Belgian Army
Unanswered Questions
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The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training capacity.
The command capacity groups the following levels of command: COMOPSLAND (Operational Command of the Land Component), Medium Brigade at Leopoldsburg
(formed from the 1st Mechanised Brigade
in 2011) and Light Brigade (formerly the 7th Mechanised Brigade) at Marche-en-Famenne
.
The combat capacity comprises the main fighting units of the Land Component. It consists of two Para-Commando battalions, the Special Forces Group
and five infantry battalions. The infantry battalions are the Regiment Liberation - 5th of the Line
, the Regiment Carabiniers Prince Baudouin - Grenadiers
, the Regiment of Ardennes Rifles, the Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line
and the 1st/3rd Lancers Regiment
.
The support capacity is, as its name suggests, the support arm of the Land Component and comprises one reconnaissance units, a unit for information analysis, civilian-military cooperation and operational communication unit (known as the Information Operations Group or 17 Recce, based at Heverlee
), one artillery unit and two engineer battalions. The reconnaissance unit is the Bataillon de Chasseurs à Cheval. The artillery unit is the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
. The engineer battalions are the 4th
and the 11th Engineer Battalion
.
The service capacity comprises communication and information systems (CIS) groups, three logistics battalions, the Military Police Group and the Military Detachment Palace of the Nation, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (known as DOVO in Dutch
and SEDEE in French
, the Movement Control Group
and the training centres and camps. The three CIS groups are: the 4th
, the 6th
and the 10th Group CIS
. The logistics battalions are: the 4th
, the 18th
and the 29th. The Belgian Military Police Group (Groupe Police Militaire / Groep Militaire Politie - Gp MP) is a joint force made up of about 200 personnel assigned to five detachments located around the country. The Military Police Group staff is located in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in the Brussels suburb of Evere. Alpha Detachment located at Evere covers the province of Flemish Brabant
and the capital, Brussels
. Bravo Detachment covers Walloon Brabant
, Hainaut and Namur
areas and is located at Nivelles
. Charlie Detachment located at Marche-en-Famenne
covers the Liege
and Luxembourg
areas. Delta Detachment covers the Limburg
and Antwerp
areas and is located at Leopoldsburg
. Echo Detachment located at Lombardsijde covers West and East Flanders
.
The training capacity comprises four departments: the Training Department Infantry at Arlon, the Training Department Armour-Cavalry at Leopoldsburg
, the Training Department Artillery at Brasschaat
and the Training Department Engineers at Namur
.
Some of the regiments in the Land Component, such as the Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line
, have names consisting of multiple elements. This is the result of a series of amalgamations which took place over the years. The Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line was created in 1993 as a result of the merger of the 12th Regiment of the Line Prince Leopold and the 13th Regiment of the Line.
There are two Brigades and they are organised as follows:
FN Five-seven - 5.7 mm pistol (Pilots and Special Forces). FN P90
- 5.7 mm submachine gun
. (personal defence weapon used by selected troops, including special forces). FN FNC
- 5.56 mm assault rifle
. (standard service rifle). FN F2000
- 5.56 mm assault rifle
. (used by special forces, and elsewhere in limited quantities to serve alongside the FN FNC
). Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
. - 7.62 mm sniper rifle. FN Minimi
- 5.56 mm light machine gun
. FN MAG
- 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun. M2HB - 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. M72 LAW
- 66 mm anti-tank rocket. Mecar M72 HE grenade - fragmentation hand grenade M18 grenade
- coloured smoke hand grenade. Mecar M93BG grenade - rifle grenade
for the FN FNC
. HAFLA - small flame thrower / incendiary device./
Germany MILAN
- guided anti-tank missile. MISTRAL
- infra-red surface-to-air missile. LG1 Mark II
- 105 mm towed howitzer (14). 120 RT Mortar
- 120 mm mortar. M1 Mortar
- 81 mm mortar. M19 Mortar
- 60 mm mortar. M6A2 Mine
- anti-tank mine.
, except for 40 units which not have been sold yet, the tank units have been replaced by 24 Mowag Piranhas armed with a 90mm anti-tank gun. As of 2011 only the M113s remain in service, but will be due to be decommissioned by 2011. The overall transition will be complete by 2012.
The command capacity groups the following levels of command: COMOPSLAND (Operational Command of the Land Component), Medium Brigade at Leopoldsburg
Leopoldsburg
Leopoldsburg is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2006 Leopoldsburg had a total population of 14,403. The total area is 22.49 km² which gives a population density of 640 inhabitants per km².-External links:*...
(formed from the 1st Mechanised Brigade
1st Belgian Infantry Brigade
The Belgian 1st Infantry Brigade, also known as the "Brigade Piron", after its commander, Jean-Baptiste Piron, was a Belgian and Luxembourger army unit which fought in World War II...
in 2011) and Light Brigade (formerly the 7th Mechanised Brigade) at Marche-en-Famenne
Marche-en-Famenne
Marche-en-Famenne is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. It is the unofficial capital of the Famenne region, sandwiched between the Condroz, former land of the Condrusi, to the north and the Ardennes to the south....
.
The combat capacity comprises the main fighting units of the Land Component. It consists of two Para-Commando battalions, the Special Forces Group
Special Forces Group (Belgium)
The Special Forces Group is a special forces unit in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.Members of the Special Forces Group are normally selected from the paracommando units of the Belgian Army. Lately, there has been a problem in filling vacancies in this Army group...
and five infantry battalions. The infantry battalions are the Regiment Liberation - 5th of the Line
Regiment Liberation - 5th of the Line
The Regiment Bevrijding - 5 Linie is an infantry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is a part of the 1st Brigade....
, the Regiment Carabiniers Prince Baudouin - Grenadiers
Regiment Carabiniers Prince Baudouin - Grenadiers
The Regiment Carabiniers Prins Boudewijn - Grenadiers is an infantry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is a part of the 1st Brigade....
, the Regiment of Ardennes Rifles, the Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line
Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line
The Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line is an infantry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is a part of the Light Brigade.-History:...
and the 1st/3rd Lancers Regiment
1st/3rd Lancers Regiment
The 1st/3rd Lancers Regiment is a cavalry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is a Mechanised Infantry battalion of the Medium Brigade....
.
The support capacity is, as its name suggests, the support arm of the Land Component and comprises one reconnaissance units, a unit for information analysis, civilian-military cooperation and operational communication unit (known as the Information Operations Group or 17 Recce, based at Heverlee
Heverlee
Heverlee is a town in Belgium. It is a deelgemeente of the city of Leuven. Heverlee is bordered by Herent, Bertem, Oud Heverlee and several other municipalities that are part of Leuven ....
), one artillery unit and two engineer battalions. The reconnaissance unit is the Bataillon de Chasseurs à Cheval. The artillery unit is the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment/Field Artillery Battery ParaCommando
The 2nd Field Artillery Regiment/Field Artillery Battery ParaCommando or 2A was an artillery battalion in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment was the field artillery battalion of the 1st Brigade until 2010. In later years, the M109A2 howitzer was replaced by the 120mm...
. The engineer battalions are the 4th
4th Engineer Battalion (Belgium)
The 4th Engineer Battalion is an engineer battalion in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.-Organisation:The 4th Engineer Battalion comprises:*a staff*a CBRN company*a construction company*a company of combat engineers*a service company...
and the 11th Engineer Battalion
11th Engineer Battalion (Belgium)
The 11th Engineer Battalion is an engineer battalion in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.The soldiers of the 11th Engineer Battalion are fighting divers, specialized in under water missions and reconnaissance for amphibious invasions....
.
The service capacity comprises communication and information systems (CIS) groups, three logistics battalions, the Military Police Group and the Military Detachment Palace of the Nation, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (known as DOVO in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
and SEDEE in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, the Movement Control Group
Movement Control Group
The Movement Control Group is a unit in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It is responsible for organising, coordinating and controlling all military movements and transports. It can also fulfil customs formalities for the military....
and the training centres and camps. The three CIS groups are: the 4th
4th Group CIS
The 4th Group Communication and Information Systems is a military communications unit in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces....
, the 6th
6th Group CIS
The 6th Group Communication and Information Systems is a military communications unit in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces....
and the 10th Group CIS
10th Group CIS
The 10th Group Communication and Information Systems is a military communications unit in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces....
. The logistics battalions are: the 4th
4th Logistics Battalion (Belgium)
The 4th Logistics Battalion is a logistics battalion in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces....
, the 18th
18th Logistics Battalion
The 18th Logistics Battalion is a logistics battalion in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces....
and the 29th. The Belgian Military Police Group (Groupe Police Militaire / Groep Militaire Politie - Gp MP) is a joint force made up of about 200 personnel assigned to five detachments located around the country. The Military Police Group staff is located in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in the Brussels suburb of Evere. Alpha Detachment located at Evere covers the province of Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven...
and the capital, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. Bravo Detachment covers Walloon Brabant
Walloon Brabant
Walloon Brabant is a province of Wallonia in Belgium. It borders on the province of Flemish Brabant and the provinces of Liège, Namur and Hainaut . Its capital is Wavre...
, Hainaut and Namur
Namur (province)
Namur is a province of Wallonia, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Walloon provinces of Hainaut, Walloon Brabant, Liège and Luxembourg in Belgium, and on France. Its capital is the city of Namur...
areas and is located at Nivelles
Nivelles
Nivelles is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. The Nivelles municipality includes the old communes of Baulers, Bornival, Thines, and Monstreux....
. Charlie Detachment located at Marche-en-Famenne
Marche-en-Famenne
Marche-en-Famenne is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. It is the unofficial capital of the Famenne region, sandwiched between the Condroz, former land of the Condrusi, to the north and the Ardennes to the south....
covers the Liege
Liège (province)
Liège is the easternmost province of Belgium and belongs to the Walloon Region. It is an area of French and German ethnicity. It borders on the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and in Belgium the provinces of Luxembourg, Namur, Walloon Brabant , and those of Flemish Brabant and Limburg . Its...
and Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
areas. Delta Detachment covers the Limburg
Limburg (Belgium)
Limburg is the easternmost province of modern Flanders, which is one of the three main political and cultural sub-divisions of modern Belgium. It is located west of the river Meuse . It borders on the Dutch provinces of North Brabant and Limburg and the Belgian provinces of Liège, Flemish Brabant...
and Antwerp
Antwerp (province)
Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp...
areas and is located at Leopoldsburg
Leopoldsburg
Leopoldsburg is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2006 Leopoldsburg had a total population of 14,403. The total area is 22.49 km² which gives a population density of 640 inhabitants per km².-External links:*...
. Echo Detachment located at Lombardsijde covers West and East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
.
The training capacity comprises four departments: the Training Department Infantry at Arlon, the Training Department Armour-Cavalry at Leopoldsburg
Leopoldsburg
Leopoldsburg is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2006 Leopoldsburg had a total population of 14,403. The total area is 22.49 km² which gives a population density of 640 inhabitants per km².-External links:*...
, the Training Department Artillery at Brasschaat
Brasschaat
Brasschaat is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Brasschaat proper. In November 2006, Brasschaat won the LivCom-Award 2006 for the most liveable municipality in the world....
and the Training Department Engineers at Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
.
Some of the regiments in the Land Component, such as the Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line
Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line
The Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line is an infantry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is a part of the Light Brigade.-History:...
, have names consisting of multiple elements. This is the result of a series of amalgamations which took place over the years. The Regiment 12th of the Line Prince Leopold - 13th of the Line was created in 1993 as a result of the merger of the 12th Regiment of the Line Prince Leopold and the 13th Regiment of the Line.
| Medium Brigade 1st Brigade (Belgium) The Medium Brigade, formerly the 1st Mechanised Brigade, is a Brigade of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Its headquarters is located in Leopoldsburg.-Organisation:The Medium Brigade consists of the following units:... |
Light Brigade 7th Brigade (Belgium) The Light Brigade, formerly the 7th Mechanised Brigade, is a Brigade of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Its headquarters is located in Marche-en-Famenne.-Organisation:The 7th Brigade comprises the following units:... |
| HQ Company "8/9 Linie" | HQ Company "4 Rgt. Commando" |
| Mechanized Inf. Rgt. "1/3 Lanciers" | Light Inf. Rgt. "12 Ligne Prince Léopold- 13 Ligne" |
| Mechanized Inf. Rgt. "Chasseurs Ardennais" | 2nd Commando Battalion |
| Mech. Inf. Rgt. "Carabiniers Prins Boudewijn- Grenadiers" | 3rd Paratroop Battalion |
| Mechanized Inf. Rgt. "Bevrijding- 5 Linie" | Special Forces Group |
Weapons
FN P90
The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
- 5.7 mm submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
. (personal defence weapon used by selected troops, including special forces). FN FNC
FN FNC
The FNC is a 5.56mm assault rifle developed by the Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale of Herstal and introduced in the late 1970s.-Development:...
- 5.56 mm assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
. (standard service rifle). FN F2000
FN F2000
The FN F2000 is a 5.56×45mm NATO bullpup assault rifle, designed by FN Herstal in Belgium. The F2000 made its debut in March 2001 at the IDEX defense exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.-Design details:...
- 5.56 mm assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
. (used by special forces, and elsewhere in limited quantities to serve alongside the FN FNC
FN FNC
The FNC is a 5.56mm assault rifle developed by the Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale of Herstal and introduced in the late 1970s.-Development:...
). Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
. - 7.62 mm sniper rifle. FN Minimi
FN Minimi
The Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
- 5.56 mm light machine gun
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
. FN MAG
FN MAG
The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
- 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun. M2HB - 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. M72 LAW
M72 LAW
The M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
- 66 mm anti-tank rocket. Mecar M72 HE grenade - fragmentation hand grenade M18 grenade
Smoke grenade
Smoke grenades are canister-type grenades used as ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling devices, target or landing zone marking devices, or as screening devices for unit movements. Smoke grenades are normally considered non-lethal, although incorrect use may cause death...
- coloured smoke hand grenade. Mecar M93BG grenade - rifle grenade
Rifle grenade
A rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
for the FN FNC
FN FNC
The FNC is a 5.56mm assault rifle developed by the Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale of Herstal and introduced in the late 1970s.-Development:...
. HAFLA - small flame thrower / incendiary device./
Germany MILANMILAN
MILAN " is French and German for "kite bird") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the...
- guided anti-tank missile. MISTRAL
Mistral
Mistral commonly refers to the Mistral in southern France and SardiniaMistral may also refer to:* Mistral, various ships of the French Navy, including:** Mistral class amphibious assault ship of the French Navy...
- infra-red surface-to-air missile. LG1 Mark II
LG1
The LG1 is a modern 105 mm/30-calibre towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries of France.-Design:The LG1 howitzer is a 105 mm towed artillery piece that features both low weight and a high level of accuracy over long distances. Its lightweight construction gives the barrel...
- 105 mm towed howitzer (14). 120 RT Mortar
Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1
The MO-120 RT-61 or MO-120-RT is a heavy mortar of French origin. It was designed by Thomson-Brandt as the successor for the MO-120 AM-50...
- 120 mm mortar. M1 Mortar
M1 Mortar
The M1 is a United States 81 millimeter caliber mortar. It was used during World War II well into the 1950s when it was replaced by the lighter and longer ranged M29 Mortar...
- 81 mm mortar. M19 Mortar
M19 Mortar
The M19 Mortar is a very light and simple smoothbore, muzzle loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon for light infantry support developed and produced in the United States....
- 60 mm mortar. M6A2 Mine
M6 mine
The M6, M6A1 and M6A2 are a series of metal cased circular anti-tank landmines produced by the United States, they were superseded in service by the larger M15 mine. The mine is normally painted olive green and has a large central pressure plate. In the centre of the pressure plate is an arming...
- anti-tank mine.
Vehicles
The Belgian Army is currently undergoing a major re-equipment programme of most of its vehicles. The aim is to phase out all tracked vehicles in favour of wheeled vehicles. In 2010 all Leopard 1 tanks were transferred to LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, except for 40 units which not have been sold yet, the tank units have been replaced by 24 Mowag Piranhas armed with a 90mm anti-tank gun. As of 2011 only the M113s remain in service, but will be due to be decommissioned by 2011. The overall transition will be complete by 2012.
|| 8 × 8 Wheeled 
|| armoured reconnaissance vehicle || 220 || N/A || Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, || +132 options
|| 
|| 
