Chilean army
The Chilean Army (Spanish: Ejército de Chile) is the land arm of the Military of Chile. This 50,000-strong army (9,200 of which are conscripts) is organized into six divisions, a special operations brigade and an air brigade.
In recent years, and after several major reequipment programs, the Chilean Army has become one of the most technologically advanced and professional armies in America.
The Chilean Army is mostly supplied with equipment from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States, Israel, France, and Spain.
The Army of the Kingdom of Chile was created on December 2, 1810 by order of the First National Government Junta of Chile. The army was actively involved in the Independence War, which was fought against royalist troops in battles such as Yerbas Buenas, San Carlos, Quechereguas, Rancagua, Chacabuco and Maipú. During this period, national figures such as José Miguel Carrera, Bernardo O'Higgins and Argentinian General José de San Martín commanded the army toward definitive victory over the Spanish forces, ultimately achieving independence for the country. The Army's first commander-in-chief was José Miguel Carrera. After obtaining independence from Spain, the newly formed Republic reorganized its military structure by creating the Military Academy of Chile, which was founded by General O'Higgins in 1817.
Diego Portales set up a civil militia, the Guardia Nacional, to end one of the worst stages of militarism in Chilean history. The militia was created in 1825 but Portales developed this parallel army to compensate the army's might. The Chilean Conscription Law of 1900 marked the beginning of the end of the Guardia Nacional.
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