Peruvian Army

The Peruvian Army (EP) is the land branch of the Armed Forces in charge of the land defense of the country. It is part, along with the Navy and the Air Force, of the Armed Forces of Peru.

Mission

• Peruvian land defense.
• Participation in the economic and social development of the Peruvian State.
• Control of internal order and civil defence actions permanently and effectively.

History

Origin

The Army of Peru was established on August 18, 1821 with the creation of the Peruvian Guard Legion and the Junín Hussar Regiment by the commander in chief of the Liberation Army of Peru José of San Martín and the Peruvian military units that joined the Peruvian War of Independence, such as the Tacna Regiment, the Ica Auxiliary Squadron and the < i>Army Hunters Battalion, all created after the landing in Paracas and Miller's campaign in the intermediate ports. In addition to the oldest military units, the Peruvian Army was also given its original form by the Division of Peru, a military unit formed by northern Peruvians from the then Department of La Libertad who went to the aid of Guayaquil and Quito in the expedition from Santa Cruz to Quito within the framework of the Ecuadorian War of Independence; as well as the military division formed in the United Liberation Army of Peru under the command of José de La Mar, which was made up of 1,500 Peruvians and who participated in the battles of Junín and Ayacucho.

Republic

19th century

The baptism of fire of the newly created Peruvian Army was in the battle of Caucato, where the Junín Hussar Regiment successfully repelled a royalist detachment, although some time ago during Miller's campaign in the intermediate ports a primitive military unit Peruvian independence movement that would be called Tacna Regiment also achieved one of the first victories for Peruvian arms in the battle of Mirave. Later, and in the first interim campaign, the battles of Torata and Moquegua took place, both defeats for the Liberation Army of Peru and the Army of Peru, which meant the almost complete destruction of the Chilean component in the first; However, the latter would achieve victories in the combat of Riobamba and in the battle of Pichincha together with the Regiment of Horse Grenadiers, which allowed the independence of Ecuador and the intervention of Simón Bolívar in Peru to, finally, the latter create the United Liberation Army of Peru (the union of the Army of Peru and the Army of Gran Colombia) which would achieve victories in the battles of Junín and Ayacucho, thus achieving the independence of Peru.

Within the framework of Gamarra's intervention in Bolivia in 1828, the Peruvian Army achieved the expulsion of Antonio José de Sucre and the Grancolombian forces from Bolivia, eventually occupying the Bolivian highlands. Thanks to this action, Peru freed Bolivia from the Bolivarian regime. Within the framework of the war of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, the Peru-Bolivian Confederate Army (made up de facto of the Army of Peru and the Army of Bolivia) is defeated by the United Restoration Army of Peru (made up of the Chilean Army and Navy, along with a few hundred Peruvians who rebelled against the project of the Peruvian-Bolivian Andrés de Santa Cruz) in the battle of Yungay, due to this action of weapons the Peru-Bolivian Confederation disappeared. In 1841, the Peruvian Army invades Bolivia with the objective of annexing Bolivia to Peru, eventually occupying La Paz; However, he was defeated in the battle of Ingavi by the Bolivian Army; Later, the Bolivians invaded southern Peru, but were defeated by the Peruvian militias. Finally, both countries sign the Treaty of Puno, declaring peace.

After a period of political anarchy, starting in 1845 and with the first government of Ramón Castilla, the Armed Forces were strengthened and modernized with the help of the economic boom due to the income from the export of guano. New weapons are purchased and equipment is modernized, allowing the expedition to Ecuador of 1858-1860 and an indecisive war against Spain in the War against Spain of 1866. The conflicts between civil and military that come to an end for the first time in 1872, with the inauguration of Manuel Pardo y Lavalle as the country's first civilian president, led to a reduction in personnel and a weakening of command, resulting in Peru losing the Saltpeter War. From here, figures such as Andrés Avelino Cáceres and Nicolás de Piérola emerged, who alternately carried out national reconstruction. The objective necessarily involved modernization, which is why negotiations began to contract a foreign military mission, the same one that took place in 1896, with the arrival of the first French military mission in Peru, under the command of Colonel Paul Clement. From that time comes the current French tradition and customs of the current Peruvian Army, especially the uniform of the cadets of the Chorrillos Military School created to train generations of officers of the Peruvian Army.

20th century

At the beginning of the 19th Century the process of military regionalization was carried out, in accordance with the comprehensive needs of the country, giving rise to doctrinal and academic renewal in the main military training centers.

The positive action of the French military mission, to which were added contributions from Germany and Italy, as well as the contribution of Peruvian officers who had studied abroad, resulted in the victories obtained in the naval combat of La Pedrera and in the war of '41.

Later, the two world wars brought rapid development of military doctrine and technology. The winning and therefore hegemonic country, the United States, led the continental defense. This involved the creation of the Inter-American Defense Board and the signing of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance in September 1947. It should be noted that the Peruvian Army never sent troops abroad during World War II except for some volunteers who participated in the phase end of it between 1944 and 1945.

Between the years 1980 and 2000 the Peruvian Army fought an unconventional war against terrorism, murderous groups such as Sendero Luminoso and the MRTA engaged in a guerrilla war initially in the countryside and then in the city, and caused death of at least 69,000 people according to the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Currently the fight against remnants of terrorism continues in areas such as the VRAEM.

The woman was incorporated into military service in 1993 and her complete assimilation occurred with the first contingent of ladies that entered the Chorrillos Military School in 1997.

21st century

Ollanta Humala's government has also had the Peruvian Army involved in training members of Peru's indigenous peoples for national defense duties, as well as, through the BECA 18 program, helping to reduce poverty while teaching young people the values of national service.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peruvian Army, being the armed force with the greatest presence throughout the country, was deployed throughout the national territory with the objective of providing effective security to the population, in addition to supporting with resources human and material to other government sectors with air and ground transportation, medical personnel and equipment, research and development, communications, social support activities, among others.

Notable wars and conflicts

From left to right and from top to bottom: Battle of Ayacucho, Battle of Yungay, Battle of May 2, Battle of Arica, Peruvian officers after the occupation of Puerto Bolivar - Ecuador on February 12, 1942 during the Peruvian-Ecuadorian War, and Peruvian troops during the Cenepa conflict

• War of Independence

The Liberation Army of Peru and the Army of Peru are defeated by the Royal Army of Peru in the battles of Torata and Moquegua; Later, the United Liberation Army of Peru (made up of the Army of Gran Colombia and the Army of Peru) defeated the Royal Army of Peru in the battles of Junín and Ayacucho, achieving the independence of Peru and Latin America from the Spanish Empire.

• Maynas War

The Army of Peru and the Invisible Army (composed of Amazonian indigenous people) defeat the Royal Army of Peru in the two battles of Higos Urco and in the battle of Havana, achieving the independence of Maynas from the Spanish Empire.

• Expedición auxiliadora a Quito

The Division of Peru, the Division of Colombia and the Protective Division of Quito defeat the royalist army of Quito in the battle of Riobamba and in the battle of Pichincha, achieving the independence of Quito and Guayaquil from the Spanish Empire.

• Intervention in Bolivia of 1828

Agustín Gamarra intervenes in Bolivia with the aim of eliminating the Bolivarian regime of Antonio José de Sucre and expelling it from the country, occupying the country's highland departments. Both sign the Treaty of Piquiza, by which Antonio José de Sucre withdraws from Bolivia.

• War against the Great Colombia (1828-1829)

The Peruvian Navy defeats the Gran Colombia Navy in the naval combats of Malpelo and Cruces, blocking the Pacific coast and occupying Guayaquil. Subsequently, the Peruvian Army occupies the south of Greater Colombia (Loja, Saraguro and Cuenca); However, in the battle of Tarqui a Peruvian division is defeated by a Gran-Colombian division; However, the Peruvian counterattack of the Peruvian reinforcement achieved the Grancolombian retreat, eliminating during the action part of the infantry (Rifles Battalion) and cavalry (Cedeño Squadron) of the Colombian division. Both countries sign the Larrea-Gual Treaty, by which Gran Colombia implicitly recognizes Peruvian sovereignty over Tumbes, Jaén and Maynas, while Peru recognizes Gran Colombian sovereignty over Guayaquil.

• War of the Confederation (1836-1839)

The United Restoration Army (made up of the Chilean Army and restorative Peruvians) defeats the Peru-Bolivian Confederate Army (made up of Peruvians and Bolivians) in the Battle of Yungay, achieving the restoration of Peru prior to the creation of the Confederation Peru-Bolivian.

• War against Bolivia (1841-1842)

The Peruvian Army invades Bolivia with the aim of annexing it to Peru; However, he is defeated in the battle of Ingavi. Subsequently, the Bolivian Army invades southern Peru with the aim of annexing it to Bolivia; However, he was defeated in the battles of Arica, Sama, Altos de Chipe, Tarapacá, Motoní and Orurillo. Both countries sign the Treaty of Puno, by which peace is restored between the two.

• Expedition to Ecuador of 1858-1860

The Peruvian Navy blocks Ecuadorian ports with the aim of making Peru's sovereignty over the Amazon known; However, given the misrule of Ecuador, the Peruvian Navy and the Peruvian Army disembark and occupy Guayaquil. Peru and Guayaquil (on behalf of Ecuador) sign the Treaty of Mapasingue, by which this country recognizes the sovereignty of Peru over the Amazon; However, it was repealed some time later by the governments of Ecuador and Peru.

• War against Spain (1866)

The Peruvian Navy and the Chilean Navy cause the withdrawal of the Spanish Navy in the Abtao combat; Subsequently, the Peruvian Army and the Peruvian militias caused the withdrawal of the Spanish Navy in the combat on May 2. Peru and Spain sign the Treaty of Paris, by which Spain recognizes the independence of Peru.

• War against Chile (1879-1883)

The Peruvian Navy defeats the Chilean Navy in the naval combat of Iquique, in the naval combat of Arica and in the first and second naval combat of Antofagasta, but is defeated in the naval combats of Punta Gruesa and Let's go. Subsequently, the Army of Peru and the Army of Bolivia defeated the Army of Chile in the battle of Locumba, in the battle of Tarapacá and in the battle of Tambillo, but were defeated in the battle of Alto de la Alianza and in the battle of Arica. Finally, the Peruvian militiamen and guerrillas defeat the Chilean Army in the battles of Pucará, Marcavalle and Concepción, but are defeated in the battle of Huamachuco. Peru and Chile sign the Treaty of Ancón, by which Tarapacá is ceded to Chile, while Tacna and Arica would be administered by said country for 10 years until a plebiscite defined the sovereignty of both provinces; However, Chile's extension would cause the plebiscite to be postponed for 50 years, until finally being replaced by the Treaty of Lima, by which Tacna is currently Peruvian and Arica is Chilean.

• Battle of Angoteros (1903)

A Peruvian expedition is sent near the Napo River to expel an Ecuadorian expedition, which is successfully achieved.

• Combate de Torres Causana (1904)

An Ecuadorian expedition is sent near the Napo River with the objective of taking the fort Torres Causana occupied by Peruvians; However, they fail in the attempt and are eliminated.

• Conflict of Manuripi (1910)

A Peruvian expedition is sent near the Manuripi River to expel a Bolivian garrison, which is successfully accomplished.

• Naval combat of La Pedrera (1911)

A Peruvian expedition created by the Army and Navy is sent to the Peruvian Amazon to expel a Colombian expedition, which is successfully achieved.

• War against Colombia (1932-1933)

The Armed Forces of Peru confront the Military Forces of Colombia in the Amazon with adverse consequences for the former; However, Leticia (a military objective of Colombia and occupied by Peru) was never captured by Colombia during the war. Both countries sign the Rio de Janeiro Protocol of 1934 and ratify the Salomón-Lozano Treaty, by which the disputed territory is divided Solomonically between Peru and Colombia; while Leticia is exchanged for the Sucumbíos Triangle.

• Peru-Ecuador War of 1941

The Armed Forces of Peru carry out a blitzkrieg against Ecuador as a result of constant skirmishes between both countries along the border, blocking Guayaquil and occupying the south of the country with the aim of forcing Ecuador to determine exactly the border according to the status quo of 1936. The Rio de Janeiro Protocol of 1942 is signed, by which Ecuador recognizes Peru's sovereignty over Tumbes, Jaén and Maynas, while officially renouncing sovereign access to the Amazon River.

• 1978 Peruvian-Ecuadorian armed incident

A Peruvian patrol discovered in its territory, near the Cordillera del Cóndor, a camp built with mountain material and an Ecuadorian army heliport. During armed clashes, the camp and heliport are evacuated and destroyed.

• Time of terrorism

The Armed Forces, the National Police and the peasant patrols defeat the criminal organizations of Sendero Luminoso and the MRTA in an urban war and guerrilla war with disastrous consequences for Peru. Massacres and human rights violations were committed by both sides, in addition to state terrorism. The conflict ends in the late 1990s, with Sendero Luminoso focused on the VRAEM and the MRTA dismantled, while its leaders, such as Abimael Guzmán and Víctor Polay Campos, were eliminated and captured.

• False Paquisha Conflict (1981)

The Army of Peru defeats and expels the Army of Ecuador from the Cordillera del Cóndor after the latter installed bases in the national territory of Peru.

• Conflict of the Cenepa (1995)

The Armed Forces of Peru confront the Armed Forces of Ecuador near the Cenepa River, occupying the former Tiwinza four times after constant skirmishes. Both countries sign the Brasilia Act, by which Ecuador recognizes the determined border delimitation and peace is restored between both countries.

• Narco-terrorist insurgency

• Operation Patriot

Peace Missions

The Army has been collaborating with the United Nations by sending military support to be part of the United Nations Peace Forces, collaborating with troops (observers, staff officers and contingents) for the popularly called Blue Helmets.

Peru has sent troops (observers, members of the Staff and/or Troop Contingent) of the Army. The countries in which he has collaborated are:

• Lebanon (1958)
• Israel (1973-1974)
• Iran - Iraq (1988)
• Namibia (1989)
• Western Sahara (1991)
• Sierra Leone (2000)
• East Timor (2000-2001)
• Congo (2000-2004)
• Ivory Coast (2000-2004)
• Liberia (2000-2004)
• Ethiopia - Eritrea (2000-2004)
• Cyprus (2002-2004)
• Burundi (2004)
• Haiti (2004-2017)
• Congo (2010-)
• South Sudan (2011-)
• Central African Republic (2016-)

At this time the Army has a Military Engineering company in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with a contingent of 205 troops and 11 members of the mission's staff.

Organization

To respond efficiently and effectively to the fulfillment of its function, the Army is organized as follows:

Command Body:

• Army General Command

Advisory Bodies:

• Superior Council.
• Advisory Council.
• Economics Committee.

Control Body:

• Institutional Control Body - OCI

Inspection Body:

• 

  Inspector General - IGE

Legal Defense Body:

• Public Prosecutor ' s Office - PP-EP

Advisory Body:

• Army General Staff - GEGE

Internal Administration Bodies

• Army General Command Secretariat.

Support Commands:

• Army Staff Command - COPERE
• Army Logistics Command - COLOGE

• Army Education Command - COEDE
• Army General Support Command - COGAE
• Army Cyber Defense and Telematic Command - COCITELE
• Army Welfare Command - COBIENE
• Army Earth Operations Command - COTE
• Army Health Command - COSALE

Line organs:

• 

  I Army Division: Headquarters in Piura. It includes Amazonas, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Piura and Tumbes.

• 

  II Army Division. Headquarters in the Rimac. Understand Ancash, Lima, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, Pasco, San Martín and Ucayali.

• 

  III Army Division. Headquarters in Arequipa. Understand Apurímac, Arequipa, Cuzco, Mother of God, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna.

• 

  IV Army Division. Headquarters in Pichari. It comprises Ayacucho, Pasco, Junín (except the jungle area), Huancavelica and the districts of Pichari and Kimbiri (Cuzco).

• 

  V Army Division. Headquarters in Iquitos. Understand Loreto and Ucayali.
• Army aviation.

Weapons

Infantry

The Army has the FN FAL as a training weapon in military schools, the IMI Galil and FN SCAR-L/H as standard rifles.

The special forces have the Heckler & Koch G3, Casanave SC-2005, IMI Uzi, Armscor BXP, Taurus PM-12S, HKMP-5A4/A5, MP-5SD, MP-5K, FN-90 and Colt M-16A2

For snipers and shotguns they have the Accuracy International AW and IWI Galatz, McMillan TAC-50, Winchester 1300 and the FN Minimi, Ultimax 100, Vektor Mini SS, PK/PKM, Browning M-1919A4/A6, FN machine guns MAG and HK-21E.

The military police preferably use the AK47/AKM.

For manual handling of heavy weapons they have 40 mm M203 multiple grenade launchers, Milkor MGL-6 and Rippel Effect XRGL-40.

Anti-tank

The Army has the Spike and Kornet anti-tank systems, as a medium and long-range anti-tank defense system, for short range it has the Panzerfaust 3, the Instalaza Alcotán-100. RPG 7V/USA, RPG-22 Neto, 9M14 Malyutka, among others.

Artillery

The Army has 27 new Type 90B Multiple Launchers of Chinese manufacture, 14 BM-21 Multiple Launchers, of Russian origin, another 20 Shturm monotube missile launchers and the Denel RO. 12 M109 A1/2 self-propelled howitzers and more than 300 towed artillery pieces. For anti-aircraft defense they have S-125 Neva/Pechora systems, 100 V-601/SA-3B missiles, 36 ZSU-23-4 Shilka-M and around 200 towed anti-aircraft guns.

Armored

The Peruvian Army currently has Soviet T-55 tanks and French AMX-13/105 light tanks. At the end of 2009 it was intended to replace the T-55 with the Chinese MBT 2000 tank, the Russian T-90, the Ukrainian T-80U or the Polish PT-91. The MBT 2000 was announced as the winner, and 5 evaluation examples were even presented at a military parade in December 2009, but finally the purchase would be suspended indefinitely, returning the examples to China. At the end of 2013, the options on which will be decided are the Leopard 2A5 of German origin and the T-90 of Russian origin. They are yet to be defined.

About twenty AMX-13/105s were also modified to carry the Kornet missiles, being presented in December 2010. They also have hundreds of armored personnel carriers of different types.

Army Aviation

Army Aviation has Antonov (An-32), Beechcraft B350 and Beech B-1900D transport aircraft. Cessna 560XL was recently acquired for VIP transport. It also has Mi-8, Mi-17 helicopters. In 2010, three new Mi-171Sh helicopter gunships were received, while at the end of 2013 another 24 Mi-171Sh-P helicopters were purchased, a batch of eight having been received in December 2014, while another batch arrived in June 2015. three aircraft and by 2016 all 24 aircraft were delivered. In addition, 4 AgustaWestland AW109 light helicopters were recovered.

Specialties

• Combat weapons
  • Infantry
  • Cavalry
• Combat support weapons
  • Artillery
  • Engineering
  • Communications
  • Intelligence
• Services
  • Intendence
  • War Material
  • Legal
  • Health:
    • Medical
    • Veterinary
    • Odontological
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Psychological
  • Science and Technology
  • Professor of Physical Education

Grades and levels

Officials

Category	General Officers			Senior officers			Junior Officers
Insignia
Degree	Army General	General Division	Brigadier General	Colonel	Commander or Lieutenant Colonel	Major or Subcomandant	Captain	Lieutenant	Subteniente o Alférez
Abrev.	GRAL EJTO	GRAL DIV	GRAL BRIG	CRL	CMTE/TTE CRL	MY/SUBCMTE	CAP	TTE	STTE/ALF

Staff of Supervisors, Technicians and Sub Officers

Category	Supervisors			Technicians			Officers
Insignia
Degree	Army General Supervisor Technician	Senior	Chief	Technical	Technical level 2	Technician 3°	1	Officer 2	Officer 3
Abrev.		TCOJS	TCOJ	TCO1°	TCO2°	TCO3°	SO1°	SO2°	SO3°

Voluntary Military Service Troop

Category	Classes			Soldiers
Insignia
Degree	Sergeant First	Second Sergeant	Corporal	Soldier	Recruitment
Abrev.	SGTO1°	SGTO2°	CBO	SLDO

Classification courses

Senior officers

• Higher Course in Intelligence
• Higher Course in Psychological Operations
• Management course
• Leadership and Planning Course
• Joint Staff Course
• Command and Staff Course
• High Command Course
• National Defence Course

Junior officers

• Regular Command Course
• Regular Course of Amphibians
• Master Course of Equitation
• Anti-aircraft Artillery Course
• Electronic War Course
• Basic Parachutism Course
• Salt Master Course
• Free Fall Course
• Operational Salt Course
• Orientator course
• Basic Course of Armored
• Basic Course Anti Tank
• Basic Course of Psychological Operations
• Basic course of intelligence
• Army Aviation Course
• Course of Snipers
• Staff Management Course
• Logistics Administration Course
• Diploma in Science and Technology

Symbols and distinctions

Hymn

The author of the lyrics and music is Pedro Schmitt Aicardi, approved by R.M. Nº2967–73 GU/DIRODIN on December 31, 1973.

The army united with history

by fruitful and virile tradition,

crowned with glories

by forging a free nation.(bis)

1st stanza

Evoking a glorious past

of the Incario its ancient splendor,

Ayacucho, Junín, Dos de Mayo

freedom conquered with courage.

Zarumilla, La Breña and Arica

gestas are that to the story

Bolognesi oh, sublime soldier!

by exemplary patron I acclaim you.

2nd stanza

Altive borders defend

of the national honor

of his people receives the weapons

and it is a bastion of social justice.

I'm a soldier in the ranks of my own.

and a duty I have to do,

to live consecrated

and for her to fight to die.

The Peruvian soldier

Every November 4, in commemoration of the birth of Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes, Soldier's Day is celebrated, an anniversary that was established in 1956, in recognition of the men and women who, voluntarily, decide to be part of the Army.

Heroes and patrons

• Army Patron: Grand Marshal of Peru, Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes - Anniversary June 7 (Arica Battle)
• Patron of the Infantry Navy: Grand Marshal of Peru, Andrés Avelino Cáceres Dorregaray - [1] - Anniversary November 27 (Battle of Tarapacá)
• Patrono del Arma de Caballería: Gran Mariscal del Perú, Ramón Castilla y Marquesado - [2] - Anniversary 6 August (Batalla de Junín)
• Court of Artillery: Colonel José Joaquín Inclán Gonzales Vigil - Anniversary 2 May (Combate of 2 May)
• Patron of the Armored Navy: Grand Marshal of Peru, Eloy Gaspar Ureta Montehermoso - Anniversary July 24 (Batalla de Zarumilla)
• Patron of the Engineering Navy: Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Ruiz Gallo - [3] - Anniversary April 24 (Inmotion of Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Ruiz Gallo)
• Court of Communications: José Olaya Balandra - [4] - Anniversary June 29 (Sacrifice of José Olaya)
• Court of Intelligence: Colonel Remigio Silva Aranda - Anniversary July 18 (Creation of the Intelligence Navy)
• Patron of War Materials Service: Colonel Leoncio Prado Gutiérrez - [5] - Anniversary July 15 (creation of the Scale of War Material Officers and Specialists)
• Patron of the Intendency Service: General Pedro Muñíz Sevilla. Anniversary 1 September (Creation of the Military Administrative Corps)
• Patron of the Health Service: José Casimiro Ulloa Bucello - [6] - Anniversary March 4 (José Casimiro Ulloa's birth)
• Veterinary Service Patron: Major Aurelio Málaga Alva - [7] - Anniversary January 22 (Service Creation)
• Patron of the Legal Service: Mariano Melgar Valdivieso - [8] - Anniversary August 12 (Creation of the Service)
• Patron of the Science and Technology Service: Ing. Manuel Pictures Viñas - Anniversary September 13 (Creation of the Service)
• Army Aviation Patron: Major Luis Alberto García Rojas

See also

• Armed Forces of Peru
  • Peruvian Navy
  • Peruvian Air Force
• Chorrillos Military School
• General Commander of the Peruvian Army
• PaciPat
• FAME Army Arms and Ammunition Factory
• National Police of Peru