Cuban Armed Forces

Cuban Armed Forces
Name	Cuban Armed Forces
Native name	Fuerzas Armadas de Cuba
Founded	1868
Current form	1959
Branches	Army • Navy • Air Force • Territorial Troops Militia
Headquarters	Havana
Commander-in-chief	Miguel Díaz-Canel
Minister	Álvaro López Miera
Chief of staff	Roberto Legrá Sotolongo
Age	17
Active	≈50,000
Reserve	≈40,000
Budget	$91.1 million (2022 est.)
Percent GDP	2.9% (2022 est.)
Domestic suppliers	Unión de Industrias Militares
Foreign suppliers	Soviet Union (historical) • Russia • China • Venezuela
Related articles	Military Counterintelligence Directorate

Cuban Armed Forces. The Cuban Armed Forces, formally the Revolutionary Armed Forces, constitute the military of the Republic of Cuba. Established in its modern form following the Cuban Revolution of 1959, they are a central institution in the nation's political and social life under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba. The forces have been involved in significant international conflicts, most notably the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and extensive overseas deployments in Africa during the Cold War.

History

The modern military traces its origins to the rebel armies of the Ten Years' War and the Cuban War of Independence, with key figures like Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo. Following independence, the army was often used by political figures like Gerardo Machado and Fulgencio Batista to suppress dissent. Its definitive transformation occurred after the victory of the 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in 1959. The new government faced immediate challenges, defeating U.S.-backed exiles at the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961 and navigating the global confrontation of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. During the 1970s and 1980s, under the leadership of Raúl Castro, it expanded dramatically with support from the Soviet Union and projected power abroad, most significantly in Angola during the South African Border War and in Ethiopia during the Ogaden War.

Organization and structure

The armed forces are divided into several main branches: the Army, the Navy, the Air and Air Defense Force, and the Territorial Troops Militia. Supreme command rests with the President of Cuba, currently Miguel Díaz-Canel, who also serves as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, long led by Raúl Castro and now under General Álvaro López Miera, exercises day-to-day control. Key subordinate entities include the General Staff and the politically vital Military Counterintelligence Directorate.

Personnel and training

Service is conducted through a mix of conscription and voluntary enlistment, with a two-year mandatory service period. The active-duty force is significantly smaller than its Cold War peak, with a greater emphasis on a well-trained professional core. Officer education is centered at academies like the General Máximo Gómez Military Academy and the Superior Academy of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. Training has historically emphasized irregular warfare, defense against invasion, and technical specialization, with many personnel having gained combat experience during overseas missions in Angola and Syria.

Equipment and capabilities

The inventory largely consists of aging Soviet-era hardware, including T-62 tanks, MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft, and Foxtrot-class submarines. Maintenance and spare parts have been chronic challenges since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Modernization efforts are limited and rely on selective upgrades and new acquisitions from partners like Russia, China, and Venezuela. The domestic Unión de Industrias Militares manufactures some light equipment and uniforms. Primary capabilities are focused on territorial defense, counter-insurgency, and the deployment of the Territorial Troops Militia for a "War of the All People" doctrine.

Role in Cuban society and politics

The institution is deeply integrated into the fabric of the Communist Party of Cuba state, with senior officers holding high party positions. Former President Raúl Castro exemplified the unity of military and political command. Beyond defense, the armed forces manage a vast portion of the national economy through conglomerates like Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., controlling interests in tourism, agriculture, and retail. This economic role ensures its institutional autonomy and influence. It also engages in civil defense and disaster relief, such as during hurricanes, bolstering its public presence.

International military relations

Historically, the closest alliance was with the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Current relations remain strong with Russia, featuring high-level visits, joint exercises, and discussions on equipment modernization. Solidarity with left-wing governments in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Nicaragua includes advisory roles and training. Medical and military cooperation is a key component of relations with Algeria and Angola. While tensions with the United States persist, limited dialogue occurs on issues like counter-narcotics operations and search and rescue in the Straits of Florida.

Category:Military of Cuba Category:Communist military organizations