Army of Republika Srpska

Army of Republika Srpska
Unit name	Army of Republika Srpska
Native name	Војска Републике Српске, Vojska Republike Srpske
Caption	Emblem of the Army of Republika Srpska
Dates	1992–2006
Country	Republika Srpska
Allegiance	Government of Republika Srpska
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	80,000 (peak, 1994)
Garrison	Banja Luka
Garrison label	Headquarters
Battles	Bosnian War, – Siege of Sarajevo, – Operation Corridor 92, – Operation Vrbas '92, – Operation Bura, – 1995 NATO bombing in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Notable commanders	Ratko Mladić, Momir Talić, Milutin Kukanjac
Identification symbol label	Flag

Army of Republika Srpska. The Army of Republika Srpska was the military force of the Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the Bosnian War. Established from the remnants of the Yugoslav People's Army's Second Military District and local Territorial Defense units, it was a principal belligerent in the conflict against the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croatian Defence Council. The force was formally integrated into the unified Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006 following the Dayton Agreement.

History

The formation of the Army of Republika Srpska was proclaimed on 12 May 1992 in Banja Luka by the government of Radovan Karadžić, following the secession of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Its core was formed from the Yugoslav People's Army units, primarily the Banja Luka Corps and the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps, which withdrew from the newly independent state. Key early figures in its establishment included General Milutin Kukanjac and Colonel-General Momir Talić. The army's creation was a direct response to the declaration of independence by the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and marked the escalation of the Bosnian War.

Organization

The Army of Republika Srpska was organized into several corps, each responsible for a specific geographical area. The major formations included the 1st Krajina Corps headquartered in Banja Luka, the 2nd Krajina Corps in Doboj, the East Bosnia Corps in Bijeljina, the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps in Pale, and the Herzegovina Corps in Bileća. It also maintained independent units such as the 65th Protection Regiment and various special police units from the Ministry of the Interior. The Supreme Command was held by the President of Republika Srpska, while operational command fell to the Main Staff.

Equipment

The army inherited a significant stockpile of weapons and heavy equipment from the departing Yugoslav People's Army, including T-55 and M-84 main battle tanks, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, and M-87 Orkan multiple rocket launchers. Its artillery corps was equipped with D-30 howitzers and M-46 field guns. The air defense forces operated SA-6 Gainful and SA-7 Grail missile systems, while its fledgling air arm, the Air Force and Air Defense of Republika Srpska, utilized helicopters like the Gazelle and fixed-wing aircraft such as the Soko J-22 Orao. Much of this equipment was of Soviet or domestic Yugoslav design.

Commanders

The most prominent commander was General Ratko Mladić, who served as Chief of the Main Staff from 1992 until the end of the war. Other senior commanders included Colonel-General Momir Talić, who commanded the 1st Krajina Corps, and General Milutin Kukanjac, an early organizer. General Novica Simić commanded the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps during the Siege of Sarajevo, while General Dragomir Milošević later assumed that role. General Stanislav Galić also held significant corps commands before his indictment by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Role in the Bosnian War

The Army of Republika Srpska was involved in all major campaigns of the Bosnian War. It conducted the prolonged Siege of Sarajevo and fought in critical battles such as the Battle of Orašje and the Battle of Kupres. In 1992, it executed Operation Corridor 92 to secure a land link between Bosnian Krajina and Serbia proper. The force also engaged in conflicts with the Croatian Defence Council during the Croat–Bosniak War. Its units were implicated in significant events including the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995 and the Markale massacres. The army was the target of the 1995 NATO bombing in Bosnia and Herzegovina which pressured Serb leadership to negotiate.

Post-war status and transformation

Following the Dayton Agreement in 1995, the Army of Republika Srpska continued to exist as the separate military of the Republika Srpska entity within the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A period of stabilization and reduction in forces began, overseen by the NATO-led Implementation Force and later the Stabilisation Force. In 2003, the entities agreed to form unified state-level armed forces. This process culminated on 6 June 2006, when the Army of Republika Srpska was officially disbanded and its personnel, facilities, and equipment were integrated into the newly established Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This reform was a key condition for Bosnia's pursuit of NATO membership.

Category:Military of Bosnia and Herzegovina Category:Republika Srpska Category:Bosnian War