Armed Forces of Montenegro

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.

Armed Forces of Montenegro
Vojska Crne Gore (Montenegrin)
Emblem of the Armed Forces of Montenegro
Flag of the Armed Forces of Montenegro
MottoČojstvo i Junaštvo (cnr), Humanity and Bravery (en)
Founded1879
Current form2006
Service branches Montenegrin Ground Army
 Montenegrin Navy
 Montenegrin Air Force
HeadquartersPodgorica
Websitewww.gov.me/mod/vojska-crne-gore
Leadership
Commander-in-chief Jakov Milatović
Minister of DefenceFilip Adžić
Chief of the General StaffZoran Lazarević
Personnel
Military age18 years of age
ConscriptionNo
Fit for
military service		184,159 males, age 15–49,
171,823 females, age 15–49
Active personnel2,350[1]
Expenditures
Budget€61,000,000 (2019)
Percent of GDP2.68% (2019)
Industry
Domestic suppliersTARA Aerospace and Defence Products AD
Foreign suppliers Israel
 Italy
 Czech Republic
 Turkey
 Serbia
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 United States
 Slovenia
 Spain[2]
Related articles
HistoryMilitary history of Montenegro
RanksMilitary ranks of Montenegro

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.

In June 2017, Montenegro joined NATO as the twenty-ninth member.

Command

Leadership

Ministry of Defence

Bases

Air 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
Armed Forces of Montenegro organization 2021
  • General Staff, in Podgorica[3]
    • 1st Infantry Battalion, in Danilovgrad
      • 1st Infantry Company, in Nikšić
      • 2nd Infantry Company, in Pljevlja
      • 3nd Infantry Company, in Andrijevica
      • Mountain Infantry Company, in Kolašin
      • 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, reports to NATO'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
    • 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
Main article: Military ranks of Montenegro

The military before 1918
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:

After wars 1912th–1913th established additional two divisions field:

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.

  • Officer ranks were: potporučnik, poručnik, kapetan, komandir, brigadir, divizijar
  • NCO ranks were: desečar, donarednik, narednik
  • Ceremonial ranks were: serdar, vojvoda
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]

Current Mission Organization Country Nr. of personnel
NATO EFP NATO Latvia Special forces team
KFOR NATO Kosovo 2 Officers
UNMIL UN Liberia Officers as military observers
UNFICYP UN Cyprus Officers as military observers
MINURSO UN Western Sahara Officers as military observers
EU-NAVFOR EU Somalia 12 Members (APVD team)[9]
EUTM Mali EU Mali Officers training

Equipment

Ground Army
Weapon Country manufactured Cartridge Quantity Pictures Notes
Pistols
Glock 17[10]  Austria 9×19mm Standard gun of Montenegrin Military.[11]
Zastava CZ99  Czechoslovakia
 Yugoslavia
 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
 Serbia and Montenegro
 Serbia		 9×19mm Standard gun of Montenegrin Military
Tara TM9  Montenegro 9×19mm Currently in use.
Submachine guns
Heckler & Koch MP5  Germany 9×19mm Parabellum Used by Special Forces.[12][13]
Tara TM-9  Montenegro 9×19mm Parabellum Similar to the Colt 9mm SMG, but with forward assist and Glock magazine compatibility.[14]
Assault rifles
Zastava M59/66  Yugoslavia 7.62×39mm Ceremonial rifle
MPT-76  Turkey 7.62×51mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO		 30 15 x rifles in NATO calibre 7.62x51 mm and 15 x rifles in 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition according to a protocol signed by representatives of the Turkish and Montenegrin defence ministries in Ankara on 1 October.[15]
G36  Germany 5.56×45mm NATO 655
(as of 2015)[16]		 Standard rifle of Montenegrin Military
Steyr AUG  Austria 5.56×45mm NATO Used by Special Forces
Heckler & Koch HK416  Germany 5.56×45mm NATO Used by Special Forces.[12][17]
Tara TM4  Montenegro 5.56×45mm NATO Standard issue rifle in the Montenegrin ground army
Zastava M70/M70A  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 7.62×39mm In reserve
Sniper rifles
Heckler & Koch PSG1  Germany 7.62×51mm NATO PSG 1 and MSG 90 in service.[18][19]
Zastava M93 Black Arrow  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 12.7×108mm In service
Zastava M76  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 7.92×57mm In reserve
Zastava M91  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 7.62×54mmR In reserve
Machine guns
Zastava M84  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 7.62×54mmR In service.[12]
Zastava M72  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 7.62×39mm In reserve
Grenade launcher
BGA 30mm  Serbia 30mm In service
Heckler & Koch AG36  Germany 40mm In service
Anti-tank
M79 Osa  Yugoslavia 90mm rocket In service, planned to buy new man-portable anti-tank systems.
M80 Zolja  Yugoslavia 64mm rocket In service, planned to buy new man-portable anti-tank systems.
9M14 Malyutka  Soviet Union
 Yugoslavia		 64mm rocket In service
Mortar
M57  Yugoslavia 60mm 43 In service
M69  Yugoslavia 82mm 44 14 active, 30 in reserve
M74/M75  Yugoslavia 120mm 32 In service.[20]
Howitzer
D-30J 122 mm  Soviet Union 122 mm 12 In service.[20]
Multiple rocket launchers
M-94 Plamen-S  Yugoslavia 128 mm 18 In service.[20]
Armoured personnel carriers
BOV VP М86  Yugoslavia 10 In service.[21][20]
Achleitner RCV Survivor  Austria
 Germany		 4[21]
In service[22] with special forces,[12] planned to buy another 26 vehicles. Achleitner modification on a MAN truck chassis.
LAPV Enok  Germany 6
Donated by Germany in 2018.[23]
Oshkosh L-ATV  United States 67 In service.[24]
Humvee  United States 20 In service [21]
Otokar Cobra  Turkey 1 Nuclear, Biological,Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle.
Tank destroyers
BOV 1 POLO M-83  Yugoslavia 9 In service, armed with 6 AT-3 missiles.[20]
Off-road utility vehicle
Achleitner MMV Survivor  Austria
 Japan		 16 In service,[21] planned to buy another 20 vehicles. Achleitner modification on a Toyota SUV chassis.
Toyota Hilux  Japan In service
Toyota Land Cruiser  Japan In service, ambulance vehicle.
Puch 300GD
Puch 290D[25]		  Austria In service
Mercedes-Benz G-Class[25]  Austria
 West Germany		 In service
Pinzgauer 710  Austria In service
Lada Niva 1.5
Lada Niva 1.7		  Russia In service
Trucks
TAM 110
TAM 130
TAM 150		  Yugoslavia
 Slovenia		 Military Montenegro In service
FAP 2026
FAP 2226
FAP 1314		  Yugoslavia
 Serbia		 In service
BMC 185-09  Turkey Tactical wheeled truck. Upcoming donation from Turkey.
BMC 235-16  Turkey 3[26] Tactical wheeled truck. Donated by Turkey.
Iveco Trakker  Italy In service, Dump truck.
Iveco EuroCargo  Italy In service, dump truck.
Engineering vehicles
IMK TG-110
IMK TG-140
IMK TG-160
IMK TG-190
IMK TG-220		  Yugoslavia Tracked bulldozer
IMK ULT-160  Yugoslavia Wheeled bulldozer
CAT 434F  United States Backhoe loader
Mercedes-Benz Unimog  Germany Multi-purpose utility vehicle
Class Country manufactured Variants Quantity Pictures Notes
Frigate
Kotor class  Yugoslavia – P-33 Kotor
- P-34 Novi Sad		 1
1		 2 in reserve[27]
Fast attack craft
Končar class  Yugoslavia – RTOP-405 Jordan Nikolov Orce
– RTOP-406 Ante Banina		 1
1		 Under reconstruction. The ship RTOP-405 rentered service in 2019. under name P-105 "Durmitor".
Transport and support
PO class  Yugoslavia – PO91 1 1 in reserve
Tugboats
Salvage tug  Yugoslavia – PR-41 (Orada)
- LR-77		 1
1		 2 in active service
Sailing ship
Jadran  Weimar Republic Used as a training ship 1 1 in active service
Motor sailboat  Yugoslavia – Bojana
- Milena		 1
1		 2 in active service
Motorboat
Diving boat  Yugoslavia -Ronilačka baraksa 81
-Ronilačka barkasa 85		 1
1		 2 in active service
Motor boat Polycat  Netherlands 1 1 in active service
Motor boat  Yugoslavia – ČM 33 1 1 in active service
Inflatable boat
Valiant 620PT  United Kingdom Used by Marine Platoon 2 2 in active service
Motor yacht
Jadranka  Yugoslavia VIP Yacht 1 Offered for sale
Crane vessel
Floating Crane  Yugoslavia LDI 18 1 1 in active service

Air Force
Aircraft Country manufactured Variant Quantity Pictures Notes
Transport
Cessna 421 Golden Eagle  United States Cessna 421B Golden Eagle 1 One for transport, medical evacuation and training.
Transport and utility helicopters
SOKO Gazelle  France
 Yugoslavia		 HO-42/45
HI-42 Hera
HN-45 Gama		 13 Produced under license in Yugoslavia.[20] Planned replacement with new helicopters in the next 5 years, one of the possible helicopter is Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.
Bell 412  United States
 Canada		 412EP
412EPI		 1
2		 One EP variant and two EPI variants. Medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, patrol.[28][29]
Training helicopters
Bell 505 Jet Ranger X  United States
 Canada		 Bell 505 Jet Ranger X 2 Two for pilot training.[30]
Air defence
9K32 Strela-2M  Soviet Union
 Yugoslavia		 Portable low-altitude surface-to-air missile Planned to buy new man-portable air-defense systems.
Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70  Sweden Autocannon 40mm L/70,
works with GIRAFFE Radar		 Planned for modernization.
Giraffe radar  Sweden Early warning radar, works
with Bofors 40mm L/70		 Planned for modernization.
  • Members of Special Forces Brigade
    Members of Special Forces Brigade
  • Members of Marine Detachment
    Members of Marine Detachment
  • Special forces
    Special forces
  • Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
    Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
  • Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
    Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
  • Infantry Company
    Infantry Company
  • Infantry Company
    Infantry Company
  • Sniper
    Sniper
  • Achleitner RCV Survivor
    Achleitner RCV Survivor
  • BOV M86
    BOV M86
  • Combat drill
    Combat drill
  • Soldier
    Soldier
  • NBC Defence
    NBC Defence
  • Military Police
    Military Police
  • Montenegrin navy boat
    Montenegrin navy boat
  • Montenegrin soldier holding a HK MP5
    Montenegrin soldier holding a HK MP5
  • Kotor class Frigate
    Kotor class Frigate

See also

References
  1. International Institute for Strategic Studies (25 February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 126. ISBN 9781032012278.
  2. "Where does Montenegro import Arms and ammunition". 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  3. "Predlog odluke o organizacijsko - formacijskoj strukturi i veličini Vojske Crne Gore".
  4. "Spremaju se za Avganistan". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.
  5. David Noack: Subsidiary Troops (German: Hilfstruppen), german-foreign-policy.com, 17.03.2008.
  6. "Kasarna Danilovgrad: Svečanost za vojnike koji idu u Avganistan". Archived from the original on 8 March 2010.
  7. "Rujović: Vojnici će opravdati očekivanja u misiji "Odlučna podrška" - Cafe del Montenegro". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  8. http://www.mod.gov.me/rubrike/Mirovne_misije/vojska_crne_gore_u_medjunarodnim_misijama_i_operac
  9. "Crnogorci brane "Esbjerg" od pirata".
  10. http://www.gov.me/files/1256832119.pdf Page 15
  11. "PIŠTOLJ – GLOCK 17". www.vojska.me. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  12. "Specijalci bez greške i na 40 °C". www.rtcg.me (in Montenegrin). 23 July 2015.
  13. "AUTOMAT HECKLER AND KOCH – MP5". www.vojska.me. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  14. Popenker, Maxim (25 November 2017). "TARA TM-9 SMG submachine gun (Montenegro)". Modern Firearms.
  15. DFNS. "Turkey gifts MPT rifles to Montenegro". DFNS.net Land. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  16. "Schriftliche Fragen an die Bundesregierung im Monat Januar 2015; Frage Nr. 195" (PDF) (in German).
  17. "HECKLER AND KOCH – HK 416". www.vojska.me. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  18. "POLUAUTOMATSKA SNAJPERSKA PUŠKA PSG 1". www.vojska.me. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  19. "HECKLER AND KOCH MSG 90". www.vojska.me. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  20. International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2017). The Military Balance 2017. Vol. 117 (1 ed.). London, United Kingdom: Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 978-1857439007.
  21. "Mašan – czarnogórski samochód opancerzony". www.altair.com (in Polish). 30 August 2018.
  22. "2.5 TOYOTA RCV SURVIVOR I 4x4". www.vojska.me. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  23. Bozinovski, Igor (13 September 2018). "Germany gifts light armoured vehicles to Montenegro". www.janes.com. Skopje: IHS Jane's.
  24. Bozinovski, Igor (8 October 2019). "Montenegro equips NATO-declared forces with JLTVs". Jane's 360. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  25. Montenegro army land ground armed forces military equipment armored vehicle intelligence pictures – Army Recognition
  26. "Türkiye'den Karadağ'a askeri araç hibesi". www.savunmasanayiidergilik.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  27. "Crna Gora prodaje "Kotor" i "Pulu"".
  28. Bozinovski, Igor (5 February 2018). "Montenegro orders three Bell 412 helicopters". IHS Jane's 360. Skopje. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  29. Zuvela, Maja; Sekularac, Ivana; Potter, Mark (30 January 2018). "Montenegro inks deal to buy three helicopters from Bell Helicopter". Reuters. Sarajevo. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  30. "Montenegro Air Force adding two Canadian-built Bell 505s". 10 June 2020.
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