The Armed Forces of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Војска Црне Горе, romanized: Vojska Crne Gore) are the military forces of Montenegro. The Armed Forces consists of an army, navy and air force.
The military currently maintains a force of 2,350 active duty members.[1] The bulk of its equipment and forces were inherited from the Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro; as Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former union, it retained the entire naval force.[citation needed]
On 5 June 2017, Montenegro joined NATO as the 29th member.
The King's Militia salutes Nicholas I in Lyons, France after his exile
After military successes in the wars 1876–1878 during which the Principality of Montenegro was enlarged by a large territory, from the Tara River in the north to the Adriatic Sea in the south (liberated towns Podgorica, Nikšić, Kolašin, Andrijevica, Bar and Ulcinj), reorganization in Montenegrin army was conducted in 1880. Each kapetanija (municipality) formed its reserve battalion. There were 42 battalions in total. Since 1881, regular military exercises were conducted.
Supreme Commander of the Montenegrin army was the monarch, Prince / King Nikola I. Operational command, organization and financial support of the Montenegrin army was entrusted to the Ministry of Defence, the department of the Government of the Principality / Kingdom of Montenegro.
Montenegrin military Krstaš barjak riddled with bullets after victory in the Battle of Vučji Do
General Staff of the Montenegrin army was part of the Ministry of Defence.
In 1882 first 14 Montenegrins were sent to officer schools abroad, particularly in Italy and Russia. In 1886, 10 of them completed their education and they become first trained officers in Montenegrin warrior history. These Montenegrin officers held courses in Podgorica, Nikšić and Cetinje.
In September 1895, the first permanent Infantry NCO school in Podgorica was opened, and the first NCOs got desečar rank.
At the end of 1896, artillery officer school in Cetinje was established – the first Montenegrin officer school.
Formations
Montenegrin Artillery
In 1906 Montenegrin army received the first systematized regulations, and the Law on Organization of the Army was adopted in 1910. Infantry and artillery, were established, followed by two specialized branches (reconnaissance and pioneering), and additional branches (medics, military workshop, the military court staff, gendarmerie and logistics).
In 1913 the Montenegrin gendarmerie became a special Military Police unit.
Since the establishment of the internal Montenegrin telecommunications system in 1869, vital for the flow of military-defence information, it was under the jurisdiction of Ministry of the military.
Until 1912, the territory of the Kingdom of Montenegro was divided into four divisional areas:
By 1912, the Montenegrin Army had 11 brigade areas, 52 districts and 322 battalion troop areas. Divisions were composed of 2–3 Infantry Brigade.
Each divisional command had three artillery batteries. On the eve of the First Balkan War Kingdom of Montenegro lined up 55,000 soldiers.
After the establishment of the Kingdom of Montenegro in 1910, Montenegro was involved in three wars with the first one being the First Balkan War, in alliance with Serbia, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria against the Ottoman Empire. The Second Balkan War was fought between Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Romania and the Ottoman Empire against Bulgaria, with Bulgaria consequently losing significant territory in the north, Thrace, and Macedonia.
The Military of Montenegro before 1918, was much larger than today's military. During World War I, Montenegro mobilised 50,000 troops. The Commander-in-Chief was King Nikola I of Montenegro, while the General of Staff was Božidar Janković. Units included:
Pljevlja Division
The Pljevlja Division was commanded by Brigadier Luka Gojnić. The division was made up of 10 battalions. It had around 6,000 soldiers and patrolled the area east from Pljevlja.
Herzegovina Detachment
The Herzegovina Detachment was commanded by Serdar (Count) Janko Vukotić. The detachment was made up of 15 battalions. It had around 15,000 soldiers, and patrolled the border with Herzegovina.
Lovćen Detachment
The Lovćen Detachment was commanded by divizijar Mitar Martinović. The detachment was made up of 18 battalions. It had around 8,000 soldiers, and patrolled the areas of Lovćen and Sutorman.
Old Serbia' Detachment
The 'Old Serbia' Detachment was commanded by Brigadier Radomir Vešović. The detachment was made up of 13 battalions. It had around 6,000 soldiers and secured the Albanian border.
Uniforms
Most soldiers of the Montenegrin army had no uniforms. At mobilization, the soldiers were issued with a rifle and a badge to put on the cap. Both soldiers and officers in the reserve wore national costume. The badges in the caps had different designs depending on the rank of the wearer.
Dress Uniforms. 1. Komandir in national costume, 2/3. Divizijar, 4. Vojvod in national costume, 5/6. Officers, 7. Officer of the Royal Escort in national costume, 8. Private soldier, 9. Divizijar.Field Uniforms. 1. Private soldier, 2. Bugler, 3. Corporal (all in field uniforms), 4.Captain in field uniform, 5. Lieutenant in cloak, 6. Komandir in field uniform, 7. Komandir, 8. Reserve soldier (both in national costumes), 9. Soldier of the Royal Escort in field uniform, 10. Brigadir in great coat.
Ranks and Badges
All Montenegrins between 18 and 62 years were conscripts. Recruitment was done three times a year, and the recruits are in peacetime had to have at least 25 years.
Cap Badges. From left to right. First row: Vojvod, Brigadir, Komandir, Lieutenant: Second row: Barjakdar = ensign, Vodnik = sergeant, Desečar = corporal, gunner
Peacekeeping operations
Montenegro participates in peace operations under the NATO and UN auspices as military troops and observers. Minister of Defense said that 85 soldiers are trained for international missions.[4] Montenegrin soldiers are trained by the German Bundeswehr.[5]
Montenegro sent 45 troops and medical personnel to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and later took part in the Resolute Support Mission.[6][7]
Montenegro also participates in UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia, UNMIL, Cyprus, UNFICYP as military observers and Somalia, EU-NAVFOR.[8]
15 × rifles in NATO calibre 7.62×51mm and 15 × rifles in 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition according to a protocol signed by representatives of the Turkish and Montenegrin defence ministries in Ankara on 1 October 2019.[15]
- 4 vehicles are equipped with missile launchers for Spike LR HEAT and Spike SR missiles
- 4 vehicles are command and reconnaissance vehicle
- In May 2023 Montenegrin MoD signed a 22 million USD contract with Elbit Systems for a purchase of an unspecified number of 120 mm SPEAR Mk2 mortar systems to be mounted on JLTVs.[21]
The diesel engine develops 190 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 6.7 t. Light armoured combat vehicle for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance.
The diesel engine develops 286 hp and 650 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 8 t, of which the payload is 2.5 t. Reconnaissance and Command Vehicle (RCV) have modified chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 200.
The diesel engine develops 173 hp and 410 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 4 t, of which the payload is circa 0.8 t. Militarized Mission Vehicle (MMV) is Toyota Land Cruiser but with reinforced suspension, additional engine and gearbox protection, modified brake system and the intake and exhaust system (so that the vehicle could go through water), can cary five soldiers and in the trunk there are five boxes for automatic rifles (one for each soldier) and painted in military color.
^ abcInternational Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2017). The Military Balance 2017. Vol. 117 (1 ed.). London, United Kingdom: Routledge. p. 138. ISBN978-1857439007.
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