Ejército Argentino
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| Ejército Argentino | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ejército Argentino |
| Native name | Ejército Argentino |
| Founded | 1810 |
| Country | Argentina |
| Allegiance | Argentine Republic |
| Branch | Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | ~45,000 active (est.) |
| Garrison | Palacio San Martín, Buenos Aires |
| Colors | Light blue, White (color) |
| March | "Himno del Ejército" |
| Anniversaries | 29 May (Battle of Santo Domingo (1813) anniversary) |
| Commander | Minister of Defense (Argentina), Chief of the Army General Staff (Argentina) |
Ejército Argentino is the land force of the Argentine Republic and one of the three armed services of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, alongside the Argentine Navy and the Argentine Air Force. Originating in the wars of independence against the Spanish Empire and the campaigns led by José de San Martín, it has evolved through civil wars, the Conquest of the Desert, international interventions, and the Falklands War into a modern force engaged in national defense, multinational exercises, and United Nations peacekeeping.
Historia
The origins trace to revolutionary bodies like the Primera Junta, the Army of the North, and the Army of the Andes formed by Manuel Belgrano and José de San Martín during the Spanish American wars of independence. Nineteenth-century events such as the Argentine Civil Wars, the Battle of Cepeda (1820), and the Battle of Pavón shaped institutional development alongside campaigns like the Conquest of the Desert against indigenous polities. In the twentieth century the army played roles in the Infamous Decade, the 1930 Argentine coup d'état, the 1943 Revolution of '43, the rise of Juan Perón, and multiple juntas culminating in the 1976 National Reorganization Process, which oversaw the Dirty War and human rights abuses investigated after the Return of democracy in Argentina (1983). The 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas) against the United Kingdom led to major restructuring, followed by reforms, participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions like UNPROFOR, and cooperation with regional bodies such as UNASUR and Organization of American States.
Organización y estructura
The force is organized under the Ministry of Defense (Argentina) with operational command via the Chief of the Army General Staff (Argentina). Major components include regional Army Corps (Argentina) and divisions such as mechanized, armored, infantry, airborne, mountain, and engineering formations. Support branches encompass artillery, signals, logistics, medical, intelligence, and CBRN-capable units, integrating platforms like the Patriot (missile)-style air defense concepts and NATO-compatible communications adopted through cooperation with United States Armed Forces and European Union partners. Training and doctrine centers include the Colegio Militar de la Nación and the Escuela de Guerra del Ejército.
Misiones y doctrinas
Missions emphasize territorial defense of the Argentine National Territory, protection of sovereignty claims including the Islas Malvinas and Antarctic logistics linked to Argentine Antarctica, support to civilian authorities during natural disasters such as 1998–2002 Argentine great drought-era relief, and contribution to United Nations peace operations like MINUSTAH and UNFICYP. Doctrine has transitioned from counterinsurgency models used during the Dirty War to contemporary combined arms, joint interoperability with the Argentine Navy and Argentine Air Force, and emphasis on multinational interoperability with forces from Brazil, Chile, United States, Spain, and France through exercises like Cruzex and bilateral programs.
Fuerzas y equipamiento
Ground combat formations equip with armored vehicles including variants of the VCTP and SK-105 Kürassier, artillery such as the Oto Melara Mod 56 and mortars, mechanized infantry vehicles, and small arms like the FN FAL and modernized rifles procured from Israel and Brazil. Aviation assets operated by army aviation units include helicopters like the Bell UH-1 Iroquois and Mi-17 for transport and support. Air defense, surveillance, and electronic warfare capabilities have integrated radars and systems procured from suppliers including China, Germany, and Italy. Logistics relies on trucks, engineering equipment, and domestic industry partners such as Fabricaciones Militares and private firms like Techint and TAMSE for maintenance and upgrades.
Reclutamiento, entrenamiento y formación
Recruitment shifted from conscription policies modeled after mid-20th-century practice to a professional volunteer force with mandatory reserve provisions codified in legislation like the Defense Law of Argentina. Key institutions for officer and NCO training are the Colegio Militar de la Nación, the Escuela de Suboficiales, the Escuela de las Armas and specialized schools for infantry, cavalry, engineering, signals, and aviation. International training exchanges include programs with the United States Military Academy, French Army schools, and training visits with the Brazilian Army, emphasizing mountain warfare derived from lessons of the Andes Campaign and cold-weather operations relevant to Antarctic Treaty commitments.
Operaciones y participación en conflictos
Operational history includes independence-era campaigns under José de San Martín, nineteenth-century civil conflicts involving figures like Juan Manuel de Rosas, counterinsurgency during the Dirty War, conventional war in the Falklands War against the United Kingdom, and multinational peacekeeping deployments to Haiti (MINUSTAH), Cyprus (UNFICYP), and the Sinai via Multinational Force and Observers. The army has also provided humanitarian assistance after earthquakes in San Juan Province and floods in Santa Fe Province, and engaged in joint exercises such as Cruzex and the RIMPAC-style multinational maneuvers alongside Chile and Brazil.
Cultura, símbolos y tradición militar
Traditions draw on figures like José de San Martín, Manuel Belgrano, and Domingo Faustino Sarmiento; ceremonial units include the Regimiento de Patricios and the Granaderos a Caballo, with uniforms, marches, and decorations such as the Medalla al Mérito Militar reflecting historical heritage. Symbols incorporate the Sun of May, the Argentine flag, regimental colors, and monuments like the Monumento al Ejército Argentino in Buenos Aires. Military academies preserve rituals, cadet life mirrors practices at institutions like the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr and United States Military Academy, and commemorations mark battles such as Santo Domingo (1813) and anniversaries tied to national memory and veterans' associations including the Asociación de Ex Combatientes.