Nicaragua Army - Modernization
The first Soviet-made armor arrived in Nicaragua in 1981, shortly after the 200,000-man militia build-up was announced, but still about a year before significant anti-Sandinista armed opposition had developed. The mainstay of this armored force by 1985 was some 110 Soviet-made T-55 medium tanks. The T-55 was the main battle tank of the Soviet army for years. Although now of limited value on a European batlefield against modern anti-tank weapons, it is a powerful weapon in Central America. None of Nicaragua's neighbors had tanks with the T-55's firepower. Moreover, the Sandinistas had received in the nearly 30 PT-76 light tanks. With their river crossing capability, these amphibious tanks provide more flexibility than the T-55s.
In their struggle against Somoza, the FSLN guerrillas had no tanks or other armored vehicles, no artillery, no helicopters. After their victory in July 1979, they inherited from the Somoza National Guard three tanks, 25 armored cars, seven helicopters, and three artillery pieces. By 1985 they had at least 340 tanks and armored vehicles, more than 70 long-range howitzers and rocket launchers.
As of 1993, the army continued to depend on Soviet weapons delivered during the 1980s. Most of these are out-of-date and poorly maintained. The EPS's inventory of armor—heavy and light tanks, APCs, and reconnaissance vehicles—remains large by Central American standards. However, most of the Soviet T-55 tanks are reportedly in storage because of a lack of funds and personnel to maintain them. The PT-76 light tanks form the primary armor of the mechanized infantry battalion. Only about seventy-five APCs and reconnaissance vehicles are operational, and some of the armored weapons had been sold to other Latin American countries.
The army retained a considerable supply of 122mm and 152mm towed artillery pieces and multiple rocket launchers. Twelve of its APCs are mounted with Soviet AT-3 (Sagger) antitank guided missiles. The army retains numerous antitank guns and a stock of Soviet shoulder-fired antiaircraft missile launchers.
As part of a 2011 aid deal, Nicaragua received six field hospitals and 40 sets of anti-blaze gear. The deal also envisaged Russia’s 26 million dollar- aid to Managua up to 2014. Russia’s Interior Ministry has signed an agreement with Nicaragua on supplying the "Tiger" armored vehicles to that country. In October 2014, the country purchased Russia’s GAZ-2975 "Tigr" multipurpose military vehicle and various gear for its special services. The "Tigers" would be used by the units of the Nicaraguan special troops.
The Moscow-based Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade said 28 April 2016 that Russia was preparing to ship some 20 modernized T-72B1 tanks to Nicaragua under their 2015 deal for 50 tanks. "It is a matter of concern not because of a threat to Costa Rica…but because one country in the Central American region starts an arms race," Gonzalez said, as quoted by La Prensa newspaper. The foreign minister said the region needed more investment in healthcare, technology and infrastructure, rather than in military hardware. Nicaragua's ambassador to Russia, Juan Ernesto Vasquez Araya, first mentioned the prospective deal in August 2015 when he said Nicaragua was interested in buying T-72s.
The issue of Nicaraguan ownership of thousands of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) was an overarching National Security issue with the USG in terms of limiting, reducing and, eventually, completely eliminating their stocks of these weapon systems. While early progress was made with 1000 being destroyed between May and November of 2004, the goal of achieving 80% reduction of these stocks by the end of 2005 had fallen woefully short, due in large part to the passage of Law 510 by the National Assembly that any further destructions must be initiated and approved by 2/3 (supermajority) of the Nicaraguan National Assembly. In March of 2005 progress was made in the form of an amendment to Article 139 of Law 510 which changed this vote from 2/3 approval to one of a simple majority.
In April 2016 Russia shipped the first 20 of 50 T-72B tanks ordered by Nicaragua. The Latin American country planned to receive a total of 50 T-72B1 tanks. The T-72B1 MBTs would likely be issued to the mechanized infantry brigade named after General Augusto Sandino. The unit is stationed near the country`s capital, Managua. The tanks will significantly beef up the Nicaraguan Armed Forces` combat capabilities. The T-72B1 tank (unofficially dubbed 'White Eagle') has received the PN-72U Sosna-U day/night gunner`s sight. The commander`s seat is equipped with the PKP-72 Sokolinyi Glaz (Falcon`s Eye) panoramic sight integrated with a third-generation thermal imager. T-72B1 features an automatic target tracking device, a chassis information-management system, a remote controlled anti-aircraft station with 12.7mm NSVT Utes heavy machinegun, an auxiliary power unit (APU), and a GPS/GLONASS navigation system. The tank`s 125mm 2A46M gun is equipped with a stabilizer. T-72B1 has received ageing Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) developed in the mid-1980s.
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