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MexicoSummaryAssessment???? Adaptability???? Sustainment ???? ReadinessDeployments, tasks and operations???? Role and Deployment???? Recent and Current OperationsCommand and controlOrganisation???? Military Regions???? Military Zones???? Military Garrisons???? Order of Battle???? Operational Art and Tactical DoctrinePersonnel???? Demographics???? Recruitment???? Morale ???? ProfessionalismTraining???? Training AreasArmy procurement???? Armour???? Artillery???? ModernisationEquipment in service???? Armour???? Artillery???? Anti-Tank Weapons???? Air Defence Weapons???? Infantry WeaponsSummary ?????????? TOPSTRENGTH191,433 (plus 18,000 rural defence militia) INFANTRYBrigade × 11 (includes Rapid Reaction × 3, MP × 4, Special Forces × 3, Paratroop × 1) Independent Infantry Battalion × 93Independent Infantry Company × 24Rural Defence Corps × 1 (Rural Defence Infantry Units (Battalion size) × 13, Rural Defence Cavalry (Horse) Units (Battalion size) × 13)ARMOURArmoured Brigade × 2 (Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment × 4, Artillery Regiment × 2, Recoiless Rifle Group × 2, Mechanised Regiment × 4)Independent Motorised Cavalry Regiment × 24Independent Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment × 5Mechanised Regiment × 4 ARTILLERYIndependent Artillery Regiment × 4Independent Recoiless Rifle Group × 4EngineerCombat Engineer Brigade × 1Engineer Battalion × 1Assessment ?????????? TOPIt is difficult to assess the capabilities of the Mexican Army as a conventional fighting force, since the army has not been utilised in this capacity for several decades. Domestically, the main concern of Mexican governments with respect to the armed forces was to ensure that they did not develop advanced and expensive capabilities or a significant role in the nation's political system. Far from being a modern conventional fighting force, the Mexican Army is accustomed to guerrilla/irregular warfare and internal security operations. Thus, the armed forces have, in practice, served as a sort of national constabulary, backing up the police without the need for a large budget, extensive personnel, heavy modern fighting vehicles or advanced fighter aircraft. Mexico largely thwarted the threat of serious, externally-supported guerrilla movements during the 1960s and 1970s through diplomatic means, maintaining its independence from the US and keeping positive lines of communication open with Cuba and other left-wing elements. Also, Mexico did not hesitate to quickly suppress or co-opt domestic opposition when the need arose.However, serious attention has been given to upgrading Mexico's military capabilities since the 1970s and a notable amount of progress has been made. In practice the only significant duties that the armed forces have had to carry out have been related to the drug war and relatively small guerrilla rebellions in Chiapas and Guerrero. The armed forces' purely military performance has been relatively impressive, although the overall effort has been diminished by rampant corruption and rapid growth in the size of the narcotics problem. That said, the military has been substantially more effective than the police in counter-drug operations, deploying at least 7,500 personnel at all times in an anti-narcotics role. Frequently, up to 45,000 troops are involved in such operations. The Mexican Army also responded effectively to the uprising in Chiapas in 1994, although it was charged with using excessive force.Apart from its traditional external and internal defence mandate, the Mexican Army is tasked with a number of non-traditional roles, including law enforcement support, a large reforestation programme, fighting malnutrition and illiteracy, sport promotion, free dental services and disaster relief programmes. Units have historically been based on battalion-size forces for two reasons:In case of a conventional war (a very unlikely invasion from the United States), Mexican forces would spread out over a large geographical area and operate in small, guerrilla-type company-size units reporting to a battalion HQ. This explains the large number of mortars in service vs a small and obsolete field artillery force, the non-existence of MBT's and a somewhat autonomous-type of organisation. Small units are easier to move around and do not allow a chance to concentrate power that could eventually be turned against the government. This practice (as well as an unwritten pact that dates from the late 1930s) has made the Mexican military one of the less participatory forces in Latin American politics and has enforced a true institutional character. Since late 2006 the army has been extensively used in an all-out campaign against organised crime that has seen a reorganisation of a portion of its forces to address this role. This has included the creation of a Human Rights Directorate to increase human rights awareness among all troops.Adaptability ?????????? TOPThe army has adequately adapted to the changing scenarios of Mexico's security environment and the recent escalation of violence is an effect of increased operations from the state, through the army, against organised crime. The army has managed to transform from a rural support into an urban warfare force with increasing intelligence gathering capabilities. Special Forces assets have increased considerably in both quantity and quality as has the technology they employ. The brief creation of a Federal Support Forces Corps (FSFC) is evidence of this adaptability. The FSFC as a 10,000-strong unit trained in urban warfare and law-enforcement support and tasked with anti-crime operations. The corps was created by presidential decree but had to be approved by Congress in order to get funded. Congress rejected the creation of the corps in late 2008 and, consequently, it had to be disbanded. Sustainment ?????????? TOPThere are no official reserve organisations. There is a theoretical reserve systems that calls up national military servicemen from the age of 18 up to the age of 49. A large proportion of the Mexican Army is being employed on the war against the drug cartels and up to 45,000 troops are utilised in this role at any one time. Deployments in what are known as "high impact operations" can take place between 30 to 90 days.Readiness ?????????? TOPRapid Reaction elements of the Mexican Army have recently been organised around three Special Forces brigades (12 battalions), three Independent Infantry Brigades, two armoured brigades and a single Paratroop Brigade. However, rapid reinforcements are usually performed using no more than company sized elements of battalions or regiments from one part of the country to the other. Deployments, tasks and operations ?????????? TOPRole and Deployment ?????????? TOPRecent developments indicate that internal security and disaster relief will take priority. The army saw an increase in its anti-narcotic operations during the late 1990s and early 2000s. As operations migrated from rural to mainly urban regions, army units increasingly came into contact with the traditionally de-militarised Mexican society.Recent and Current Operations ?????????? TOPThe Mexican constitution prohibits the deployment of Mexican troops outside the country in time of peace. However, forces have been deployed to Central and North America in humanitarian-disaster relief operations. The army's most recent international deployment took place during September 2005, when some 196 troops (mainly medical personnel and engineers) deployed to San Antonio, Texas and set up a mobile hospital and kitchen facilities at the old Kelly AFB in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.In late 2006, the armed forces were called upon to re-gain control of spaces that had been lost to narcotics and organised crime. They began a series of combined (army, air force, navy, federal police and attorney general agents) operations designed to take strategic positions in the states of Michoacán, Guerrero, Baja California, Sinaloa, Durango, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León. These operations were mostly welcomed by the overwhelmed state governments and local population. The operations included large scale (helicopter-supported) roadblocks, major drug seizures, identification and destruction of drug plantations and purging of some local police forces. By law all police (municipal, state and federal) firearms are registered and controlled by the office of the Secretary of National Defense (Secretaría de La Defensa Nacional - SEDENA).During 2008 the army increased operations against organised crime and, by 2009, this included taking major positions and patrolling sectors of large cities such as Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey and the outskirts of Mexico City. Command and control ?????????? TOPSecretary of National Defence:General Guillermo Galvan GalvanUndersecretary of National Defence: Major General Humberto Alfonso Guillermo AguilarOfficer in Charge (Official Mayor):Major General Jorge Juarez LoeraChief of General Staff, Armed Forces:Major General Carlos Demetrio Gaytan OchoaInspector General, Army and Air Force:Division General Jorge Juarez LoaeraThe president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and has far-reaching powers with regard to the declaration of war, mobilisation, the suspension of constitutional guarantees and the promotion of officers. The president exercises day-to-day control over the army and air force through the Ministry of National Defence (MND) and over the navy via the Ministry of Marine. The air force is subordinate to the army and has a semi-autonomous command status. The minister of national defence is supported by an undersecretary; both are usually senior army officers. The senior serving officer is the commander of national defence, who commands both the army and the air force through the general staff.The Ministry of Marine is responsible for protecting the Pacific and Caribbean coasts and coastal zones; the MND assumes responsibility for the rest of Mexican territory. This division of responsibility has ensured that the operations of the army and air force are more closely integrated and interdependent than those of some other nations in Latin anisation ?????????? TOPThe army is deployed on a pattern established in 1924, shortly after the end of the revolution.There are 45 military zones. The traditional political distribution, in which each state had a military zone has changed in the past decade according to operational requirements. The states of Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Sonora and Tabasco each have two zones, while Veracruz has three. Each zone is garrisoned by one or more infantry battalions, the majority also having at least one cavalry regiment and a variable complement of combat and logistic support units. Deployed in these 12 military regions are some 160,000 personnel of the army and 18,000 rural defence militia and the regions comprise:93 × Infantry Battalions; 24 × Motorised Cavalry Regiments; 4 × Mechanised Regiments; 5 × Armoured Reconnaissance Regiments; 4 × Artillery Regiments; 3 × Independent Recoiless Rifle Groups; and 24 × Independent Infantry Companies. The remainder of the army is organised around a large five Corps structure;1 × Army Corps with 3 × Rapid Reaction Brigades (comprising 10 × Infantry Battalions, 3 × Artillery Regiments, 3 Recoiless Rifle Groups, 1 × 120-mm Mortar Group), 2 × Armoured Brigades (4 × Armoured Reconnaissance Regiments, 4 × Mechanised Regiments, 2 × Artillery Regiments, 2 × Recoiless Rifle group) , 1 × Combat Engineer Brigade (3 × Combat Engineer Battalions, 1 × Logistics Battalion) 1 × Military Police Corps with 3 × MP Brigades (each with 3 × MP battalions and 1 × Special Operations battalion) 1 × Special Forces Corps with 3 × Special Forces Brigades (recently expanded into 12 Special Forces Battalions replacing the original airmobile (GAFE); plus 5 × Amphibious Special Forces Groups (GANFE) 1 × Presidential Guard Corps with 1 × Mechanised Infantry Brigade (2 × Lieutenant Infantry Battalions, 1 × Assault Infantry Battalion, 1 × Mortar Group) , 1 × MP Brigade (3 MP Battalions and 1 × Special Operation anti-riot- vehicles), 1 × Logistics Brigade, 1 × Special Forces Group, 1 × Engineer Battalion, 1 × Honour Guard Artillery Battery, 1 × Honour Guard Cavalry Squadron plus 1 × Naval Infantry (Marine) Battalion attached from the navy. 1 Airborne Corps: 1 Paratrooper Brigade (3 × Para Battalions, 1 × Special Forces Airmobile Group (GAFE)) 1 Rural Defence Corps with 13 × Infantry and 13 × (horse) Cavalry Units No separate air defence units exist.The engineers consist of three combat engineer battalions, plus a similar number of construction battalions and three independent companies. Ultimately there is to be a total of five or six army corps of which only CE I, in Military Region I, is partially formed.This list only depicts close to 12,000 rurales, however, official documents state total personnel at more than 17,980.These organisations have a varying number of brigades under each HQ. They comprise the most specialised troops, however the main territorial deployment is spread in the 12 Military Regions through 46 Military zones comprising 103 independent infantry battalions and 24 independent motorised cavalry regiments and 24 independent infantry companies. Mexican regiments are battalion size units equipped with armoured vehicles.The army is charged with three defence plans: DNI (defence of national territory from invasion); DNII (broadly defined as internal security ); DNIII (assistance for disaster threats). To accomplish these missions, the army operates through the nine military regional commands. Corps have evolved as specialised formations with constant deployments at a national level, while military regions and their corresponding military zones have a large number of independent battalion-sized units allocated.Military Regions ?????????? TOPMilitary RegionLocationI R.M.Mexico City (HQ), Morelos and state of MexicoII R.M.Mexicali, Baja California (HQ), Baja California Sur and SonoraIII R.M.Mazatlán, Sinaloa (HQ) and DurangoIV R.M.Monterrey, Nuevo León (HQ), Tamaulipas and San Luis PotosíV R.M.Guadalajara, Jalisco (HQ), Nayarit, Colima, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes VI R.M.La Boticaria, Veracruz (HQ), Puebla and Tlaxcala VII R.M.Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas (HQ) and Tabasco VIII R.M.Ixcotel, Oaxaca (HQ) and Minatitlán, VeracruzIX R.M.Cumbres de Llano Largo, GuerreroX R.M.Mérida, Yucatán (HQ), Campeche and Quintana RooXI R.M.Torreón, Coahuila (HQ) and ChihuahuaXII R.M.Irapuato, Guanajuato (HQ), Queretaro and Michoacan Military Zones ?????????? TOPMilitary ZoneLocation1/a Z.M.Tacubaya, D.F.2/a Z.M.Tijuana, B.C.3/a Z.M.La Paz, B.C.4/a Z.M.Hermosillo, Son.5/a Z.M.Chihuahua, Chih.6/a Z.M.Saltillo, Coah.7/a Z.M.Escobedo, N.L.8/a Z.M.Reynosa, Tamps.9/a Z.M.Culiacán, Sin.10/a Z.M.Durango, Dgo.11/a Z.M.Guadalupe, Zac.12/a Z.M.San Luis Potosí, S.L.P.13/a Z.M.Tepíc, Nay.14/a Z.M.Aguascalientes, Ags.15/a Z.M.Zapopan, Jal.16/a Z.M.Sarabia, Gto.17/a Z.M.Querétaro, Qro.18/a Z.M.Pachuca, Hgo.19/a Z.M.Tuxpan, Ver.20/a Z.M.Colima, Col.21/a Z.M.Morelia, Mich.22/a Z.M.Toluca, Mex.23/a Z.M.Panotla, Tlax.24/a Z.M.Cuernavaca, Mor.25/a Z.M.Puebla, Pue.26/a Z.M.El Lencero, Ver.27/a Z.M.Ticui, Gro.28/a Z.M.Ixcotel, Oax.29/a Z.M.Minatitlán, Ver.30/a Z.M.Villahermosa, Tab.31/a Z.M.Rancho Nuevo, Chis.32/a Z.M.Vallladolid, Yuc.33/a Z.M.Campeche, Camp.34/a Z.M.Chetumal, Q. Roo.35/a Z.M.Chilpancingo, Gro.36/a Z.M.Tapachula, Chis.37/a Z.M.Santa Lucía, Mex.38/a Z.M.Tenosique, Tab.39/a Z.M.Ocosingo, Chis.40/a Z.M.Guerrero Negro, B.C.S.41/a Z.M.Puerto Vallarta, Jal.42/a Z.M.Hidalgo del Parral, Chih.43/a Z.M.Apatzingán, Mich.44/a Z.M.Miahuatlán, Oax.45/a Z.M.Nogales,Son46/a Z.M.Ixtepec, Oax.Military Garrisons ?????????? TOPThere is a military presence in all major population centres, the largest troop concentrations being in the vicinity of the federal capital, at Guadalajara and Oaxaca. The largest formation is at the Brigade level. GarrisonLocationGn. Mil. de El Ciprés, B.C.El Ciprés, B.C.Gn. Mil. de Tecate, B.C.Tecate, B.C.Gn. Mil. de San Felipe, B.C.San Felipe, B.C.Gn. Mil. de San Luis, Son.San Luis Río Colorado, Son.Gn. Mil. de Agua Prieta, Son.Agua Prieta, Son.Gn. Mil. de Sonoyta, Son.Sonoyta, Son.Gn. Mil. de Cd. Juárez, Chih.Cd. Juárez, Chih.Gn. Mil. de Ojinaga, Chih.Ojinaga, Chih.Gn. Mil. de Palomas, Chih.Palomas, Chih.Gn. Mil. de Acu?a, Coah.Cd. Acu?a, Coah.Gn. Mil. de Piedras Negras, Coah.Piedras Negras, Coah.Gn. Mil. de Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.Gn. Mil. de Matamoros, Tamps.Matamoros, Tamps.Gn. Mil. de Manzanillo, Col.Manzanillo, Col.Gn. Mil. de Lázaro Cárdenas, Mich.Lázaro Cárdenas, Mich.Gn. Mil. de Puerto Escondido, Oax.Puerto Escondido, Oax.Gn. Mil. de Coatzacoalcos, Ver.Coatzacoalcos, Ver.Gn. Mil. de San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis.San Cristobal de las Casas, Chis.Gn. Mil. de Cozumel, Q. Roo.Cozumel, Q. Roo.Gn. Mil. de Cancún, Q. Roo.Cancún, Q. Roo.Gn. Mil. de Palenque, Chis.Palenque, Chis.Gn. Mil. de Comitán, itán de Domínguez, Chis.Gn. Mil. de Melaque, Jal.Melaque, JalOrder of Battle ?????????? TOPThe present order of battle of the Mexican Army is unclear due to troop movements to reinforce troubled areas. However, in 2009, it was believed to resemble the following:I Military Region HQ Mexico CityUnitLocation1st Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentMéxico2nd Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentMéxico3rd Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentMorelos19 Motorised Cavalry RegimentMéxico5 Infantry BattalionHidalgo21 Infantry BattalionMorelos25 Infantry BattalionMéxico26 Infantry BattalionDistrito Federal59 Infantry BattalionMéxico65 Infantry BattalionMéxico66 Infantry BattalionDistrito Federal69 Infantry BattalionMéxico75 Infantry BattalionDistrito Federal81 Infantry BattalionMéxico84 Infantry BattalionHidalgo96 Infantry BattalionHidalgo10 Special Forces BattalionDistrito Federal11 Special Forces BattalionDistrito Federal1 Military Police BrigadeDistrito Federal2 Military Police BrigadeMéxico3 Military Police BrigadeMéxico2 Artillery RegimentDistrito Federal4 Artillery RegimentMorelos5 Artillery RegimentMéxico7 Artillery RegimentMéxico8 Artillery RegimentDistrito Federal9 Artillery RegimentDistrito Federal1 Munitions Engineer BattalionDistrito Federal1 Combat Engineer battalionDistrito Federal3 Combat Engineer battalionMéxico1 Transmissions BattalionDistrito Federal1 War Matarials BattalionDistrito Federal1 RCL GroupMéxico5 RCL GroupDistrito Federal6 RCL GroupDistrito Federal7 RCL GroupMéxico2 Mechanised RegimentDistrito Federal3 Mechanised RegimentMéxico5 Mechanised RegimentMorelos8 Mechanised RegimentMéxico6 Mortar GroupDistrito Federal1 Para BattalionDistrito Federal2 Para BattalionDistrito Federal3 Para BattalionDistrito FederalII Military Region HQ Mexicali, Baja CaliforniaUnitLocation2 Motorised Cavalry RegimentSonora3 Motorised Cavalry RegimentSonora17 Motorised Cavalry RegimentBaja California Sur21 Motorised Cavalry RegimentBaja California Sur22 Motorised Cavalry RegimentSonora23 Motorised Cavalry RegimentBaja California24 Infantry BattalionSonora28 Infantry BattalionBaja California35 Infantry BattalionChihuahua49 Infantry BattalionBaja California Sur60 Infantry BattalionSonora67 Infantry BattalionBaja California68 Infantry BattalionBaja California Sur73 Infantry BattalionSonora9 Non-aligned Infantry CompanySonora16 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyBaja California Sur17 Non-aligned Infantry CompanySonora2 Special Forces BrigadeBaja California5 Special Forces BattalionSonora6 Special Forces BattalionSonora1 Amphibious Special Forces GroupBaja California2 Amphibious Special Forces GroupBaja California Sur3 Amphibious Special Forces GroupSonoraIII Military Region (HQ at Mazatlán, Sinaloa)UnitLocation8 Infantry BattalionSinaloa42 Infantry BattalionSinaloa58 Infantry BattalionDurango71 Infantry BattalionDurango72 Infantry BattalionDurango85 Infantry BattalionDurango89 Infantry BattalionSinaloa94 Infantry BattalionSinaloa2 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyDurango20 Non-aligned Infantry CompanySinaloa24 Non-aligned Infantry CompanySinaloa1 Special Forces BattalionSinaloa4 Special Forces BattalionSinaloa9 Special Forces BattalionSinaloaIV Military Region (HQ at Tancol, Tamaulipas)UnitLocation1 Motorised Cavalry RegimentTamaulipas10 Motorised Cavalry RegimentTamaulipas15 Infantry BattalionTamaulipas16 Infantry BattalionNuevo León22 Infantry BattalionNuevo León34 Infantry BattalionSan Luis Potosí45 Infantry BattalionSan Luis Potosí77 Infantry BattalionTamaulipas78 Infantry BattalionNuevo León103 Infantry BattalionTamaulipas7 Special Forces BattalionNuevo LeónV Military Region (HQ at Guadalajara, Jalisco)UnitLocation9 Infantry BattalionJalisco14 Infantry BattalionJalisco29 Infantry BattalionColima32 Infantry BattalionJalisco43 Infantry BattalionNayarit52 Infantry BattalionZacatecas53 Infantry BattalionZacatecas79 Infantry BattalionJalisco86 Infantry BattalionNayarit88 Infantry BattalionColima92 Infantry BattalionJalisco22 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyJalisco8 Special Forces BattalionJalisco4 Mechanised RegimentAguascalientesVI Military Region (HQ at La Boticaria, Veracruz)UnitLocation6th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentPuebla7th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentPuebla9th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentPuebla5 Motorised Cavalry RegimentTlaxcala12 Motorised Cavalry RegimentPuebla16 Motorised Cavalry RegimentPuebla24 Motorised Cavalry RegimentPuebla7 Infantry BattalionVeracruz30 Infantry BattalionVeracruz39 Infantry BattalionVeracruz44 Infantry BattalionVeracruz63 Infantry BattalionVeracruz70 Infantry BattalionPuebla74 Infantry BattalionVeracruz80 Infantry BattalionTlaxcala83 Infantry BattalionVeracruz87 Infantry BattalionVeracruz1 Special Forces BrigadePuebla3 RCL GroupPuebla1 Mechanised RegimentTlaxcalaVII Military Region HQ at Tuxtla Gutierrez, ChiapasUnitLocation4 Motorised Cavalry RegimentChiapas15 Motorised Cavalry RegimentChiapas18 Motorised Cavalry RegimentTabasco13 Infantry BattalionChiapas17 Infantry BattalionTabasco18 Infantry BattalionTabasco20 Infantry BattalionChiapas31 Infantry BattalionChiapas38 Infantry BattalionChiapas46 Infantry BattalionChiapas57 Infantry BattalionTabasco61 Infantry BattalionChiapas91 Infantry BattalionChiapas101 Infantry BattalionChiapas1 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyChiapas8 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyChiapas11 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyChiapas15 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyChiapas3 Artillery RegimentChiapas8 RCL GroupChiapasVIII Military Region HQ at Ixcotel, OaxacaUnitLocation6 Motorised Cavalry RegimentOaxaca13 Motorised Cavalry RegimentOaxaca1 Infantry BattalionVeracruz3 Infantry BattalionVeracruz6 Infantry BattalionOaxaca36 Infantry BattalionVeracruz47 Infantry BattalionOaxaca54 Infantry BattalionOaxaca95 Infantry BattalionOaxaca98 Infantry BattalionOaxaca99 Infantry BattalionOaxaca100 Infantry BattalionOaxaca23 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyOaxaca3 Special Forces BrigadeOaxaca6 Artillery RegimentOaxacaIX Military Region HQ at Cumbres del llano Largo, GuerreroUnitLocation4 Infantry BattalionGuerrero19 Infantry BattalionGuerrero27 Infantry BattalionGuerrero40 Infantry BattalionGuerrero41 Infantry BattalionGuerrero48 Infantry BattalionGuerrero50 Infantry BattalionGuerrero56 Infantry BattalionGuerrero93 Infantry BattalionGuerreroX Military Region HQ at Merida, YucatánUnitLocation7 Motorised Cavalry RegimentQuintana Roo9 Motorised Cavalry RegimentYucatán11 Motorised Cavalry RegimentCampeche10 Infantry BattalionCampeche11 Infantry BattalionYucatán55 Infantry BattalionQuintana Roo64 Infantry BattalionQuintana Roo4 Amphibious Special Forces GroupQuintana Roo5 Amphibious Special Forces GroupYucatánXI Military Region HQ at Torreón, CoauilaUnitLocation14 Motorised Cavalry RegimentCoahuila20 Motorised Cavalry RegimentChihuahua2 Infantry BattalionChihuahua23 Infantry BattalionChihuahua33 Infantry BattalionCoahuila76 Infantry BattalionChihuahua3 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyChihuahua10 Non-aligned Infantry CompanyCoahuilaXII Military Region HQ at Irapuato, GuanajuatoUnitLocation4th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentQuerétaro5th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentGuanajuato8th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentGuanajuato12 Infantry BattalionMichoacán37 Infantry BattalionMichoacán51 Infantry BattalionMichoacán62 Infantry BattalionGuanajuato82 Infantry BattalionMichoacán90 Infantry BattalionGuanajuato97 Infantry BattalionQuerétaro3 Special Forces BattalionMichoacán1 Artillery RegimentGuanajuato2 Combat Engineer battalionGuanajuato2 RCL GroupQuerétaro4 RCL GroupGuanajuato6 Mechanised RegimentGuanajuato7 Mechanised RegimentQuerétaro1st Armoured BrigadeUnitLocation1st Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentMéxico2nd Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentMéxico5 Artillery RegimentMéxico1 RCL GroupMéxico2 Mechanised RegimentDistrito Federal3 Mechanised RegimentMéxico2nd Armoured BrigadeUnitLocation3rd Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentMorelos4th Armoured Reconnaissance RegimentQuerétaro6 Artillery RegimentOaxaca2 RCL GroupQuerétaro1 Mechanised RegimentTlaxcala4 Mechanised RegimentAguascalientes3rd Independent Infantry Brigade (Rapid Reaction)UnitLocation26 Infantry BattalionDistrito Federal66 Infantry BattalionDistrito Federal75 Infantry BattalionDistrito Federal8 Artillery RegimentDistrito Federal6 RCL GroupDistrito Federal6 Mortar GroupDistrito Federal1st Special Forces BrigadeUnitLocation1 Special Forces BattalionSinaloa2 Special Forces Battalionn/a3 Special Forces BattalionMichoacán10 Special Forces BattalionDistrito Federal11 Special Forces BattalionDistrito Federal2nd Special Forces BrigadeUnitLocation5 Special Forces BattalionSonora6 Special Forces BattalionSonora7 Special Forces BattalionNuevo León8 Special Forces BattalionJalisco1 Amphibious Special Forces GroupBaja California2 Amphibious Special Forces GroupBaja California Sur3 Amphibious Special Forces GroupSonora3rd Special Forces BrigadeUnitLocation4 Special Forces BattalionSinaloa9 Special Forces BattalionSinaloa4 Amphibious Special Forces GroupQuintana Roo5 Amphibious Special Forces GroupYucatánCombat Engineer Brigade HQ in Campo Militar No.1, Mexico City UnitLocation1 Munitions Engineer BattalionDistrito Federal1 Combat Engineer battalionDistrito Federal2 Combat Engineer battalionGuanajuato3 Combat Engineer battalionMéxicoOperational Art and Tactical Doctrine ?????????? TOPThe tactical and operational doctrines of the Mexican Army have evolved mainly domestically, although there is some inevitable US influence.Personnel ?????????? TOPDemographics ?????????? TOPThere are no active conscripts in the Mexican armed forces. However, there is a token, part-time National Military Service programme which is compulsory for all males who are 18-years-old and is voluntary for females. The weekend conscripts are assigned through a lottery and they undergo very basic instruction (comprising marching and exercise but no small arms or weapons training). The army has a heavy General quota, with 537 Division, Brigade and Brigadiers in service. The officer corps is divided among "Chiefs" or "Commanding Officers" (Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and Majors) who make up less than 3 per cent of the manpower total. Junior Officers (Captains and Lieutenants) make up 15 per cent while NCO's and enlisted personnel form 81 per cent of the manpower total. Civilian and other support personnel comprise the remaining 1 per cent.Recruitment ?????????? TOPThere is an ongoing recruitment campaign as the number of deserters (numbering approximately 15,000 a year for the past eight years) are sought to be replaced. The expansion of the army is also continuing. The majority of these desertions take place during the first 10 weeks of basic training for new recruits. There is no information on the actual goal of the expansion; it depends on the funding allocated to SEDENA each year by Congress. Morale ?????????? TOPMorale has historically been reported as low among the troops and NCO's, yet quite high among the officer corps. SEDENA has implemented a number of measures in order to increase morale at the base level, comprising improved levels of pay, increased family benefits, expanding healthcare benefits, better pensions, leadership training courses and so on. Popular support for the army leading the way in the fight against organised crime remains high, with recent polls listing an 85 per cent approval rate, while the same polls show a 69 per cent rate in favour of the army taking over police duties. Professionalism ?????????? TOPThe Mexican National Defence Secretariat (SEDENA) published its Programa Sectorial de Defensa Nacional 2007-2012 (PSDN - National Defence Sectorial Programme) which outlines a number of changes that are taking place within a force that has been traditionally secretive and inward looking. This is in alignment with President Calderon's integral Plan Nacional de Desarrollo (National Development Plan) and Visión México 2030 (Vision of Mexico for 2030). The PSDN identifies six main objectives, however, the most important is the aim to create better trained troops with high morale and a solid esprit de corps as well as consolidating its operational capabilities in an effort to have a modest sized force with a much higher operational capability.Training ?????????? TOPAll officers are trained at the Heroíco Colegio Militar outside Mexico City. Officers continue to undergo professional training at specific stages throughout their careers, and specialist training is provided by the Centro de Aplicación para Oficiales de las Armas in Mexico City, which includes the Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Infantería (infantry), Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Artillería (artillery), Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Zapadores (combat engineers), Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Ingeniería (engineers), Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Transmisiones (signals), Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Servicios, Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Materiales de Guerra and the Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Medicina Militar (medical). The only major branch school not located at Mexico City is the Escuela Militar de Aplicación de Caballería (cavalry), which is located at Irapuato (Guanajuato). The Escuela Superior de Guerra, in Mexico City, trains highly ranked officers for staff appointments. There is also a comprehensive system of specialist schools for other ranks, including the Escuela de Clases de las Armas Mariano Matamoros at Puebla.The Colegio de Defensa Nacional was founded in 1981 as an institution of the Ministry of National Defence. It is the most prestigious school for military education and teaches in the fields of international, political and socio-economic affairs. Students are members of the army and air force (with rank of colonel and above), of the navy (rank of rear admiral), or civilian employees of the government (Ministry of External Relations, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior or Secretariat of the Presidency).The Escuela de Fuerzas Especiales (special forces) was inaugurated in 1998 and is responsible for all army special forces training, comprising jungle, desert, mountain, amphibious and urban warfare courses.Training Areas ?????????? TOPThe major training areas are all in the vicinity of Mexico City, except for the NCO School at Puebla and the Cavalry School at Irapuato.The Special Forces Schools have the following training areas:Laguna Salada in Baja California Sur for desert training; El Salto, Pueblo Nuevo, Durango for mountain training; Xotomoc, Quintana Roo for amphibious and jungle training; and Temamatla, state of Mexico for urban warfare training. Army procurement ?????????? TOPThe land forces have no modern tracked armour and, despite fairly extensive recent acquisitions of wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), the army still requires both armoured and other vehicles of all kinds. Inventories of both anti-tank guided weapons are paltry, and surface to air missiles are non-existent.However, the main requirements regard the army's continued internal security roles. Mention has been given to acquiring an extra 1,000 HMMWVs to augment the current ageing fleet. Tactical radios and communication equipment were acquired in 2008 through a large USD192 million order placed with Harris for Falcon II tactical radios and other communication equipment. Light trucks and logistic support trucks, including commercial off the shelf vehicles are being acquired by the army at a constant rate, mainly from local (commercial) suppliers. Protected vehicles are also required, with the armoured HMMWV being the most likely option to standardise the fleet. HMMWVs have been modified locally to carry the M106A1 and other types of recoiless rifles. Armour ?????????? TOPArmour holdings are unlikely to change in the near future, with the Panhard fleet (ERC 90, VBL and VCR) expected to continue in service for at least a decade. The AMX-VCI has been considerably upgraded and is also likely to continue in service for another decade. Local construction of some 1,000 vehicles of the DN-series was cancelled in the late 1980s. There are some 190 ageing armoured personnel carriers of various types that immediate require replacement.Local production of the G-36V assault rifle continues, under the designation FX-05, and a second batch of 10,000 rifles began production in 2009. Artillery ?????????? TOPRecent acquisitions have included a large artillery cache obtained in the Gulf, comprising 559 MILAN missiles and 18,000 120-mm mortar rounds. The acquisition of 13 NORINCO 105 mm howitzers (reportedly designated M-90 and thought to be an un-licensed copy of the OTO Melara M-56) for USD13.8 million was officially reported since 2004, however the plan to acquire up to 96 examples has been cancelled after the type was found ineffective for requirements. There is a requirement for a regiment of 155 mm artillery, although this has lagged in priority and is now not likely to be funded until 2012. Modernisation ?????????? TOPAll of the older existing armoured fighting vehicles (M-8 Greyhound, MAC-1, HWK-11, M2A1/M9A1 half tracks) have undergone several modernisation programmes, including the installation of new engines, night vision systems and armaments. The GIAT 20 mm gun has become the standard fit, a South African-built version is also in service.Mexico acquired a total of 409 AMX-VCI tracked APCs from Belgium and France, which were heavily converted into the DNC-1, with new Detroit diesel engines, NVG and a number of different armament fixes. So far eight vehicles have been used to form a DNC-1 simulator complex.Equipment in service ?????????? TOPArmour ?????????? TOPTypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst DeliveryHWK 11RheinmetallArmoured Personnel Carrier52401964DN-IV n/aArmoured Personnel Carrier25151982DN-V Toron/aArmoured Personnel Carrier2519 11986DNC-2 (BDX)n/aArmoured Personnel Carrier95901993DNC-1 (modified AMX-VCI)n/aArmoured Personnel Carrier4093981993LAV-150ST (DN-Cobra)Textron Marine & Land Systems Armoured Personnel Carrier28281994RolandMOWAGArmoured Personnel Carrier3025n/aVCR/TTn/aArmoured Personnel Carrier3636n/aVBLPanhard General DefenseReconnaissance Vehicle4040 21985DN-VII Lincen/aReconnaissance Vehicle22n/aM3A1 Scout Carn/aReconnaissance Vehicle n/a31961VCR/RVn/aReconnaissance Vehicle44n/aDN-VIn/aArmoured Personnel Carrier22n/aM8 'Greyhound'n/aReconnaissance Vehicle5040n/aMAC-1/Mex 1ChryslerReconnaissance Vehicle4131n/aERC 90F1 'Lynx'Panhard General DefenseReconnaissance Vehicle120119n/aM2A1n/aHalf Track34321961M9A1n/aHalf Trackn/a21961VCR/CPn/aCommand Post44n/aVCR/ISn/aAmbulance33n/aM32 Shermann/aRecovery Vehicle32n/aERC 90ECPanhard General DefenseTraining Vehicles44n/aNotes: Unconfirmed. Eight VBLs have MILAN anti-tank missile systems. Artillery ?????????? TOPTypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst Delivery75 mm DN-5 Buffalon/aSelf-Propelled Howitzer651986105 mm M56Yugoimport Towed Howitzer80401985105 mm M101Rock Island Arsenal Towed Howitzer80601961105 mm M90NORINCOTowed Howitzer1313200575 mm M116n/aTowed Howitzer1212n/a105 mm M3n/aTowed Howitzer1816196160 mm M2n/aMortarn/an/an/a81 mm M1n/aMortar400400n/a81 mm Brandtn/aMortar400400n/a81 mm SBn/aMortar300300n/a107 mm M30n/aMortar6060n/a120 mm MO-120-RT-61BrandtMortar32321978120 mm BrandtMortar7575197860 mm M65n/aMortar6060n/aAnti-Tank Weapons ?????????? TOPTypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst DeliveryMILANMBDA Anti-Tank Guided Weapon2020n/a106 mm M40A1General DynamicsRecoilless Rifle4040n/a37 mm M3n/aAnti-Tank Gun2525n/a83 mm RL-83 Blindiciden/aAnti-Tank Weapon500500n/aB-300IMIAnti-Tank Weapon2020n/aAir Defence Weapons ?????????? TOPTypeManufacturerRoleOriginal TotalIn ServiceFirst Delivery12.7 mm M55n/aAnti-Aircraft Gun (Quad)4040n/aInfantry Weapons ?????????? TOPTypeRole9 mm H&K P7M13Pistol9 mm M9Pistol0.45 Colt M1911A1Pistol5.56 mm HK33EAssault Rifle5.56 mm FX-05 (G-36V)Assault Rifle5.56 mm M16A1Assault Rifle7.62 mm FN FALAssault Rifle7.62 mm G3Rifle12.7 mm Barrett M82A1Rifle9 mm MendozaSub-Machine Gun9 mm MP5Sub-Machine Gun5.56 mm HK53Sub-Machine Gun0.30 inch M1917Machine Gun0.30 inch M1919Machine GunMendoza B-1933Machine GunMadsen M-1934Machine Gun7.62 mm Mendoza RM-2Machine Gun0.50 inch M-2HBMachine Gun0.50 inch QCBMachine Gun7.62 mm FN MAGMachine Gun7.62 mm HK 21A1Machine Gun40 mm HK19Support Weapon ................
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