Eritrean Army
The Eritrean Army is the largest branch of the Eritrean Defence Forces and is based in the Eritrean capital, Asmara. It is responsible for the defence of mainland Eritrea.
History
The current Eritrean army is an outgrowth of the revolutionary Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). The trial by fire experienced by the EPLF during the Eritrean War of Independence created a force that was able to contend with the largest armed force on the African continent.
During the Eritrean struggle for independence the EPLF fought several large scale battles towards the end of the war. The most decisive were the Battle of Afabet in 1988 and the Battle of Massawa in 1990. These battles saw the collision of major units of the EPLF versus a conventional armed force.
Hierarchy
The Eritrean Army hierarchy is based upon the hierarchy of the former Eritrean People's Liberation Front. This structure has six levels:
| Name | No. of subordinate units |
|---|---|
| Army Corps | 1+ division(s) |
| Division | 4+ brigades |
| Brigade | 3+ battalions |
| Battalion | 4+ companies |
| Company (Haile) | 2+ Platoon |
| Platoon (Ganta) | n/a |
Equipment
Tanks
IFV/APC
Reconnaissance vehicles
Anti-armor
- D-44 85 mm anti-tank/field gun
Artillery
- BM-21 122 mm multiple rocket system
- D-30 122 mm howitzer
- M-46 130 mm field gun
- 2S19 Msta self-propelled howitzer
Small arms
Current issues
Since liberation, and the selection of Sebhat Ephrem as Minister of Defence, the Eritrean army has experienced a major transformation. During this period the EPLA saw many cuts into its force in an effort to professionalize the force.[citation needed]
During, and since, the Eritrean-Ethiopian War the army has exploded in size from its peacetime size of between 20,000-50,000[citation needed] to 250,000.
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