# 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.
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; as Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former union, it retained the entire naval force.
On 5 June 2017, Montenegro joined NATO as the 29th member.

## Command
### Leadership

* Commander in Chief President Jakov Milatović

### Ministry of Defence

* Minister of Defence, Dragan Krapović
** Chief of General Staff Brigadier General, Zoran Lazarević

## Bases
### Air Bases

* Golubovci Airbase (Podgorica)

### 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
** 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
*** 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

## The military before 1918

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.
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

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:
* 1.Cetinje divisional area
* 2.Podgorica divisional area
* 3.Nikšić divisional area
* 4.Kolašin divisional area
After wars 1912th–1913th established additional two divisions field:
* 5.Pljevlja divisional area
* 6.Peć 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 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.

### 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 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.
Montenegro sent 45 troops and medical personnel to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and later took part in the Resolute Support Mission.
Montenegro also participates in UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia, UNMIL, Cyprus, UNFICYP as military observers and Somalia, EU-NAVFOR.
| 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) |
| EUTM Mali | EU | Mali | Officers training |

## Equipment
### Ground Army

| Weapon | Country manufactured | Cartridge | Quantity | Pictures | Notes |
| Pistols ||||||
| Glock 17 | Austria | 9×19mm Parabellum | | | Standard gun of Montenegrin Military. |
| Zastava CZ99 | Serbia | 9×19mm Parabellum | | | Standard gun of Montenegrin Military |
| Tara TM9 | Montenegro | 9×19mm Parabellum | | | Currently in use. |
| Submachine guns ||||||
| Heckler & Koch MP5 | Germany | 9×19mm Parabellum | | | Used by Special Forces. |
| Tara TM-9 | Montenegro | 9×19mm Parabellum | | | Similar to the Colt 9mm SMG, but with forward assist and Glock magazine compatibility. |
| Assault rifles ||||||
| Zastava M59/66 | Yugoslavia | 7.62×39mm | | | Ceremonial rifle |
| MPT-76 MPT-55 | Turkey | 7.62×51mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO | 30 | | 15 × rifles in NATO calibre 7.62×51mm and 15 × rifles in 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition according to a protocol signed by representatives of the Turkish and Montenegrin defence ministries in Ankara on 1 October 2019. |
| Heckler & Koch G36 | Germany | 5.56×45mm NATO | 655 (as of 2015) | | 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. |
| 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. |
| Zastava M93 Black Arrow | Yugoslavia Serbia | 12.7×108mm | | | In service |
| Zastava M76 | Yugoslavia Serbia | 7.92×57mm Mauser | | | In reserve |
| Zastava M91 | Yugoslavia Serbia | 7.62×54mmR | | | In reserve |
| Machine guns ||||||
| Zastava M84 | Yugoslavia Serbia | 7.62×54mmR | | | In service. |
| Zastava M72 | Yugoslavia Serbia | 7.62×39mm | | | In reserve |
| Grenade launcher ||||||
| BGA 30mm | Serbia | 30×29mm | | | In service |
| Heckler & Koch AG36 | Germany | 40×46mm | | | In service |
| Anti-tank ||||||
| M79 Osa | Yugoslavia | 90 mm rocket | | | In service, planned to buy new man-portable anti-tank systems. |
| M80 Zolja | Yugoslavia | 64 mm rocket | | | In service, planned to buy new man-portable anti-tank systems. |
| 9M14 Malyutka | Soviet Union Yugoslavia | 64 mm rocket | | | In service |
| Mortar ||||||
| M57 | Yugoslavia | 60 mm | 43 | | In service |
| M69 | Yugoslavia | 82 mm | 44 | | 14 active, 30 in reserve |
| M74/M75 | Yugoslavia | 120 mm | 32 | | In service. |
| Howitzer ||||||
| D-30J 122 mm | Soviet Union | 122 mm | 12 | | In service. |
| Multiple rocket launchers ||||||
| M-94 Plamen-S | Yugoslavia | 128 mm | 18 | | In service. |
| Armoured personnel carriers ||||||
| model | country of origin | year of production | quantity | picture | notes |
| Oshkosh L-ATV | United States Israel | 2020 to 2024 | 67+? | | The Gale Banks Engineering diesel engine develops 340 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 10.2 t, of which the payload is 3.8 t. - 55 vehicles are equipped with Elbit Systems RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Station) with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun - 4 vehicles are equipped with Rafael Samson RCWS armed with M230LF 30 mm lightweight automatic chain gun, - 4 vehicles are equipped with missile launchers for Spike LR HEAT and Spike SR missiles - 4 vehicles are command and reconnaissance vehicle - In May 2023 Montenegrin MoD signed a 22 million USD contract with Elbit Systems for a purchase of an unspecified number of 120 mm SPEAR Mk2 mortar systems to be mounted on JLTVs. |
| ACS LAPV 5.4 Enok | Germany | 2018 | 6 | | The diesel engine develops 184 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 5.4 t. |
| Otokar Cobra | Turkey | 2016 | 1 | | The diesel engine develops 190 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 6.7 t. Light armoured combat vehicle for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance. |
| Achleitner RCV Survivor | Austria | 2010 | 4 | | The diesel engine develops 286 hp and 650 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 8 t, of which the payload is 2.5 t. Reconnaissance and Command Vehicle (RCV) have modified chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 200. |
| TAM BOV VP М86 | Yugoslavia | | 3 | | The diesel engine develops 150 hp and 490 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 9.1 t. |
| Military light utility vehicle ||||||
| Toyota Hilux RC 19 2.4 D 4x4 | Japan | 2020 | 20 | | The diesel engine develops 150 hp and 400 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 3 t, of which the payload is circa 1 t. |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Germany | 2016 | 6 | | The 3.0 V6 diesel engine develops 240 hp and 600 Nm |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Japan | 2016 | 1 | | Ambulance vehicle |
| Isuzu D-Max | Japan | 2016 | 1 | | The diesel engine develops 163 hp and 400 Nm, and is used for food transport. |
| Achleitner MMV Survivor | Austria | 2010 | 16 | | The diesel engine develops 173 hp and 410 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 4 t, of which the payload is circa 0.8 t. Militarized Mission Vehicle (MMV) is Toyota Land Cruiser but with reinforced suspension, additional engine and gearbox protection, modified brake system and the intake and exhaust system (so that the vehicle could go through water), can cary five soldiers and in the trunk there are five boxes for automatic rifles (one for each soldier) and painted in military color. |
| Pinzgauer 710 | Austria | | | | The petrol engine develops 90 hp and 185 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 2,9 t, of which the payload is circa 1 t. |
| Military utility trucks ||||||
| BMC 245-16P | Turkey | 2023 | 2 | | The Cummins 615Be 245 diesel engine develops 245 hp and 925 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 16 t, of which the payload is 8.5 t (off-road 5 t). |
| BMC 380-26P | Turkey | 2023 | 1 | | The Cummins ISMe 385 30 diesel engine develops 380 hp and 1,834 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 26 t, of which the payload is 15.5 t (off-road 10 t). |
| Iveco MUV | Italy | 2019 | 1 | | Ambulance vehicle |
| Mercedes-Benz Unimog 405 | Germany | 2010 | | | |
| TAM 110 T7 B/BV | Yugoslavia | | | | The F4 L 413 R diesel engine develops 115 hp and 350 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 7 t, of which the payload is 2.5 t (off-road 1.5 t). |
| TAM 150 T11 B/BV | Yugoslavia | | | | The F6 L 413 R diesel engine develops 150 hp and 490 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 11.4 t, of which the payload is 5 t (off-road 3 t). |
| FAP 2026 | Yugoslavia | | | | The OM 402 diesel engine develops 256 hp and 834 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 21 t, of which the payload is 10 t (off-road 6 t). |
| 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 |

### Navy

| Class | Country manufactured | Variants | Quantity | Notes |
| Frigate ||||||
| Kotor class | Yugoslavia | – P-33 Kotor - P-34 Novi Sad | 1 1 | 2 in reserve |
| 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 | 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 | SA-341H HO-42SA-341H HI-42SA-342L HO-45SA-342L HN-45M | 4124 | not in use from 2020 |
| Bell 412 | United States Canada | 412EP412EPI | 12 | One EP variant and two EPI variants. Medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, patrol. |
| Training helicopters ||||||
| Bell 505 Jet Ranger X | United States Canada | Bell 505 Jet Ranger X | 2 | Two for pilot training. |
| 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. |

## Gallery

* Members of Special Forces Brigade
* Members of Marine Detachment
* Special forces
* Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
* Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
* Infantry Company
* Infantry Company
* Sniper
* Achleitner RCV Survivor
* BOV M86
* Combat drill
* Soldier
* NBC Defence
* Military Police
* Montenegrin navy boat
* Montenegrin soldier holding a HK MP5
* Kotor class Frigate