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Armed Forces of Ecuador

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Ecuadorian Armed Forces
Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador
FFAAE.jpg
Ministry of Defence Logo
Founded1830
Current form2000
Service branches Ecuadorian Army
Ecuadorian Navy
Ecuadorian Air Force
HeadquartersQuito
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefRafael Correa
Minister of DefenceJavier Ponce Cevallos
Chief of DefenceGeneral Fabián Varela
Personnel
Military age20
Conscription12 months
Available for
military service		7,095,790 (2008 est.) [1], age 16–49
Fit for
military service		6,068,556 (2008 est.) [1], age 16–49
Active personnel60.000 [14]</ref>
Expenditure
Budget$1,691,776,803 USD (FY08) [2] List of countries by military expenditures ranked 54th
Percent of GDP3.41% (FY08) [2] List of countries by military expenditures ranked 37th

Ecuadorian Armed Forces

The Ecuadorian Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador) are part of the public forces and responsible for the preservation of the integrity and national sovereignty of the national territory. It involves participation in the social and economic development of the country and the provision of assistance in the maintenance of internal order. Tasks include fighting organised crime, anti-narcotic operations and illegal immigration [1][3]. Social development programmes apply the provision of teachers for rural schools through an accord with the Ministry of Education. Environmental protection is also a priority, several programmes were implemented: "National Forestation and Ornamentation", "Lonely Tree", "Green Surveillance", "Fire Plan", "Ecuador Forest" and "Arenillas Military Reserve". The Armed Forces are an essential part of the countries infrastructure and therefore highly appreciated. The Ecuadorian territory is divided into five "Joint Task Force Zones" or Fuerzas de Tarea Conjunta, four on mainland Ecuador, the fifth being the Naval-zone (including the Galapagos Islands)[4][5]. Overseas territories include also the "Pedro Vicente Maldonado" Naval Biological Research Station in the Antarctic.

Geopolitical Situation

Ecuador shares a 1,420 km border with Peru, although marked by many conflicts, relations improved since the signing of a renewed Peace Treaty in 1998[6]. However, along the 590 km long border with its neighbour Colombia, relations have been strained mainly due to a cross-border raid by Colombian forces on FARC guerrillas [3][7][7][8]. The Armed Forces had, as on so many occasions, logistical shortcomings and were caught off-guard. Their radar did not work, aviation was virtually non-existent and communications were not fully operationnal[9]. A diplomatic crisis followed in 2008 and revealed the need of better equipment as well as a new national defence doctrine[10]. In consequence, the new administration at the Defence Ministry launched a deep restructurization program under the name of "PATRIA I". It involves the modernisation of military equipment, improvement of planning and operations within the Ecuadorian territory. "PATRIA I" shall be completed by 2011. In 2009, the spending budget was increased by 25% and totaled $920 millions.

Equipment Sources

Historically, Ecuador depended on a wide variety of foreign suppliers for virtually all of its equipment needs. Only in the 1980s did it begin to develop a modest domestic arms industry as the Directorate of Army Industries manufactured rifle ammunition, uniforms, boots, and other consumable items.

In the 1960s and 1970s, France became a leading supplier and delivered AMX-13 tanks and various aircraft. Ecuador purchased also Type 209 submarines and Lürssen-Seawolf TNC 45 patrol boats from West Germany. Whereas various types of Infantry weapons were acquired from Belgium.

Ecuador became a substantial customer for Israeli arms in the 1970s, purchasing Arava aircraft, Gabriel missile for naval patrol crafts and Uzi submachine guns. Under technical assistance contracts, Israel serviced Israeli planes within the air force inventory as well as Boeing civilian aircraft flown by TAME and Ecuatoriana Airlines. Ecuador reportedly also employed Israeli security specialists as consultants in the fight against terrorism. In 1976 Ecuador became the first foreign country to order the Kfir, an advanced jet-fighter equipped with the General Electric J-79 engine produced in Israel under license. The transaction, which required United States government approval because of the engine technology, was rejected by the administration of President Jimmy Carter in order to discourage the proliferation of sophisticated military equipment in the Third World. The action caused an uproar in Israel where the sale was regarded as an important breakthrough in Israels efforts to develop international markets for the Kfir. In 1981, after the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan, Washington removed its objection to the sale. Although the contract called for the purchase of twelve Kfirs and an option to purchase an additional twelve, Ecuador acquired only the original group, at a price estimated at US$196 million.

Ecuador became a relatively heavy importer of arms in the late 1970s and early 1980s, averaging US$150 million annually and reaching a peak of US$280 million in 1982. These imports declined sharply to an average of only US$50 million annually between 1985 and 1987, presumably as a result of a dramatic reduction in oil revenues and the precipitous drop in the value of the sucre, which made imported arms extremely expensive. Between 1983 and 1987, Ecuador imported an estimated US$460 million of arms, primarily from Italy, France, the United States and Britain. In 1995, during the Cenepa War against Peru, Argentina gave to Ecuador in a controversial move, 6.500 tons of rifles, cannons, anti-tank rockets, and ammunition.[11]

Recent times saw changes within Ecuadors foreign policy and it decided to look for alternative weapon suppliers. These were found also, in its long-term allies Chile, which sold since 2008 Leopard 1 tanks, Leander class frigates. Israel, delivered in 2009 its unmanned aerial vehicles and Brazil, supplied additional military vehicles and Super Tucano combat-aircraft. Countries like Russia and China had already delivered a small quantity of military equipment some years earlier, but gained on importance during the past few years. Since then, Chinese radars, anti-aircraft systems and infantry weapons were purchased. In 2009 two additional Mil Mi-17 helicopters have been ordered from Russia with further deals planned[12]. India delivered HAL Dhruv helicopters and South Africa is about to deliver twelve Atlas Cheetah supersonic-aircraft. Ecuadors political ally Venezula, donated military equipment and six Mirage 50 aircraft. In 2010, the U.S. embassy in Ecuador announced that it had delivered $1.2 million of donated military equipment to the Ecuadorian military. The donations were intended to support operations countering drug-smuggling and guerilla activity along its Colombian border. Although the U.S. have been refused to renew their lease on the Manta military airbase, deliveries included trucks, patrol boats, GPS, night-vision and rifles[13][14].

Military History

Main article: Military history of Ecuador
Map of the long lasting territorial dispute between Ecuador and Peru, settled only in 1998. (in Spanish)

Ecuadors military history dates far back to its first attempt to secure freedom from Spain in 1811. In 1822 Ecuadorian troops, alongside other rebel forces would score a decisive victory over the Spanish royalist army at the Battle of Pichincha. Although assisted by Peruvian troops, it would fight these only a few years later in 1828, as a member of the Confederation of Gran Colombia. Confederation forces, fewer then half of which were Ecuadorians, defeated a much larger Peruvian force near Cuenca, at the Battle of Tarqui. Eventually, Civil War would plunge the country and the army into disorder. in 1941 the Ecuadorian Military found itself weak and disorganized, unfortunately the by now long-lasting territorial dispute with Peru escalated into a major conflict, the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War of 1941. A much larger and better equipped Peruvian force quickly overwhelmed the Ecuadorian forces, driving them back and invading the Ecuadorian territory. Ecuador had no choice but to accept Perus territorial claims and signed Peace treaty in 1942. However, the Peace Treaty of 1942 failed to settle the border dispute and occasional clashes occurred in a then still non-demarcated border area between both nations. These clashes flared into another outbreak of serious fighting in January 1981 called the Paquisha War, similar incidents would occure in 1983 and again in 1984. The last military conflict with Peru occurred in 1995, during the Cenepa War, in which both sides claimed to be fighting inside their own territory. The Ecuadorian Army and the Ecuadorian Air Force managed to come out of the conflict with what Ecuador considered a limited but emotionally significant tactical success. Retaining control of the embattled outpost of Tiwintza and wrestling local air superiority from the hands of the Peruvian Air Force, until the signing of a ceasefire and the eventual separation of forces. The longest-running source of armed international conflict in the Western Hemisphere had ended [15].

Military Command Structure

  • The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (Comandante en Jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas) is the President of the Republic. He exercises the political leadership of security and national defence and counts on the advice of the National Security Council.
  • The Ministry of Defense (Ministerio de la Defensa National), is the administrative body of the national defence. The Coordinating Minister of Internal and External Security accords the policies and actions that will be adopted by the following institutions as regards internal and external security: the Ministry of Government and Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the Secretariat General for the Public administration.
  • The Joint Armed Forces Command (El Comando Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas), is the highest planning, preparation and strategic body of military operations. It advises on national defence and is conformed by the Chief of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces and the Commanders of all three branches of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces: The Army, Navy and the Air Force.

Ecuadorian Army

Main article: Ecuadorian Army

The Ecuadorian Army (Ejército Ecuatoriano) is the land component of the Armed Forces. Its 24,135[16] soldiers are sensibly deployed in relation to its military doctrine. The contemporary Ecuadorian Army is well equipped with reasonably homogeneous material and has a large component of jungle and special forces infantry units implemented within its structure. It operates around 130 Tanks, 200 IFV's and 60 aircraft, their standard rifle is the Heckler & Koch HK33. Recently acquired material include:

Ecuadorian Air Force

Main article: Ecuadorian Air Force
Seal of the Ecuadorian Air Force
Seal of the Ecuadorian Air Force

The present day Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana) saw combat-action several times in 1981 and 1995 when it gained valuable experiences against the Peruvian Air Force. Today the FAE has a personnel of 6,055[2] and focuses mainly on border-control but faces also the war on drugs, guerrilla insurgency as well as humanitarian missions. Since 2009 the FAE is going through some major changes and modernisation plans are still ongoing whilst new projects are considered to bolster the countrys defence capacities. Recent and ongoing orders:

Ecuadorian Navy

Main article: Ecuadorian Navy
Ecuadorian Navy insignia
Ecuadorian Navy insignia

The present day Ecuadorian Navy or (Armada Ecuatoriana) is a compact, efficient and well-balanced force. However, limited funds hinder any mayor acquisitions and the chances of maintaining a strong force within the Pacific Ocean. Since end 2009, the Navys structure became simplified. The Ecuadorian Naval-Zone became one and measures, 2,237 km of the Pacific Coast and 6,720 sq km of the Pacific Ocean, (including the Galápagos Islands). Most sea-going assets are based at Guayaquil. The Navy focuses mainly on the border-control and illegal immigration. The Navy operates around 20 major vessels (including two submarines) and 25 aircraft. It has a personnel of 7,258[2]. To increase its operational capabilities it acquired recently:

Local Engagements

UN Peacekeeping Operations

The Ecuadorian Armed Forces provide Military Observers and troops to the United Nations since 1948. In November 2003, an Ecuadorian United Nations Training Centre was established under the name of: (La Unidad Escuela de Misiones de Paz “Ecuador”). In 2009, Ecuador was deploying over 90 peacekeepers around the globe.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c [1]
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference ccmr.org was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b [2]
  4. ^ http://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/noticias-ecuador/se-divide-al-pais-en-cinco-areas-332825.html
  5. ^ http://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/ffaa-presentan-nuevo-plan-de-defensa-interna-332767.html
  6. ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ec.html
  7. ^ a b [3]
  8. ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ec.html
  9. ^ http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/conflicts/26-04-2010/113174-correa_warns_ecuador_will_respo-0
  10. ^ [4]
  11. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_7274000/7274638.stm
  12. ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=108411&sectionid=351020706
  13. ^ http://sify.com/news/us-gives-military-gear-worth-1-2-mn-to-ecuador-news-international-kflkOcfdhhf.html
  14. ^ http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/blog/5533/leading-indicators-off-the-radar-news-roundup
  15. ^ http://www.historyguy.com/hgnews_ecuador-peru.html
  16. ^ A Comparative Atlas of Defence in Latin America / 2008 Edition
  17. ^ http://eltiradorsolitario.blogspot.com/2009/01/chile-vende-carros-leopard-1-ecuador.html
  18. ^ http://chiledefense.blogspot.com/2009/01/tank-sale-bolsters-assisance-to-ecuador.html
  19. ^ http://www.politicaexterna.com/archives/4432
  20. ^ http://defesabrasil.com/site/noticias/internacional/agrale-marrua-sera-usado-pelo-exercito-do-equador-na-defesa-das-fronteiras.php
  21. ^ http://www.webtranspo.com.br/veiculos/2285-agrale-fornecera-veiculos-ao-exercito-do-equador
  22. ^ http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/blog/5556/global-insider-ecuadors-foreign-policy
  23. ^ http://ecuador.usembassy.gov/
  24. ^ http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/05/06/38629-us-military-trains-with-ecuadorians-on-mounted-operations/
  25. ^ http://www.venezuela.org.ec/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=263&Itemid=74
  26. ^ http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/152239/
  27. ^ http://english.cctv.com/20091028/102913.shtml
  28. ^ [5]
  29. ^ [6]
  30. ^ http://en.mercopress.com/2009/09/25/ecuador-ready-to-purchase-combat-aircrafts-from-south-africa
  31. ^ [7]
  32. ^ [8]
  33. ^ [9]
  34. ^ http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=35590&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=13&cHash=03bf1c8fb6
  35. ^ http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=35590&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=13&cHash=03bf1c8fb6
  36. ^ [10]
  37. ^ [11]
  38. ^ [12]
  39. ^ [13]

Media

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