History Peruvian_Army

1 history

1.1 independence
1.2 19th century
1.3 20th century
1.4 21st century

history

military traditions in peruvian territory go prehispanic times, ranging small armed bands large armies assembled inca empire. after spanish conquest, small garrisons kept @ strategic locations no standing army existed until bourbon reforms of 18th century. main purpose of force defense of viceroyalty pirates , corsairs internal rebellions.

independence

the ejército del perú officially established on august 18, 1821 when government of general josé de san martín established legión peruana de la guardia (peruvian guard legion), although militia units had been formed before. peruvian troops key participants in final campaign against spanish rule in south america, under leadership of general simón bolívar, ended victoriously in battles of junín , ayacucho in 1824.

19th century

battle of arica, july 7, 1880.

painting juan lepiani

after war of independence strong position of army , lack of solid political institutions meant every peruvian president until 1872 held military rank. ejército del perú had major role in definition of national borders participating in several wars against neighbor countries. included indecisive conflict against gran colombia (1828–1829), wars of peru-bolivian confederacy (1836–1839), 2 invasions of bolivia (1827–1828 , 1841) , brief occupation of ecuador (1859–1860). starting in 1842, increased state revenues guano exports allowed expansion , modernization of army, consolidation of political power. these improvements important factor in defeat of spanish naval expedition @ battle of callao (1866). however, continuous overspending , growing public debt led chronic fiscal crisis in 1870s severely affected defense budgets. consequent lack of military preparedness combined bad leadership major causes of peru s defeat against chile in war of pacific (1879–1883). reconstruction of army started after war due general lack of funds. major turning point in process arrival in 1896 of french military mission contracted president nicolás de piérola. 1900 peacetime strength of army evaluated @ 6 infantry battalions (nearly 2,000 soldiers), 2 regiments , 4 squadrons , cavalry (between 6 , 7 hundred soldiers), , 1 artillery regiment (just on 500 soldiers) total of 3,075 personnel. military school reportedly operating in chorrillos district of lima , french officers continuing assist in army s reorganization.

20th century

during years of 20th century peruvian army underwent series of reforms under guidance of french military mission operated in periods 1896-1914, 1919–1924 , 1932-1939. changes included streamlining of general staff, establishment of escuela superior de guerra (war college) in 1904, creation of 4 military regions (north, center, south , orient) in 1905 , general professionalization of military career. improvements such these instrumental in performance of army in border skirmishes colombia (1911 , 1932) , major war against ecuador (1941).

even though peruvian army not involved in world war ii, conflict had significant effect in development, through replacement of french military influence of united states. military mission started operations in 1945 followed influx of surplus american military equipment delivered military aid or sold @ low cost.

washington established leader of continental defense through creation of inter-american defense board in 1942 , signing of inter-american treaty of reciprocal assistance in 1947. parallel development founding in 1950 of centro de altos estudios militares (caem, center of high military studies) formation of officers in major problems of nation beyond related military defense.

the peruvian army main protagonist of gobierno revolucionario de las fuerzas armadas (revolutionary government of armed forces), institutionalized military government ruled country between 1968 , 1980. during period, defense expenditures underwent exponential growth allowing rapid expansion of armed forces , unprecedented level of weapon acquisitions. in 1970s, influence on army replaced massive influx of soviet training , equipment, including t-55 tanks, bm-21 grad, ak series rifles , btr series apcs plus new soviet-styled national military strategy of regaining lost southern provinces part of chile. political power returned civilians in 1980s, rise of terrorist insurgent group sendero luminoso (shining path) prompted deployment of several army units in counter-insurgency role. human rights violations associated intervention , sharp decrease in defense budget due general economic crisis caused serious problems army morale , readiness strain on civil-military relations.

the presidency of alberto fujimori (1990–2000) saw army regain protagonism in public scene, increased political power led cases of corruption. internal conflict ceased part after capture in 1992 of abimael guzmán, leader of terrorist group shining path, brief border war ecuador broke out in 1995. during period, women incorporated army first conscripts in 1993 , officers in 1997. army commandos had important participation in operation chavín de huantar put end japanese embassy hostage crisis. in 1999, 1 year after signing of peace treaty ecuador conscription abolished , replaced voluntary military service both genders.

21st century

peruvian infantry disembarking infantry fighting vehicles in cruz de hueso exercise, 2007

the downfall of alberto fujimori regime left peruvian army in difficult state, of senior officers compromised in scandals of corruption , human rights violations. several reforms undertaken during presidencies of valentín paniagua (2000–2001) , alejandro toledo (2001–2006), among them prosecution of criminal cases related military, reorganization of military rank system , increased civilian supervision through revamped ministry of defense. outcome of , other initiatives major factor of order, major preparation, new equipment , development of ejército del perú. g-3 america (g3 , associates international corporation) facilitated incorporation of new technology eliminate or reduce terrorism. have been working tenaciously in getting right equipment armed forces while working state department , companies accomplish it.

the ollanta humalla administration has had army engaged in training members of peru s indigenous peoples duties of national defense as, through beca 18 program, helping reduce poverty while teaching youth of values of national service. term saw revival of army s modernization process arrival of type 81 mrl, pushing bm-21s retirement.