Oan Defence Forces

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Oan Defence Service Kaha Kōrero Kōa
File:Oan Defence Service.jpg Emblem of the Oan Defence Service
Service branches	Oan Army Oan Navy Oan Air Force
Headquarters	La Rochelle (Tokapa)
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Oahoanu
Minister of Defence	Oahuoa Uye
Manpower
Military age	18
Conscription	None
Active personnel	86,100
Reserve personnel	Unknown
Expenditures
Budget	♅10 billion (June 2017)
Percent of GDP	3%
Industry
Foreign suppliers	Kuthernburg, United Kingdom and Stratarin
Related articles
History	Refer to article
Ranks	Refer to article

The military of The Oan Isles is formed of the Oan Defence Force (known colloquially as the National Defence Force and in the Oan language as the Kaha Kōrero Kōa). The military is constituted by legislation. It is governed and managed by the civilian government. It is responsible for the defence of Oan territory and projection of power throughout the world in line with the objectives of the Oan government, which is responsible for the formulation and implementation of defence policy. The Oan Defence Force was founded in its current iteration in the beginning of the 20th century after the end of the Oan-Morstaybishlian War. The military was reorganized and structured to make it a modern force. The military has engaged in several armed conflicts and humanitarian operations over the years among which are its engagement in the Auroran-Pacific War and its contribution toward the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth.

History

Auroran-Pacific War

Main Article: Auroran-Pacific War

This war was perhaps the most comprehensive display of Oan strategic strengths and weaknesses. The biggest characteristic of this war was how the Oan Isles was fighting significantly larger enemies than itself in far larger areas than it has ever had to. Another major element is that the Oan Isles was able to gain large quick victories but struggled to translate them into significant strategic gains for greater penetration into enemy territory.

The first major part of Oan foreign deployment in this war was when it invaded the Yor Isles. The Yor Isles were easier and more familiar for he armed forces to fight in. It is a small insular state with a major city and forested countryside. These are generally considered the optimal conditions for the Oan military to fight in. Forests allowed them to fall back and regroup and conceal reinforcements and supplies. Light artillery allowed them to maneuver quickly. Satellite and aerial reconnaissance allowed them to quickly identify strategic targets such as the Rob Matterson Military Hospital and control major ground transport routes like roads. These strategies were refined and applied meticulously in the Kohatu War.

The second was naval combat with the Greater Xagrurg Navy. The major objective was to sink and damage as many ships as quickly as possible, because the Oan navy could not afford to lose many of its ships. Its ships, despite being fewer in number, were stronger and more technologically advanced. Surface to surface combat allowed the Oan Isles to gain clear and decisive advantage, but the navy struggled against submarines, which were able to slip past them and escape.

The third front was the aerial strikes on major Xagrurgian cities. Drones were sent to destroy major targets in Fort Washington, Imperium and Eidenburg. Due to political interference, the air force did not maximise its drone resources and focused on targets of symbolic value such as the Memorial of the Fallen Soldier. The primary objective was to humiliate Xagrurg and break its morale, but this backfired as many drones were destroyed or heavily damaged. Moreover the damage in those cities was inadequate to allow the army to continue its planned land invasion of Imperium from Eidenburg.

The fourth attack was on Eidenburg. The navy launched surface to surface missiles on Eidenburg. The navy used guided missiles to prevent widespread damage to property and loss of life. The main aim was to capture the port of Eidenburg and get supplies from that city. Furthermore, the Oan Isles intended to occupy southern Xagrurg and take Imperium. Unfortunately this could not work as Xagrurgian forces still held Nuremkastel in Kostoria-Obertonia and could launch an attack from there.

This led to the fifth and most disastrous front of the war for the Oans. They invaded the city of Nuremkastel. They engaged in land combat. Desperate, the Xagrurgians caused the nuclear plant to self destruct. This led to a large nuclear irradiation that killed all the Oan soldiers in the area. The radiation made it virtually impossible for the Oan Isles to continue to its land invasion. It had lost a lot of resources and a strategic advantage, so it held out at Eidenburg until the war was declared over shortly after.

Overall the war was not a loss per se, but it did not yield in benefits that justified the cost. It was a loss in that despite military victories, the Oan Isles did not achieve its major aims. These include installing a puppet government in Xagrurg and placing southern Xagrurg under military occupation. Although the Republic of Xagrurg was reinstituted and the military junta was usurped, the ROX was not made to pay damages for the war nor was it maleable to Oan influence. It was also considered a loss because the economic and political value of its strategic targets and objectives was nil. The occupation of Xagrurg was meaningless to the Oan Isles and it could have just focused on bring back a democratic government. The terrorist pretext used to invade the Yor Isles was neutralised, so for the Oan Isles to continue the war on its own interests rather than the broader goal of stopping the Xagrurgian threat that was shared by the allies.

War for Kōhatu Isles

Please note that unlike a similar section in The Oan Isles page, this entry is concerned with the strategy and tactics used during the war rather than the broader historical, political, economic and social context.

The Kohatu War was among the most powerful displays of Oan military strategy, technology and resources in modern times, superceded only by the Auroran-Pacific War. During this war, the Oan military was able to arm, train and provide logistical support for indigenous rebels to mount a civil war against a dictatorial regime to take over a third of its territory.

The first mission objective was to isolate the Diamond Authority and control the battle situation. This was achieved by ordering a blockade around the islands. Ships blocked all maritime traffic and the threat of all aircraft being shot down by the air force immobilized air traffic. The second objective was to place the island of Jewelica under the control of the rebels. This was achieved by training, arming and providing support for the rebels.

This allowed the Oan military to gain an advantage on air and at sea. The third mission was to capture Gemica island and usurp the government. The military had superior fighter jets and was quickly able to gain air superiority. Moreover, the Kohatu Isles lacked serious naval combat capabilities so the Diamond Authority's littoral defence strategy quickly collapsed. This allowed the Oan Isles to send supplies, reinforcement and provide cover fire for ground troops and artillery.

Because the main area of battle was the capital city, the military mostly relied on its infantry and mechanised infantry which were deployed through air raids and small boat squads landing on the coasts. They were adept at capturing strategic installations and controlling major routes of travel such as roads. They used several famous strategies such as the crab and pincer formation in which the main front would confront the enemy while two arms surrounded them. These tactics are far easier to apply in an open battlefield situation, so this was a great display of how the Oan Isles has the logistical and intelligence capabilities to apply similar strategies in close-quarter highly obstructed combat theatres such as urban areas.

Command organisation

The Emperor of Polynesia (known in the Oan language as the Rangitanga-a-te-Moana) is the commander-in-chief of the defence forces. He is the nominal head of the armed forces, in that oaths of loyalty are sworn to him, but he has no practical role in the management or governance of the armed forces or formulation and execution of defence policy. As a result of the state of emergency that was declared during the Auroran-Pacific War in 2017, the Emperor was able to exert considerable influence on the operations of the armed forces and their deployment in the war effort. Legal decisions taken by the National Court in the case Freedom International v The Crown of Polynesia found that the involvement of the Emperor in that conflict was excessive and antithetical to the principles of constitutional monarchy prescribed by the law and judicial precedent. It believed that even though a state of emergency was in effect, the civilian government remained active, so the extent of the Emperor's influence was disproportionate. It delineated the situations and extents in which the Emperor could exercise reserve powers.

The Council of Ministers forms the defence and security policy. The Minister of Defence is responsible for its implementation. The Minister is also the head of the Department of Defence which facilitates the daily administration and management of the military. The operational command is assumed by the Chief of Staff and the combat and non-combat personnel are organised within the General Staff. Although the Minister of Defence is a politician or civil servant appointed by the Prime Minister with the consent of the National Assembly, the Chief of Staff is a career senior commanding officer within one of the branches of the armed forces appointed by the Prime Minister on the Minister of Defence's advice. The operational command of the armed forces is relatively independent from the government.

Personnel and training

The armed forces employ 86,100 combat personnel on a full-time basis. They comprise approximately 1% of the population of the Oan Isles. There is no conscription and its enforcement in wartime particularly in the Auroran-Pacific War was relatively limited. Combat personnel work in either of the branches of the armed forces often restricted in career advancement (except for aircraft pilots) or serve in managerial roles in the General Staff. The armed forces employ a relatively small contingent and rely considerably (if not primarily) on aircraft, vessels, vehicles and artillery for combat and support. Non-combat personnel serve in the Military Intelligence Service, Military Health Service, Military Technology Service and General Staff as well as in technical and support roles in each branch and during active deployment.

The training requirements for entry into the armed forces are developed by the Defence Department in line with legislation. Entry is limited to Oan citizens or permanent residents. Exceptions can be made with the approval of the Defence Minister. The state funds most of the education of combatants. Some personnel are trained in foreign institutions particularly in Morstaybishlia. The Military Institute of the Oan Isles is located in La Rochelle (Tokapa). It is organised like a public university offering undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in military sciences accredited by the Education Department. Training is offered by senior commanding officers and retired veterans. The attracts guest lecturers, researchers and additional teaching staff from academics and experts from all over the world. The Military Institute offers education to international students as well (on a fee basis). Additional training for pilots and seamen is available through in-service training in the air force and navy respectively (which also offer courses for servicemen outside of that branch). Retention of general personnel is poor, and recruitment numbers are fairly low relative to the population. Given the rigour of the education received, the military is still able to benefit from good quality soldiers.

Expenditure

The defence forces receives all of its funding from the national budget. Restrictions exist to prevent private sector funding or extra-governmental fundraising. However, there are exceptions. For instance, the Oan Isles receives military aid from Morstaybishlia and the government can enter into partnerships with the private sector when developing new technology. The military has a budget of 10 billion kiribs (70 billion tāra). This comprises approximately 3% of the total annual economic output or approximately 7% of the national budget. The budget experienced an increase of 100 million kiribs (700 million tāra) during the Auroran-Pacific War. 30% of the budget is dedicated to upgrades, maintenance, procurement and research. 50% is spent on salaries; the average salary is 50,000 kiribs (with an average 30,000 kiribs for new combat personnel up to 75,000 for the Chief of Staff). The military spends 20% on intelligence, logistics and personnel support and training.

Service branches

Army

The Army forms the terrestrial component of the armed forces. It is responsible for combat and other operations on land. It employs approximately 43,050 personnel, approximately half of the military combat personnel. It has a single command structure (or headquarters) located in the capitol. The army is made up of 55 battalions which specialise in aerial assault, mechanised infantry, armoured artillery and light role infantry. There is an emphasis on the combined deployment of the various specialisations to maximise effectiveness in combat. As a result of the high level of urban development, relatively small size in relation to other armies, distances between islands and density of jungles in the Oan Isles, the army has adapted its doctrine to focus on urban and guerilla warfare.

Equipment

Main Article: Equipment of the Oan Army

Navy

The Navy forms the maritime component of the armed forces. Because the Oan Isles is an island nation, the navy forms the first line of defence against an invasion. This has resulted in a shift in funding to the navy. The largest portion of the research, development, maintenance, upgrade and procurement of technology is taken up by the navy. The navy is a green water navy. It can be deployed in the South Pacific Ocean as far as Stratarin and as far west as the eastern edge of the Packilvanian Ocean and as far south as the Southern Ocean. The navy has 50 ships in total. It has an amphibious infantry component (not a fully fledged marines) centered on its two amphibious assault vessels. Including which, it has a naval aviation division staffed by air force pilots.

Equipment

Main Article: Equipment of the Oan Navy

Air Force

The air force forms the aerial component of the armed forces. The air force is the smallest force by personnel, but its technology budget is equal to the army. Although the army focuses on maintaining and upgrading existing technology, the air force has been able to make substantial procurements of new aircraft. The air forces leases air craft to the other branches and works in partnership with the navy to equip the naval aviation division with specialised naval aircraft. The air force is equipped with both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. It has three groups made up of air combat, air support and training aircraft and facilities. Its combat procurement has focused on strike aircraft and multirole aircraft. It has worked with Kuthernburg to develop, test and deploy drones for combat and reconnaissance.

Equipment

Main Article: Equipment of the Oan Air Force'