Moldovan Ground Forces
Moldovan Ground Force | |
---|---|
Romanian: Forțele Terestre ale Republicii Moldova | |
Founded | 25 December 2008 |
Country | Moldova |
Type | Army |
Role | Land warfare |
Size | 4,000 |
Part of | National Army |
Headquarters | Chișinău |
Nickname(s) | Moldovan Army |
March | Marș de Întîmpinare «La Mulți ani» |
Engagements | Transnistria War |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Brigadier General Mihail Buclis |
The Moldovan Ground Forces, known officially as Land Forces Command is the
Moldovan Armed Forces. The Moldovan Ground Forces date back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union between 1991 and 1992. As of 2018[update] the Moldovan Ground Forces consists of around 4,000 personnel.[citation needed
]
History
At the beginning of 1994, the Moldovan army (under the Ministry of Defense) consisted of 9,800 men organized into three motorized infantry brigades, one artillery brigade, and one reconnaissance/assault battalion. Its equipment consisted of fifty-six
S-60 57 mm air defense guns. Moldova has received some arms from former Soviet stocks maintained on the territory of the republic as well as undetermined quantities of arms from Romania
, particularly at the height of the fighting with Transnistria.
By 2006–2007, the Army had been reduced to a strength of 5,710, including three motor rifle brigades, one artillery brigade, and independent SF and engineer battalions, plus an independent guard unit. Equipment included 44
Anti-tank missiles (Soviet-built AT-4s, AT-5s, and AT-6s), 138+ recoilless guns, 36 towed antitank guns and 37 towed anti-aircraft guns (23mm and 57mm).[3]
Structure
- Infantry Units:
- 1st Motorized Infantry Brigade "Moldova" – Bălți
- 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade "Stefan Cel Mare"– Chișinău
- 3rd Motorized Infantry Brigade "Dacia" – Cahul
- 22nd Peacekeeping Battalion – Chișinău
- Artillery Division "Prut" – Ungheni
- Independent Engineer Battalion "Codru" – Negrești, Strășeni
- Independent Radio Regiment "Basarabia" – Durleşti, Chișinău
- Independent Special Forces Battalion "Fulger" – Durlești, Chișinău
- Independent Chemical Protection Company – Negrești, Strășeni
- Guard Battalion[4] – Chișinău
- Ceremonial Honour Guard Company
- Guard Company
- Military Police Company
- General Staff Company
- Auto Company
- Insurance Company
- 1st Independent Battalion of Peacekeepers – Cocieri, Dubăsari District
- 3rd Independent Battalion of Peacekeepers – Coșnița, Dubăsari District
- Independent Infantry Company of Peacekeepers – Varnița, Anenii Noi
Gallery
-
Moldovan forces during the Rapid Trident 2011.
-
The2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade "Stefan Cel Mare"on parade.
-
ThePresidential Orchestra of the Republic of Moldova
-
Moldovan soldier training for mine prodding
-
MoldovanHMMWV.
Equipment
Most of the Moldovan equipment dates back to Soviet times, as expressed by
explosive ordnance disposal equipment was donated by the EU,[7] while Romania also provided helmets, bulletproof vests, and off-road vehicles.[8]
See also
- Trupele de Carabinieri (Gendarmerie-type force of the Republic of Moldova)
References
- IISSMilitary Balance 2007, p.170
- ^ "Ministry of Defense of Republic of Moldova".
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 2010, p.188.
- ^ "Ministerul Apărării al Republicii Moldova".
- ^ "Defense Minister Says 90 Percent Of Moldova's Military Equipment Is Outdated". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 21 October 2022.
- ^ "Germany begins deliveries of Danish Piranha 3 APCs to Moldova". defbrief.com. 15 January 2023.
- ^ "EU hands over first batch of modern equipment to Moldovan armed forces". euneighbourseast.eu. 1 June 2023.
- ^ Radu Dumitrescu (9 August 2023). "Romania donates military protection equipment to Moldova". romania-insider.com.