Cryrian Defense Forces
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| Cryrian Defense Forces Försvarsmakten | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of the CDF | |
| Service branches | Royal Cryrian Army Royal Cryrian Navy Royal Cryrian Air Force |
| Headquarters | Leidenstad, Cryria |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Queen Ulrika II of the House of Leidensen |
| Minister of Defense | Majken Akerström |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 18 |
| Conscription | Yes |
| Active personnel | 306,000 |
| Reserve personnel | 800,000 Active Reserves, 800,000 Inactive Reserves |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | 50.4 Billion SHD |
| Percent of GDP | 2.8% |
The Cryrian Defense Forces (Cryrian: Försvarsmakten, "the Defense Forces") is the unified armed forces of the Kingdom of Cryria charged with the defense of the country. The CDF traces its roots back to the standing navies of Vesterholm and Talvere. Since their creation, the Defense Forces have seen action in many conflicts throughout Cryrian history, including the Great War. The CDF's modern structure was established shortly after that conflict and consists of the Royal Cryrian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Under Cryrian law, oaths of allegiance are made out to the sitting Cryrian monarch, who also serves as the commander-in-chief. As with most day-to-day government functions, this power is in practice vested with the Prime Minister and the elected Government. The CDF is directly headed by the General Staff, who in turn reports to the Minister of Defense.
Though the CDF has not engaged in a major international war in over a century, it remains notable in that it continues to practice widespread conscription of both men and women. This practice has made it one of the most prominent Government institutions in the Kingdom, with significant impact on social, economic, and political life. Though comparatively uninvolved in global conflicts, the CDF saw a marked increase in funding and government interest in the wake of the Volscine Civil War and the growing perception of regional instability.
Mission
The Cryrian Defense Forces defines itself as having three main tasks:
- To uphold Cryrian territorial integrity
- To defend the nation from foreign attack
- To provide rapid response and support during disasters
Under Article 6 of the Cryrian Constitution, conscripted personnel cannot be deployed outside of Cryrian territory(defined as including the country's exclusive economic zone). As such, the CDF has a primarily defensive role, and the Kingdom has typically sought to uphold its military neutrality in regional disputes. The CDF maintains a handful of professional units constructed for expeditionary purposes, most notably the Brigade of Naval Infantry, the Foreign Legion, and the Special Operations Section. Elements of the CDF have partaken in some international operations, primarily in the Union of Free Cities where the Cryrian-held Mandate of Ellesborg hosts a small Foreign Legion detachment and maintains its own militia with CDF support and training. The CDF has also supported disaster relief efforts abroad and joint exercises within the Conference for Amity and Cooperation, but has otherwise eschewed partaking in international peacekeeping operations and has rejected suggestions that they be added as a "Fourth Pillar" to its mission.
The CDF similarly has been careful to delineate between foreign and domestic operations. The armed forces do not partake in domestic law enforcement or counterterrorism operations within the Kingdom, and by practice will only conduct operations in Cryrian territory for the purposes of training and defense against foreign actions or during a declared state of emergency.
Exercises and International Participation
Ellesborg Detachment
A Foreign Legion company is permanently stationed in the Mandate of Ellesborg as part of the nation's commitment to the Union of Free Cities. The deployment is primarily focused on training and advising the local Civil Defense Force. This detachment has been reinforced by a flight of fighter jets from the RCRAF in light of increased regional instability.
Nordörn
The CDF is a regular participant in the Nordörn Exercises alongside other CAC nations.
Nordanvind
Nordanvind is the CDF's largest annual training exercise. It is designed to test the CDF's logistical capabilities as well as the ability to call up reservists. As such, Nordanvind is typically when selected members of the Active Reserves receive their mandated refresher training.
Organization
General Staff
The General Staff is the direct supreme command of the Cryrian Defense Forces, and is subordinate to the Minister of Defense.
Chief
- Chief of the General Staff
- Deputy Chief of the General Staff
Service Branches
- Chief of Army Staff
- Chief of Air Force Staff
- Chief of Navy Staff
Directorates
- Director of Operations
- Director of Military Intelligence
- Director of Logistics
- Director of Personnel
- Director of Force Planning and Strategy
- Director of Communications
- Director of Special Warfare
- Director of Special Materials
Regional Commands
- Commander of the Talvere Defense Area
- Commander of the Leidenstad Defense Area
- Commander of the Vesterholm Defense Area
- Commander of the Lielsta Defense Area
- Commander of the Aisis Defense Area
- Commander of the Karlin Defense Area
- Commander of the Tynam Defense Area
Other
- Liaison to the Prime Minister
- Commander of Foreign Operations
- Advocate General
- Chief Spokesperson of the Defense Forces
- Chief Budgetary Advisor
Civilian Posts
- Liaison from the Minister of Defense
- Defense Forces Comptroller
- Chief Industry Administrator
Army
Air Force
The Royal Cryrian Navy represents the oldest standing military force in the Cryrian Isles. Tracing its lineage back to the roving Cryrian fleets of old, the RCRN today serves as the primary naval arm of the CDF.
Though the Army technically operates the largest number of vessels when considering its many small assault craft, the RCRN contains all of the significant warships belonging to the Kingdom. Most of its strength is centered around its twelve Leiden-class frigates, and it also maintains a notable submarine arm including eleven Kraken-class diesel-electric submarines. Some thirty-four Kraskne-class missile boats and five Blödhaj-class coastal submarines are operated closer to Cryrian shores.
Like the Army, the RCRN has traditionally held a strong commitment to mine warfare as a means of access-denial. Cryrian naval geography consists of many confined waterways and a complex littoral zone that is ideal for such a doctrine. The fleet maintains six large Hämeenmaa-class minelayers for this purpose, with another thirty Oksøy-class mine countermeasures vessels.
Beyond its immediate role in conventional warfare, the RCRN also serves as the primary naval enforcement arm of the Cryrian government. While the National Police and various environmental and search-and-rescue agencies operate civilian vessels and aircraft within Cryrian territorial waters, the country's large exclusive economic zones are patrolled by the RCRN. This task typically falls to an array of offshore patrol vessels. Smaller patrol craft, such as the Tapper-class, are charged with the more serious enforcement activities within the Isles themselves, and are further equipped with limited anti-submarine warfare capabilities for their shallow waters.
The RCRN also operates its own air wing which includes a significant number of helicopters, UAVs, and maritime patrol aircraft. Its fleet of Örn Swordfish and Örn 2000 MPAs serve to further extend the Navy's monitoring capabilities, while its rotary and unmanned aircraft are operated from both ship and shore for a wide range of activities. Its three Marjata-class SIGINT vessels also comprise an important tool for Cryrian intelligence gathering.
The Navy maintains a significant ground force best exemplified in the Regiment of Naval Infantry. One of the most prestigious units in the Cryrian military, the Regiment consists of three independent combined arms battalions capable of deploying off the Kingdom's Garza-class LSTs and Tynam-class Flexible Support Ships. The Naval Infantry consist wholly of professional soldiers and is intended to be used as an expeditionary force. The RCRN further maintains a formidable system of coastal defense missile batteries and shore based radars to complete its control over the Cryrian littoral.
Save for a handful of vessels such as the Garza and Amity-class, most of the RCRN's ships are assembled in Cryrian shipyards. However, many components and munitions are foreign sourced. Cryria produces domestic anti-ship missiles including Örn's RBS-15 and Tarva Defense System's older RBS-12 "Penguin." Since 2012, TDF has also completed its new Naval Strike Missile program. The NSM has been inducted into RCRN service and designated as the RBS-16, a successor for the RBS-15. So far, the RBS-16 has been integrated as a pair of quad-launchers on the country's Tynam and Leiden-class surface combatants. Plans to fully phase out the RBS-15 have since stalled, however, and the RCRN has instead ordered the new RBS-15 Mk IV variant from Örn to supply remaining launchers of that type. Örn also produces the DM2A4 533 mm torpedoes used on Cryrian submarines. The navy further operates the indigenous Sea Mine 2000, produced by Emmerson Sea Systems. While the Kingdom has a domestic surface-to-air missile program, it has seen little success in navalizing these systems. Hejeld AB's Älemsi subsidiary has produced the Jad short range missile which is deployed on the Kraskne-class missile boat. An array of radars and other electronics are also locally produced and assembled, but many other air defense and countermeasure systems are imported from abroad.
In contrast to the navies of many larger powers, the RCRN lacks the global network of bases and allies needed to conduct operations far from its shores. It is further limited by the size of its vessels and maintains only a single ship capable of at-sea replenishment. Additionally, RCRN doctrine mandates close cooperation with both shore-based installations and the RCRAF, and envisions any serious naval confrontations as taking place within striking distance of the Cryrian Isles. Operations further abroad are seen as either non-combat relief efforts or as missions against opponents of limited capacity(i.e., anti-piracy operations). As such, the modern RCRN can be classed as a formidable green water fleet with a limited expeditionary capability.
Personnel
Conscription
The CDF consists of a core of well-trained professional soldiers bolstered by the Kingdom's conscription system. Most Cryrian men and women, barring various exemptions and alternative service options, are drafted at the age of 18 and serve for two to three years before being cycled back out into the reserves. Reservists are liable for up to 30 days of service a year during peacetime, theoretically as late as age 40, or 50 in the case of commissioned officers. Those who have served at least 20 days in a three-year span are considered to be a part of the Active Reserves. The concept of National Service in general remains popular in Cryria, and it is seen as a uniting force within the nation. However, younger generations increasingly look to alternatives to conscription to fulfill the National Service requirement, and the Cryrian military itself has steadily expanded its use of professional forces. Today, roughly half of active-duty personnel are conscripts, while conscripts make up about 80% of the overall defense structure when considering the reservist system. The lower ranks of the Army contain the highest proportion of conscripts, while the Air Force and Navy have the highest proportion of professional servicepeople.
The Cryrian Military presently has a total of 306,000 active soldiers and 800,000 active reservists, with another 800,000 inactives.
Foreign Personnel
Due to the constitutional limitations of Article 6 and the political complications inherent to using even the professionalized arms of the military in foreign expeditions, the CDF has often allowed foreigners to serve in certain units, primarily the Cryrian Foreign Legion. The Legion has at varying points consisted of Serramali, Zapolese, and Ethalrian immigrants among other groups, and offers full military benefits and pathways to citizenship, either upon completing a period of good service or upon being injured in service to the Kingdom. There are in total an estimated 5,250 CDF members who do not hold Cryrian citizenship.
Major Installations
Ellesborg Joint Station
Ellesborg Joint Station is the primary CDF site in the Mandate of Ellesborg, and consists of facilities for RCRN vessels and barracks for the Foreign Legion detachment in the city. it was originally established in the 19th century by the Cryrian adventurers and fortune-seekers who first took control of the area. In modern times, Ellesborg is home to only one company of Legionnaires, which serve as advisors and trainers for the local Civil Defense Force. Ellesborg International Airport is located near the Joint Station and has separate facilities for the RCRAF, and hosts a flight of JAS-39E Gripens redeployed to the territory in the wake of rising tensions in Arcturia.
Kamburn Royal Arsenal
Located at the village of Kamburn, on the outskirts of the capital and near Tvillingblom Palace and Leidenstad Castle. The Kamburn Royal Arsenal is used by the RCRA and currently serves as the headquarters of the Royal Guard.
Magnusholm Naval Station was built amidst the Novaran Cold War to serve as a base and command center for the RCRN that could withstand a potential first-strike. It is buried near Leidenstad and consists of underground docks capable of hosting submarines and small surface combatants, as well as miles of tunnels containing support facilities and barracks.
National Coastal Artillery Network
The National Coastal Artillery Network consists of a series of fixed artillery batteries located around the nation's strategic straits and waterways, each one containing three independent gun emplacements as well as command centers, targeting stations, troop shelters, and positions for anti-aircraft guns and mortars. These installations were originally built during the 1970s during the Novaran cold war as a means of maintaining control over the vital waterway which protrudes into the Cryrian heartland. The Penguin anti-ship missiles in use by the RCRN at the time were believed to be limited by their warhead size and cost per shot, and as such the NCAN was built using regular 130 mm guns. The system was intended to remain functional throughout a hypothetical nuclear attack, and was hardened against the potential shockwaves and electromagnetic pulse effects of a nearby detonation. Each battery contained its own power generation, sickbays, and galleys that could allow them to sustain themselves independently, effectively turning them into modern day fortresses that would ensure control over the archipelago. The system was modernized in the 1980s with new shells, laser rangefinders, and computers.
The NCAN has been considered obsolete for decades as Cryrian anti-shipping missile technology continued to improve. However, the system remains in service for ceremonial purposes. Cryrian tradition demands the ceremonial firing of naval cannons to salute visiting foreign warships, and with the dismantling of most other coastal defense guns as well as the abandonment of heavy gunnery in ship design, this role has typically been assigned to NCAN batteries. As of 2022, much of NCAN has been dismantled, and remaining units largely operate on a skeleton crew necessary to maintain and operate the guns and their radar sites, the latter of which is also used by the RCRN for general monitoring and search-and-rescue purposes. Surviving batteries are located on the Straits of Talvere, Oshombran, Lindesgaard, Tarva, Tynam, Grimvik, and Aisis, as well as on the Valngi Peninsula, the Leidenstad Coastal Plains, and the Bays of Brekkim and Kalsa. The batteries reportedly still conduct periodic live fire drills in addition to their ceremonial usage.
Queen Evelina Military Enclave
Queen Evelina Military Enclave is located within Leidenstad's Queen Evelina International Airport. The enclave is run by the RCRAF and is primarily used by the 8th Independent Air Logistics Squadron, which operates VIP transport aircraft for the Cryrian government. The Military Enclave is also used as a secure site for visiting dignitaries and officials arriving in the Kingdom, and it has its own train station connecting it to both Tvillingblom and Karsholm Palaces.
Trauer Army Station
Trauer Army Station is located on a small island north of Lindesgaard. It has historically been a popular site for fortifications as the island sits astride the strategically important Lindesgaard Straits and controls the route into the Cryrian heartlands. Today, it is the home of the Cryrian Foreign Legion
Trollesund Joint Station
Trollesund Joint Station is a jointly operated Army/Air Force/Navy base located near Tarva. Its strategic location within the Cryrian isles has made it one of the most important military installations in the Kingdom.
Tynam Naval Station is located near the city of Tynam . It is an important base of operations for the RCRN in the Rotantic, and also serves as a headquarters for the Nordörn exercises.
Procurement
Much of the design and final assembly of the CDF's equipment is done by the Kingdom's sizable domestic defense industry, though component parts must often be sourced internationally. While an arms exporter, the Kingdom also imports significant amounts of its equipment, particularly from nations such as Volscina, Älemsi Negdel, Antora, and Sarvimaa.
Equipment
| Infantry Equipment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Origin | Type | Manufacturer | Notes | |
| Vektor SP1 | Älemsi Negdel | Standard Issue Pistol | Hejeld AN | ||
| AK 5 D | Kingdom of Cryria | Standard Issue Assault Rifle | Hejeld AB | ||
| AK 4 | Kingdom of Cryria | Battle Rifle
Designated Marksman Rifle |
Hejeld AB | ||
| Sako TRG | Kingdom of Cryria | Sniper Rifle | |||
| NTW-20 | Älemsi Negdel | Anti-Materiel Rifle | Hejeld AN | ||
| Fusil ADR10 | Antora | Submachine Gun | |||
| Ksp 90 | Kingdom of Cryria | Light Machine Gun | Hejeld AB | ||
| Ksp 58 | Kingdom of Cryria | General-purpose Machine Gun | Hejeld AB | ||
| Y3 AGL | Älemsi Negdel | Automatic Grenade Launcher | Hejeld AN | ||
| AT4 | Kingdom of Cryria | Rocket propelled grenade | Örn AB | ||
| CG M4 | Kingdom of Cryria | Recoilless Rifle | Örn AB | ||
| TATOHJ-2000PK | Sarvimaa | Anti-Tank Guided Missile | Operated by the Regiment of Coastal Jaegers | ||
| NLAW | Kingdom of Cryria | Anti-Tank Guided Missile | Hejeld AN | ||
| RBS 70 | Kingdom of Cryria | MANPAD | Örn AB | ||
| 120 Krh/40 | Kingdom of Cryria | Heavy Infantry Mortar | Honngingfjord Ironworks | ||
| 81 KRH 71 Y | Kingdom of Cryria | Light Infantry Mortar | Honngingfjord Ironworks | ||
| Black Hornet Nano | Kelami League | Miniature UAV | |||
| Wasp III | Reconaissance Drone | Operated at platoon-level | |||
| RQ-20 Puma | Reconnaissance Drone | Operated at company-level | |||
| Crewed Ground Platforms | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Manufacturer | Notes | |
| Stridsvagn 122 | Kingdom of Cryria | Main Battle Tank | 530 | Hejeld AB | License-built variant of the CAP-80 MBT | |
| Combat Vehicle 90 | Kingdom of Cryria | Infantry Fighting Vehicle & Various Support | 1,535 | Hejeld AB | Includes regular IFV versions as well as specialized forward observation, command, and armored recovery variants | |
| VMI8-T | Antora | TATOHJ-2000PK-Carrier Variant | 100 | Operated by the Regiment of Coastal Jaegers. | ||
| Emmerson AMV | Kingdom of Cryria | Armored Personnel Carrier & Various Support | 2,253 | Emmerson Land Systems | Includes APC, field ambulance, reconaissance, and command variants. | |
| BvS 10/BvS 206 | Kingdom of Cryria | Tracked Articulated All-Terrain Vehicle | 6,068 | Hejeld AB | The most widespread, versatile, and conspicuous armored vehicles in Cryrian use. Variants include troop carriers, command and communications vehicles, field ambulances and cargo and fuel carriers. | |
| Archer | Kingdom of Cryria | Self-Propelled Artillery | 347 | Leidenstad Ironworks | ||
| AMOS | Kingdom of Cryria | Self-Propelled Mortar | 91 | Hejeld AB, Emmerson Land Systems | ||
| VOMB R6-5 | Antora | Multiple Rocket Launch System | 76 | |||
| 155 GH 52 APU | Kingdom of Cryria | Towed Artillery | 365 | Emmerson Land Systems | ||
| 130 K 54 | Towed Artillery | 657 | ||||
| 130 53 TK | Kingdom of Cryria | Fixed Coastal Artillery | 81 | Honngingfjord Ironworks | Obsolete but still in service as the Leidenstad Coastal Artillery Network. Largely maintained for ceremonial purposes, but live-fire exercises are still conducted. | |
| ITPSV 90 | Kingdom of Cryria | Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | 37 | Hejeld AB | Produced for export and used in limited numbers by the Regiment of Naval Infantry. Mounted on modified CAP-80 chassis. | |
| 35 Itk 88 | Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun | 1,116 | Hejeld AB | |||
| CX-1 | Kingdom of Cryria | Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile | 348 | Tarva Defense Systems | Operated by all three service arms. | |
| CX-2 | Kingdom of Cryria | Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile | 168 | Tarva Defense Systems | Organized into 14 Air-Defense Batteries operated by the RCRAF | |
| CX-3 | Kingdom of Cryria | Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile | 56 | Tarva Defense Systems | Organized into 14 Air-Defense Batteries operated by the RCRAF | |
| RBS-15 Mk. IV | Kingdom of Cryria | Mobile Coastal Defense Missle | 150 | Örn AB | Organized into 25 Coastal Defense Batteries operated by the RCRN | |
| Aircraft | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Manufacturer | Notes | |
| Örn JAS 39E Gripen | Kingdom of Cryria | Multirole Fighter | 418 | Örn AB | ||
| Örn JAS 39D Gripen | Kingdom of Cryria | Conversion Trainer | 60 | Örn AB | Flown by the 5th Fighter Training Wing | |
| Örn 105G | Kingdom of Cryria | Trainer/Light Attack | 247 | Örn AB | ||
| Örn Safari | Kingdom of Cryria | Basic Trainer | 85 | Örn AB | ||
| U-87/T | Antora | Military Transport | 24 | Flown by the Army Air Logistics Wing | ||
| Örn 2000 | Kingdom of Cryria | VIP Transport | 10 | Örn AB | Flown by the RCRAF's 8th Independent Air Logistics Squadron | |
| U-42 | Antora | Transport | 6 | Flown by the Army Air Logistics Wing | ||
| Örn 2000 AEW&C | Kingdom of Cryria | Airborne Early Warning and Control | 8 | Örn AB | ||
| Örn 2000 Airtracer | Kingdom of Cryria | SIGINT Aircraft | 5 | Örn AB | ||
| U-880 | Antora | Refueling Tanker | 1 | |||
| Hejeld Argali | Älemsi Negdel | Tactical Transport Helicopter | 38 | Hejeld AN | ||
| H-20 Marsopa | Antora | Utility Helicopter | 15 | |||
| NH-90 NFH | Naval Helicopter | 14 | Operated from RCRN vessels and shore installations | |||
| MH-60R | Naval Helicopter | 51 | Operated from RCRN vessels and shore installations | |||
| Bell 412 | Utility Helicopter | 18 | ||||
| MD500 | Utility Helicopter | 9 | ||||
| H-18 Delfín Rége | Antora | Transport Helicopter | 4 | |||
| AW101 | Utility Helicopter | 30 | ||||
| AW109 | Utility Helicopter | 20 | ||||
| UMS Skeldar V-200 | Kingdom of Cryria | Reconnaissance UAV | 79 | Örn AB | ||
| Skylark | Reconnaissance UAV | 48 | Operated at battalion-level | |||
| Örn Swordfish | Kingdom of Cryria | Maritime Patrol Aircraft | 11 | Hejeld AB | Operated by the RCRN's 11th Air Reconnaissance Squadron | |
| Örn 2000 MPA | Maritime Patrol Aircraft | 10 | Operated by the RCRN's 11th Air Reconnaissance Squadron | |||
| Vessels | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Origin | Type | In Service | Manufacturer | Notes | |
| Kraken-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Deisel-Electric Attack Submarine | 11 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Blödhaj-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Deisel-Electric Attack Submarine | 5 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Tynam-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Flexible Support Ship | 4 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Garza-Class | Antora | Landing Ship Tank | 2 | |||
| Leiden-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Frigate | 12 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Amity-Class | CAC | Offshore Patrol Boat | 4 | Conference for Amity and Cooperation | ||
| Thetis-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Offshore Patrol Boat | 11 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Ivar Hellqvist-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Offshore Patrol Boat | 16 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Harstad-class | Kingdom of Cryria | Offshore Patrol Boat/Submarine Rescue | 5 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Kraskne-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Missile Boat | 34 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Hämeenmaa-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Minelayer | 6 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Oksøy-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Mine Countermeasures | 30 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Tapper-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Patrol Boat | 118 | Marlberg AS | ||
| CB90-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Fast Assault Craft | 399 | Marlberg AS | Operated by the Regiment of Coastal Jaegers | |
| Evelina-Class | Kingdom of Cryria | Replenishment Oiler | 1 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Marjata-class | Kingdom of Cryria | Signals intelligence | 3 | Marlberg AS | ||
| Various auxiliary vessels | ||||||