Mechanized Infantry Regiment

Last updated
Mechanized Infantry Regiment
SLAMIR crest.png
Active14 February 2007 - Present
CountryFlag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
BranchFlag of the Sri Lankan Army.png  Sri Lanka Army
Type Mechanized Infantry
Size4 regular battalions and 1 voluntary battalion
Regimental Centre Dambulla
Nickname(s)MIR
Motto(s)ජවයෙන් පෙරමුණට
(Sinhala: Forward with Vigor)
Colors   
Anniversaries14 February
Engagements Sri Lankan Civil War
Commanders
Centre Commandant Brig W M S C K Wanasinghe
Brigade Commander Brig K Balasooriya
Colonel of
the Regiment
Maj Gen Priyanka Fernando
Notable
commanders
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka

General Jagath Jayasuriya
Maj Gen Milinda Peiris

Maj Gen Priyanka Fernando
Insignia
Flag SLAMIR flag.jpg

The Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR) is a mechanized infantry regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. It is made up of four regular battalions and a volunteer battalion. Establish in 2007 by Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka its battalions are equipped with Type 63 and WZ551 armoured personnel carriers make up the Mechanized Infantry Brigade. It is the youngest Infantry regiment of the Army.

Contents

History

Norinco Type 89 (YW534) Armored Fighting Vehicle of MIR Sri Lanka Military 0229.jpg
Norinco Type 89 (YW534) Armored Fighting Vehicle of MIR

The Mechanized Infantry Regiment was raised on the battlefield on 14 February at the divisional headquarters of the 53 Division at Kodikamam, Jaffna in order for the army to have specialized mechanized infantry units to deploy in battle, instead of using regular infantry along with armoured personnel carriers as it had done before. Three battalions where formed with officers and men from 3rd Light Infantry Battalion, 10th Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, the 4th Gajaba Battalion and 5th & 6th Reconnaissance Regiments of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. [1]

The 53-4 brigade which is made up of the newly formed battalions has since been designated as the Mechanized Infantry Brigade. [2]

Units

A WZ551 of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment. SLA Mechanized Infantry WMZ551.JPG
A WZ551 of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment.

Brigade

Regular Battalions

Volunteer Battalions

Order of precedence

Preceded by
Order of Precedence Succeeded by
Preceded by
Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
(with armored vehicles)
Order of Precedence
(with armored vehicles)
Succeeded by
Sri Lanka Artillery
(with Guns)

See also

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References