Jordanian Central Command

**Jordanian Central Command**
*المنطقة العسكرية الوسطى*
Jordanian Central Command ; المنطقة العسكرية الوسطى
	Shoulder sleeve insignia of the Central Command
Active	1970 – 2000 (4th Mech. Div.); 2000 – present
Country	Jordan
Branch	Royal Jordanian Army
Type	Mechanized Infantry
Role	Multi Role
Size	13,000 - 15,000 (2012 est.)
Garrison/HQ	Amman, Balqa, Madaba
Colors	KA2 Desert Digital
Engagements	1948 Arab–Israeli War; Retribution operations; Six-Day War; Battle of Karameh; War of Attrition; Black September; Yom Kippur War;
Commanders
Current; commander	Brigadier General Adnan Ahmed Al-Raqqad

The Jordanian Central Command (Arabic: المنطقة العسكرية الوسطى) is the regional command of the Jordanian Armed Forces tasked with overseeing the primary front against Israel.

History[edit]

The Central Command was established as part of a significant army reorganization in 1977. Its units were transferred from the former 4th Mechanized Division, which was disbanded. Presently, the command's units are stationed from the Zarqa River, north of as-Salt, to the Dead Sea, safeguarding Jordan's border with Israel.^[1] In 2000, King Abdullah II initiated further restructuring of the Jordanian Armed Forces, transforming the remaining divisions into lighter, more mobile forces. These forces adopted a primarily brigade-based structure, enhancing their ability to respond rapidly to emergencies.^[2]^[3]

The former 4th Mechanised Division was positioned westward, covering the sector from the Dead Sea to the Zarqa River north of Salt. The Jordan Valley, acting as the natural boundary between the two countries along this sector, features a rugged, winding terrain. Additionally, the line of hills to the east of the valley offers a natural defensive position for Jordanian forces.^[1]^[4]

Jordanian forces have strategically avoided deploying in the Jordan Valley itself, where they could be susceptible to Israeli air power and artillery. Instead, they occupy positions on the heights above the valley, strategically positioned to impede any enemy advancement along the routes leading to the central plateau and major cities. Several surfaced roads ascend to the top of the escarpment, situated approximately 800 to 1,200 meters above the valley floor. However, a well-entrenched force could effectively deter any enemy attempt to advance along these routes, albeit at significant cost.^[4]

The Central Command has played a pivotal role in various conflicts, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War in 1967, the Battle of Karameh, the War of Attrition, and the confrontation against the Syrian army during the Black September event.

In 2018, two armored brigades (40th and 60th) and several other units were transferred from the deactivated 3rd Armored Division to the Central Command.

Organisation[edit]

The Central Command oversees regional units spanning from the Dead Sea to the Zarqa River north of Salt, Jordan. Currently, Brigadier General Adnan Ahmed Al-Raqqad serves as the head of the Central Command.

Central Command HQ[edit]

Command Staff
HQ Defense Company
Command Communication Group
Command Military Police

Border Guard Force (BGF)[edit]

3_rd Border Guard Force Battalion

Combat & Maneuver Units[edit]

Royal Guard 1_st Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
  - Command Staff
    - Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  - Signal Company
  - Medical Center
  - Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
  - Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
  - JTAC Team
- 1_st Royal Armored Battalion (M60A3)
- Royal Guard 1_st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- Royal Guard 2_nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- 17_th Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
- 62_nd Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
- Anti-Armor Company (Kornet-E)
Al Hashemi 51_st Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
  - Command Staff
    - Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  - Signal Company
  - Medical Center
  - Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
  - Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
  - JTAC Team
- King Ghazi 6_th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
- Prince Mohammad 9_th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- Hashemite 10_th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
- 9_th Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
- 61_st Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
- Anti-Armor Company (Kornet-E)
King Hussein 40_th Armored Brigade
- Brigade HQ
  - Command Staff
    - Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  - Signal Company
  - Medical Center
  - Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
  - Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
  - JTAC Team
- Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II 1_st Armored Infantry Battalion (Marder 1A3)
- 2_nd Royal Tank Battalion (Leclerc)
- Prince Ali bin Al Hussein 4_th Tank Battalion (Leclerc)
- King Ali 5_th Armored Infantry Battalion (Marder 1A3)
- 7_th Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
- 4_th Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
- Anti-Armor Company (M901 ITV)
Prince Hassan 60_th Wheeled Armored Brigade
- Brigade HQ
  - Command Staff
    - Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  - Signal Company
  - Medical Center
  - Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
  - Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
  - JTAC Team
- Royal Guard 3_rd Wheeled Infantry Battalion (RG-33L)
- 3_rd "Scorpion" Royal Tank Battalion (B1 Centauro)
- 5_th "Elephant" Royal Tank Battalion (B1 Centauro)
- 23_rd Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)^[1]
- 73_rd Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
- Anti-Armor Company (M901 ITV)

Combat Support Units[edit]

Central Command Artillery ^[2]
- Command Artillery HQ
  - STA Company
- Prince Hashim 20_th Heavy Artillery Battalion (M110A2)
4_th Field Air Defense Brigade ^[2]
- Brigade HQ
- Signal Company
Command Engineer Battalion
- 4 Mechanized Engineer Companies ^[3]
- General Support Company

Service Support Units[edit]

Supply and Transport Battalion
- 4 Supply & Transport Companies ^[3]
Command Maintenance Group
Medical Support Group
Administrative Transport Group

Command Training Center[edit]

Notes:

M109A3 will be replaced by truck-mounted artillery.
Subordinate battalions are attached to combat brigades.
Each company supports a brigade.

Unit Summary[edit]

Number	Unit Type	Equipment
5	Tank Battalion	Leclerc, M60A3 IFCS, B1 Centauro, M88A1 ARV, M577A2, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
5	Mechanized Infantry Battalion	YPR 765 IFV, M113A2MK1J, M577A2, YPR-806, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
1	Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MRAP)	RG33L MRAP, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
2	Armored Infantry Battalion (IFV)	Marder 1A3, M577A2, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series
1	Border Guard Battalion	MRAP, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
4	Self-Propelled Artillery	M109A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577A2, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
1	Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery	M110A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577A2, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
4	Field ADA Battalion	Strela-10, ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Igla-S, 9K38 Igla, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
1	Engineer Battalion	YPR-765, M113A2, Armoured Tracked Bulldozer (CAT D6T, D7G/R, D8R, D9, Komatsu D155A), Wheeled Bulldozer (CAT 924H, 966C/D/F/G/H, Komatsu WA300-1, WA320, WA380-3A, W470-3), excavators, graders (CAT 12G, 120M), dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders, M58 MICLIC, Aardvark JSFU, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks, Combat Dozer UDK1 and Bomb disposal robots.
1	Command Communication Group	M577A2, M113A2, MRAP, Humvee, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks
1	Supply & Transport Battalion	FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Military Trucks, Fuel Tankers, Toyota Trucks and many other vehicles.
1	Medical Support Group	M577A2 Ambulance, M113A2 Ambulance, HMMWV M997 Ambulance, Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance, Mobile Field Hospitals on trucks.
1	Maintenance Group	M113A2, M88 Recovery Vehicle, M1089 Wrecker, FMTV, Navistar 7000 series, DAF Maintenance Workshop Trucks
1	Administrative Transport Group

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128
^ Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy. ISBN 9780714652559.
^ ^a ^b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2013-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[gloria-center-1] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[2] IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128

[books.google-3] Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy. ISBN 9780714652559.

[ihracat-4] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2013-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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