Jordanian Central Command


The Jordanian Central Command is the regional command of the Jordanian Armed Forces tasked with overseeing the primary front against Israel.

History

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. 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.
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.
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.
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 and several other units were transferred from the deactivated 3rd Armored Division to the Central Command.

Organisation

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

  • * Command Staff
  • * HQ Defense Company
  • * Command Communication Group
  • * Command Military Police
  • * ''Command Training Center''

Border Guard Formation

Combat & Maneuver Units

''Royal Guard '''1st''' Mechanized Infantry Brigade''
  • * Brigade HQ
  • ** Command Staff
  • *** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  • *** Information and PsyOps Cell
  • *** Intelligence Cell
  • ** Signal Company
  • ** UAS ISR Platoon
  • ** FPV Strike Platoon
  • ** JTAC Team
  • * 1st Royal Armored Battalion
  • * Royal Guard 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion
  • * Royal Guard 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion
  • * Anti-Armor Company
  • * Fires Support
  • ** 17th Field Artillery Battalion
  • ** 62nd Field ADA Battalion
  • * Combat Support
  • ** 1st 'Engineer Company
  • ** Chemical Support Platoon
  • * Combat Service Support
  • ** 1st Supply & Transport Company
  • ** Brigade Maintenance Company
  • ** Brigade Medical''' Company ''
    ''Al Hashemi '''51st''' Mechanized Infantry Brigade''
  • * Brigade HQ
  • ** Command Staff
  • *** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  • *** Information and PsyOps Cell
  • *** Intelligence Cell
  • ** Signal Company
  • ** UAS ISR Platoon
  • ** FPV Strike Platoon
  • ** JTAC Team
  • * King Ghazi 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion
  • * Prince Mohammad 9th Mechanized Infantry Battalion
  • * Hashemite 10th Mechanized Infantry Battalion
  • * Anti-Armor Company
  • * Fires Support
  • ** 9th Field Artillery Battalion
  • ** 61st Field ADA Battalion
  • * Combat Support
  • ** 2nd 'Engineer Company
  • ** Chemical Support Platoon
  • * Combat Service Support
  • ** 2nd Supply & Transport Company
  • ** Brigade Maintenance Company
  • ** Brigade Medical''' Company ''
    ''King Hussein '''40th''' Armored Brigade '''"Fire Brigade"'''''
  • * Brigade HQ
  • ** Command Staff
  • *** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  • *** Information and PsyOps Cell
  • *** Intelligence Cell
  • ** Signal Company
  • ** UAS ISR Platoon
  • ** FPV Strike Platoon
  • ** JTAC Team
  • * Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II 1st Armored Infantry Battalion
  • * 2nd Royal Tank Battalion
  • * Prince Ali bin Al Hussein 4th Tank Battalion
  • * King Ali 5th Armored Infantry Battalion
  • * Anti-Armor Company
  • * Fires Support
  • ** 7th Field Artillery Battalion
  • ** 4th Field ADA Battalion
  • * Combat Support
  • ** 3rd Engineer Company
  • ** Chemical Support Platoon
  • * Combat Service Support
  • ** 3rd 'Supply & Transport Company
  • ** Brigade Maintenance Company
  • ** Brigade Medical''' Company ''
    ''Prince Hassan '''60th''' Wheeled Armored Brigade''
  • * Brigade HQ
  • ** Command Staff
  • *** Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
  • *** Information and PsyOps Cell
  • *** Intelligence Cell
  • ** Signal Company
  • ** UAS ISR Platoon
  • ** FPV Strike Platoon
  • ** JTAC Team
  • * Royal Guard 3rd Wheeled Infantry Battalion
  • * 3rd "Scorpion" Royal Tank Battalion
  • * 5th "Elephant" Royal Tank Battalion
  • * Anti-Armor Company
  • * Fires Support
  • ** 23rd Field Artillery Battalion
  • ** 73rd Field ADA Battalion
  • * Combat Support
  • ** 4th 'Engineer Company
  • ** Chemical Support Platoon
  • * Combat Service Support
  • ** 4th Supply & Transport Company
  • ** Brigade Maintenance Company
  • ** Brigade Medical''' Company ''

Combat Support Units

Central Command Artillery
  • * Command Artillery HQ
  • ** Signal Company
  • ** STA Company
  • * Prince Hashim 20th Heavy Artillery Battalion 4th Field Air Defense Brigade
  • * Brigade HQ
  • ** Signal Company
  • * Electronic Warfare & Counter-UAS Unit Command Engineer Battalion
  • * 4 Mechanized Engineer Companies
  • * ''General Support Company''

Service Support Units

  • * Supply and Transport Battalion
  • ** 4 Supply & Transport Companies
  • * Administrative Transport Group
  • * Command Maintenance Group
  • * Medical Support Group
Notes:
  1. M109A3 will be replaced by truck-mounted artillery.
  2. Subordinate battalions are attached to combat brigades.
  3. ''Each company supports a brigade.''

Standard Mechanized Infantry Battalion Structure (TO&E)

This organizational structure reflects the standard Table of Organization and Equipment used by mechanized infantry battalions. Individual battalions may have variations depending on mission attachments or equipment.
• Battalion Headquarters

  • Battalion Commander
  • Battalion Executive Officer
  • Command and Control Section
  • Fire Support / Artillery Coordination Element
  • Tech / Tactical Communications
  • JTAC
• Support / Weapons Company

  • Company HQ
  • * SWP – Support-weapons / specialist element
  • * AMB – Ambulance/medical team
  • * WIN – Additional company support element
  • Sniper Squad
  • * 4 x Sniper Teams
  • Anti-Tank Platoon
  • * Section 6A
  • * Section 6B
  • Mortar Platoon
  • * Section 5A
  • * Section 5B
  • * Section 5C
• Battalion Combat Service Support

  • Medical Section
  • Manpower and Personnel Section
  • Tactical Logistics Support