Spanish Army

From Worldatplay

Contents 1 Division types 1.1 Mechanized infantry 1.1.1 Mechanized infantry brigade 1.1.1.1 Mechanized infantry battalion 1.1.1.2 Tank battalion 1.1.1.3 Artillery battalion 1.1.1.4 Aviation battalion 1.1.1.5 Engineer battalion 1.1.1.6 Reconnaissance squadron 1.1.1.7 Support battalion 1.1.2 Divisional aviation brigade 1.2 Armor 1.2.1 Armored brigade 1.2.1.1 Mechanized infantry battalion 1.2.1.2 Tank battalion 1.2.1.3 Other brigade units 1.3 Light infantry 1.3.1 Infantry brigade 1.3.1.1 Infantry battalion 1.3.1.2 Tank battalion 1.3.1.3 Other brigade units 1.4 Airborne 1.4.1 Airborne brigade 1.4.1.1 Airborne battalion 1.4.1.2 Support battalion 1.4.1.3 Other brigade units 1.5 Airmobile 1.5.1 Airmobile brigade 1.5.1.1 Infantry battalion 1.5.1.2 Attack aviation battalion 1.5.1.3 Transport aviation battalion 1.5.1.4 Assault transport aviation battalion 1.5.1.5 Support battalion 1.5.1.6 Other brigade units 1.6 Special forces 1.7 Army aviation

Division types

Mechanized infantry

Organizationally, a mechanized division is the same as an armored division. It differs, however, in that it uses lighter equipment, and is thus more easily deployable.

A mechanized infantry division enjoys the following advantages:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. Strong armament
3. Good protection
4. Good strategic mobility

It has the following disadvantage:

1. Less protection than an armored division

A mechanized infantry division consists of the following:

• 3 mechanized infantry brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Mechanized infantry brigade

The mechanized infantry brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 mechanized infantry battalions
• 1 tank battalion
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 aviation battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Mechanized infantry battalion

The mechanized infantry battalion is comprised of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of 3 platoons and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon has three M113A2 APCs for each of its three squads. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has two M113A2s (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, the company sergeant-major, and Stinger fire-team.

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 8 Chaimite V-300 heavy fire support vehicles
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 4 Chaimite V-400 light fire support vehicles
  • 4 Chaimite V-600 81mm or 120mm mortar carriers
• Air defense platoon
  • 8 VBL ALBI-MISTRAL air defense vehicles
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 8 Chaimite V-500 anti-tank vehicles
• Headquarters
  • 1 Chaimite V-800 communications and command vehicle

The engineer platoon has two Chaimite V-900 armored recovery vehicles and two BMR-Recup light repair vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: ten URO VAMTAC high tactic mobility all-terrain 4x4 vehicles and twenty Bandvagn 206S tracked all-terrain carriers.

The reconnaissance platoon has four VEC-M1 reconnaissance vehicles, two M113A2s, and four HMMWVs. The unit also includes a sniper section and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by twenty security troops, and has two M577A2 command vehicles and four M113A2s.

Tank battalion

The tank battalion comprises 4 tank squadrons, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

Each tank squadron consists of thirteen AMX 30 main battle tanks.

The tank battalion's fire support company is noticeably smaller than that of the mechanized infantry battalion, consisting only of an indirect fire platoon and an air defense platoon (both organizationally similar to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion).

The engineer platoon uses two AMX 30 D repair tanks.

The remaining units are identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion.

Artillery battalion

The artillery battalion provides the primary means of fire support for the brigade. It possesses the following units and equipment:

• 2 field artillery batteries
  • 8 AMX 30 AuF1 155mm self-propelled guns
  • 8 L-118A1 105mm towed howitzers
  • 1 M577A2 command vehicle
• 1 rocket battery
  • 8 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems
  • 1 M577A2 command vehicle
• 1 air defense battery
  • 8 M1097A2 Heavy HMMWV Avengers
• Headquarters
  • 1 M577A2 command vehicle

Aviation battalion

The aviation battalion provides transportation, aerial reconnaissance, and close air support for the brigade. It operates the following aircraft:

• 12 Tiger HAD (Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction/Support Destruction Helicopter)
• 12 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters
• 12 NHI NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters
• 8 C-27J Spartan medium transports
• 8 Luna X 2000 UAVs

Engineer battalion

• 12 Chaimite V-900 armored recovery vehicles
• 12 M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges
• 8 M3 Amphibious Rigs
• 12 BMR-Recup light repair vehicles
• 4 VCZ engineering vehicles

Reconnaissance squadron

• 12 VEC-M1 reconnaissance vehicles
• 3 M113A2s

Support battalion

• Logistics
  • 10 M1093 5-ton standard cargo trucks
  • 12 M1091 fuel/water tankers
  • 6 M1089 wreckers
  • 20 M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter Systems
  • 20 M1075 Palletized Load Systems
  • 40 M1108 Universal Carriers
• Medical
  • 12 BMR AMB ambulances
• Military Intelligence
  • 4 VBC-90 Víbora armored cars
• Military Police
  • 18 VBC-90 armored cars
• Signals Corps
  • 2 BMR 3560.56 signals vehicles
  • 2 BMR GEL electronic warfare vehicles
• Chemical Corps
  • 4 BMR VRAC-NBQ NBC reconnaissance vehicles

Divisional aviation brigade

• 20 C-27J Spartan medium transports
• 16 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters
• 12 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters
• 12 Mirage F-1EE ground attack aircraft

Armor

The heaviest type of division in the Army. It is intended to be used at the most difficult spots in both attack and defense. The weight of equipment fielded by an armored division means that it is relegated to a mainly defensive role.

An armored division has the following advantages:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. Strong armament
3. Excellent protection

It also has the following disadvantage:

1. Poor strategic mobility

An armored division consists of the following:

• 3 armored brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Armored brigade

The armored brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 mechanized infantry battalions
• 1 tank battalion
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 aviation battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Mechanized infantry battalion

The mechanized infantry battalion is comprised of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of 3 platoons and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon has four Pegaso 3560 BMR APCs for each of its three squads. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has two Pegaso 3560 BMRs (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, the company sergeant-major, and a Stinger fire-team).

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 8 LT-105 Light Tanks
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 8 BMR-PM-81 81mm mortar carriers
• Air defense platoon
  • 8 Scania 113H trucks equipped with NASAMS launchers
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 8 B1 Centauro tank destroyers
• Headquarters
  • 1 BMR-PC command post vehicle

The engineer platoon has two VCREC armored recovery vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: ten URO VAMTAC high tactic mobility all-terrain 4x4 vehicles and twenty Bandvagn 206S tracked all-terrain carriers.

The reconnaissance platoon has four VCOAV reconnaissance vehicles, a sniper section, and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops, and has two BMR-PC command post vehicles and two Pizarro IFVs.

Tank battalion

The tank battalion comprises 4 tank squadrons, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

Each tank squadron consists of thirteen Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks.

The tank battalion's fire support company is noticeably smaller than that of the mechanized infantry battalion, consisting only of an indirect fire platoon and an air defense platoon (both identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion).

The engineer platoon uses two Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak combat engineering vehicles and two Bergepanzer BPz3 Büffel armored recovery vehicles.

The remaining units are identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion.

Other brigade units

The remaining units are identical to those in the mechanized infantry division, with only a few differences: The engineer battalion uses the Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak combat engineering vehicle, the Siltapanssarivaunu armored vehicle-launched bridge, the Raivauspanssarivaunu de-mining vehicle, and the Bergepanzer BPz3 Büffel armored recovery vehicle; and the reconnaissance squadron uses twelve VCOAV reconnaissance vehicles.

Light infantry

The second-most deployable type of division in the Army, the light infantry division is organizationally similar to an airborne division, but differs in that it possess aircraft and a larger number of vehicles. Although the division is fully mechanized, the vehicles it employs are very light, thus precluding it from engaging in close combat with an armored force; as such, its primary role is counter-insurgency warfare.

The light infantry division has the following advantages:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. Strong armament
3. Minimal logistical requirements

It does, however, have one notable disadvantage:

1. Poor protection

A light infantry division consists of the following:

• 3 infantry brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Infantry brigade

The infantry brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 infantry battalions
• 1 tank battalion
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 aviation battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Infantry battalion

The infantry battalion consists of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of 3 platoons and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon has three M113A2s for each of its three squads. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has two M113A2s (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, the company sergeant-major, and a Stinger fire-team).

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 8 Chaimite V-300 heavy fire support vehicles
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 4 Chaimite V-400 light fire support vehicles
  • 4 Chaimite V-600 81mm or 120mm mortar carriers
• Air defense platoon
  • 8 VBL ALBI-MISTRAL air defense vehicles
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 8 Chaimite V-500 anti-tank vehicles
• Headquarters
  • 1 Chaimite V-800 communications and command vehicle

The engineer platoon has two Chaimite V-900 armored recovery vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: ten URO VAMTAC high tactic mobility all-terrain 4x4 vehicles and twenty Bandvagn 206S tracked all-terrain carriers.

The reconnaissance platoon has four Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles, two M113A2s, a sniper section, and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops, and has two M577 command vehicles and two M113A2s.

Tank battalion

The tank battalion comprises 2 tank squadrons, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

Each tank squadron consists of thirteen AMX-13 Model 1987 light tanks.

The tank battalion's fire support company is noticeably smaller than that of the mechanized infantry battalion, consisting only of an indirect fire platoon and an air defense platoon (both organizationally identical to their counterparts in the infantry battalion).

The remaining units are identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion.

Other brigade units

The remaining units are identical to those in the mechanized infantry division, with only a few differences: The engineer battalion uses an armored vehicle-launched bridge based on the AMX-13, instead of the M60A1 AVLB; the reconnaissance squadron uses twelve Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles; and the artillery battalion uses the Rascal 155mm light self-propelled howitzer, the HAWK-AMRAAM system for air defense, an M577 command vehicle for a fire command post, and the HIMARS truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher for the rocket battery.

Airborne

The airborne division forms a rapid reaction force. It is designed to be a self sufficient unit for a short time, containing all necessary maneuver, fire, and support units to operate alone.

An airborne division has the following advantages:

1. Readiness within 72 hours
2. Small logistical footprint
3. Excellent tactical mobility

However, it has many disadvantages:

1. Poor protection
2. No tanks
3. Lack of independence

An airborne division consists of the following:

• 3 airborne brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Airborne brigade

The airborne brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 airborne battalions
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Airborne battalion

The airborne battalion is comprised of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company has 3 infantry platoons, 1 weapons platoon, and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon consists of three squads, each with a section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen (one of whom is a sniper), the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The weapons platoon has four M113A2s, one carrying two Spike anti-tank missile teams, another carrying two Stinger fire teams, and the remaining two carrying machine guns. The company headquarters has two M113A2s (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, and the company sergeant-major).

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 4 M551A1 TTS light tanks
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Mortars
• Air defense platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Ozelot LeFlaSys Launcher Variant 1
  • 1 Wiesel 2 BF/UF LeFlaSys Command
  • 1 Wiesel 2 AFF LeFlaSys Radar
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 ATM HOTs
• Headquarters
  • 1 Wiesel 2 Command vehicle

The engineer platoon has two Wiesel 2 Pionier combat engineer vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: six URO VAMTAC high tactic mobility all-terrain 4x4 vehicles and sixteen Bandvagn 206S tracked all-terrain carriers.

The reconnaissance platoon has four Wiesel 1 Aufklärung, two M113A2s, a sniper section, and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops, and has two M577A2 command vehicles and four M113A2s.

Support battalion

• Logistics
  • 12 Bandvagn 206S tracked all-terrain carriers
  • 12 M1083 standard cargo trucks
• Medical
  • 12 Wiesel 2 Ambulances
• Military Intelligence
  • 2 VBC-90 Víbora armored cars
• Military Police
  • 6 VBC-90 armored cars
• Signals Corps
  • 2 BMR 3560.56 signals vehicles
  • 2 BMR GEL electronic warfare vehicles
• Chemical Corps
  • 2 BMR VRAC-NBQ NBC reconnaissance vehicles

Other brigade units

The remaining units are identical to those in the light infantry division, with only a few differences: The engineer battalion uses an armored vehicle-launched bridge based on the M551 Sheridan; and the role of forward artillery observers is taken by men on foot.

Airmobile

Airmobile divisions are designed to have tactical mobility by helicopter. It has no tanks, and less artillery than other divisions, but more aircraft than any other type of division.

Its advantages are:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. No geographical limitations

Its disadvantages are:

1. Poor protection
2. No tanks
3. Enormous logistical and technical support requirements

An airmobile division consists of the following:

• 3 airmobile brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Airmobile brigade

The airmobile brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 infantry battalions
• 1 attack aviation battalion
• 1 transport aviation battalion
• 2 assault transport aviation battalions
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Infantry battalion

The infantry battalion is comprised of four infantry companies, a fire support company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of three platoons and a company headquarters. Each platoon has three squads and a Platoon Headquarters. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, four medium machine-gun teams and the company sergeant-major).

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 4 M551A1 TTS light tanks
  • 2 M113A2s
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Mortars
• Air defense platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Ozelot LeFlaSys Launcher Variant 1
  • 1 Wiesel 2 BF/UF LeFlaSys Command
  • 1 Wiesel 2 AFF LeFlaSys Radar
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 ATM HOTs
  • 2 M50A1 Ontos tank destroyers
• Headquarters
  • 1 Wiesel 2 Command vehicle

The reconnaissance platoon has a sniper section and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops.

Attack aviation battalion

• 8 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters
• 24 Tiger HAD (Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction/Support Destruction Helicopter)

Transport aviation battalion

• 20 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters

Assault transport aviation battalion

• 24 NHI NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters

Support battalion

• Medical
  • 12 Eurocopter EC 135 T2 air ambulances
• Military Intelligence
  • 2 VBC-90 armored cars
• Military Police
  • 6 VBC-90 armored cars
• Signals Corps
  • 2 BMR 3560.56 signals vehicles
  • 2 BMR GEL electronic warfare vehicles
• Chemical Corps
  • 2 BMR VRAC-NBQ NBC reconnaissance vehicles

Other brigade units

The reconnaissance squadron uses twelve Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles and the artillery battalion uses the M119A1 105mm towed howitzer (supported by the VBC-90 armored car), the HAWK-AMRAAM system for air defense, an M577A4 command vehicle for a fire command post, and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the rocket battery. The role of forward artillery observers is instead carried out by men on foot and by Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters.

Special forces

The Special Forces Command is an elite special operations force trained for guerrilla warfare, unconventional warfare, and special operations. It is trained to fight in any type of combat or terrain, with minimal protection and technical support. Flexible and rapidly deployable, the division employs a variety of specialized skills that enables it to be employed against a variety of conventional and special operations targets; among its specialties are air assault and direct action operations, raids, infiltration and exfiltration by air, land, or sea, airfield seizure, recovery of personnel and special equipment, support of general purpose forces, and psychological operations.

It is tasked with six specific missions:

1. Unconventional warfare
2. Special reconnaissance
3. Direct action
4. Counter-terrorism
5. Counter-proliferation
6. Information operations

The special forces enjoy a high degree of self-sufficiency and require little in the way of technical support, aside from aviation support, which is provided by the 106th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (its missions include attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and are usually conducted at night, at high speeds and low altitudes, on short notice, and in secret).

Army aviation

The Spanish Army also possesses an aviation element, which provides its heavy-lift capabilities. It operates the following aircraft:

• CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter
• Super Puma 332B utility helicopter
• AS 532 UL/AL medium utility helicopter
• Bo 105ATH anti-tank helicopter
• Bo 105GSH armed scout helicopter
• Bo 105LOH observation helicopter
• UH-1H Iroquois multipurpose utility helicopter
• Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter
• Tiger HAD (Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction/Support Destruction Helicopter)
• Bell 205 multipurpose utility helicopter
• Bell 212 Twin Huey utility helicopter
• NHI NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter