Venezuelan Army

National Army of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Venezuelan Army emblem
Founded	April 19, 1810 (1810-04-19)
Country	Venezuela
Type	Army
Role	To protect and guaranty the permanent sovereignty of the nation against any external, or internal threats.
Size	80,000 (2016)
Part of	Ministry of the Popular Participation for the Defense
Patron	Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Motto(s)	"Forger of liberties"
Colors	Blue, Red
Anniversaries	June 24, Army Day and anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo
Engagements	Venezuelan War of Independence Spanish American wars of independence Federal War
Commanders
Minister of the People's Power for Defense of the Republic of Venezuela and Commandant of the Operational Strategic Command of the National Armed Forces	General-in-Chief Vladimir Padrino López
Commanding General, Venezuelan Army	Divisional General Juan de Jesús García Toussaintt
Inspector General, Venezuelan Army	Divisional General Luis Medina Fernandez
Chief of Staff, Venezuelan Army	Divisional General Jesus Alberto Milano Mendoza
Notable commanders	Simon Bolivar Francisco de Miranda José Tadeo Monagas Juan Crisóstomo Falcón José Antonio Páez Santiago Mariño Carlos Soublette
Insignia
Flag

The Venezuelan Army, officially the National Army of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: Ejército Nacional de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is one of the six professional branches of the Armed Forces of the Venezuela. It has the responsibility for land-based operations against external, or internal threats that may put the sovereignty of the nation at risk.

It is the largest military branch of Venezuela and the second in Latin America, which on 24 June 1821 won a huge military victory against the Empire of Spain, which led to the independence of the nation. It later contributed to the independence of the present-day countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia.

Mission and vision

Its mission, as the ground forces of the National Armed Forces of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is to:

• Secure the ground defenses of the nation,
• Contribute to the establishment of democratic institutions and build up respect and full compliance to the laws of the Republic as mandated,
• Support national development and integration,
• And to participate in programs of international cooperation and peacekeeping.

Functions of the Army

In accordance with the Article 9 of the National Armed Forces Organic Law as amended, the functions of the Army are to

• Organize, train and equip units for ground forces operations
• Establish doctrines for the various operations it has to undertake
• Participate in military mobilization programs
• Maintain the national borders
• And actively achieve readiness to develop technologies and scientifically advances for the advancement of national defense

Official hymn

Spanish lyrics

Chorus

Adelante marchemos, valientes, al combate y al rudo fragor

por la patria muy altas las frentes, despleguemos pujanza y valor.

Por la patria muy altas las frentes, despleguemos pujanza y valor.

Nuestra sangre es la savia del pueblo y en el pueblo se plasma en canción

es la rosa más pura del viento que en la historia da brillo a la acción,

En las aguas, el aire y la tierra la victoria es el alba inmortal,

si sublime es el triunfo en la guerra, preservemos la gloria y la paz.

Chorus

Y si el brazo extranjero se atreve a infamar de este suelo el honor

antes muerte mil veces nos llegue que rendirnos al torpe invasor,

pues de todas las patrias que el cielo diera al hombre en morada de amor,

es la nuestra el más hondo desvelo en el sueño de un mundo mejor.

Chorus

Organization

The Venezuelan Army is divided into 4 main commands and 6 army divisions as well as other independent units reporting to Headquarters, Venezuelan Army. The Army's Air Defense Artillery Brigades also report directly, as part of the Venezuelan Air Force Air Defense Forces Command, to the Operational Strategic Command for national defense purposes in air defense matters.

Army major commands

Army General Command

Army Logistics Command

Army Aviation Command

Army divisions and corps

1st Infantry Division

2nd Infantry Division

The 79th Andes Air Defense Artillery Brigade reports directly to the Operational Strategic Command, while being in the 2ID's territorial jurisdiction.

3rd Infantry Division

Since 2016 the newly created 34th CCB reports also to the Operational Strategic Command.

4th Armored Division

5th Jungle Infantry Division

9th Cavalry Division

6th Corps of Engineers

Equipment

Infantry weapons

Assault Rifles
Russia	Kalashnikov AK-103[7]	AK-103	100,000+[7] Purchased in 2006 with ammunition for $52 million. Two contracts signed in 2006 for $474.6 million to produce AK-103s.[7] Standard issue battle rifle.
Belgium	FN FAL	FAL	150,000-
Belgium	FN FNC	FNC	15.000-
Machine Gun
Belgium	FN MINIMI	MINIMI	Unknown number
Belgium	FN MAG	MAG	Unknown number
United States of America	M60 machine gun	M60	Unknown number
Sub MachineGun
Germany	H&K MP5	MP5	Unknown number
Israel	IMI UZI	UZI	Unknown number
Belgium	FN P90	P90	Unknown number
Pistol
Austria	Glock 17	Glock	Unknown number
Belgium	Browning Hi-Power	HP	Unknown number
DMRs and Sniper Rifles
United States of America	M14 rifle	M14	15.000-
United States of America	M700 rifle	M700	15.000-
Russia	SVD	SVD	15.000-
Portable Anti-Materiel Weapons
Sweden	Bofors RBS-70	RBS-70	Unknown number
Russia	9K338 Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch)	9K338 Igla-S	Unknown number
Russia	RPG 7	RPG 7	Unknown number

Artillery

Air Defense Artillery
Russia	S-300VM	Transportable anti-ballistic missile system	15
Russia	BUK-M2	Medium range surface-to-air missile	7, co-shared with the Venezuelan Marine Corps [8]
Russia	S-125 Pechora-2M	Medium range surface-to-air missile	24 mobile missile systems
Russia	Tor M-1	Tracked surface-to-air missile system	12 already in service[9] with 12 to be delivered [10] for a total of 24[11]
Russia	ZU-23-2	Twin 23mm AA	300[12] units on order from Russia. Zom 1-4 version.[13] Automatic target tracking (mechanism + control electronics), laser rangefinder and optical radar + infrared radar.[14]
Field Artillery - Multiple Rocket Launchers
Russia	BM-21 Grad	Multiple rocket launcher	52[15]
Russia	BM-30 Smerch	Multiple rocket launcher	25
France  Israel	AMX-13/LAR-160 160mm	Multiple rocket launcher	47 units in storage
Field Artillery - Field Guns and Mortars
France	Thomson Brandt MO-120	120mm mortar	Unknown number, also used by the National Militia
Russia	2S12 Sani	120mm mortar	Unknown number
Russia	2S23	120mm self-propelled mortar	43 units
USA	M114 155 mm howitzer	155 mm howitzer	24 units
USA	M101A1 105mm howitzer	105mm howitzer	40 units
Italy	OTO Melara M-56 105mm howitzer	105mm howitzer	555 units
Russia	2S19 Msta-S	152mm self propelled howitzer	57 units
France	AMX-13/Mle F.3155mm	155mm self propelled howitzer	13 units, Being phased out by the 2S19 Msta-S, one already modernized

Vehicles

MWV
Venezuela	Tiuna	Light utility vehicle	+5000
Austria	Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle	multipurpose military vehicle	450 Units
Japan  VEN	Toyota Land Cruiser (J70)	multipurpose military vehicle	983 (produced locally and imported)
Trucks
USA   Switzerland	M35 Fenix	6x6 cargo truck	1214
USA	M-35/A2 Reo	6x6 cargo truck	Unknown number
USA	Chevrolet Kodiak 7A15	Kodiak 7A15	Unknown number
Germany	MAN 20.280D	MAN 20.280D 6x6 cargo truck	Unknown number
Russia	Ural-4320	6x6 cargo truck	Unknown number
Russia	Ural-375D	6x6 cargo truck	Unknown number
Italy	IVECO/Fiat 90PM16	8x8 cargo truck	Unknown number
Armoured Vehicles
Russia	T-72B1V[7]	Main battle tank	498+[7] 215 T-72B1V MBTs delivered as of March 2012 from Moscow.Equipment to Venezuela acquired from $7.2 billion loan secured by Chavez' government in 2010. 100 more purchased in 2012.
France	AMX-30	Main battle tank	84 units. The AMX-30s and AMX-13C.90s are being phased out by the T-72s, but an upgrading program for them is underway.[16]
France	AMX-13C.90	Light tank	36 units
UK	Scorpion 90FV-101	Light tank	78 units
Russia	BMP-3[7]	Infantry fighting vehicles	130 BMP-3M, 10 BREM-L and some BMP-K ordered, first deliveries in 2011,[17]
Russia	BTR-80A[7]	Armored personnel carrier	114 BTR-80A ordered in 2009.<[17]
France	AMX-13 Rafaga	Light tank	Unknown number
France	AMX-13 VTT-VCI	Light tank and armored personnel carrier	75 units (derivatives are used for ambulance, vehicle recovery, artillery designation and command post roles) (25 VTT/VCI, 10 VTT/LT, 20 VTT/PM, 12 VTT/PC, 8 VTT/TB)
France	Panhard AML S 530	Self propelled anti aircraft gun	10[17]
USA	Dragoon 300 LFV2	Armored car	42 units (derivatives are used for ambulance, vehicle recovery, artillery designation and command post roles), to be modernized[18]
USA	Dragoon AFV	Armored car	59 units in storage (25 APC, 21 PM, 11 P, 2 R)
USA	V-100/V-150 Commando	Armored personnel carrier	80 units in storage (50 LAV-100, 30 LAV-150)
Germany	TPz Fuchs	Armored personnel carrier	14 units

Aircraft

Helicopters

Mil Mi-26T of the Venezuelan Army in Russia in March 2008.

Mi-35M2

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[19]	Notes
Mil Mi-35	Russia	Attack helicopter	Mil Mi-35M2 Caribe	14
Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport helicopter	Kazan Mi-17V-5 Panare	19	3 losses in accidents
Mil Mi-26	Russia	Heavy lift transport helicopter	Mil Mi-26T Pemon	12
Bell 205	USA	Transport helicopter	Bell 205A-1/UH-1H Huey	17	being phased out (five UH-1H; two 205A-1)
Bell 206	USA	Transport/training helicopter	Bell 206B Jet Ranger	8	4 transport, 4 training
Bell 412	USA	Transport helicopter	Bell 412EP/SP	12	Two B412SP; Ten B412EP
Sikorsky S-61	USA	Transport helicopter	Agusta-Sikorsky AS-61D Sea King	3	being modernized

Fixed wing

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[19]	Notes
IAI Arava	Israel	Light utility transport		6
Beechcraft Super King Air	USA	Transport		2
PZL M28	Poland	Light transport		11	ENBV0063 crashed in 2010

According to the handbook Military Balance (formally - iiss.org), which is publishes an annual report on all weapons systems in all countries, the Army Air Defense Artillery units already received 18 Pechora 2M, 200 ZU 23-2ZOM1-4 and 12 (Air Force) Tor-M1.

Commanding Generals of the Army

(*): Marks promotion to the rank of full General (and appointment as Minister of Defense) after serving term as Commanding General of the Army

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Army of Venezuela.

• (Spanish) Sitio oficial del Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa de Venezuela
• (Spanish) Sitio oficial del Ejército Libertador (Venezuela)
• (Spanish) Sitio oficial de la Aviación del Ejército del Venezuela
• Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories