Romanian Army

  [[File:150px|frameless|alt=]]

Emblem of the Romanian Army

Active	1859–present
Disbanded
Country	Romania
Allegiance	Romanian Armed Forces
Branch
Type	Land forces
Role	National defense
Size	Approximately 70,000 active personnel
Part of
Garrison/HQ	Bucharest

The Romanian Army (Romanian: Armata Română) is the land forces branch of the Romanian Armed Forces. It is responsible for the defense of Romania's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as participating in international peacekeeping missions. The Romanian Army has a rich history, having been involved in numerous conflicts and military operations since its establishment in 1859.

History

The Romanian Army was officially formed in 1859, following the unification of the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. This unification marked the beginning of modern Romania and the establishment of a national military force. The army played a crucial role in the Romanian War of Independence (1877-1878), which led to the recognition of Romania's independence from the Ottoman Empire.

During World War I, the Romanian Army fought alongside the Allied Powers after initially remaining neutral. The army's involvement was pivotal in the battles of Mărășești, Mărăști, and Oituz, which were significant in halting the advance of the Central Powers.

In World War II, Romania initially aligned with the Axis Powers but switched allegiance to the Allies in 1944. The Romanian Army participated in the liberation of Transylvania and other territories occupied by Axis forces.

After the war, Romania fell under Soviet influence, and the army was reorganized according to the Warsaw Pact standards. Following the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the army underwent significant reforms to align with NATO standards, culminating in Romania's accession to NATO in 2004.

Structure

The Romanian Army is organized into several branches, including infantry, armor, artillery, and special forces. It is divided into several divisions and brigades, each responsible for different regions and operational capabilities.

Infantry

The infantry is the backbone of the Romanian Army, consisting of mechanized and motorized units. These units are equipped with modern weaponry and vehicles, including the Piranha III armored personnel carriers and the MLI-84 infantry fighting vehicles.

Armor

The armored units of the Romanian Army operate main battle tanks such as the TR-85 and the more modern TR-85M1 Bizonul. These units provide heavy firepower and mobility on the battlefield.

Artillery

The artillery branch includes self-propelled and towed artillery systems, such as the M198 howitzer and the LAROM multiple rocket launcher. These units provide crucial fire support for ground operations.

Special Forces

The Romanian Army's special forces are highly trained units capable of conducting a wide range of operations, including reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and unconventional warfare.

Modernization

In recent years, the Romanian Army has focused on modernization and interoperability with NATO forces. This includes upgrading existing equipment, acquiring new technology, and enhancing training programs. The army has also participated in numerous international missions, contributing to peacekeeping and stability operations in regions such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans.

Also see

• Romanian Armed Forces
• Romanian Air Force
• Romanian Navy
• Romanian War of Independence
• Romanian Revolution of 1989