# Jordanian Central Command

The Jordanian Central Command (Arabic: المنطقة العسكرية الوسطى) is the regional command of the Jordanian Armed Forces tasked with overseeing the primary front against Israel.

## History

The Central Command was established as part of a significant army reorganization in 1977. Its units were transferred from the former 4th Mechanized Division, which was disbanded. Presently, the command's units are stationed from the Zarqa River, north of as-Salt, to the Dead Sea, safeguarding Jordan's border with Israel. In 2000, King Abdullah II initiated further restructuring of the Jordanian Armed Forces, transforming the remaining divisions into lighter, more mobile forces. These forces adopted a primarily brigade-based structure, enhancing their ability to respond rapidly to emergencies.
The former 4th Mechanised Division was positioned westward, covering the sector from the Dead Sea to the Zarqa River north of Salt. The Jordan Valley, acting as the natural boundary between the two countries along this sector, features a rugged, winding terrain. Additionally, the line of hills to the east of the valley offers a natural defensive position for Jordanian forces.
Jordanian forces have strategically avoided deploying in the Jordan Valley itself, where they could be susceptible to Israeli air power and artillery. Instead, they occupy positions on the heights above the valley, strategically positioned to impede any enemy advancement along the routes leading to the central plateau and major cities. Several surfaced roads ascend to the top of the escarpment, situated approximately 800 to 1,200 meters above the valley floor. However, a well-entrenched force could effectively deter any enemy attempt to advance along these routes, albeit at significant cost.
The Central Command has played a pivotal role in various conflicts, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War in 1967, the Battle of Karameh, the War of Attrition, and the confrontation against the Syrian army during the Black September event.
In 2018, two armored brigades (40th and 60th) and several other units were transferred from the deactivated 3rd Armored Division to the Central Command.

## Organisation

The Central Command oversees regional units spanning from the Dead Sea to the Zarqa River north of Salt, Jordan. Currently, Brigadier General Adnan Ahmed Al-Raqqad serves as the head of the Central Command.

### Central Command HQ

* Command Staff
* HQ Defense Company
* Command Communication Group
* Command Military Police

#### Border Guard Force (BGF)

* 3$_{rd}$ Border Guard Force Battalion

#### Combat & Maneuver Units

* Royal Guard 1$_{st}$ Mechanized Infantry Brigade
** Brigade HQ
*** Command Staff
**** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
*** Signal Company
*** Medical Center
*** Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
*** Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
*** JTAC Team
** 1$_{st}$ Royal Armored Battalion (M60A3)
** Royal Guard 1$_{st}$ Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
** Royal Guard 2$_{nd}$ Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
** 17$_{th}$ Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
** 62$_{nd}$ Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
** Anti-Armor Company (Kornet-E)
* Al Hashemi 51$_{st}$ Mechanized Infantry Brigade
** Brigade HQ
*** Command Staff
**** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
*** Signal Company
*** Medical Center
*** Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
*** Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
*** JTAC Team
** King Ghazi 6$_{th}$ Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
** Prince Mohammad 9$_{th}$ Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
** Hashemite 10$_{th}$ Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
** 9$_{th}$ Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
** 61$_{st}$ Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
** Anti-Armor Company (Kornet-E)
* King Hussein 40$_{th}$ Armored Brigade
** Brigade HQ
*** Command Staff
**** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
*** Signal Company
*** Medical Center
*** Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
*** Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
*** JTAC Team
** Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II 1$_{st}$ Armored Infantry Battalion (Marder 1A3)
** 2$_{nd}$ Royal Tank Battalion (Leclerc)
** Prince Ali bin Al Hussein 4$_{th}$ Tank Battalion (Leclerc)
** King Ali 5$_{th}$ Armored Infantry Battalion (Marder 1A3)
** 7$_{th}$ Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
** 4$_{th}$ Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
** Anti-Armor Company (M901 ITV)
* Prince Hassan 60$_{th}$ Wheeled Armored Brigade
** Brigade HQ
*** Command Staff
**** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
*** Signal Company
*** Medical Center
*** Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
*** Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
*** JTAC Team
** Royal Guard 3$_{rd}$ Wheeled Infantry Battalion (RG-33L)
** 3$_{rd}$ "Scorpion" Royal Tank Battalion (B1 Centauro)
** 5$_{th}$ "Elephant" Royal Tank Battalion (B1 Centauro)
** 23$_{rd}$ Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)$^{[1]}$
** 73$_{rd}$ Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
** Anti-Armor Company (M901 ITV)

#### Combat Support Units

* Central Command Artillery $^{[2]}$
** Command Artillery HQ
*** STA Company
** Prince Hashim 20$_{th}$ Heavy Artillery Battalion (M110A2)
* 4$_{th}$ Field Air Defense Brigade $^{[2]}$
** Brigade HQ
** Signal Company
* Command Engineer Battalion
** 4 Mechanized Engineer Companies $^{[3]}$
** General Support Company

#### Service Support Units

* Supply and Transport Battalion
** 4 Supply & Transport Companies $^{[3]}$
* Command Maintenance Group
* Medical Support Group
* Administrative Transport Group

#### Command Training Center

Notes:
* M109A3 will be replaced by truck-mounted artillery.
* Subordinate battalions are attached to combat brigades.
* Each company supports a brigade.

## Unit Summary

| Number | Unit Type | Equipment |
| 5 | Tank Battalion | Leclerc, M60A3 IFCS, B1 Centauro, M88A1 ARV, M577A2, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 5 | Mechanized Infantry Battalion | YPR 765 IFV, M113A2MK1J, M577A2, YPR-806, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 1 | Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MRAP) | RG33L MRAP, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 2 | Armored Infantry Battalion (IFV) | Marder 1A3, M577A2, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series |
| 1 | Border Guard Battalion | MRAP, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 4 | Self-Propelled Artillery | M109A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577A2, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 1 | Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery | M110A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577A2, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 4 | Field ADA Battalion | Strela-10, ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Igla-S, 9K38 Igla, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 1 | Engineer Battalion | YPR-765, M113A2, Armoured Tracked Bulldozer (CAT D6T, D7G/R, D8R, D9, Komatsu D155A), Wheeled Bulldozer (CAT 924H, 966C/D/F/G/H, Komatsu WA300-1, WA320, WA380-3A, W470-3), excavators, graders (CAT 12G, 120M), dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders, M58 MICLIC, Aardvark JSFU, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks, Combat Dozer UDK1 and Bomb disposal robots. |
| 1 | Command Communication Group | M577A2, M113A2, MRAP, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks |
| 1 | Supply & Transport Battalion | FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks, Fuel Tankers, Toyota Trucks and many other vehicles. |
| 1 | Medical Support Group | M577A2 Ambulance, M113A2 Ambulance, HMMWV M997 Ambulance, Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance, Mobile Field Hospitals on trucks. |
| 1 | Maintenance Group | M113A2, M88 Recovery Vehicle, M1089 Wrecker, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Maintenance Workshop Trucks |
| 1 | Administrative Transport Group | |