The
President of Paraguay is the Commander-in-Chief of
the Paraguayan armed forces, while within the Government
the Defense Minister has the political responsibility
for their functioning. The Commander of the Paraguyan
armed forces is directly responsible to the President,
and is supported by a Joint General staff. The total
active manpower is around 17,000 personnel, including
10,000 conscripts. There is also a paramilitary force
with 14,000 police officers. The conscription is 12
months.
The Land forces of the Paraguyan army are around 13,000
soldiers and a reserve force with 60,000 soldiers
with the structure:
- 6 infantry divisions
- 3 cavalry divisions, 1st with 4 regiments (1 armoured,
1 motorised, 1 mechanised, 1 horse), and the 2 other
2 divisions each have 1 active and 2 cadre regiments.
- 1 artillery command, (2 field artillery groups,
1 AAA group), 1 engineer command (1 combat and 1 construction
battalions), 1 signal command battalion.
- 1 Presidential guard with 1 artillery battalion,
1 infantry battalion, 1 military police battalion,
1 light armoured squadron.