]] 60 mm mortars
 
[[Type 87 mortar|W87]] 81mm,
 
M-60 60mm,
[[Type 63-1]] 60mm,
[[M224 mortar|M224]] 60mm mortars
 
'''Anti-Air:'''
Line 175 ⟶ 176:
16 2x37mm [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)|Type 65]],
 
80 2x20mm [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|Oerlikon K20]],
 
50 [[HN-5]] MANPAD Surface-to-air missile
Line 183 ⟶ 184:
[[RPG-7]], [[Type 69 RPG|Type 69-1]],
 
2,000 [[M72 LAW|66mm66 mm M72A3 LAW]],
 
[[RL-83 Blindicide]]
 
90mm90 mm [[M20 Super Bazooka|M-20]] Super-Bazooka,
 
[[M67 recoilless rifle|90mm90 mm M67 recoilless]],
 
[[B-10 recoilless rifle|82mm82 mm Type 65/78 recoilless]],
 
[[M40 recoilless rifle|105mm105 mm M40A1 recoilless]],
 
40 [[HJ-8|HJ-8B Red Arrow]] ATGM
Line 200 ⟶ 201:
|'''Transport vehicles:''' [[Dongfeng EQ240/EQ2081|DongFeng EQ 2081]]/[[Dongfeng EQ245/EQ2100|2100]], [[FEW C A4140K2E4R7A]], [[Stayer 1491]], 16 [[Ford F-750]], [[ZIL-131]], [[Unimog 416]] [[Dodge M-37]] 2½ ton trucks, [[Engesa EE-15]] trucks, 597 [[Engesa EE-25]] trucks, [[FIAT IVECO 619]] 5 ton trucks
 
'''Tactical transport vehicles:''' 30 [[M988]] [[HMMWV]], 40 [[KoyakKojak (vehicle)|Kojak]] (local production)
 
'''Utility transport vehicles: ''' [[M151 Truck, Utility, l/4-Ton, 4×4|M151]], [[Jeep CJ-5|CJ-5]], [[CJ-7]], [[Jeep Wrangler]], [[Beijing BJ212|BJ 2020VJ]], [[horse]]s (still used by the Bolivian cavalry units) <ref name="saorbats.com.ar"/>
|-
| [[Small Armsarms]]
|'''Handguns:''' [[Browning Hi Power]], [[Glock 17]], [[Beretta 92F]], S&M mod.10 all 9mm, [[M1911A1]] (.45ACP)
 
'''Sub-Machine Guns:''' [[FMK-3 submachine gun|FMK-3]], [[UZI]], [[MAT 49]]
 
'''Assault Rifles:''' 5,56mm; [[IMI Galil|Galil AR]], [[M16 rifle|M-16A1M16A1]], [[Steyr AUG]] A1, [[SA-80]]. 7,62mm; [[FN FAL]],
[[SIG 542]], [[SIG 510]]-4, [[Type 56]]-2 (AK-47),
 
Line 216 ⟶ 217:
'''Anti-materiel Rifles:''' [[Steyr HS .50]]
 
'''Machine Guns:''' [[M60 machine gun|M60]], [[FN MAG]] 60-2060–20, [[SIG MG 710-3]], [[RPD machine gun|Type 56 LMG]]
 
'''Grenade Launchers:''' [[Type 87 grenade launcher|Type 87]] 35mm, [[MM-1]], [[M79 grenade launcher|M79]], [[M203]]
Line 224 ⟶ 225:
|}
 
=== Aircraft ===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|AircraftName
! stye="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left;"|In service<ref name="awst_20070115">"World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'', January 15, 2007.</ref>
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[Fokker F27]]
| transport
|
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
| Beechcraft King Air
| Staff transport
| [[Beechcraft King Air|Model 90]] <br/> [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Model 200]]
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= FlightGlobal |date= 4 December 2020 |access-date= 5 January 2021}}</ref> <br/> 1
| 1 <br/> 1
|
|-
Line 250 ⟶ 258:
|-
| [[CASA C-212|CASA C-212 Aviocar]]
| Transport
| transport
|
| 1
Line 256 ⟶ 264:
|-
| [[Harbin Z-9]]
| Utility
| utility
|
| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
| 6
|
|-
| [[Robinson R44]]
| training helicopter
|
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|}
 
==Uniforms==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2012}}
Army officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel generally wear gray service uniforms. ForIn tropical areas they wear gray-green service uniforms. Army [[OG-107|fatigue uniforms]] are olive green, and combat uniforms consist of US [[BattleU.S. Dress UniformWoodland|woodland pattern camouflage]] and [[Desert Battle Dress Uniform|Desertdesert pattern camouflage]]. The standard headgear for enlisted personnel is thea beret bearing the national colors of red, yellow, and green. ArmoredArmoured troops and paratroopers are distinguished by black berets, and paratroops also by black berets. Special forces wear distinctive camouflage uniforms with green berets.
 
== 2024 coup attempt ==
{{Main articles|2024 Bolivian coup attempt}}
On June 26, 2024, the General of the Bolivian Army, General [[Juan José Zúñiga]] lead an attempted coup against the democratically elected [[President of Bolivia|President]], [[Luis Arce|Luis Acre]], who was elected in the [[2020 Bolivian general election|2020 Bolivian General election]] with 55.1% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite news |title=2020 Bolivia Election |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-21/official-bolivia-vote-count-confirms-socialist-landslide |access-date=2024-06-29 |newspaper=Bloomberg|date=21 October 2020 }}</ref> The army stormed the Presidential Palace in the capital of [[La Paz]]. Subsequently, the Generals of the three branches of the military were dismissed, with [[Juan José Zúñiga]], the leader of the coup attempt, being arrested the same day.<ref name=":0" /> He was replaced as General of the Army by [[José Wilson Sánchez]].
 
==See also==
*[[List of wars involving Bolivia]]
 
==References==
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{{Bolivia Military}}
{{Armies in Latin America}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:Military of Bolivia]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivian_Army"