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 List of units of the Mongolian Ground Force Name City and Country Native Name Notes013th Military Unit013 дугаар ангиKnown as the "Federal Special Committee", it was established in 1929 under the Ministry of Defense. It was established with the purpose to liaise with the Khovd, Uliastai, Khentii, and Bayantumen military committees and units of the Special Soum of the Federal Ministry. It historically took part in the Zorgol, Kherlen-73, and Gobi-77 exercises in cooperation with the Soviet Union. In addition, it took part in peacekeeping operations in Iraq, Sierra Leone, Chad, South and North Sudan. In 1936, it was awarded the Order of the Polar Star. On its 90th anniversary in 2019, it was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. It is named after Rashmaagiin Gavaa.014th Construction UnitЗэвсэгт хүчний барилгын 014-р анги016th Mechanized BrigadeSergelen near Ulaanbaatar Зэвсэгт хүчний механикжсан 016-р бригадIt has been reported as the oldest formation of the Mongolian Army. The unit was established in 1923 by the order of General Sukhbaatar as the "Armored Carriage Arrow". Since then, it had been renamed after Butochiyn Tsog. In 2012, it was expanded into a motorized shooting brigade. The youngest general of the country, Brigadier General L. Ontsgoibayar, was appointed as the commander of the brigade.017th Construction RegimentЗэвсэгт хүчний барилгын 017-р ангиIt is named after Major General K. Judernamjil, Honored Builder of Mongolia. It served as the basis for the Construction and Engineering Forces.029th Military Unit029 дугаар анги032nd Military UnitUlaanbaatarHonor Guard, Military Police084th Special Task BattalionЗэвсэгт хүчний 084-р анги110th Military UnitOrkhon Province110 дугаар анги119th Military Unit119 дугаар ангиIt is known as the Special Battalion for Chemical Defense of the Army.123rd Military UnitKhovd Province123 дугаар ангиIt was formed in 1922. It is named after field commander S.Magsarjav.150th (Peacekeeping) Military Unit150 дүгээр ангиIn 2010, it was trained by US Marines.167th Military UnitÖmnögovi Province167 дугаар ангиIt is an artillery unit. It was founded August 7, 1973 by order of Minister of Defense Batyn Dorj as part of the 1st Special Motorized Rifle Brigade of the People's Army in Dalanzadgad. It is named after Zhamyangiyn Lhagvasuren.186th Military UnitOrkhon Province186 дугаар анги323rd Military UnitDornod Province323 дугаар анги327th Military UnitChoibalsan327 дугаар анги330th (Peacekeeping) Military Unit331st Special Battalion337th Military UnitNalaikh337 дугаар анги339th Construction Unit Bayankhongor ProvinceЗэвсэгт хүчний барилгын 339-р анги350th (Peacekeeping) Military Unit350 дугаар анги
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
References
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 Agency Photographic report on the Military Parade for the honor of National Flag of Mongolia, 2011