Mongolian Ground Force

The Ground Force of Mongolia () is the land force of the Mongolian Armed Forces, formed from parts of the former Mongolian People's Army in 1992. It was known as the "Mongolian General Purpose Force" () until 2016.

History

At present Mongolia's armed forces have become more compact and professional since obligatory military service was replaced with the alternative between military and other service. The ground force, a core of the armed forces, are the main force to defend the country by military means. In peacetime, the ground force direct their activities toward ensuring the mobilization readiness of the Mongolian Armed Forces, providing military training for the population, forming personnel resources, and organizing the maintenance, protection and servicing of military equipment and material reserves. Depending on the organizational specifics of military units and organizations, the ground force are divided into combat, on-combat-duty, training, training combat, and stockpile and service units.

As a result of reform processes started in 1997, units of the Mongolian Armed Forces were reorganized into a brigade-battalion system. In peacetime, sub-units of brigades have a mixed personnel organization (i.e. of constant combat readiness, training, and under strength). In 2016, the General Purpose Force was renamed to its current name of Ground Force of the Armed Forces. In 1997 the Mongolian Armed Forces had in service 650 tanks, 120 light armored reconnaissance vehicles, 400 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 300 armored personnel carriers, 300 towed artillery, 130 multiple rocket launchers, 140 mortars, and 200 anti-tank guns. Mongolia deployed its troops to peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with 1970s Soviet-bloc weapons, transportation, and equipment. Although Mongolian troops are highly skilled with using these weapons and equipment, they are not interoperable with the rest of the coalition members. Except for the United States-provided Harris Corporation communications equipment, Mongolia had no other equipment which was interoperable. From January 14 to 18 in 2008, Chief of the General Staff of the MAF Lieutenant General Tsevegsuren Togoo signed an agreement for acquisition of equipment and vehicles from Russia for 120 million US dollars during his official visit to Moscow.

Structure

Peacekeeping missions

Mongolian armed forces are performing peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Congo, Eritrea, Western Sahara, and Afghanistan, and with the United Nations Mission in Liberia. In 2005 and 2006, Mongolian troops also served as part of the Belgian KFOR contingent in Kosovo. From 2009 the Mongolian Armed Forces deploying its largest peace keeping mission to Chad and the government is planning to deploy its first fully self-sufficient UN mission there in mid-2011.

Equipment

Gallery

File:Mongolian Army soldiers salute while their nation's flag waves in the breeze at the Transit Center at Manas.jpg, Mongolian soldiers salute while the Mongolian flag waves at the Transit Center at Manas, where they stayed for several days before moving forward to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
File:The Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force 1 performs a drill demonstration during Mongolian Army Day. (4443117634).jpg, Members of the Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force 1 stand in formation for Mongolian Army Day at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan. Mongolian Army Day is an annual event that has occurred since 1921.
File:Mongolian Armed Forces in riot gears.jpg, Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces and Internal Forces practice crowd control techniques as a part of Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar 2010 at 5 Hills Training Facility, Mongolia, June 2010.
File:Mongolian Powerstar truck in military service.JPG, Mongolian Powerstar truck in Mongolian military service.
File:Mongolian honor guard.jpg, An honor guard salutes during the welcoming ceremonies for Air Force General Richard B. Myers, who became the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to visit Mongolia, January 2004.
File:A Mongolian soldier performs during the opening ceremony for exercise Khaan Quest 2013 at the Five Hills Training Area in Mongolia Aug. 3, 2013 130803-M-MG222-004.jpg, A Mongolian soldier performs during the opening ceremony for exercise Khaan Quest 2013 at the Five Hills Training Area in Mongolia, August 2013.

References

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*''World aircraft information files Bright Star Publishing London File 332 Sheet 3

External links

General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces

Ministry of Defense

General Intelligence AgencyPhotographic report on the Military Parade for the honor of National Flag of Mongolia, 2011

{{Mongolia topics

Military units and formations established in 1992