The Armed Forces of Montenegro ( cnr, Војска Црне Горе, Vojska Crne Gore) are the military forces of
Montenegro
)
, image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg
, map_caption =
, image_map2 =
, capital = Podgorica
, coordinates =
, largest_city = capital
, official_languages = M ...
. The Armed Forces consists of an
army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
,
navy
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...
and
air force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
.
The military currently maintains a force of 2,350 active duty members.
[ The bulk of its equipment and forces were inherited from the ]Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro
The Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro ( sh-Cyrl-Latn, Војска Србије и Црне Горе, Vojska Srbije i Crne Gore, ВСЦГ / ''VSCG'') included ground forces with internal and border troops, naval forces, air and air defense ...
; as Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former union, it retained the entire naval force.
In June 2017, Montenegro joined NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
as the twenty-ninth member.
Command
Leadership
*Commander in Chief President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
* President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
Milo Đukanović
Milo Đukanović ( cnr, Мило Ђукановић, ; born 15 February 1962) is a Montenegrin politician serving as the President of Montenegro since 2018, previously serving in the role from 1998 to 2003. He also served as the Prime Minister ...
Ministry of Defence
*Minister of Defence
A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in som ...
, Raško Konjević
Raško Konjević (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Рашко Коњевић; born on 12 April 1979 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina) is a Montenegrin politician serving as the deputy prime minister of Montenegro and the minister of defence since 28 April ...
*Chief of General Staff Brigadier General
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
, Milutin Đurović
Bases
Air Bases
*Golubovci Airbase
The Podgorica Airbase (also known as Golubovci Airbase) is an active airbase in Montenegro. The airbase facilities are shared with Montenegro's main international airport, Podgorica Airport. It is the main base of the air arm of the Military of ...
(Podgorica
Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
)
Naval Bases
* Bar Naval Base
*Pero Ćetković Base
*Pristan Base
Army Bases
*Milovan Šaranović Army Base
*Nikšić Army Base
*V. K. Volođa Army Base
*Breza Army Base
*Masline Army Base
*Аndrijevica Army Base
Units and structure
*
General Staff, in Podgorica
Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
**
1st Infantry Battalion, in Danilovgrad
Danilovgrad ( cnr, Даниловград) is a town in central Montenegro. It has a population of 6,852 (2011 census). It is situated in the Danilovgrad Municipality which lies along the main route between Montenegro's two largest cities, Podgori ...
*** 1st Infantry Company, in Nikšić
Nikšić ( cnr, Никшић, italic=no, sr-cyrl, Никшић, italic=no; ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 56,970 located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot ...
*** 2nd Infantry Company, in Pljevlja
*** 3nd Infantry Company, in Andrijevica
Andrijevica ( Montenegrin Cyrillic: Андријевица, ) is a town and the seat of Andrijevica Municipality in eastern Montenegro. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 1,048.
History
The town of Andrijevica is a relatively n ...
*** Mountain Infantry Company, in Kolašin
Kolašin (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Колашин, ) is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 (2003 census). Kolašin is the centre of Kolašin Municipality (population 9,949) and an unofficial centre of Morača region, named af ...
*** Fire Support Company, in Podgorica
*** Signal Platoon, in Danilovgrad
*** NBC Defence Platoon, in Danilovgrad
*** Service Section, in Danilovgrad
**
Air Force, at Podgorica Airbase
*** Flying Squadron
*** Air Surveillance & Reporting Centre, in Golubovci
Golubovci ( cnr, Голубовци, ) is a small town in the Podgorica Municipality of Montenegro.
It has 3,110 residents according to 2011 census, while the ''Golubovci City Municipality'' accounts for some 16,093 residents.
Transport
Sometim ...
, reports to NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
's Integrated Air Defense System CAOC Torrejón in Spain
*** Support Company
*** Signal Platoon
*** 1st Air-Defence Platoon
*** 2nd Air-Defence Platoon
*** Service Section
**
Navy, in Bar
*** Patrol Boat P105
*** Patrol Boat P106
*** Coastal Surveillance Company
*** Training Ship "Jadran"
*** Auxiliary Boats Detachment
*** Support Company, in Danilovgrad
** Combat Support Battalion, in Podgorica
***
Special Forces Company
*** Marine Detachment
***
Military Police Company
***
Honorary Guard Company
** Support Battalion, in Danilovgrad
*** Engineer Company
*** Maintenance Company
*** Mixed Logistic Company
*** Warehouse Platoon
*** Logistic Platoon
** 2nd Infantry Battalion (Reserve), in Pljevlja
** 3rd Infantry Battalion (Reserve), in Andrijevica
** Mixed Artillery Battalion (Reserve), in Nikšić
** Training Center, in Danilovgrad
** Medical Center, in Podgorica
** Signal and Electronic Warfare Company, in Podgorica
Ranks and insignia
The Military before 1918
After military successes in the wars 1876–1878 during which the Principality of Montenegro
The Principality of Montenegro ( sr, Књажевина Црна Горa, Knjaževina Crna Gora) was a principality in Southeastern Europe that existed from 13 March 1852 to 28 August 1910. It was then proclaimed a kingdom by Nikola I, who then ...
was enlarged by a large territory, from the Tara River
The Tara ( sr-cyrl, Тара) is a river in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It emerges from the confluence of the Opasnica and Veruša rivers in the Komovi Mountains, part of the Dinaric Alps of Montenegro. The total length is 146  ...
in the north to the Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea () is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula. The Adriatic is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the Strait of Otranto (where it connects to the Ionian Sea) to t ...
in the south (liberated towns Podgorica
Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
, Nikšić
Nikšić ( cnr, Никшић, italic=no, sr-cyrl, Никшић, italic=no; ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 56,970 located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot ...
, Kolašin
Kolašin (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Колашин, ) is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 (2003 census). Kolašin is the centre of Kolašin Municipality (population 9,949) and an unofficial centre of Morača region, named af ...
, Andrijevica
Andrijevica ( Montenegrin Cyrillic: Андријевица, ) is a town and the seat of Andrijevica Municipality in eastern Montenegro. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 1,048.
History
The town of Andrijevica is a relatively n ...
, Bar and Ulcinj
Ulcinj ( cyrl, Улцињ, ; ) is a town on the southern coast of Montenegro and the capital of Ulcinj Municipality. It has an urban population of 10,707 (2011), the majority being Albanians.
As one of the oldest settlements in the Adriatic co ...
), 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
The Kingdom of Montenegro ( sr, Краљевина Црна Горa, Kraljevina Crna Gora) was a monarchy in southeastern Europe, present-day Montenegro, during the tumultuous period of time on the Balkan Peninsula leading up to and during World ...
.
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
Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
, Nikšić
Nikšić ( cnr, Никшић, italic=no, sr-cyrl, Никшић, italic=no; ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 56,970 located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot ...
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
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
The Kingdom of Montenegro ( sr, Краљевина Црна Горa, Kraljevina Crna Gora) was a monarchy in southeastern Europe, present-day Montenegro, during the tumultuous period of time on the Balkan Peninsula leading up to and during World ...
was divided into four divisional areas:
*1. Cetinje divisional area
*2.Podgorica
Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
divisional area
*3.Nikšić
Nikšić ( cnr, Никшић, italic=no, sr-cyrl, Никшић, italic=no; ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 56,970 located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot ...
divisional area
*4.Kolašin
Kolašin (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Колашин, ) is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 (2003 census). Kolašin is the centre of Kolašin Municipality (population 9,949) and an unofficial centre of Morača region, named af ...
divisional area
After wars 1912th–1913th established additional two divisions field:
*5. Pljevlja divisional area
*6.Peć
Peja ( Indefinite Albanian form: ''Pejë'' ) or Peć ( sr-Cyrl, Пећ ) is the fourth largest city of Kosovo and seat of Peja Municipality and Peja District. It is situated in the region of Rugova on the eastern section of the Accursed Moun ...
divisional area
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
The Kingdom of Montenegro ( sr, Краљевина Црна Горa, Kraljevina Crna Gora) was a monarchy in southeastern Europe, present-day Montenegro, during the tumultuous period of time on the Balkan Peninsula leading up to and during World ...
in 1910, Montenegro was involved in three wars with the first one being the First Balkan War
The First Balkan War ( sr, Први балкански рат, ''Prvi balkanski rat''; bg, Балканска война; el, Αʹ Βαλκανικός πόλεμος; tr, Birinci Balkan Savaşı) lasted from October 1912 to May 1913 and invo ...
, in alliance with Serbia
Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hungar ...
, Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...
, Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Moldova to the east, and ...
, and Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedo ...
against the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
. The Second Balkan War
The Second Balkan War was a conflict which broke out when Bulgaria, dissatisfied with its share of the spoils of the First Balkan War, attacked its former allies, Serbia and Greece, on 16 ( O.S.) / 29 (N.S.) June 1913. Serbian and Greek armies r ...
was fought between Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Romania and the Ottoman Empire against Bulgaria, with Bulgaria consequently losing significant territory in the north, Thrace
Thrace (; el, Θράκη, Thráki; bg, Тракия, Trakiya; tr, Trakya) or Thrake is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe, now split among Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, which is bounded by the Balkan Mountains to ...
, 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
Božidar Janković ( sr-Cyrl, Божидар Јанковић; 7 December 1849 – 7 July 1920) was a Serbian army general commander of the Serbian Third Army during the First Balkan War between the Balkan League and the Ottoman Empire. In 1901 h ...
. 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 Serdar may refer to
* Serdar (given name)
* Serdar (surname)
* SERDAR, a stabilized remote-controlled Ukrainian weapon station
* Serdar (city) in Turkmenistan, the capital of Serdar District
* Serdar (Ottoman rank), a military and noble rank of t ...
(Count
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...
) Janko Vukotić
Janko Vukotić ( sr-cyr, Јанко Вукотић; 18 February 1866 – 4 February 1927) was a Montenegrin serdar, general in the armies of the Principality and Kingdom of Montenegro in the Balkan Wars and World War I.
Biography
Vukotić was b ...
. 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
Mitar Martinović ( sr-cyrl, Митар Мартиновић; Cetinje, 8 September 1870 – Belgrade, 11 February 1954) was a Montenegrin vojvoda and divisional general in the Yugoslav Royal Army. He was a short-term Prime Minister of Montenegr ...
. The detachment was made up of 18 battalions. It had around 8,000 soldiers, and patrolled the areas of Lovćen
Lovćen ( cyrl, Ловћен, ) is a mountain and national park in southwestern Montenegro. It is the inspiration behind the names ''Montenegro'' and ''Crna Gora'', both of which mean "Black Mountain" and refer to the appearance of Mount Lov ...
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
A folk costume (also regional costume, national costume, traditional garment, or traditional regalia) expresses an identity through costume, which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history. It can also indicat ...
. The badges in the caps had different designs depending on the rank of the wearer.
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.
*Officer ranks were: potporučnik, poručnik, kapetan, komandir, brigadir, divizijar
*NCO ranks were: desečar, donarednik, narednik
*Ceremonial ranks were: serdar, vojvoda
Peacekeeping operations
Montenegro participates in peace operations under the NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
and UN auspices as military troops and observers. Minister of Defense said that 85 soldiers are trained for international missions. Montenegrin soldiers are trained by the German Bundeswehr
The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...
.
Montenegro sent 45 troops and medical personnel to the ISAF
' ps, کمک او همکاري '
, allies = Afghanistan
, opponents = Taliban Al-Qaeda
, commander1 =
, commander1_label = Commander
, commander2 =
, commander2_label =
, commander3 =
, command ...
mission in Afghanistan and later took part in the Resolute Support Mission
Resolute Support Mission (RSM) or Operation Resolute Support was a NATO-led multinational mission in Afghanistan. It began on 1 January 2015 as the successor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was completed on 28 Decem ...
.
Montenegro also participates in UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia, UNMIL
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was a peacekeeping operation established in September 2003 to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia following the resignation of President Charles Taylor and the conclusion of the Second Liberia ...
, Cyprus, UNFICYP as military observers and Somalia, EU-NAVFOR.[http://www.mod.gov.me/rubrike/Mirovne_misije/vojska_crne_gore_u_medjunarodnim_misijama_i_operac]
Equipment
Ground Army
Navy
Air Force
Gallery
File:Military Montenegro 33.jpg, Members of Special Forces Brigade
File:153035 52436623 morn-1.jpg, Members of Marine Detachment
image:Military Montenegro 24.jpg, Special forces
Image:Montenegro Afganistan.JPG, Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
Image:Avganistan (4).jpg, Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
Image:Army Montenegro.jpg, Infantry Company
Image:Military Montenegro 9.jpg, Infantry Company
Image:Military Montenegro 3.jpg, Sniper
Image:Military Montenegro 4.jpg, Achleitner RCV Survivor
Image:Military Montenegro 7.jpg, BOV M86
Image:Military Montenegro 8.jpg, Combat drill
Image:Military Montenegro 11.jpg, Soldier
Image:Military Montenegro 18.JPG, NBC Defence
Image:Military Montenegro 20.jpg, Military Police
Image:Montenegrian Military inflatable boat.jpg, Montenegrin navy boat
File:HEKLER.JPG, Montenegrin soldier holding a HK MP5
File:Patrolni brod klasa Kotor P34.jpg, Kotor class Frigate
See also
*Law enforcement in Montenegro
Law enforcement in Montenegro is primarily the responsibility of the ''Police Directorate'' (''Uprava Policije'').
Organization
All units of the Police Directorate report to the Police Director. Police Directorate of Montenegro is a law enforcem ...
* List of wars involving Montenegro
References
External links
Official Website
(Montenegrin)
Montenegro in NATO
(Montenegrin)
"Europe’s Newest State Trims the Army" (DefenseNews.com)
"Appointment of the Acting Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro" (Website of the President of Montenegro)
Montenegrin Armed Forces / Vojska Crne Gore – VCG
Perspective of the Military of Montenegro, in English
Montenegrin Armed Forces before 1918 / Vojska Crne Gore prije 1918
Debate on NATO in Montenegro
Milo Đukanović appoints himself as Minister of Defense
{{DEFAULTSORT:Military of Montenegro
*