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The Spanish Naval Infantry ( es, Infantería de Marina) is the
naval infantry Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refl ...
unit of the
Spanish Navy The Spanish Navy or officially, the Armada, is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces and one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Spanish Navy was responsible for a number of major historic achievements in navigation, ...
() responsible for conducting
amphibious warfare Amphibious warfare is a type of offensive military operation that today uses naval ships to project ground and air power onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore at a designated landing beach. Through history the operations were conducted ...
by utilizing naval platforms and resources. The Marine Corps is fully integrated into the Armada's structure. The Corps was formed in 1537 by
Charles I of Spain Charles V, french: Charles Quint, it, Carlo V, nl, Karel V, ca, Carles V, la, Carolus V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (Crown of Castile, Castil ...
(also known as
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, french: Charles Quint, it, Carlo V, nl, Karel V, ca, Carles V, la, Carolus V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain ( Castile and Aragon) f ...
), making it the oldest marine corps in existence in the world, drawing from the .


Mission

The Spanish Marine Infantry is an elite corps, highly specialised in
amphibious warfare Amphibious warfare is a type of offensive military operation that today uses naval ships to project ground and air power onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore at a designated landing beach. Through history the operations were conducted ...
, that is, to project an amphibious force onto a hostile, or potentially hostile, coast. Its ability to embark on a short term notice with (land, air and naval) Navy assets, makes it a unit with a high strategic value. Adding to this a high degree of training, and the capability to deploy swiftly in international waters, results in a potent dissuasive force available at a short notice in distant regions. One of the main characteristics of a marine is the uniform that he wears. On the sleeves of the Spanish Marines are the three "Sardinetas", which marks it as a member of the Royal House Corps. This was given in recognition for a heroic last stand in the
Castillo del Morro The Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (also known by the less formal title of Castillo del Morro or as San Pedro de la Roca Castle) is a fortress on the coast of the Cuban city of Santiago de Cuba. About 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the ...
of Havana, Cuba against a British expedition in 1762. The only other unit to wear the sardinetas and red trouser stripes is the
Spanish Royal Guard The Royal Guard ( es, Guardia Real) is an independent regiment of the Spanish Armed Forces that is dedicated to the protection of the King of Spain and members of the Spanish Royal Family. It currently has a strength of 1,500 troops. While the ...
. Spanish Marines have modern assets to comply with its mission, having personnel specialised in
artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, ...
,
sapping Sapping is a term used in siege operations to describe the digging of a covered trench (a "sap") to approach a besieged place without danger from the enemy's fire. (verb) The purpose of the sap is usually to advance a besieging army's positio ...
, helicopters, special operations, communications, tanks, among others. Some vehicles form the ''Grupo Mecanizado Anfibio del Tercio de Armada'' (the Mechanized Amphibious Group of the Navy Tercio). The Marines of Spain are not only a fleet force, as the Spanish Royal Marine Guard Company are responsible for the defense and security forces of naval bases and facilities, naval schools and training units, and all facilities that support the Marines themselves.


History


First period

The (Navy Infantry) was created by
Charles V Charles V may refer to: * Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) * Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain * Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise * Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690) * Infan ...
in 1537, when he permanently assigned the (Old Sea Companies of Naples) to the (Mediterranean Galley Squadrons). But it was
Philip II Philip II may refer to: * Philip II of Macedon (382–336 BC) * Philip II (emperor) (238–249), Roman emperor * Philip II, Prince of Taranto (1329–1374) * Philip II, Duke of Burgundy (1342–1404) * Philip II, Duke of Savoy (1438-1497) * Philip ...
who established today's concept of a landing force. This was a pure naval power projection ashore by forces deployed from ships that could maintain their ability to fight despite being based on board. This is the period of the famous
Tercio A ''tercio'' (; Spanish for " third") was a military unit of the Spanish Army during the reign of the Spanish Habsburgs in the early modern period. The tercios were renowned for the effectiveness of their battlefield formations, forming the e ...
s (literally "One Third", due to its organisation: one third of
musketeer A musketeer (french: mousquetaire) was a type of soldier equipped with a musket. Musketeers were an important part of early modern warfare particularly in Europe as they normally comprised the majority of their infantry. The musketeer was a prec ...
s, one third of swordsmen and the final third of pikemen):''La Infantería de Marina Espanola. Sintesis histórica y Evolución Orgánica.'' Ministerio de Defensa, 2011. * . * . * . * . Of the Tercios above, the first is considered the core of the Spanish Marine Infantry, and it bears in its coat of arms two crossed anchors that became the Corps' coat of arms until 1931. In 1704, the Tercios became regiments: ''Regimiento de Bajeles'' (Vessel's Regiments), ''Regimiento de la Armada'' (Navy Regiment), ''R. del Mar de Nápoles'' (Naples' Sea Regiment), and ''R. de Marina de Sicilia'' (Sicily's Navy Regiment), detaching some small units to the Army, and the main body remained in the Navy becoming the ''Cuerpo de Batallones de Marina'' (Navy Battalions Corps). The battles that the marines served in during this very busy period included: *
Algiers Algiers ( ; ar, الجزائر, al-Jazāʾir; ber, Dzayer, script=Latn; french: Alger, ) is the capital and largest city of Algeria. The city's population at the 2008 Census was 2,988,145Census 14 April 2008: Office National des Statistiques d ...
expedition (1541). * Battle of Lepanto (1571). * Tunisia expedition (1573). * The conquest of Terceira Island (
Azores ) , motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace") , anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores") , image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg , map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union , map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
) (1582). * Great Britain expedition (1599). * San Salvador ( Brazil) expedition (1625).


Second period

In 1717 the ''Cuerpo de Batallones de Marina'' was definitively settled and organized into a 12-battalion corps with a corresponding regimental HQ overseeing the supervision of these units. The first ones were named: ''Armada, Bajeles, Marina, Oceano, Mediterráneo'' and ''Barlovento''. Their mission was to form the "Main body of landing columns and ship's soldiers tasks" in a time that boarding was still a critical part of battle at sea. They were also gun crews. In 1728 the battalion ''Mediterráneo'' and in 1731 the battalion ''Barlovento'' were disbanded. In 1741 there were eight battalions and ten years later another was added. In 1740 a marine artillery corps was founded. At mid 18th century there were 12,000 marine infantry and 3,000 marine gunners. The infantry formed boarding parties while the gunners manned the ship cannons. As needed landing parties were formed. Both corps also garrisoned the navy's coastal fortresses. During the War of Spanish Independence both the marine infantry and the marine artillery was reorganized as an administrative division of seven regiments, mainly fighting on land as part of army divisions in an operational role. In a 1793, a woman, Ana Maria de Soto, disguised as a man, and answering to the name of Antonio Maria de Soto, enlisted in the 6th company of 11° Battalion of the Navy, being licensed with pension and honors in 1798, when she was discovered to be a woman. The major actions they took part in during this period were: * Sardinia, 1717 * Naples and Sicily, 1732 *
Battle of Cartagena de Indias The Battle of Cartagena de Indias ( es, Sitio de Cartagena de Indias, lit=Siege of Cartagena de Indias) took place during the 1739 to 1748 War of Jenkins' Ear between Spain and Britain. The result of long-standing commercial tensions, the war w ...
, 1741 * Defence of Havana, 1762 * Algiers expedition, 1775 *
Battle of Pensacola (1781) The siege of Pensacola was a siege fought in 1781, the culmination of Spain's conquest of the British province of West Florida during the Gulf Coast campaign. Background When Spain entered the War in 1779, Bernardo de Gálvez, the energetic ...
* Siege of Toulon, 1793 * Defense of
Ferrol, Spain Ferrol () is a city in the Province of A Coruña in Galicia, on the Atlantic coast in north-western Spain, in the vicinity of Strabo's Cape Nerium (modern day Cape Prior). According to the 2021 census, the city has a population of 64,785, ma ...
, 1800 * Recapture of
Buenos Aires Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South Am ...
, 1806


Third period

The increasing efficiency of the naval artillery made boarding obsolete after the Napoleonic Wars, the marine infantry and marine artillery was merged in 1827 into a brigade, '' Brigada Real de Marina '' with focus on artillery. The brigade that consisted of two battalions was renamed the '' Real Cuerpo de Artillería de Marina'' in 1833. In the First Carlist War 1834-39, three battalions of marine infantry were organized, serving as field infantry, with an additional battalion raised to reinforce the Royal Guards in Madrid. In 1839 the corps was renamed ''Cuerpo de Artillería and Infanteriá de Marina''. In 1841 the infantry was transferred to the army. The marine artillery remained in the navy under the name of '' Cuerpo de Artillería de Marina ''. However, in 1848, the naval infantry was re-established by the formation of a new Corps, '' Cuerpo de Infantería de Marina, '', then as an infantry regiment organized into three battalions and the regimental HQ, as well as support units and the band. The marine artillery was abolished in 1857. The five battalions of marine infantry were reorganized in 1869 to three regiments, one for each naval station. By this time, the mission of the marines changed from naval garrison troops, to a landing force serving mainly in the colonies. During the Third Carlist War 1872–1876 the marines fought as field infantry. In 1879, the marine infantry academy, the ''Academia General Central de Infantería de Marina'' was founded. The colonial wars in the Philippines and on Cuba, with constant landing operations, lead to a reorganization of the marines into three brigades of two regiments each. In 1886 the marines contained four brigades, each with four tercios, while the reorganization of 1893 created three regiments of two battalions each. During the Philippine Revolution and the Spanish–American War the marines fought as part of army divisions. Though Spain's empire was dismembered in the nineteenth century the marines continued to be active abroad. Its most important actions in this period were: * Santo Domingo (1804) * Cochinchina (Vietnam) (1858) * Mexico (1862) * Cuba and Philippines (1898) * Morocco (1911) These actions were carried out by the ''Batallones Expedicionarios'' (Expeditionary Battalions), some of them campaigning abroad for up to ten years.


Fourth period

At the end of the World War I, the Battle of Gallipoli made almost all countries abandon the idea of amphibious assault. The world's marine corps fell into a deep crisis, with the Spanish Marine Infantry being no exception, though it enjoyed success during the Third Rif War in its innovative Alhucemas amphibious assault in 1925, when it employed coordinated
air The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...
and
naval gunfire Naval gunfire support (NGFS) (also known as shore bombardment) is the use of naval artillery to provide fire support for amphibious assault and other troops operating within their range. NGFS is one of a number of disciplines encompassed by th ...
to support the assault. Owing to its high-profile action in the unpopular Rif Wars, the Spanish Navy Marine corps was branded as a leftover of the Spanish colonial era. After the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931, the reforms of the armed forces introduced by newly nominated Republican Minister of War Manuel Azaña within the first months of the new government sought to disband the corps. Before it was officially disbanded, however, the Spanish Civil War intervened and the corps split and served both sides with the garrisons of Ferrol and
Cádiz Cádiz (, , ) is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the Province of Cádiz, one of eight that make up the autonomous community of Andalusia. Cádiz, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe, ...
on the Nationalist side and the garrison of Cartagena, as well as a detachment in Madrid, on the Republican side. During the bitterly fought war the Marines performed garrison duties, led landing parties, and provided expert artillery and machine gun crews. The Republican 151 Brigada Mixta fought mostly inland battles far away from the sea. Photographer
Robert Capa Robert Capa (born Endre Ernő Friedmann; October 22, 1913 – May 25, 1954) was a Hungarian-American war photographer and photojournalist as well as the companion and professional partner of photographer Gerda Taro. He is considered by some to b ...
took pictures of the Spanish Marine Infantry in the Battle of the Segre. Republican ''Infantería de Marina'' Lieutenant Colonel Ambrosio Ristori de la Cuadra, killed in action during the Siege of Madrid, was posthumously awarded the
Laureate Plate of Madrid The Laureate Badge of Madrid ( es, Placa Laureada de Madrid) was the highest military award for gallantry of the Second Spanish Republic. It was awarded in recognition of action, either individual or collective, to protect the nation and its citi ...
.


Fifth period

After the civil war, during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, the strength of the Infantería Marina was increased. In 1957, the ''Grupo Especial Anfibio'' (Amphibious Special Group) was created, and the Spanish Marine Infantry returned to its primary duty as a Landing Force Mission. In 1958 it established a
beachhead A beachhead is a temporary line created when a military unit reaches a landing beach by sea and begins to defend the area as other reinforcements arrive. Once a large enough unit is assembled, the invading force can begin advancing inland. The ...
in Spanish Sahara and Ifni during the Ifni War. The capabilities and strength of the Spanish Marine Infantry were increased: new amphibious vehicles, anti-tank weapons, individual equipment and artillery. The ''Tercio de Armada'' (TEAR) became the main amphibious unit and has experienced several restructures that led to the E-01 Plan, which defines the requirements and structures from the year 2000 for the Spanish Marine Infantry. The Spanish Marines have been present in Europe, Central America and Asia in an anonymous role as an "emergency force" ready to evacuate civilians in conflict areas, or as a deterrence force in providing cover for the actions of allied forces. The current base for the Spanish Marines is in San Fernando.


Modern Day

The Spanish Marine Infantry have been deployed to various NATO operations such as Afghanistan.


Special operations deployments

In June 2009, the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) was created through the fusion of the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Marine Infantry as well as the Special Combat Divers Unit (UEBC) and the Special Explosives Defusers Unit (UEDE) from the Navy Diving Center. The FGNE is organized inside the whole Navy. This unit has taken part in several operations including Atalanta in Somalia, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Hispaniola in Haiti and the hijack of the fishing vessel ''Alakrana'' in Somali waters.


Organization


Marine brigade

The main fighting Force of the Spanish Marine Infantry is the Marine Infantry Brigade, which includes the following units: * Marine Infantry Brigade (BRIMAR) ** Headquarters Battalion, with 1x Headquarters, 1x
Signals In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
, 1x
Military Intelligence Military intelligence is a military discipline that uses information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to assist commanders in their decisions. This aim is achieved by providing an assessment of data from ...
, Battlefield Surveillance & Electronic Warfare and 1x Reconnaissance & Target Acquisition Company ** 1st Landing Battalion, with 1x HQ & Service, 3x Naval
Fusilier Fusilier is a name given to various kinds of soldiers; its meaning depends on the historical context. While fusilier is derived from the 17th-century French word ''fusil'' – meaning a type of flintlock musket – the term has been used in con ...
s and 1x Weapons Company ** 2nd Landing Battalion, with 1x HQ & Service, 3x Naval Fusiliers and 1x Weapons Company ** 3rd Mechanized Landing Battalion, with 1x HQ & Service, 2x Mechanized ( Piranha IIIC 8x8), 1x Tank ( M60A3 TTS) and 1x Weapons Company ** Amphibious Mobility Group, with 1x HQ & Service, 1x Engineer, 1x Amphibious Assault Vehicle, 1x Anti-Tank ( TOW) and 1x Boat Company ** Artillery Landing Group, with 1x HQ & Service, 2x Field Artillery ( 105mm Mod. 56), 1x Self-propelled Artillery ( 155mm M109AE), 1x Air-Defense Artillery Battery ( Mistral) and 1x Fire Support Coordination and Control Company ** Combat Service Support Group, with 1x HQ & Service, 1x Transport, 1x Medical, 1x Supply, 1x Maintenance Company and 1x Beach Organization & Movement Company


Protection Forces

The Protection Force (FUPRO) is in charge of ensuring the security of naval and other designated facilities and contains around 2000 troops. FUPRO is commanded by a brigadier general and is made up of the following battalion sized Tercios (En:Thirds): * Tercio del Norte (TERNOR) - Northern Regiment * Tercio de Levante (TERLEV) - Eastern Regiment * Tercio del Sur (TERSUR) - South Regiment * Unidad de Seguridad del Mando Naval de Canarias (USCAN) - Canary Islands Naval Command Security Unit * Agrupación de Infantería de Marina de Madrid (AGRUMAD) - Madrid Marine Infantry Group


Special Forces

''See article:
Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial The Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) ( es, Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial) is the special forces unit of the Spanish Navy. It was created on June 10, 2009 through the fusion of the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Spanish Navy Marines and ...
The Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE) is the special operations force of the Spanish Navy specializing in maritime, land and coastal environments. It is made up of the former Special Naval Warfare Command, which comprised the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Tercio de Armada and the Special Combat Divers Unit (UEBC). These units are grouped into elements with the following main tasks: * Command and control: Command Group and Staff and CIS Platoon of the Staff and Support Unit * Combat: Estoles * Combat Support (CSU): Boat and parachute unit of the Staff and Support Unit. * Combat Services Support (CSSU): Health, Provisioning, Transportation, folding, Weapons and Material and Cargo of the Staff and Support Unit


Marine Company of the Royal Guard

The ''Compañía Mar Océano de la Guardia Real'' was created on 1 December 1981 as part of the Royal Guard. Its organization is that of a Rifle Company.


Naval Police

The Naval Police Units are basically organized for the performance, both in peace and in war, of specific security and order missions. They fulfill the duties of surveillance of units and units of the Navy, custody, escort and regulation of transport and military convoys, protection of authorities, identification of personnel and vehicles, etc. In the exercise of their functions they will have the character of agents of the authority.


Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (TAR) Company

The Compañía de Reconocimiento y Adquisición de Blancos (Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance, TAR) was created in 2012, replacing the Reconnaissance Unit (URECON) assigned to the Headquarters Battalion. Its mission is the reconnaissance for the Marine Infantry Brigade (BRIMAR) operations. Its tasks are observation and reconnaissance, target acquisition, control of fire support (artillery and air strikes), close air support (helicopter precision marksmanship), direct action and mobility. For this, the most veteran marines train in insertion / extraction using skydiving and diving techniques.


Sección Martín Álvarez

While she remained active, the Spanish aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R11) had an assigned section of embarked Marines who were responsible for the security and control of the vessel, conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) using helicopters or RIBs. Once the ship began its decommissioning process, the Section was dismantled and its members assigned to other units.


Personnel structure


Ranks of the Spanish Marine Infantry

Even though the ranks of the Marine Infantry are similar to Spanish Army ranks they wear also sleeve and cuff insignia to recognize them as part of the naval establishment, aside from shoulder rank insignia.


Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of
commissioned officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer, or a warrant officer. However, absent contex ...
s.


Other ranks

The rank insignia of
non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...
s and
enlisted personnel An enlisted rank (also known as an enlisted grade or enlisted rate) is, in some armed services, any rank below that of a commissioned officer. The term can be inclusive of non-commissioned officers or warrant officers, except in United States m ...
.


Officer Cadets and NCO Candidates


The Spanish Marine's Decalogue


Original Spanish

* 1º mandamiento : Mi primer deber como infante de marina es estar permanentemente dispuesto a defender España y entregar si fuera preciso mi propia vida * 2º mandamiento : Seré siempre respetuoso con mis mandos, leal con mis compañeros, generoso y sacrificado en mi trabajo * 3º mandamiento : Estaré preparado para afrontar con valor abnegación y espíritu de servicio cualquier misión asiganada a la Infantería de Marina * 4º mandamiento : Seré siempre respetuoso con las tradiciones del cuerpo, estaré orgulloso de su historia y nunca haré nada que pueda desprestigiar su nombre * 5º mandamiento : Ajustaré mi conducta al respeto de las personas, su dignidad y derechos serán valores que guardaré y exigiré * 6º mandamiento : Como Infante de marina la disciplina constituirá mi norma de actuación, la practicaré y exigiré en todos los cometidos que se me asignen * 7º mandamiento : Como Infante de marina mi misión será sagrada, en su cumplimiento venceré o moriré * 8º mandamiento : Aumentar la preparación física y mental será mi objetivo permanente * 9º mandamiento : Seré duro en la fatiga, bravo en el combate, nunca el desaliento en mi pecho anidará, nobleza y valentía serán mis emblemas * 10º mandamiento : ¡Mi lema! ... ''¡Valiente por tierra y por mar!''


English

* 1st commandment: As a Marine my first duty is to be constantly ready to defend Spain and give my life if necessary. * 2nd commandment: I shall be always loyal with my brothers, respectful with my superiors, generous and devoted to my task. * 3rd commandment: I shall be always ready to face with courage, dedication and spirit of service any mission assigned to the Spanish Marine Corps. * 4th commandment: I shall be always respectful about the traditions of the Corps, be proud of its history and will never do anything that may adversely reflect on its name. * 5th commandment: I shall guide my conduct with respect for people, their dignity and rights I shall guard. * 6th commandment: As a Marine, discipline will be my standard of acting in all tasks assigned to me. * 7th commandment: As a Marine, my mission is sacred; in its fulfillment, I shall either win or die. * 8th commandment: Improving my body and training my mind shall be my permanent goals. * 9th commandment: I shall be strong on fatigue, brave in battle, discouragement shall never nest in my heart, for honor and courage are my banners. * 10th commandment: My motto!: ''Bravery in land and in the sea!''


Equipment


Infantry weapons


Pistols

*
Llama M82 The Llama M82 is a pistol produced by the Spanish firm Llama-Gabilondo y Cía. S.A. It is a standard-issue pistol of the Spanish Armed Forces. Mechanically, it is not dissimilar to the Beretta 92 The Beretta 92 (also Beretta 96 and Beretta 98) ...
(almost fully replaced by the FNP-9) * FN Herstal P9-17 *
SIG Sauer P230 The SIG Sauer P230 is a small, semi-automatic handgun chambered in .32 ACP or .380 Auto. It was designed by SIG Sauer of Eckernförde, Germany. It was imported into the United States by SIGARMS in 1985. In 1996 it was replaced by the model P232 ...
(silenced version. Used by the Special Naval Warfare Force) * Glock 17 Gen.5 (standard issue pistol used by the Special Naval Warfare Force) * Heckler & Koch USP-Compact


Assault rifles

* Heckler & Koch G36: E, K (short barrel) and C (carbine) versions in active service. * Heckler & Koch HK-416A5 (used by the Special Naval Warfare Force) *
CETME CETME () is a Spanish government design and development establishment. While being involved in many projects CETME was mostly known for its small arms research and development. The CETME Model 58 and CETME Model L are its most notable project ...
: Some CETME LV (with
SUSAT {{Other uses, Susat (disambiguation){{!Susat The Sight Unit Small Arms, Trilux, or SUSAT, is a 4× telescopic sight, with tritium-powered illumination utilised at dusk or dawn. The full name of the current model is the SUSAT L9A1. The sight is ...
visor) and LC (with retractable stock) in 5.56mm NATO and CETME C in 7.62mm NATO remain in limited service.


Grenade launchers

*
AG36 The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher that operates on the high-low system and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am N ...
* LAG-40M1 * Mk.19 Mod.3


Sniper rifles

* Heckler & Koch HK417 SNIPER *
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. It has proved popular as a civilian, police, and military rifle since its introduction in the ...
(including AXM and AXMC .338) *
Barrett M82A1 The Barrett M82 (standardized by the U.S. military as the M107) is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by the American company Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. Also called the Light Fifty (due to its chambering of ...
*
Barrett M95 The Barrett M95 is a bolt-action rifle chambered in .50 BMG (12.7×99mm), and manufactured by Barrett Firearms Company. It has been adopted by a number of militaries around the world. Overview The M95 is an improved version of the earlier Barre ...


Submachine guns

*
Heckler & Koch MP5 The Heckler & Koch MP5 (german: Maschinenpistole 5) is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. There are over 100 variants and clones of the MP5, ...
(A3, A4 and A5 versions remain in service) * FN P90


Machine guns

* FN Minimi Para
5.56×45mm NATO The 5.56×45mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 5.56 NATO, but often pronounced "five-five-six") is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge family developed in the late 1970s in Belgium by FN Herstal. It consists of the SS109, L110, a ...
* FN Minimi MK3
7.62×51mm NATO The 7.62×51mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 7.62 NATO) is a rimless, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. It is a standard for small arms among NATO countries. First developed in the 1950s, the cartridge had first been introduced in U.S. service fo ...
) *
CETME Ameli The Ameli (abbreviated from the Spanish ''Ametralladora ligera'' or "light machine gun") is a 5.56mm light machine gun designed for the Spanish Army (''Ejército de Tierra'') by the nationally owned and operated ''Centro de Estudios Técnicos de ...
5.56×45mm NATO The 5.56×45mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 5.56 NATO, but often pronounced "five-five-six") is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge family developed in the late 1970s in Belgium by FN Herstal. It consists of the SS109, L110, a ...
(Replaced by
FN Minimi The FN Minimi (short for french: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun/squad automatic weapon developed by Ernest Vervier for FN Herstal. First introduced in the late 1970s, it is now in service in more tha ...
) * Rheinmetall MG-3 7.62x51mm NATO (Replaced by
FN Minimi The FN Minimi (short for french: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun/squad automatic weapon developed by Ernest Vervier for FN Herstal. First introduced in the late 1970s, it is now in service in more tha ...
. Used only in vehicles or as stationary weapon) * Browning M-2 HB QCB


Anti-tank weapons

* Instalaza C-100 Alcotán 100mm * Instalaza C-90C 90mm


Artillery

* ECIA 81 mm mortar * M-109A5E. Six vehicles loaned from the
Spanish Army The Spanish Army ( es, Ejército de Tierra, lit=Land Army) is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies — dating back to the late 15th century. The ...
* 12 OTO Melara M-56


Guided missiles

* TOW 2A (
anti-tank Anti-tank warfare originated from the need to develop technology and tactics to destroy tanks during World War I. Since the Triple Entente deployed the first tanks in 1916, the German Empire developed the first anti-tank weapons. The first de ...
) * Spike missile (
anti-tank Anti-tank warfare originated from the need to develop technology and tactics to destroy tanks during World War I. Since the Triple Entente deployed the first tanks in 1916, the German Empire developed the first anti-tank weapons. The first de ...
) * Mistral (
anti-aircraft Anti-aircraft warfare, counter-air or air defence forces is the battlespace response to aerial warfare, defined by NATO as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It includes surface based, ...
)


Vehicles

* 17 M-60A3 TTS (being phased out of service) * 39 Piranha IIIC 8x8 (16
ACV ACV may refer to: Companies and organizations * Air Charter Service, UK, ICAO code ACV * Asser Christelijke Voetbalvereniging ( en, Assen Christian Football Club), a Dutch amateur football club * Associated Commercial Vehicles, a former vehicle m ...
, 2 command vehicles, 1 ambulance, 1 recovery vehicle, 1 for Electronic Warfare, 4
sapper A sapper, also called a pioneer or combat engineer, is a combatant or soldier who performs a variety of military engineering duties, such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, preparing fie ...
vehicles and 4 recon vehicles armed with a 30mm main gun) * 19 AAV-7A1 (17 AAVP, 1 AAVC, 1 AAVR) * 123 Humvee (will be replaced for URO VAMTAC ST5 BN3)


Traditions


Hymn

The ''Marcha Heroica de la Infanteria de Marina'' (Heroic March of the Marine Infantry), also known as the ''Himno de la Infantería de Marina'' is the official march of the Spanish Marines. It was authored by J. Raimundo and composed by Colonel Don Agustín Díez Guerrero. The text is as follows:


Motto

Its official motto is "Per Terra et Mare" ("By Land and Sea"), which is also used as the motto of the
Royal Marines The Corps of Royal Marines (RM), also known as the Royal Marines Commandos, are the UK's special operations capable commando force, amphibious light infantry and also one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy. The Corps of Royal Marine ...
and is also similar to other marine units.


Bands

The Music Band of the Marines is the
military band A military band is a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind and percussion instruments. The conductor of a band commonly bears the tit ...
of the Marine Infantry and the larger Spanish Navy. For this, it has the Music Band, created in 1950, it is made up of a select group of non-commissioned officers and professional musicians. Its first performance was in the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid on 1 April 1951. It marches in both military ceremonies and parades, as well as in civil events. Based in Madrid it serves as the successor to bands of both that service and the whole of the Navy. The Madrid Marine Corps Ground (AGRUMAD) Music Band, also based in Madrid, also serves this branch. Since 1990, which was the year of its reestablishment, it has participated in concerts organized by the aforementioned association as well as military festivals in Spain. In 1970, it performed in the International Contest of Military Music Bands held in Valencia in 1970, in which he obtained 1st prize. It also has taken part in foreign activities in neighboring countries such as Belgium.


Uniforms

File:Infantería de marina trabajo A.png, Barrack Dress A File:Infantería de marina trabajo B.png, Barrack Dress B File:Infantería de marina diario A.png, Service Dress A File:Infantería de marina diario B.png, Service Dress B File:Infantería de marina diario C.png, Service Dress C File:Infantería de marina gala A.png, Dress Uniform A File:Infantería de marina gala B.png, Dress Uniform B File:Infantería de marina etiqueta A.png, Mess Dress A File:Infantería de marina etiqueta B.png, Mess Dress B File:Infantería de marina gran etiqueta.png, Ceremonial Dress Source:"Orden DEF/1756/2016, de 28 de octubre, por la que se aprueban las normas de uniformidad de las Fuerzas Armadas." ''Agencia Estatal Boletín del Estado.''
2018-07-30


See also

* Marine (military) *
Unidad de Operaciones Especiales (UOE) The (''Special Operations Unit'' – UOE) was the elite special operations force of the Spanish Navy and Spanish Marines, marines from 1967 to 2009. In June 2009, the unit was absorbed into the newly formed Special Naval Warfare Force (), which ...
* Alonso Pita da Veiga at the "
Battle of Pavia The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, was the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–1526 between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg empire of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as well as ruler of Spain, A ...
" captured King Francis I of France (1513–1525) * Miguel de Cervantes Spain's most famous Marine, injured at the Battle of Lepanto (1571), where the Spanish marines played a decisive part. * Salve Marinera, Spanish Navy anthem. Some of its best versions are sung by choruses of the Infantería de Marina * Armada of Spain * Spanish Republican Navy


References

Notes


External links


Official site

El Tercio de Armada (BRIMAR) (SP Marines Brigade)





Salve marinera – Anthem (by the Chorus of Infanteria de Marina and Escuela Nacional de Marineria) and Video
{{Authority control Spanish Navy Military of Spain Infanteria de Marina Marines 1537 establishments in Spain