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{{Short description|Combined military forces of Paraguay}}
{{Short description|Combined military forces of Paraguay}}
{{Infobox national military
{{Infobox national military
| name = Armed Forces of Paraguay
| name = Armed Forces of the Nation
| native_name = {{lang|es|Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay}}
| native_name = {{lang|es|Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación}}
| image = [[File:Coat of arms of Paraguay (1957-2013).svg|200px]]
| image = Coat of arms of Paraguay.svg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Paraguayan Coat of Arms
| caption = Paraguayan Coat of Arms
Line 9: Line 9:
| alt2 =
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| caption2 =
| motto =
| motto = {{lang|es|Vencer o morir}}<br />("Win or die")
| founded =
| founded =
| current_form =
| current_form =
| disbanded =
| disbanded =
| branches = [[Paraguayan Army]]<br />Paraguayan Air Force<br />[[Paraguayan Navy]]
| branches = [[Paraguayan Army]]<br />[[Paraguayan Air Force]]<br />[[Paraguayan Navy]]
| headquarters =
| headquarters =
| flying_hours =
| website = {{URL|ffmm.mil.py/}}
| website = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = [[Mario Abdo Benítez]]
| commander-in-chief = President [[Santiago Peña]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Paraguay|Commander-in-chief]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Paraguay|Commander-in-chief]]
| minister = Diogenes Martínez
| minister = General EJ (R) Oscar Luis González Cañete.
| minister_title = Minister of Defense
| minister_title = Minister of Defense
| commander = General of the Army Luis Gonzaga Garcete Espinola
| commander = General of the Army Óscar Arnaldo Cardozo
| commander_title = Commander of the Armed Forces
| commander_title = [[Commander of the Armed Forces (Paraguay)|Commander of the Armed Forces]]
<!-- Manpower -->
<!-- Manpower -->
| age = 18
| age = 18
Line 41: Line 40:
<!-- Financial -->
<!-- Financial -->
| amount = $US 248 million (2011)<ref name=IISS_2012_398 />
| amount = $US 248 million (2011)<ref name=IISS_2012_398 />
| percent_GDP = 1% (2020)<ref>https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/Data%20for%20all%20countries%20from%201988%E2%80%932020%20as%20a%20share%20of%20GDP%20(pdf).pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
| percent_GDP = 1% (2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=Military expenditure by country as percentage of gross domestic product, 1988-2020 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405210252/https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/Data%20for%20all%20countries%20from%201988%E2%80%932020%20as%20a%20share%20of%20GDP%20(pdf).pdf |url=https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/Data%20for%20all%20countries%20from%201988%E2%80%932020%20as%20a%20share%20of%20GDP%20(pdf).pdf |publisher=SIPRI |date=2021}}</ref>
<!-- Industrial -->
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers =
| domestic_suppliers =
| foreign_suppliers = [[Brazil]]<br />[[Chile]]<br />[[Spain]]<br />[[United States]]<br />[[Republic of China]]
| foreign_suppliers = [[Brazil]]<br />[[Canada]]<br />[[France]]<br />[[India]]<br />[[Israel]]<br />[[Italy]]<br />[[Japan]]<br />[[Russia]]<br />[[United States]]
| imports =
| imports =
| exports =
| exports =
Line 52: Line 51:
}}
}}


The '''Armed forces of [[Paraguay]]''' ({{lang-es|Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay}}) consist of the [[Paraguayan Army|Paraguayan army]], [[Navy of Paraguay|navy]] (including [[naval aviation]] and [[marine corps]]) and [[air force]].
The '''Armed Forces of [[Paraguay]]''' ({{lang-es|Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay}}) officially the '''Armed Forces of the Nation''' ({{lang-es|Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación}})<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2014 |title=Ley Nº 216 / ORGANIZACION GENERAL DE LAS FUERZAS ARMADAS DE LA NACION |url=https://www.bacn.gov.py/leyes-paraguayas/2572/organizacion-general-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-de-la-nacion |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=Biblioteca y Archivo del Congreso de la Nación}}</ref> consist of the [[Paraguayan Army|Paraguayan army]], [[Paraguayan Navy|Paraguayan navy]] (including [[naval aviation]] and [[marine corps]]) and [[Paraguayan Air Force|air force]].


The [[constitution of Paraguay]] establishes the [[president of Paraguay]] as the [[commander-in-chief]].
The [[constitution of Paraguay]] establishes the [[president of Paraguay]] as the [[commander-in-chief]].


Paraguay has [[Conscription|compulsory military service]], and all 18-year-old males and 17-year-olds in the year of their 18th birthday are liable for one year of [[active duty]]. Although the 1992 constitution allows for conscientious objection, no enabling legislation has yet been approved.
Paraguay has [[Conscription|compulsory military service]], and all 18-year-old males and 17-year-olds in the year of their 18th birthday are liable for one year of [[active duty]]. The 1992 constitution allows for conscientious objection to obligatory military service, it was legislated and sanctioned by both chambers of the Congress, to be promulgated by the Executive Power on June the 17th of 2010. This law is known as, '''''«Law number 4013/10, "That established the exercise of the right to conscientious objection to obligatory military service and establishes the substitute service for it for the benefit of the civilian population"»'''''


In July 2005, military aid in the form of U.S. [[Special Forces]] began arriving at Paraguay's [[Mariscal Estigarribia]] air base, a sprawling complex built in 1982.<ref>{{Cite news|title=U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations |publisher=[[International Relations Center]] |date=December 14, 2005 |access-date=26 October 2006|url=http://americas.irc-online.org/am/2991 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612192202/http://americas.irc-online.org/am/2991 |archive-date=2007-06-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Clarin">[http://www.clarin.com/suplementos/zona/2005/09/11/z-03615.htm US Marines put a foot in Paraguay], ''[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|El Clarín]]'', September 9, 2005 {{in lang|es}}</ref>
In July 2005, military aid in the form of [[United States Army Special Forces|U.S. Special Forces]] began arriving at Paraguay's [[Mariscal Estigarribia]] air base, a sprawling complex built in 1982.<ref>{{Cite news|title=U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations |publisher=[[International Relations Center]] |date=December 14, 2005 |access-date=26 October 2006|url=http://americas.irc-online.org/am/2991 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612192202/http://americas.irc-online.org/am/2991 |archive-date=2007-06-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Clarin">[http://www.clarin.com/suplementos/zona/2005/09/11/z-03615.htm US Marines put a foot in Paraguay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327063628/http://www.clarin.com/suplementos/zona/2005/09/11/z-03615.htm |date=2009-03-27 }}, ''[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|El Clarín]]'', September 9, 2005 {{in lang|es}}</ref>


==Army==
==Army==
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Although Paraguay is a landlocked country, it has a strong naval tradition by virtue of the fact that it has access to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] through the [[Paraguay River|Paraguay]]–[[Paraná River|Paraná]] rivers. The Paraguayan Navy has twelve bases. The main base is the Puerto Sajonia in [[Asuncion]], followed by Bahia Negra, Ciudad del Este, Encarnacion, Salto del Guaira. It also has facilities in Puerto Sajonia for helicopters and airplanes in SGAS. Naval personnel including Marine Corps aviation personnel, and the naval inward waters prefecture equal about 8,950. The Marine Corps have 800 marines, of which 400 are assigned to one commando unit with the rest being organized into a single battalion consisting of three [[Company (military unit)|companies]].
Although Paraguay is a landlocked country, it has a strong naval tradition by virtue of the fact that it has access to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] through the [[Paraguay River|Paraguay]]–[[Paraná River|Paraná]] rivers. The Paraguayan Navy has twelve bases. The main base is the Puerto Sajonia in [[Asuncion]], followed by Bahia Negra, Ciudad del Este, Encarnacion, Salto del Guaira. It also has facilities in Puerto Sajonia for helicopters and airplanes in SGAS. Naval personnel including Marine Corps aviation personnel, and the naval inward waters prefecture equal about 8,950. The Marine Corps have 800 marines, of which 400 are assigned to one commando unit with the rest being organized into a single battalion consisting of three [[Company (military unit)|companies]].


In terms of vessels, the Navy has 34 surface ships, some of which have reached centenarian age. (This is due in part to limited use and floating in fresh water.) The main vessels and the flagship of the Paraguay Navy is still [[Humaitá-class gunboat|''Paraguay'']], which was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] prior to Paraguay's involvement in the [[Chaco War]]. It has a further four [[patrol vessel]]s, of which the oldest was commissioned in 1908 and the newest in 1985. The Navy has 17 patrol boats of various drafts, four of which were donated by [[Taiwan]] and the United States, while the other 13 were built locally. The rest of the fleet is composed of [[tugboat]]s, [[barge]]s, [[landing craft]], transports, and a [[presidential yacht]]. The new additions are four Croc-class riverine vessels from Australia, plus 43 locally built riverline patrol vessels constructed from 2006 to 2009. For air support, one [[Helibras HB350]] helicopter is used to provide [[Search and rescue|SAR]], [[MEDEVAC]] and utility work<ref name="World Air Forces 2020">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2020/135665.article|title = World Air Forces 2020|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2020 |access-date= 1 March 2020|url-access=registration}}</ref>
[[File:Cañonero ARP C-1 "Paraguay".jpg|thumb|249x249px|Flagship, River gunboat ARP C-1 Paraguay]]


Paraguay (C1) has a sister ship, Humaita (C2), that was turned into a museum ship after she ceased operations in 1983, but hasn't functioned as such this last decade. Humaita is in poor shape. (ABC Color News, 12/28/22)
In terms of vessels, the Navy has 34 surface ships, some of which have reached centenarian age. (This is due in part to limited use and floating in fresh water.) The main vessels and the flagship of the Paraguay Navy is still [[Humaitá-class gunboat|''Humaita'']], which was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] prior to Paraguay's involvement in the [[Chaco War]]. It has a further four [[patrol vessel]]s, of which the oldest was commissioned in 1908 and the newest in 1985. The Navy has 17 patrol boats of various drafts, four of which were donated by [[Taiwan]] and the United States, while the other 13 were built locally. The rest of the fleet is composed of [[tugboat]]s, [[barge]]s, [[landing craft]], transports, and a [[presidential yacht]]. The new additions are four Croc-class riverine vessels from Australia, plus 43 locally built riverline patrol vessels constructed from 2006–2009. For air support, one [[Helibras HB350]] helicopter is used to provide [[Search and rescue|SAR]], [[MEDEVAC]] and utility work<ref name="World Air Forces 2020">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2020/135665.article|title = World Air Forces 2020|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2020 |access-date= 1 March 2020|url-access=registration}}</ref>


=== Order of battle ===
=== Order of battle ===
Line 97: Line 96:


{{lang|es|Escuadrilla de Propósitos Generales}} (EPG)
{{lang|es|Escuadrilla de Propósitos Generales}} (EPG)
[[File:Cañonero ARP C-1 "Paraguay".jpg|thumb|Flagship, River gunboat ARP C-1 Paraguay]]

{{lang|es|Grupo Aeronaval de Propósitos Generales}} (GAPROGEN)
{{lang|es|Grupo Aeronaval de Propósitos Generales}} (GAPROGEN)


Line 123: Line 122:
* DIAPSER: {{lang|es|Dirección de Apoyo al Servicio}} (Service Support Directorate)
* DIAPSER: {{lang|es|Dirección de Apoyo al Servicio}} (Service Support Directorate)


As of 2022, the Commander of the Paraguayan Navy is Rear Admiral Carlos Diaz. He is "Contraalmirante, Comandante de la Flota de Guerra de la Armada". (ABC Color, 12/28/22: "Gunboat 'Humaita' returns to its normal position after worrying inclination")
==Air Force==


==Air Force==
{{Main|Paraguayan Air Force}}
[[File:Roundel of Paraguay.svg|thumb|Air Force roundel]]
[[File:Roundel of Paraguay.svg|thumb|Air Force roundel]]


The air force, the newest and smallest of the services, has about 1,100 personnel as of 2012.<ref name="IISS_2012_399">IISS (2012), p. 399</ref> The Paraguayan Air Forces is organised in an Air Brigade of seven air groups and a brigade of paratroopers on battalion level. Almost all operating units are based in premises at [[Silvio Pettirossi International Airport]] (SGAS) in Asunción.
The air force, the newest and smallest of the services, has about 1,100 personnel as of 2012.<ref name="IISS_2012_399">IISS (2012), p. 399</ref> The Paraguayan Air Forces is organised in an Air Brigade of seven air groups and a brigade of paratroopers on battalion level. Almost all operating units are based in premises at [[Silvio Pettirossi International Airport]] (SGAS) in Asunción.


The units comprising the force are: the {{lang|es|Aerotactico group}} (TAG) with three fighter squadrons (numbered 1 to 3), respectively equipped with the MB-326, T-33 and EMB-312. The first two are in storage or operating either by withdrawal of this aircraft. The squadron "Moros", equipped with Tucanos, has only one squadron (3 airplanes active). The Air Transport Group (GTA) operates aircraft of the CASA, DHC-6, and Beechcraft types. The Helicopter air group (HLG) has a SAR squadron, a utility squadron, and a squadron of attack craft, and is equipped with ex-Taiwanese UH-1H and Brazilian HB-350B aircraft. The Air Group Instruction (AFI) has materials and T-25 and T-35 aircraft. Photogrammetric called air group (GAF) and group aviation maintenance section (SEMAER) do not have aircraft assigned. The Parachute Brigade operates CASA aircraft. Paraguayan Helicopters constantly flew the skies of Asuncion during the visit of Pope Francis in July 2015
The units comprising the force are: the {{lang|es|Aerotactico group}} (TAG) with three fighter squadrons (numbered 1 to 3), respectively equipped with the MB-326, T-33 and EMB-312. The first two are in storage or operating either by withdrawal of this aircraft. The squadron "Moros", equipped with Tucanos, has only one squadron (3 airplanes active). The Air Transport Group (GTA) operates aircraft of the CASA, DHC-6, and Beechcraft types. The Helicopter air group (HLG) has a SAR squadron, a utility squadron, and a squadron of attack craft, and is equipped with ex-Taiwanese UH-1H and Brazilian HB-350B aircraft. The Air Group Instruction (AFI) has materials and T-25 and T-35 aircraft. Photogrammetric called air group (GAF) and group aviation maintenance section (SEMAER) do not have aircraft assigned. The Parachute Brigade operates CASA aircraft. Paraguayan Helicopters constantly flew the skies of Asuncion during the visit of Pope Francis in July 2015.


Besides these groups is a command of Institutes of Education and one of regions air, this latter has nominal jurisdiction over 12 tracks and airports as six of these are considered Air Bases.<ref name="PMAOB">{{cite web| url = http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/paraguay/index.php| title = Paraguayan military aviation OrBat}}</ref>
Besides these groups is a command of Institutes of Education and one of regions air, this latter has nominal jurisdiction over 12 tracks and airports as six of these are considered Air Bases.<ref name="PMAOB">{{cite web| url = http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/paraguay/index.php| title = Paraguayan military aviation OrBat}}</ref>

Per Arasunu (December 2021-No. XVI), the magazine of the PAF, the current organizational structure:

- Comandante Interino de la Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya (CC-Gral Div Aer)
-- Jefe del Estado Mayor General de la Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya (CV-Gral Div Aer)
--- Comandante de la Brigada Aerea (Gral Brig Aer)
--- Comandante del Comando de Regiones Aereas (Gral Brig Aer)
--- Comandante Interino de la Brigada Aerotransportada "SP" (CNEL DCEM)
--- Comandante Interino del Comando de Instituteos Aeronauticos de Ensenanza (CNEL DCEM)
--- Comandante Interino de la Brigada Logistica (CNEL DCEM)

The current PAF/CC is Arturo Javier Gonzalez Ocampo. The PAF/CV is Ruben Dario Piris Fernandez.


=== Order of battle ===
=== Order of battle ===
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**{{lang|es|Grupo Aéreo de Instrucción}} (Instrucción Air Group) 'Escuadrón Fenix': T-25A
**{{lang|es|Grupo Aéreo de Instrucción}} (Instrucción Air Group) 'Escuadrón Fenix': T-25A
**{{lang|es|Escuadrilla 'Antares' / 'Pantera' / 'Halcón'}}: T-35A/B
**{{lang|es|Escuadrilla 'Antares' / 'Pantera' / 'Halcón'}}: T-35A/B

==Aircraft==
=== Current inventory ===
[[File:Paraguayan Air Force CASA 212 Newton-1.jpg|thumb|right|A Paraguayan Air Force CASA 212]]
[[File:Embraer 312.jpg|thumb|A Paraguayan [[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano]]]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[Embraer EMB 312 Tucano|EMB 312 Tucano]]
| [[Brazil]]
| light attack / trainer
|
| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345|title = World Air Forces 2021|work= |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2021 |doi = |access-date= 14 July 2021|url-access=registration}}</ref>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[military transport aircraft|Transport aircraft]]
|-
| [[Cessna 208 Caravan|Cessna 208]]
| [[United States]]
| transport
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
| [[Cessna 402]]
| United States
| transport
|
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
| [[CASA C-212]]
| [[Spain]]
| transport / [[Medical evacuation|MEDEVAC]]
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
| [[Beechcraft Baron]]
| United States
| transport
|
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
| [[Helibras HB350]]
| [[Brazil]]
| utility
|
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1]]
| [[United States]]
|utility
|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants#UH-1H|UH-1H]]
| 13<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer aircraft]]
|-
| [[ENAER T-35 Pillán|ENAER T-35]]
| [[Chile]]
| basic trainer
|
| 9<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
|
|}

=== Retired ===
Previous notable aircraft flown were of the [[Aermacchi MB-326]], [[Aerotec Uirapuru|Aerotec T-23]], [[Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8|AW F.K.8]], [[North American T-6 Texan|AT-6 Harvard]], [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Super King Air]], [[Bell H-13 Sioux]], [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1]], [[Boeing 707]], [[Boeing-Stearman Model 75|Stearman Model 75]], [[Breda Ba.65]], [[Bréguet 14]], [[CANT 26]], [[Caproni A.P.1]], [[Caproni Ca.309]], [[Cessna T-41 Mescalero|Cessna T-41]], [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY Catalina]], [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter]], [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47]], [[Douglas DC-6]], [[Fairchild PT-19|PT-19]], [[Fiat CR.20]], [[Fokker S-11]], [[Hanriot HD.1]], [[Hiller OH-23 Raven|Hiller UH-12]], [[Junkers A50]], [[Lockheed T-33]], [[Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris]], [[Muniz M-9]], [[Piper J-3 Cub]], [[Potez 25]], [[SPAD S.XX]], [[Vultee BT-13 Valiant|Vultee BT-13]] and the [[Wibault 7]]. {{sfn|JSRJ|1976|p=63}}<ref name="Paraguayan Air Force">{{cite web|url= http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/every/paraguay-af-all-time-aircraft-used-listing.htm |title= Paraguayan Air Force|publisher= aeroflight.co.uk |access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>


==Military ranks==
==Military ranks==
Line 227: Line 160:


==Commanders==
==Commanders==
{{main|Commander of the Armed Forces (Paraguay)}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Defence branch
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|-
| 1
| {{lang|es|Vicealmirante}}<br />'''Eduardo Dionicio A. Gonzalez Petit'''<ref name="Comandantes">{{cite web |title=Ex Comandantes |url=https://www.ffmm.mil.py/index.php/galeria/ex-comandantes |website=ffmm.mil.py |publisher=National Secretariat of Information and Communication Technologies |access-date=5 October 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
| 14 April 1993
| 3 February 1995
| {{ayd|1993|04|14|1995|02|03}}
| Navy
|-
| 2
| {{lang|es|General de ejército }}<br />'''Silvio Rafael Noguera Ramirez'''<ref name="Comandantes"/>
| 3 February 1995
| 5 August 1998
| {{ayd|1995|02|03|1998|08|05}}
| Army
|-
| 3
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''Eligio Ramon Torres Heyn'''<ref name="Comandantes"/><ref>{{cite news |title=LA SITUACION EN PARAGUAY: CAMBIOS EN LA CUPULA MILITAR DE ASUNCION |url=https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/sorpresivo-relevo-jefe-ff-aa-paraguay_0_BkBK3gRtg.html |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=clarin.com |date=15 October 1999 |language=es}}</ref>
| 5 August 1998
| 1 November 1999
| {{ayd|1998|08|05|1999|11|01}}
| Army
|-
| 4
| {{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />'''Jose Ramon Ocampos Alfaro'''<ref name="Comandantes"/><br />{{small|(?–2014)}}
| 1 November 1999
| 21 August 2000
| {{ayd|1999|11|01|2000|08|21}}
| Navy
|-
| 5
| {{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />'''Miguel Angel Candia Fleitas'''<ref name="Comandantes"/>
| 21 August 2000
| 14 March 2001
| {{ayd|2000|08|21|2001|03|14}}
| Navy
|-
| 6
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''Expedito Adriano Garrigoza Vera'''<ref name="Comandantes"/>
| 14 March 2001
| 29 August 2003
| {{ayd|2001|03|14|2003|08|29}}
| Army
|-
| 7
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''Jose Key Kanazawa Gamarra'''<ref name="Comandantes"/>
| 17 September 2003
| 28 November 2006
| {{ayd|2003|09|17|2006|11|28}}
| Army
|-
| 8
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''[[Bernardino Soto Estigarribia]]'''<br /><ref name="Comandantes"/><ref name="abc">{{cite news |title=Cibar benitez caceres asumio como jefe de fuerzas militares |url=https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/politica/cibar-benitez-caceres-asumio-como-jefe-de-fuerzas-militares-1122358.html |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=abc.com.py |date=19 November 2008 |language=es}}</ref>{{small|(born 1952)}}
| 28 November 2006
| 19 November 2008
| {{ayd|2006|11|28|2008|11|19}}
| Army
|-
| 9
| {{lang|es|Contraalmirante}}<br />'''Cibar Benitez Caceres'''<ref name="Comandantes"/><ref name="abc"/><br /><ref name="cnn">{{cite news |title=Paraguay's military commander fired |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/11/06/paraguay.admiral/index.html |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=edition.cnn.com/ |date=6 November 2009 |location=Asuncion, Paraguay}}</ref>
| 19 November 2008
| 6 November 2009
| {{ayd|2008|11|19|2009|11|06}}
| Navy
|-
| 10
| {{lang|es|General de brigada}}<br />'''Juan Oscar Velazquez Castillo'''<ref name="Comandantes"/><ref name="cnn"/><br /><ref name="ultimahora">{{cite news |title=Con la salida de Velázquez, Lugo completa barrida en FFAA |url=https://www.ultimahora.com/con-la-salida-velazquez-lugo-completa-barrida-ffaa-n360936.html |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=ultimahora.com |date=22 September 2010 |language=es}}</ref>
| 6 November 2009
| 20 September 2010
| {{ayd|2009|11|06|2010|09|20}}
| Army
|-
| 11
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''Felipe Benicio Melgarejo Recalde'''<ref name="Comandantes"/><ref name="ultimahora"/><br /><ref name="ultimahora2">{{cite news |title=Comandante se despide diciendo que las FF. AA. fueron puestas a prueba |url=https://www.ultimahora.com/comandante-se-despide-diciendo-que-las-ff-aa-fueron-puestas-prueba-n559567.html |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=ultimahora.com |date=11 September 2012 |language=es}}</ref>
| 21 September 2010
| 10 September 2012
| {{ayd|2010|09|20|2012|09|10}}
| Army
|-
| 12
| {{lang|es|General de fuerza aerea}}<br />'''Miguel Christ Jacobs'''<ref name="Comandantes"/><ref name="ultimahora2"/>
| 10 September 2012
| 11 October 2013
| {{ayd|2012|09|10|2013|10|11}}
| Air Force
|-
| 13
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''Jorge Francisco Ramirez Gomez'''<ref name="Comandantes"/>
| 11 October 2013
| 23 October 2014
| {{ayd|2013|10|11|2014|10|23}}
| Army
|-
| 14
| {{lang|es|General de ejército}}<br />'''Luis Gonzaga Garcete'''<ref name="oviedopress">{{cite news |title=Braulio Piris Rojas nuevo comandante las Fuerzas Militares |url=https://oviedopress.com/braulio-piris-rojas-nuevo-comandante-las-fuerzas-militares/ |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=oviedopress.com |date=3 November 2016 |language=es}}</ref>
| 23 October 2014
| 3 November 2016
| {{ayd|2014|10|23|2016|11|03}}
| Army
|-
| 15
| {{lang|es|General de fuerza aerea}}<br />'''Braulio Piris Rojas'''<ref name="oviedopress"/><ref name="lanacion">{{cite news |title=Juró Scolari Pagliaro como nuevo comandante de las Fuerzas Militares |url=https://www.lanacion.com.py/politica/2017/08/09/juro-scolari-pagliaro-como-nuevo-comandante-de-las-fuerzas-militares/ |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=lanacion.com.py |date=9 August 2017 |language=es}}</ref>
| 3 November 2016
| 9 August 2017
| {{ayd|2016|11|03|2017|08|09}}
| Air Force
|-
| 16
| {{lang|es|Almirante}}<br />'''Hugo Milciades Scolari Pagliaro'''<ref name="lanacion" /><ref name="abc1">{{cite news |title=Jura nuevo comandante de fuerzas militares |url=https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/jura-nuevo-comandante-de-fuerzas-militares-1754675.html |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=abc.com.py |date=30 October 2018 |language=es}}</ref>
| 9 August 2017
| 30 October 2018
| {{ayd|2017|08|09|2018|10|30}}
| Navy
|-
| 17
| {{lang|es|General de fuerza aerea}}<br />'''Eladio Casimiro González Aguilar'''<ref name="abc1"/>
| 30 October 2018
| ''Incumbent''
| {{ayd|2018|10|30}}
| Air Force
|}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 365: Line 170:


===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
*{{cite journal|last=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)|title=The Military Balance 2012|journal=The Military Balance : Annual Estimates of the Nature and Size of the Military Forces of the Principal Powers|year=2012|publisher=IISS|location=London|issn=0459-7222}}
*{{cite journal|last=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)|title=The Military Balance 2012|journal=The Military Balance: Annual Estimates of the Nature and Size of the Military Forces of the Principal Powers|year=2012|publisher=IISS|location=London|issn=0459-7222}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ehlers |first1=Hartmut |title=The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present|journal=Warship International|date=2004|volume=XLI|issue=1|pages=79–97 |issn=0043-0374}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ehlers |first1=Hartmut |title=The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present|journal=Warship International|date=2004|volume=XLI|issue=1|pages=79–97 |issn=0043-0374}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ehlers |first1=Hartmut |title=The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present, Part II |journal=Warship International|date=2004|volume=XLI|issue=2|pages=173–206 |issn=0043-0374}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ehlers |first1=Hartmut |title=The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present, Part II |journal=Warship International|date=2004|volume=XLI|issue=2|pages=173–206 |issn=0043-0374}}
Line 375: Line 180:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* [https://fas.org/asmp/campaigns/smallarms/lainven.html]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150616132910/https://fas.org/asmp/campaigns/smallarms/lainven.html Federation of American Scientists: Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories]
* [http://www.mdn.gov.py]
* [https://www.mdn.gov.py/ Ministry of National Defence]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090303210948/http://www.saorbats.com.ar/Fuerzas%20Armadas%20de%20Paraguay.htm]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090303210948/http://www.saorbats.com.ar/Fuerzas%20Armadas%20de%20Paraguay.htm Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay - SAORBATS]
* [https://www.histarmar.com.ar/ArmadasExtranjeras/Paraguay/ARPAvNaval.htm HISTARMAR - Paraguayan Naval Aviation]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/by-country.php?Nation=Paraguay List of Paraguayan Historical Aircraft]


{{Paraguay topics}}
{{Paraguay topics}}
{{Military of South America}}
{{Military of South America}}
{{Air forces in Latin America}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Paraguay}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Paraguay}}
[[Category:Government of Paraguay]]
[[Category:Government of Paraguay]]

Latest revision as of 03:49, 13 April 2024

Armed Forces of the Nation
Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación
Paraguayan Coat of Arms
MottoVencer o morir
("Win or die")
Service branchesParaguayan Army
Paraguayan Air Force
Paraguayan Navy
Websiteffmm.mil.py
Leadership
Commander-in-chiefPresident Santiago Peña
Minister of DefenseGeneral EJ (R) Oscar Luis González Cañete.
Commander of the Armed ForcesGeneral of the Army Óscar Arnaldo Cardozo
Personnel
Military age18
Available for
military service		1,678,335[1], age 16–49 (2010 est.)
Fit for
military service		1,409,859, age 16–49 (2010 est.)
Reaching military
age annually		73,367 (2010 est.)
Active personnel15,650 active military (2016)[2]
14,800 paramilitary (2012)[2]
Reserve personnel168,500 (2012)[2]
Expenditure
Budget$US 248 million (2011)[2]
Percent of GDP1% (2020)[3]
Industry
Foreign suppliersBrazil
Canada
France
India
Israel
Italy
Japan
Russia
United States
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Paraguay

The Armed Forces of Paraguay (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay) officially the Armed Forces of the Nation (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación)[4] consist of the Paraguayan army, Paraguayan navy (including naval aviation and marine corps) and air force.

The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief.

Paraguay has compulsory military service, and all 18-year-old males and 17-year-olds in the year of their 18th birthday are liable for one year of active duty. The 1992 constitution allows for conscientious objection to obligatory military service, it was legislated and sanctioned by both chambers of the Congress, to be promulgated by the Executive Power on June the 17th of 2010. This law is known as, «Law number 4013/10, "That established the exercise of the right to conscientious objection to obligatory military service and establishes the substitute service for it for the benefit of the civilian population"»

In July 2005, military aid in the form of U.S. Special Forces began arriving at Paraguay's Mariscal Estigarribia air base, a sprawling complex built in 1982.[5][6]

Army[edit]

Main article: Paraguayan Army

In land forces the Paraguayan Army is composed of a Presidential Guards Regiment, composed two battalions (infantry and military police), an armored squadron, and a battery of field artillery, plus the operationally attached Mounted Ceremonial Squadron "Aca Caraya" (which serves independently but as the mounted escort in state events, and serves as part of the 4th Cavalry Regiment). Their equipment includes three Argentinean modified M-4 tanks, four EE-9 armored cars, four EE-11 armored personnel carriers (APCs), three M-9 half-tracks mounting 20mm guns, and four M-101 105 mm howitzers. Arguably, this "flagship" of military rule is structurally and physically the strongest of the EP. The REP is an independent unit from other commands. The EP features two artillery groups (GAC 1–12 88 mm QF-25 and GAC 2–12 105mm M-101) and one antiaircraft artillery group (GAA 13 40 mm L 40/60, Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, and six M-55 4x12, 7.0 mm).

Six battalions of combat engineers, one communications battalion, one Special Forces battalion, seven regiments of infantry, six regiments of cavalry (R.C.-2 equipped with 12 M3A1, five operational, 20 M9 half-tracks modernized and R.C.-3: 24 EE-9 Cascavels, eight EE-11 Urutu APCs plus utility trucks for motorized infantry). This has little organic aviation available to it.

Each corps has a weapons school run by its command. The logistical command manages 10 addresses materials, mobilization, health care, etc. The command of the Army Institute of Education administers three schools, commissioned and noncommissioned officers, a military academy, and the CIMEFOR (a center for pre-military study that trains Reserve officers).

Each of the nine divisions that make up the three corps has one or two regiments of infantry or cavalry, its platoon of engineers, its communications section, military police units, etc.

Navy[edit]

Main article: Paraguayan Navy
Naval Jack of Paraguay

Although Paraguay is a landlocked country, it has a strong naval tradition by virtue of the fact that it has access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Paraguay–Paraná rivers. The Paraguayan Navy has twelve bases. The main base is the Puerto Sajonia in Asuncion, followed by Bahia Negra, Ciudad del Este, Encarnacion, Salto del Guaira. It also has facilities in Puerto Sajonia for helicopters and airplanes in SGAS. Naval personnel including Marine Corps aviation personnel, and the naval inward waters prefecture equal about 8,950. The Marine Corps have 800 marines, of which 400 are assigned to one commando unit with the rest being organized into a single battalion consisting of three companies.

In terms of vessels, the Navy has 34 surface ships, some of which have reached centenarian age. (This is due in part to limited use and floating in fresh water.) The main vessels and the flagship of the Paraguay Navy is still Paraguay, which was commissioned prior to Paraguay's involvement in the Chaco War. It has a further four patrol vessels, of which the oldest was commissioned in 1908 and the newest in 1985. The Navy has 17 patrol boats of various drafts, four of which were donated by Taiwan and the United States, while the other 13 were built locally. The rest of the fleet is composed of tugboats, barges, landing craft, transports, and a presidential yacht. The new additions are four Croc-class riverine vessels from Australia, plus 43 locally built riverline patrol vessels constructed from 2006 to 2009. For air support, one Helibras HB350 helicopter is used to provide SAR, MEDEVAC and utility work[7]

Paraguay (C1) has a sister ship, Humaita (C2), that was turned into a museum ship after she ceased operations in 1983, but hasn't functioned as such this last decade. Humaita is in poor shape. (ABC Color News, 12/28/22)

Order of battle[edit]

COMANFLOT: Comando de la Flota de Guerra.(Fleet Forces Command)

COMIM: Comando de Infantería de Marina.(Fleet Marine Command)

  • Marine Forces Regiment
    • BIM 1 - Rosario
    • BIM 2 - Vallemi
    • BIM 3 - Carapegua
    • Marine Commando Battalion
  • COMAVAN(Naval Aviation Command)

Grupo Aeronaval de Helicópteros (GAHE), Sajonia

Escuadrilla de Helicópteros de Ataque (EHA)

Escuadrilla de Propósitos Generales (EPG)

Flagship, River gunboat ARP C-1 Paraguay

Grupo Aeronaval de Propósitos Generales (GAPROGEN)

Grupo Aeronaval de Entrenamiento (GAEN)

  • COAPCOM: Comando de Apoyo al Combate.(Combat Support Command)
  • CINAE: Comando de Institutos Navales y Enseñanza. (Naval Education and Training Command)
  • PGN: Prefectura General Naval.(General Naval Prefecture)

Cuartel General (Command)

Estado Mayor (HQ)

Prefectura Zona Pilar (Pilar Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Alberdi (Alberdi Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Central (Central Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Concepcion (Cencepcion Naval Prefecture)

Prefectura Zona Olimpo (Olimpo Naval Prefecture)

  • DIRMAT: Dirección del Material (Material Directorate)
  • DIAPSER: Dirección de Apoyo al Servicio (Service Support Directorate)

As of 2022, the Commander of the Paraguayan Navy is Rear Admiral Carlos Diaz. He is "Contraalmirante, Comandante de la Flota de Guerra de la Armada". (ABC Color, 12/28/22: "Gunboat 'Humaita' returns to its normal position after worrying inclination")

Air Force[edit]

Main article: Paraguayan Air Force
Air Force roundel

The air force, the newest and smallest of the services, has about 1,100 personnel as of 2012.[8] The Paraguayan Air Forces is organised in an Air Brigade of seven air groups and a brigade of paratroopers on battalion level. Almost all operating units are based in premises at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (SGAS) in Asunción.

The units comprising the force are: the Aerotactico group (TAG) with three fighter squadrons (numbered 1 to 3), respectively equipped with the MB-326, T-33 and EMB-312. The first two are in storage or operating either by withdrawal of this aircraft. The squadron "Moros", equipped with Tucanos, has only one squadron (3 airplanes active). The Air Transport Group (GTA) operates aircraft of the CASA, DHC-6, and Beechcraft types. The Helicopter air group (HLG) has a SAR squadron, a utility squadron, and a squadron of attack craft, and is equipped with ex-Taiwanese UH-1H and Brazilian HB-350B aircraft. The Air Group Instruction (AFI) has materials and T-25 and T-35 aircraft. Photogrammetric called air group (GAF) and group aviation maintenance section (SEMAER) do not have aircraft assigned. The Parachute Brigade operates CASA aircraft. Paraguayan Helicopters constantly flew the skies of Asuncion during the visit of Pope Francis in July 2015.

Besides these groups is a command of Institutes of Education and one of regions air, this latter has nominal jurisdiction over 12 tracks and airports as six of these are considered Air Bases.[9]

Per Arasunu (December 2021-No. XVI), the magazine of the PAF, the current organizational structure:

- Comandante Interino de la Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya (CC-Gral Div Aer) -- Jefe del Estado Mayor General de la Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya (CV-Gral Div Aer) --- Comandante de la Brigada Aerea (Gral Brig Aer) --- Comandante del Comando de Regiones Aereas (Gral Brig Aer) --- Comandante Interino de la Brigada Aerotransportada "SP" (CNEL DCEM) --- Comandante Interino del Comando de Instituteos Aeronauticos de Ensenanza (CNEL DCEM) --- Comandante Interino de la Brigada Logistica (CNEL DCEM)

The current PAF/CC is Arturo Javier Gonzalez Ocampo. The PAF/CV is Ruben Dario Piris Fernandez.

Order of battle[edit]

  • 1º Brigada Aérea (Air Brigade; Asunción/Base Aérea Ñu Guazú)
    • Grupo Aerotáctico (Air Tactical Group; Asunción/Base Aérea Pettirossi)
    • 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní' (Escuadrilla 'Orion' y 'Centauro'), no longer active
    • 2º Escuadrón de Caza 'Indios' (Escuadrilla 'Taurus' y 'Scorpio'), no longer active
    • 3º Escuadrón de Reconocimiento y Ataque 'Moros' (Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron; Escuadrilla 'Gamma' y 'Omega'): EMB-312
    • Grupo Aéreo de Instrucción (Instrucción Air Group) 'Escuadrón Fenix': T-25A
    • Escuadrilla 'Antares' / 'Pantera' / 'Halcón': T-35A/B

Military ranks[edit]

Main article: Military ranks of Paraguay

Commanders[edit]

Main article: Commander of the Armed Forces (Paraguay)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "CIA World Fact Book "Paraguay"". cia.gov. 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d IISS (2012), p. 398
  3. ^ "Military expenditure by country as percentage of gross domestic product, 1988-2020" (PDF). SIPRI. 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Ley Nº 216 / ORGANIZACION GENERAL DE LAS FUERZAS ARMADAS DE LA NACION". Biblioteca y Archivo del Congreso de la Nación. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. ^ "U.S. Military Moves in Paraguay Rattle Regional Relations". International Relations Center. December 14, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-06-12. Retrieved 26 October 2006.
  6. ^ US Marines put a foot in Paraguay Archived 2009-03-27 at the Wayback Machine, El Clarín, September 9, 2005 (in Spanish)
  7. ^ "World Air Forces 2020". Flightglobal Insight. 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  8. ^ IISS (2012), p. 399
  9. ^ "Paraguayan military aviation OrBat".

Bibliography[edit]

  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). "The Military Balance 2012". The Military Balance: Annual Estimates of the Nature and Size of the Military Forces of the Principal Powers. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222.
  • Ehlers, Hartmut (2004). "The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present". Warship International. XLI (1): 79–97. ISSN 0043-0374.
  • Ehlers, Hartmut (2004). "The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present, Part II". Warship International. XLI (2): 173–206. ISSN 0043-0374.
  • Ehlers, Hartmut (2007). "The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present, Part III". Warship International. XLIV (2): 183–214. ISSN 0043-0374.
  • Joint Services Recognition Journal. London: Ministry of Defence. 1976.
  • Rauch, Georg von (n.d.). "The Green Hell Air War". Air Enthusiast Quarterly (2): 207–213. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Sapienza, Antonio Luis (May 2001). "L'aviation militare paraguayenne durant la seconde guerre mondiale" [Paraguayan Military Aviation During the Second World War]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (98): 30–33. ISSN 1243-8650.

External links[edit]

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