The
President of Ecuador is formally the Supreme Commander
of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, but he is not directly
involved in their daily activities and he can delegate
this function in a situation of national emergency.
The National Security Council is the highest body
of responsible for national Defence. The Minister
of Dense controls the three services through the Joint
Command (COMACOM). The total active manpower of the
Ecuadorian armed forces is around 50,000 military
personnel. There is also a paramilitary force with
6,800 personnel. The conscription is 12 months.
The Ecuadorian land forces are around 40,000 soldiers,
plus some 50,000 reservists, with the structure:
- 4 division with 1 army brigade, 1 Special forces
brigade, 1 artillery brigade, 1 engineer brigade,
1 aviation brigade,3 Jungle brigades, 5 infantry brigades
- 1 armoured cavalry brigade, 3 armoured reconnaissance
squadron, 2 mechanised infantry battalions, 13 infantry
battalions, 6 airborne battalions, 1 artillery brigade,
1 group self-propelled artillery, 1 group rocket launcher,
1 group air defense, 3 engineer battalions, 5 aviation
battalions.