Chile Army

The Chilean Army, or Ejercito de Chile, is headquartered in Santiago, with operational forces directed by the Ground Operations Command based in Concepcion. The army is organized into six territorial divisions and two specialized brigades. The I Division is headquartered in Antofagasta, the II Motorized Division in Santiago, the III Mountain Division in Valdivia, the IV Division in Coyhaique, the V Division in Punta Arenas, and the VI Division in Iquique. Specialized formations comprise the Lautaro Special Operations Brigade headquartered in Peldehue and the Army Aviation Brigade stationed in Rancagua.

Armored units operate Leopard 2A4CHL main battle tanks. Mechanized and motorized infantry units utilize Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles alongside M113, YPR-765, and Mowag Piranha armored personnel carriers in 6x6 and 8x8 configurations. Field artillery units operate M109 self-propelled howitzers, Soltam M-71 towed howitzers, OTO Melara Mod 56 pack howitzers, and LAR-160 multiple rocket launcher systems. Air defense forces deploy NASAMS medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, MBDA Mistral short-range air defense systems, and Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns. Army aviation operates AS532 Cougar and MD 530F helicopters, supplemented by fixed-wing utility aircraft including the CASA C-212, CN-235, and Beechcraft King Air.

Ground forces conduct border security operations in the Northern Macrozone along the borders with Peru and Bolivia to assist law enforcement in controlling illegal entries and interdicting cross-border crime. Units also execute security patrols and public order duties under state-of-exception declarations in the Southern Macrozone. Overseas deployments consist of international peacekeeping contributions, including personnel assigned to United Nations operations in Cyprus and European Union forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Modernization programs focus on upgrading existing armored platforms and artillery systems through partnerships between state defense enterprise FAMAE and international suppliers. The Leopard 2A4CHL fleet undergoes modernization in cooperation with Turkish contractor Aselsan, integrating Volkan-II electronic fire control systems, ATS-65D electro-optical commander sights, and new digital communication suites. Parallel projects upgrade observation optics on Marder 1A3 vehicles and integrate the domestic Nekulpan fire control system into M109 self-propelled howitzers. The army has also inducted steel-armored 4x4 tactical utility vehicles to equip patrol units in border regions and emergency control zones.