Pax Europa: A European AAR

[Einheit_elf]

Strasbourg
January 9, 2007
2040 hours

He told his asset to meet him at the usual place, a ratskeller in the new Capital District, busy with the crowd of immigrants, fresh from their various Eastern European, African and Asian homes. A place where no one really looks out of place. The man sat in a corner table smoking cigarettes and scanning an English edition of Tomorrow. His eyes fell on an article, its bold headline reading BULGARIA AND ROMANIA JOIN FEDERATION. He took his cigarette out to exhale exhale a cloud of smoke and turn to the next page of the paper.

His eyes didn't quite make it back to the paper as his contact, a downcast looking man from the European Federation Defense Force’s Headquarters, giving him all sorts of information on the Federation's government and military, came striding through the front door. A nobody, the cigarette smoker thought, just the sort of man you'd never really notice, the perfect nameless bureaucrat.

As the bureaucrat slid into the seat across, he placed his attache case under the table. The cigarette smoker growled, "You're late."

"I apologize. I had to take some extra precautions." the bureaucrat replied, with an air of importance, as he signaled for a lager from one of the many waitresses "FedSec[1] apparently believes that the Triskelion[2] has been infiltrated and that someone’s been selling secrets,” he continued with no small amount of irony.

"I don't give a damn which mess you think FedSec is cleaning up. I hate surprises. You won't be late again. Understood?" the cigarette smoker said with a deceptive quiet.

Shooting the smoker a look dripping with disdain, the bureaucrat retorted, "I'd rather get out of this alive, if it's all the same to you. This job is extremely dangerous."

Leaning forward aggressively while slapping his hand on the table and ignoring the looks of the patrons closest to the pair, the cigarette smoker growled "I don't give a shit what you want. You are being paid, and paid well at that to give me information. If you can't do it, you won't be getting paid. And if that happens, I’ll have to make sure that this doesn’t track back to my employers. Which means they’ll find you half eaten by rats in a Parisian sewer. Clear?"

Softly jerking himself back out of the haze of cigarette smoke, he seemingly wilted under the other man's gaze. "Yes, I understand."

Maintaining his gaze upon the bureaucrat, the cigar smoker said coldly, "Good. Now do you have what we asked for?"

"Dossiers on the status of the Defense Force, requisition orders, force comparisons with major powers, as well as intelligence estimates on potential threats and neutral states to be aligned. With this load, maybe you can lay off me for a while" he replies with a touch of defiance. And with apparently no concern he was selling secrets to a foreign agent.

Unable to hide a gleam of greed at the information he was about to take custody of, the cigarette smoker leaned back. "Excellent, all this will do for now. Your usual payment is in your Swiss bank account. We’ll contact you again in a few months."

The man stubbed out his cigarette and picked up the attache case the bureaucrat had originally put down, walked away from the table and out the door. Chewing on the value of the information he was carrying, he never looked back, not at the satisfied smirk on the bureaucrat's face, nor at the four men who had been watching him leave.

NOTES:
[1] FedSec - Federation Security Agency, in charge of counterintelligence
[2] Triskelion - the EFDF HQ Building

 

[Einheit_elf]

TO: MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL
FROM: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
SUBJ: EXECUTIVE BRIEFING ON ARMED FORCES, START OF 2007


The Army

While the European Federation Army is large and well-equipped, she also possesses possibly the longest coastline in the world, as well as large overland frontiers with potential threats in Europe and Africa. Over the years, Europe’s land forces have increased to the point of becoming the second largest standing forces in the world, just behind China. However, it must be noted that a large portion of these are essentially static divisions and Quick Reaction Forces for the various macro-regions.

At the same time, a large number of brigades were gathered together into Battlegroups, formations of three or more brigades of a generally homogenous type which may be deployable in overseas interventions or as high readiness reinforcements to the cadre-sized formations on the borders with Russia.

In EAF Copenhagen, EAF Ramstein and EAF Barcelona, one of three Airborne Battlegroups may be found, mated to airlifters of the Federal Transport Command’s Air Transport Command. As of writing, four Battlegroups have been forward deployed to potential hotspots, namely on the borders of Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and in West Africa.

Aside from forces in the FEDCOM or Home Command, assorted troops can be found in Africa and in military outposts elsewhere, in almost all cases stationed to protect airfields or naval bases in unstable regions. It has been proposed to train additional African forces to help protect the newly annexed regions in the war-torn continent, in particular vulnerable coastal regions.

While most formations are equipped similarly, putting an end to the earlier heterogenous nature of the Armed Force’s equipment, efforts to upgrade the Federation’s equipment from the current Balkan War-era equipment (late 90s to be exact) are not proceeding as well as hoped, due mostly to the somewhat atrophied nature of European research and development, hampering efforts to develop advanced equipment. Given time, however, officials of the European Ministry of Finance and Industry are adamant that a technologically advanced European Defense Force is inevitable.


The Air Force:

Following the disastrous results of the Balkan War, European theorists realize that air power has truly come to the point of decimating entire brigades. With this in mind, influential politician and strident militarist Anders Fogh Rasmussen has managed to force through Parliament the European Air Power Plan, advocating for the massive expansion for the Air Force, with an emphasis on close air support, deep strike tactical fighters, improved air superiority fighters and naval strike aircraft.

At the same time, airbases all over Europe were expanded to the size of EAF Ramstein, current headquarters for the German Air District. In a flight of fancy, Swedish and Finnish politicians managed to make possible the construction of secret massive underground air bases in the Aland Islands and on Gotland, in the Baltic Sea, hidden from Russian or American spy satellites. Intended to be dispersal fields in the unlikely chance of Russian dominance in Scandinavia, the offshore platforms which can support four Tactical Combat Groups are an integral part of Scandinavian Theater defense.

Administratively, there are several Air Districts corresponding to the macroregions, namely the Iberian, Western (including France and Ireland), Benelux, Central (Germany and Austria), Southern (Italy, Slovenia), Visegrad (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary) and Balkan (Romania, Bulgaria, Greece). Each of these are at minimum equipped with a Combat Group of four squadrons of Eurofighter Typhoons and one of four squadrons of tactical fighters, primarily ex-American or ex-Russian aircraft. More often than not the Air Districts are assigned much larger numbers than mandated, both as a way to spread around Federal air power but also to defend against the brutal air assaults experienced in the 1990s.

In the East are massive numbers of tactical fighters and Frontal Aviation squadrons, which are fighters who are assigned to maintain air superiority over contested battlefields. Under a combination of complete air dominance, it is expected that the swarms of strike fighters conducting deep strike missions into Russian lines would provide a suitable counter to the renowned Russian local ground superiority.


The Navy

The European Federation Navy is one of the largest and most technologically advanced navies in the world. However, there have been several vessels which are in the process of being scrapped, mostly obsolete vessels built during the middle of the Cold War. Some 1975-vintage vessels were transferred to the Piraeus Military Reserve Facility in Greece or kept on as second-line vessels within the confined spaces of the Baltic Fleet, an acceptable choice seeing as the Baltic was a lake with only two inhabitants: Europeans and the Russians or as station ships in distant corners of the world. However even these vessels would be reaching their mandated service age of 35 years by 2010.

To accommodate the European Federation’s newfound power and influence around the world, a series of massive naval outposts were constructed. The theory was that these bastions would be able to serve as staging grounds for future assaults or if need be, to defend against all but the most brutal of onslaughts. Naval bases, air bases, sophisticated radar systems, new SAM and AAA sites and land fortifications were built in Greenland, Guiana, Reunion and New Caledonia. Administratively, the Navy is divided into four fleets, with numerous task forces and stations administratively under them.

1. HOME FLEET (Mediterranean Fleet)
-home of the Navy’s nuclear attack and guided missile submarines, as well as where unassigned vessels are initially directed to
HQ: Toulon
Other Ports: Malta, Barcelona, Athens, La Spezia, Taranto
Main components: 2 Carrier Battle Groups (2 CVLs each), 6 x SSN, 12 x SSGN

2. ATLANTIC FLEET
-main action force for expeditionary actions
-operational jurisdiction: worldwide
-other portions: Caribbean Station (HQ: Cayenne) and North Atlantic Station (HQ: Greenland)
-HQ: Ferrol
Other Ports: Dublin, Rota, Brest, Cherbourg, Ghent
Main Components: 5 Carrier Battle Groups

3. BALTIC FLEET
HQ: Copenhagen
Other Ports: Kiel, Rostock, Gdynia, Stockholm, Helsinki
Main Components: 1 Carrier Battle Group, most of the Navy’s SSKs

4. PACIFIC FLEET - exists in theory. Instead, ships from the Indian Ocean Station (HQ: Reunion) and the Asiatic Station (HQ: Noumea) are the main combat commands.

Another portion of the Navy is Naval Aviation, responsible for naval aircraft, which currently operates a variety of helicopters as well as carrier-based and land-based aircraft. As part of its commitment to protect the continent, one Naval Strike Group is assigned to the Western, Iberian and Scandinavian Air Districts, with the view of assigning one each to the Air Districts. Composed of a combat group of one squadron each of anti-shipping aircraft, most likely Super Etendard or Tornado attack aircraft mated to a squadron of maritime patrol aircraft, namely Breguet Atlantique 2, the Naval Strike Groups are expected to ravage enemy vessels.

 

[tooichan]

The crests are very Napoleonic-ly... very nice though.

 

[KaiserWilhelmI]

The crests are very Napoleonic-ly... very nice though.

Well this federation seems to be dominated by the french, so its only proper.

 

[Ticket Cookie]

Well this federation seems to be dominated by the french, so its only proper.

Isn't France the dominant military power of EU?
Of course, it's Germany economically and in most way politically but France keep the lead in that matter.
In this universe, military is much more important, so France weight must be too


(I feel weirdly nationalistic saying that )

 

[Zzzzz...]

Yeah. The insignias are nice. The globe in the airforce is a bit meh though

 

[Einheit_elf]

The crests are very Napoleonic-ly... very nice though.

Yeah. The insignias are nice. The globe in the airforce is a bit meh though

Well they were adapted from OTL, what can I say.

Well this federation seems to be dominated by the french, so its only proper.

Not exactly. Although the French did contribute to a lot of the EFDF's assets, such a thing as Europe's domination by any one nationality is becoming less and less possible in the long run.

Isn't France the dominant military power of EU?
Of course, it's Germany economically and in most way politically but France keep the lead in that matter.
In this universe, military is much more important, so France weight must be too
(I feel weirdly nationalistic saying that )

Yeah, like I said, its true that France did give me a lot of units and that right now they have a lot of sway over who those units are facing. However down the line how sure are you that there will even be a France in the EF?


Everyone: thanks so much for reading and moreso, for leaving comments! Keep them coming!

 

[Einheit_elf]

~~~ EYES ONLY ~~~​

TO: EUROPEAN COUNCIL
FROM: JOINT THREAT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE - RUSSIA

Russia as we know it was formed by the events following the end of the Balkan War, where an ultra-nationalist coup placed United Russia into power under Vladimir Putin. He then negotiated for the end of the war with the European Security Council, culminating in the Treaty of Warsaw. Immediately after, Operation Nesti was enacted, aimed at bringing back the breakaway republics on the Baltic and in Central Asia. Russia has since maintained a virulently anti-Western stance on the only forum where its power equals that of the United States, namely the United Nations.

While it is no longer the Soviet Union, number two superpower, experts consider Russian power to be once again on the rise with the discovery of massive natural resources in Siberia and Putin's ambitious Industrial Revitalization Plan. He has then poured the gains from this windfall into expanding and modernizing the Cold War era military. The upgrading of equipment has also allowed Russia a commanding presence in the international arms trade. At the same time, it seems to have healed its rift with China on its southern flank, with massive and showy military exercises and collaboration on technologies.

THREAT ASSESSMENT: Moderate
While Euro-Russian relations have been decidedly cool since the Balkan War, our ongoing support for nationalist elements in the Baltics and the Ukraine have done little to endear us to the Russkies. Our military buildup on our eastern frontier to counter their army probably hasn't helped matters either.

While Putin is a nationalist to the hilt, he has been rational enough not to get caught up in irredentist quagmires in the Caucasus. That may change however as sources within the Russian FSB indicate Russian false flag efforts to drive a wedge between the pro-Western Georgian leader Saakashvili and ourselves or the Americans and generate a casus belli.

ARMED FORCES:
As always, the Russian Armed Forces has relied on its sheer mass for its power. However with the rise of a large, wealthy and technologically advanced neighbor, great efforts have been made in developing a modern and large military of its own.

Prototype Russian T-90s photographed in Moscow​

The Russian Ground Forces is composed of 127 divisions and brigades, a total of 1.17 million men, making for the 4th largest army in terms of manpower. Although possessing a large shock force of 20 armored divisions and brigades, a majority of the Russian Army is composed of motorized divisions under the command of the Russian Interior Ministry's Internal Troops. Lightly armed they may be, the concentration of many relatively well-trained conscripts in large mobile formations should still be cause for concern. Standard Russian military technology includes various marks of T-55 and T-72 tanks. However efforts to replace the equipment in Russian armored divisions to the more capable T-90 tanks will require a significant investment in research and development and industry.

The flagship of the Russian Navy, the Moskva, under construction in the 1990s. Adapted from Cold War era Ulyanovsk class, the Moskva class are no longer nuclear aircraft carriers, but instead rely on CODAG propulsion and feature the requisite heavy surface-to-surface missile emplacements, aside from the capacity to carry 60 aircraft and 15 helicopters.
​

The Russian Navy is based in the Arctic Sea ports of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, with smaller detachments in St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Vladivostok. Worryingly, simulations indicate that a theoretical European first strike on the Russian Northern Fleet using carrier aircraft would result in unacceptable casualties, even if conducted in conjunction with the European Air Force, due mainly to the presence of heavily armed missile platforms like the Kirov-class battlecruisers which have been returned to service, as well as large numbers of guided missile and attack submarines of the Oscar II, Alfa class, Victor III class and the Akula class. Composed of two supercarriers of Moskva class(Moskva and Petrograd), two aircraft carriers (Admiral Kuznetsov, Admiral Gorshkov), four battlecruisers of the Kirov class, 7 missile cruisers, and numerous destroyers and frigates, significant tansport capabilities and large numbers of submarines, the Russian Navy seems to function as a fleet-in-being, capable of trapping a large portion of our European Atlantic Fleet with its mere existence.

Tu-22 Backfire squadron of the Russian Naval Aviation. A sight to make carrier battle group commanders wince, the Backfires can launch a swarm of supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles at vulnerable naval task forces.
​

The Russian Air Force is large but scattered all over the vast Russian frontier. It is known that a large portion of it is composed by tactical fighters, strike fighters and close support aircraft (mainly the Su-25 Frogfoot). Decent maritime strike capability is provided by Russian Naval Aviation whose sole purpose has been to threaten carrier battle groups with its large numbers of cruise missiles. A strong nuclear deterrent is still present in the great numbers of Russian ICBMs and strategic bombers.Russian air defense is provided by fighter squadrons of MiG-29s and Su-27s. A next-generation fighter, provisionally called the Sukhoi PAK FA, is known to be in development.

CONCLUSION:
War games indicate that current state of ground forces on Russian border inadequate. Recommend increase of armored forces for Eastern Theater and Scandinavia Theater. We also recommend the covert increase of prepositioned aircraft in Danish, German, Austrian and Hungarian airfields, which are far enough from likely Russian ground assaults while being in range for Tornado IDS strike fighter squadrons.

SIGNED:

____
Grand Marshal Pellaeon
Supreme Commander, European Federation Defense Force

____
Max Peter Ratzel
Director for Intelligence, EDI

 

[Zzzzz...]

Good assessment. Certainly need that for the liberation of the Baltics and Belarus

 

[Einheit_elf]

~~~ EYES ONLY ~~~​

TO: EUROPEAN COUNCIL
FROM: JOINT THREAT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE - UNITED STATES

Former 'protector' and ally, Europe and the United States parted ways around the time of Operation Roundup, with the refusal of the United States to deploy troops, leaving European forces to fend for themselves against the Russian juggernaut. Currently the world's most powerful nation (for now, at least) and former sole-superpower-of-the-world, she remains an industrial and military giant. With the second largest economy in the world, she continues to field large, well trained and technologically advanced armed forces. The EDI has reported that among other things, the United States has been developing advanced machinery and modern medical equipment.


THREAT ASSESSMENT: Moderate
Having successfully defended South Korean and Taiwan during the East Asian Conflict, taken control of Liberia in the 1990s and defeated the Taliban in the mountains of northern Afghanistan, the next large deployment of the US remains to be seen. On another note, although the US Armed Forces is a mighty force to be reckoned with, the great distances between America and Europe would conspire to turn any American invasion of the European heartland into a bloody affair. At the same time US intelligence agencies have been penetrated by the EDI, giving ample warning of any preparations for war.


ARMED FORCES:

M1A2 Abrams of the US Army in Korea during the East Asian Conflict. It is the backbone of the armored forces of the United States military, and of several US allies as well. The purpose of this vehicle is to provide mobile firepower for armored formations of sufficient capability to successfully close with and destroy any opposing armored fighting vehicle in the world, while providing protection for it's crew in any conceivable combat environment.​

With 2.2 million men mobilized into 208 brigades and divisions, the US Army is the third largest army in the world in terms of manpower. While US Army armored divisions are equipped with state of the art M1A2 Abrams tanks, their numbers are limited to 2600 tanks, roughly 8 armored divisions and brigades. Next generation M4 Clay tanks are still in the prototype stage, potentially putting US armored forces at a disadvantage to European Leclerc tanks or Russian T-90 tanks. Most of their army is composed of mechanized and motorized units which, while well equipped comparable to other large powers with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, lack the offensive punch of the armored units.

The US Army is currently increasing its standing army, ostensibly to guard against large, potentially hostile powers like the Russian, Chinese, North Korean and the European Armies. While the United States is also recruiting additional armored and mechanized infantry forces, motorized infantry and light infantry formations like parachute, air cavalry and special operations light infantry divisions are also being trained, possibly for the Far East.

Carrier strike group of the US Navy including a nuclear supercarrier and her air group, a Ticonderoga class cruiser, two Arleigh Burke class destroyers, two Perry class frigates and a Los Angeles class attack submarine. Operating 12 of these formations, the US Navy is capable of projecting unmatched power anywhere in the world.​

With 203 vessels, the US Navy retains a slight lead over other nations in sheer numbers of vessels. However with a force of 12 nuclear supercarriers, she remains the world’s most powerful navy. This will then be further increased by the next-generation Gerald R. Ford-class under construction, which are similar in capabilities to our own Europa class. Other elements of the US Navy are its 27 Ticonderoga class cruisers, 58 Spruance and Arleigh Burke class destroyers, 18 Ohio class SSGNs and 54 Los Angeles, Seawolf and Virginia class submarines. Of particular note is the large Marine Corps contingent of a whopping 64 brigades and divisions. These Marine divisions of course would be the first expeditionary elements sent in case of a conflict.

Under development is the Montana class which is a replacement for the Ohio class ballistic missile submarine, the Whitefish class, a new class of diesel electric submarine for patrolling littoral waters and earmarked for export to friendly nations and the America class, nominally an amphibious assault ship, these vessels have been optimized to operate with carrier battle groups as light aircraft carriers.

F-15 Strike Eagle over Afghanistan. Backbone of the US Air Force, various versions of the F-15 Eagle are capable of air superiority and ground attack. Widely exported, it also equips key American allies like Japan and South Korea.
​

The United States Air Force has always prided itself with technological superiority to counter other nations’ sheer numbers, however the United States’ material wealth has allowed them a leeway in achieving both technological and numerical superiority, bringing the total strength of the US Air Force to 189 squadrons, the second largest air force in the world. A large portion of this is dedicated to ground assault and strategic bombing capabilities, with 33 squadrons equipped with B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers, 46 squadrons of strike fighters, primarily F-15E Strike Eagles and 11 squadrons of A-10 Thunderbolt close support aircraft. Available for the defense of CONUS are 36 fighter and interceptor squadrons equipped with F-15C and F-16C fighter aircraft. The US Navy operates 9 squadrons of P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The balance is composed of transport aircraft and of course Global Strike Command’s 33 squadrons of Minuteman ICBMs.

The US Air Force is currently expanding its ground attack and strike capabilities, with new orders for A-10D Super Warthog ground attack aircraft, F-15E Strike Eagles and B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft. Development of their next generation aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II seems to have been drawn back for unknown reasons.



CONCLUSION:
Simulations indicate that the First Navy Plan will bring the capabilities of the European Federation Navy at par with the US Navy. A successful naval defense of our Atlantic Coast and of Ireland would also defend against any seaborne invasion of the continent. The large numbers of Air Guard and Frontal Aviation aircraft reasonably ensure air superiority over European airspace. The Air Force estimates the chances of a successful air campaign over Europe to be nil.

However we recommend the development of new maritime strike squadrons for littoral operations and attacks on US vessels on the high seas. The expansion of the nuclear submarine program of the Second Navy Bill would also be beneficial were the Commonwealth to ally with the US in a war against Europe. The proximity of Ireland allows us to strangle convoys of reinforcements and supplies coming into the United Kingdom if necessary.

SIGNED:

____
Grand Marshal Pellaeon
Supreme Commander, European Federation Defense Force

____
Max Peter Ratzel
Director for Intelligence, EDI

 

[Killerflood]

Grand Marshal Pellaeon
Supreme Commander, European Federation Defense Force

Wait. . .Pellaeon? As in Gilad Pellaeon?

So are you planning on turning Europe into the Empire any time soon? :rofl:

 

[Deus Eversor]

Kallergis should be the emperrors of UE, for what is worth, their family tree dates back as far as General Phokas in 600ad ! and it was Richard Kallergi that was the strongest advocate of european unification, it was his suggestion to make UEs anthnem the one we know today... and his family had few roman emperrors...

Kallergis are the only family worth of this post. noone else. noone. period.

 

[Winner]

Is the EF equipped with ICBMs (for deterrence)? If not, I'd propose a design based on the real-world Vega space launcher (it's 3-stage, solid fuelled, an ICBM in all but payload). And give it a nice name... "Lucifer" would be appropriate

If the UK aligns itself with the US, then plans should be prepared for a rapid invasion and liberation of Britain.

 

[Einheit_elf]

Wait. . .Pellaeon? As in Gilad Pellaeon?

So are you planning on turning Europe into the Empire any time soon? :rofl:

Kallergis should be the emperrors of UE, for what is worth, their family tree dates back as far as General Phokas in 600ad ! and it was Richard Kallergi that was the strongest advocate of european unification, it was his suggestion to make UEs anthnem the one we know today... and his family had few roman emperrors...

Kallergis are the only family worth of this post. noone else. noone. period.

Despite being something of a monarchist, I'm not turning EF into an Empire. Also, good catch on Pellaeon, I'm thinking of using him as an in-story avatar. Plus, although Grand Marshal Pellaeon would remind one of a grand old man in a far far away empire, one shouldn't forget that Admiral Gilad Pellaeon wasn't an emperor nor a monarchist.

Is the EF equipped with ICBMs (for deterrence)? If not, I'd propose a design based on the real-world Vega space launcher (it's 3-stage, solid fuelled, an ICBM in all but payload). And give it a nice name... "Lucifer" would be appropriate

If the UK aligns itself with the US, then plans should be prepared for a rapid invasion and liberation of Britain.

Okay, gamewise, I have around 20 ICBM units. Storywise, the EF maintains a nuclear triad based around SSBNs, nuclear armed bombers and ICBMs.

Unfortunately, a rapid seaborne invasion of Britain has been deemed... difficult by EF theorists, due to the unnaturally large British Army and Royal Marines. These will be explained in the next threat assessment dealing with the New Commonwealth.

EDIT: Gamewise, I have no nukes, apparently, since it requires a bugged tech. So I have ICBMs, except that their payloads are conventional. I have more accurate Scuds that can go anywhere in the world, basically.

 

[Einheit_elf]

~~~ EYES ONLY ~~~​

TO: EUROPEAN COUNCIL
FROM: JOINT THREAT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE - NEW COMMONWEALTH

The Commonwealth dates back to the mid 20th century with the decolonization of the British Empire through increased self-governance of its territories. In its initial conception, member states had no legal obligation to one another.

Fortunately for royalists everywhere, the demise of the once globe-spanning British Empire was arrested with the ratification of the Commonwealth Acts, transforming the Commonwealth into a powerful political, economic and military bloc, led from London by Queen Elizabeth II. This development spurred from a reorientation of British interests following the the British withdrawal from both NATO, following the aftermath of Operation Roundup, and the EEC, following the breakdown of talks negotiating the terms of the UK joining the European Federation.

Members of the New Commonwealth include the United Kingdom, which has been enlarged by the addition of several islands in the Caribbean and in Asia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Guyana and Sierra Leone following the British intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War. While Ireland was invited into the New Commonwealth, they instead chose to join the European Federation following dissatisfaction regarding the status of Ulster. While not officially part of the New Commonwealth, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Kenya all enjoy close relations with the New Commonwealth and should be considered potential members as well.

THREAT ASSESSMENT:Low
From our intelligence, the Commonwealth is to be treated strictly as a defensive alliance. For that matter, it seems that despite the success of the intervention in Sierra Leone, the Commonwealth Armed Forces don’t have the stomach for sustained military operations. Case in point: the ongoing insurgency in Grenada, where after despite three months of turmoil, the UK refuses to increase its garrison on the islands.

If they were properly motivated they could be noteworthy foes, capable of providing a decent number of troops, ships and aircraft to bear against us and positioned deathly close to the industrial heartlands of Europe.

However, the most important unknown regarding the New Commonwealth is its potential reaction to the activation of Operation Hercules (operation details EYES ONLY). While Hercules Actual is minimally guarded, its activation would be a clear casus belli against us regardless of whether the operation is a success or a failure. Were it to succeed, it would negate a very significant disadvantage to us, making the activation of Operation Hercules very attractive.

ARMED FORCES:
Steps to integrate the Commonwealth militaries include the joint development of naval vessels, most notably the Pocket Carrier Project resulting in the Commonwealth class during the tail-end of the 1990s and the more recent Single Class Surface Combatant Program resulting in the Type 45 destroyers, as well as the Commonwealth's participation in the Joint Strike Fighter Program. There have also been efforts to standardize Commonwealth equipment and revitalize struggling defense contractors through rebates provided to Commonwealth members encouraging them to purchase products from Commonwealth defense manufacturers.

Six Commonwealth class vessels in formation (counterclockwise from left) HMAS Memory of Gallipoli, HMCS British Columbia, HMS King George VI, HMAS Australia, HMCS Quebec, HMS Audacious

The main mobile forces of the British Army is 7 armored brigades of Challenger 2 tanks and 7 brigades of mechanized infantry. There are also 4 Territorial Army motorized divisions which are available for low intensity operations. The rapid reaction forces are composed of the elite 22 SAS Regiment, the 16 Air Assault Brigade and 4 brigades of light special operations infantry, among these the notable Queen's Own Gurkha Rifles. The rest of the Army is composed of 21 motorized brigades. The British Army is also looking into an increase of its standing army, with 4 mechanized divisions and 4 motorized divisions in the process of formation.

The Royal Marines have been heavily enlarged, following the clarification of its role as the prime UK foreign intervention force. The enlarged Royal Marines are composed of the 1st through 6th Royal Marines Division, as well as 19 independent brigades in the mold of the elite 3 Commando Brigade. Further increases for the Royal Marines are in order, with 6 new Marine divisions confirmed.

Flagship of the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth II, affectionately called the QE2​

Following the troubles of the 1990s, the Royal Navy has resumed its role as the prime service branch of the United Kingdom. With this in mind, the Navy has acquired two license-built Nimitz class aircraft carriers from the United States, locally called the Queen Elizabeth II class, composed of the HMS Queen Elizabeth II and the HMS Prince of Wales and two Ticonderoga class cruisers, called the HMS Lion and HMS Tiger. This was further reinforced with the 4 Commonwealth class vessels acquired in conjunction with the Royal Australian and Royal Canadian Navies. These vessels join the three aircraft carriers of the Invincible class and about 30 destroyers and frigates. There is also a moderate nuclear submarine arm equipped with Swiftsure-class and Trafalgar-class nuclear attack submarines and Vanguard-class missile submarines. However it has been reported that numbers 3 and 4 of the Queen Elizabeth class, locally built by BAE, have run into problems setting back HMS Centaur and HMS Hermes by several months or even years. There has even been talk of these ships being cancelled outright.

Handley Page Victor of the RAF​

Royal Air Force numbers are seeing increases in the numbers of upgraded Handley Page Victor strategic bombers and locally produced Eurofighter Typhoons. Currently, the largest portion of the RAF is RAF Strike Command, with 27 squadrons of the Tornado GR4 strike aircraft and 3 squadrons of close air support Harrier GR9s. These join RAF Fighter Command's 4 squadrons of Typhoons which are already in service and 9 squadrons of Panavia Tornado F3s, RAF Coastal Command's 2 squadrons of Nimrod naval patrol aircraft, RAF Transport Command's 7 squadrons of transport aircraft and of course RAF Space Command's Moonraker conventional ICBMs.

The Canadian Forces consist of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Canadian Army is composed of 2 armored brigades, 2 mechanized brigades and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment as the main shock forces available. These are supplemented by 8 motorized brigades which are usually held in Canadian territory. However even these are seemingly available following the formation of static infantry units to guard against seaborne assaults.

HMCS Canada, formerly the USS America (CV-66)​

The Royal Canadian Navy has regained its naval aviation capabilities, with its purchase of the USS America, renamed the HMCS Canada and its participation in the Commonwealth class, resulting in two light aircraft carriers for the RCN, namely the HMCS British Columbia and the HMCS Quebec. These join the Iroquois class destroyers and Halifax class frigates of the RCN. In addition, the RCN owns four Victoria class submarines. To accomodate its new carrier strike groups, additional Halifax class frigates are currently on order.

Canadian CF-18​

The Royal Canadian Air Force, meanwhile, operates 3 squadrons of CF-18 Hornets and 2 squadrons of BAe Hawk light strke aircraft, with four more squadrons of each currently being procured.

One of the largest and most well-equipped forces in East Asia, the Australian Defense Force is the main arm of Commonwealth forces in the east.

The main force of the Australian Army is composed of 4 armored divisions and 3 armored brigades, all equipped with Challenger 2 main battle tanks, replacing the Cold War Leopard 1s as well as 2 divisions and 5 brigades of mechanized infantry. In addition there are 10 static infantry brigades and 11 motorized brigades, for garrisoning Australian territory. For foreign interventions there are Special Operation Command's 8 light infantry brigades and the Royal Australian Marines' 8 marine infantry brigades. The Australian Army is also training additional armored and motorized divisions, as well as static infantry brigades.

Australian shipbuilding has seen a resurgence, thanks to Royal Australian Navy contracts for three new surface combatant classes, one similar to the US Navy's Ticonderoga class cruiser, one similar to Russia's Kirov class cruiser and a new amphibious assault vessel. However current procurement is limited to 6 additional Anzac-class frigates. The RAN is also looking into purchasing four Type 45 destroyers from the UK. Currently, the Royal Australian Navy is composed of 2 Commonwealth class light aircraft carriers (HMAS Australia and HMAS Memory of Gallipolli), and sixteen frigates of the Anzac and Adelaide class.

RAAF F-111 Aardvark​

The Royal Australian Air Force has seen massive increases in size, bringing it to one of the largest air forces in Asia. Based around a doctrine of ground support and deep strike, the RAAF is equipped with 17 squadrons of F-111 Aardvarks and 14 squadrons of Boomerang tactical missiles. Locally produced, these short ranged ballistic missiles are typically stationed in allied air bases such as Clark Air Base in the Philippines or in Jackson Airport in Papua New Guinea. Other elements of the RAAF include 6 squadrons of Eurofighter Typhoons, 1 squadron of Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft and 3 squadrons of transport aircraft. Additional Boomerang tactical missiles and license built F-111 Aardvarks are also on order.

In event of a general war, both Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have agreed to put their armed forces under overall Commonwealth command, with Australia coordinating a theoretical Asian theater. This would bring a total of 3 frigates and 2 motorized brigades to reinforce Australian forces.

~~~Author's Note~~~​

Weird coincidence putting out this display of Commonwealth military power on the day following that tragic Uruguay-England match.

 

[Einheit_elf]

~~~ EYES ONLY ~~~​

TO: EUROPEAN COUNCIL
FROM: JOINT THREAT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE - CHINA

Despite the failure of the operation to capture Mongolia in the chaos of the Balkan Wars, China is currently the world's number three industrial power. However the People's Republic of China seems to be facing a glass ceiling on the way to greatness due to the trifecta of threats itching to take its head off: a newly unified Europe, new frenemy USA and an ultranationalist Russia. With its rising economic prosperity, the standard of living has improved in China, but not by much for most of the population. Its traditionally large population has also stretched its resources, forcing the urbanization of the once isolated Western regions.

THREAT ASSESSMENT: Low
It is believed that China will be making moves to expand the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, primarily with the addition of Russia, bringing us into possible conflict with them. Other nations which Beijing is eyeing for membership are Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It is also believed that China will tie the Southern Alliance of African states to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, bringing them firmly under China's protection.

China’s armed forces have begun its transformation from a land based colossus to that of a smaller, mobile, high tech one capable of mounting operations beyond its borders. The motivation for this was that a massive land invasion by Russia was no longer seen as a major threat, and the new threats to China are seen to be a declaration of independence by Taiwan, possibly with assistance from the United States, or a confrontation over the Spratly Islands. The possibility of a militarized Japan has also been a continuous concern to the Chinese leadership. At the same time it will attempt to secure its position is Southeast Asia in the face of seeming encroachment by the United States and her United Coalition.

ARMED FORCES

With China retaining large manpower reserves, it has never felt the need to impose a conscription system. The main drawbacks of the Chinese armed forces is the state of its equipment and its Cold War era doctrines.

Prototype Type 99 main battle tank​

With 2.36 million men under arms, the People's Liberation Army is currently the largest land power in the world. It possesses a sizable armored force consisting of 16 armored divisions, which for the most part are equipped with obsolescent Type 96 tanks. Very limited numbers of the new Type 99A2 have begun to equip the PLA, its deployment limited to 2 armored brigades. The majority of the PLA is mobile to some degree, with 49 divisions and 5 brigades of mechanized infantry and 48 divisions and 11 brigades of motorized infantry.

The PLA also possesses several large light infantry formations, mainly the three divisions of the PLAAF 15th Airborne Corps and 11 light infantry brigades. In addition, the PLA Marine Corps is equipped with 24 divisions and 16 brigades of maritime infantry. Following the failure of Operation Shi Lang, the seaborne invasion of Taiwan, the PLA Marine Corps seem to have a chip on their shoulder.

Chengdu J-10s of the PLAAF. An indigenous design, they are among the most numerous aircraft in the Chinese Air Force​

.

Initially, the People's Liberation Army Air Force was large but equipped with obsolescent aircraft, mostly Cold War era copies of Russian technology. In the early 1990s, the PLAAF began a program of modernization, motivated by the Balkan Wars, as well as the possibility of military conflict with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and perhaps also involving the United States. Following the disastrous Taiwan Strait air engagements during the East Asian Conflict, the PLAAF also strove to improve its pilot training and continued to retire obsolete aircraft. This resulted in a reduction of the overall number of aircraft in the PLAAF with a concurrent increase in quality of its air fleet. The 21st century has seen the continuation of the modernization program with China's huge economic growth. The primary mission of the PLAAF is the defense of the mainland, a task it is well suited for, with 50 squadrons equipped with numerous variants of the Su-30MKK Flanker-G and the indigenous Chengdu J-10 and J-10C interceptors. Ground attack capabilities are provided by 29 strike squadrons mostly equipped with the Xian JH-7 and 28 strategic bomber squadrons equipped with the late Cold War era Xian H-6F and limited numbers of the more modern Xian H-9.

The North Sea Fleet of the PLAN, Pacific Ocean.​

Finally the People's Liberation Army Navy. Following the turmoil of the 1990s the PLAN has begun to transition into an offshore defensive strategy. The PLAN is thus understood to be the first line of defense against an unexpected attack by the United States. Currently, the PLAN can be considered a green-water navy, with large numbers of relatively modern indigenous surface combatants, conventional submarines (Improved Kilo class) and nuclear submarines (comparable to early model Rubis class), as well as being one of the few nations in the world to possess an aircraft carrier, the indigenous Liaoning. Despite this, the PLAN retains numerous obsolete vessels, primarily destroyers and Romeo class submarines, but these are expected to be phased out.

To transition the PLAN into a blue-water navy capable of taking on the US Navy is a massive naval building plan called the Zheng He Plan. The PLAN currently has six conventional super carriers under construction (comparable to Kitty Hawk class). In addition an indigenous nuclear super carrier and an improved version of the Type 052 air defense destroyer are under development, as are improved doctrines and fleet training.

 

[ATempler]

Following.

 

[Einheit_elf]

Following.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Einheit_elf]

~~~ EYES ONLY ~~~​

TO: EUROPEAN COUNCIL
FROM: JOINT THREAT ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
SUBJECT: NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE - SOUTH AMERICA

Following the signing of the Security and Prosperity Partnership last year, US-Mexico relations are at a record high. Another factor in improving US-Mexico relations was when the United States allowed Mexico to annex Belize following the economic downturn and subsequent unrest during the 1990s. Meanwhile, the United States has signed various security guarantees to friendly governments in the neighborhood like Panama and Honduras.

On the other hand, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica have been throwing more than the usual anti-neo colonialist and anti-American rhetoric. Other indications like the brand new Chinese-built football stadium in Costa Rica and the new Russian infantry rifles in El Salvador aren’t just coincidences. EDI and the Foreign Ministry both believe that these countries are most susceptible to joining the burgeoning TCP alliance.

ALBA - TCP or the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - Peoples’ Trade Treaty in Spanish isn’t doing our standing in South America any favors. Following the landmark trade treaties between Cuba and Venezuela, they have since been joined by Bolivia and Ecuador, bringing most of the socialist and left-leaning South American nations into the fold. With Chinese and Russian support, these nations continue to run exercises and improve their armed forces.

One of the most immediate threats to Europe is Brazil, which EDI expects to sign the TCP any day now. Having received massive support from Russia and China, the TCP plus Brazil would immediately become the most dominant power in the region. The Brazilians have been spending a lot on expanding its military, possibly in response to South American Community military exercises.

With our assistance the Argentinean and Chilean economies continue to rise, with the duo possibly becoming a legitimate contender to Brazilian primacy in South America. Meanwhile, the Argentine President Nestor Kirchner has made noises regarding the return of the Malvinas islands (Falkland Islands to the British). Argentina and Chile have improved relations with Uruguay, managing to become a true counterweight against the increasingly hostile government in Brasilia. With our support, talks about establishing a new defense pact against the TCP called the South American Community are proceeding well.

Colombia has made noises about joining the South American Community, possibly as a counter to the potential threat to them, on the borders of Brazil and Venezuela and vulnerable to Cuban naval incursions. However they struggle to maintain an uneasy neutrality. SAC assistance to ending the drug war within its borders aren’t helping them with this facade.

Peru is another nation looking for any way out of the fight. Since the end of the Fujimori regime in 2000, Peru’s neutrality has been driven by internal instability following the government’s renewed focus to root out corruption, possibly to help sustain its shaky economic growth. It simply hasn’t got the stomach to go head to head with its neighbors.

In response to Bolivian chatter regarding the disputed Chaco region, Paraguay has been increasing dialogues with both Brasilia and Buenos Aires, to rein in its ally Bolivia and to assist them in defending against the ALBA alliance, respectively. Both the US and ourselves have been sending them military aid, with US Special Forces and European Marchetti light ground attack aircraft being sent.

​

The United Kingdom is making a comeback to the ranks of big nations, pushing a new defence agreement with Guyana and of course the return of various Caribbean islands to the British fold. In a surprise move, PM Tony Blair offered former British territories to resume its status as British holdings, pointing at the established example of Sierra Leone, finally recovering from civil war and at peace.

​

Finally Europa. European influence on the continent is slim. We’ve recently concluded a defense pact with Guatemala, guaranteeing its independence, admittedly difficult as it is right in the middle of Mexico and the pro-SCO forces in the east. European holdings in the Americas are concentrated in the Caribbean. Following the brutal civil war in the 1990s, Netherlands managed (but only just) to annex Suriname. Meanwhile, former French Guiana has seen massive military development, with the view that it become the base for European South America Command. This includes new airfields, a massive new naval base, land fortifications and expansion of the Guiana Space Center in Kourou.

Local forces in European South America Command (ESACOM) consist of one brigade of the Federal Guard, the forward deployed VI MEF consisting of the 6th Marine Division, operating as the Caribbean Marine Force. Its other component, the Korps Mariniers marine brigade, is currently on rotation in Central Africa. Naval forces consist of the South Atlantic Station, with a flotilla of light surface combatants, several Type 212 diesel-electric submarines and transport force centered around SPS Castilla, an amphibious assault ship and some transport vessels. Local air power consists of the EAF's 876 Squadron, equipped with Typhoons and Naval Aviation's 22 Squadron, equipped with a mixture of antishipping Super Etendards and ATR 72 ASW maritime patrol aircraft. A recommendation to forward deployed a carrier strike group, possibly based in Cayenne or Curacao Harbor, has been suggested.

 

[Dr.Livingstone]

Sorry I haven't commented in a while, but you should continue this.