Operation Blue Marina II.(Closed)

[Globexanter]

"Is your Nation running air surveillance missions alongside satellite renaissance? It normally helps a lot." asked Mr. Gache.

[Free Tristania]

"We do have air surveillance missions. Satellite reconnaissance is very rare but not completely unheard off. I am not sure whether our government is using it now."

[Globexanter]

"Well, it is a safer way than having to send a plane, I can tell you that. Sure it is expensive, but when you know what to do when it starts falling down you can easily 're-furbish' it in Space." he said.

[Free Tristania]

"I wouldn't be too surprised if they are using it. However.. the thing is with such reconnaissance missions is that they have happen on behalf of the intelligence services, not the Armed Forces itself. Our SR-71 Blackbird's are flown by specially trained agents of the intelligence service. We do control our own drones though. It's a rather antiquated system that is in need of a major overhaul.

[Globexanter]

"I heard that the political change in Free Tristania was going to divert more funds into the Military? And what is this forced service I hear of from the news papers?" he asked.

[Free Tristania]

"There seem to be concerns that in the case of an invasion the army couldn't stand a chance. Currently our armed forces number what ? 750.000 ? That's it. A lot of gear is hopelessly antiquated and it is the idea of the government that the army should not be professional but a citizen army. The reason for that is purely political and it's an idea that is deeply ingrained in our political philosophy. A lot of people believe that it's the duty of a citizen to vote and defend the country and that professional armies will try to weasle themselves from under the democratic control by parliament. It would be more difficult with a citizen army. So what the plans are is to call up every able-bodied citizen between the age of 21 and 41. The plans were to make 21 year olds service 18 months and let them come back for an annual repeat exercise. They can take their rifles and a box of ammunition home and store it there. There will also be a weaponless service for those that have moral issues with holding weapons. For those that are completely unwilling to serve they can apply for civilian service for 20 months or be a conscientious objector which means in practice that they will not have to serve at all but pay an additional 2 to 5 percent income tax until the age of 41 as depending on their income."

[Globexanter]

"Well, that is actually quite a long time for forced military service, twenty-one years did you say? Sure a bigger Army is needed, but other ways exist to bring in more volunteers. Personally, Globexanter does have a civilian forced service program for those whom have not found a job in over three Months, mostly paid by the Justice department to protect the national waters and land of Globexanter. We only have about 200,000 of them tho. How antique is the equipment you speak of?" he asked.

[Free Tristania]

"Well.. no the general service is 18 months but one can be called up between the age of 21 and 41 in times of war. The national service itself is when one is 21, 22. For what I know it's only the unmarried that would be called up for service unless of course there would be a general mobilisation but is would usually mean that students can postpone their enlistment until they have graduated. A conscript would first have to report himself for registration and a psychical and mental examination. Well let's say that some of our scout cars... have been used during the Colonial War of '43 and the General Mobilisation of '39. They were brand new back then. The Navy is very state-of-the-art, the army is not. How does your national service work ?"

[Globexanter]

"Well, for the G.N.F. there is none, but if a person is unmarried and has had no official job for the past three Months, he may be called up if between the age of twenty-five and forty-five. It's mainly patrols in National waters, Sea Rescue... But as you said, your Nation should really think of revitalizing it's Military force. We have brought a Domestic Production Rights for a well equipped tank lately, we would recommend your Nation attempt to buy this." said Ryan Gache.

[Free Tristania]

"That wouldn't be too different from our own system then apart from the fact that ours will be mandatory for all. Although it will be mandated that, unless there is a state of war, no conscripts can be send out of the country. This includes to war areas like for instance Robbeneiland. There will be purely for territorial defence. What modern tanks will your country be using ? We use some Leopard II's but not too many of them." The commodore said.

[Globexanter]

"We use some twenty thousand AY1 Serenity tanks, a maximum speed of four hundred kilometers per hour without losing any armor or firepower. The Domestic Production Rights cost us about fifty one Billion USD, but it was worth it a lot. How is the situation in Robbeneiland anyway?" he asked.

[Free Tristania]

"It seems to be quieting down for some reason. There were rumours that their local commander and two groups of rebels are negotiating. But we don't really know what is going on.

When it comes to the tanks. What we have with the Leopards is that a special laptop can be plugged in to check for any mechanical and computer-related difficulties so a computer program can be updated. Would the same be possible with the Serenity ? It's a feature that many of our technical crews involved with the Leopards, as well as the crew themselves, love."

[Globexanter]

"Well, from what I know the gunner is able to fire the gun by pressing a launch section located within the computerised LCD screen. Something also called a AYTRACK computerised fire control system, I think it is like a military style GPS just made for the tank. I know that the tank is fulled to the brim with electronics, from targeting devices to night vision capabilities. The tank Commander also holds a computer attached up to the tank itself. So it is very modern."

(OoC: IC thread for this tank here.)

[Free Tristania]

"Then it sounds like the MBT we need. The army was thinking about getting some 3000 MBT's so the arms industry will definitely profit from it. I am not sure about how the rest of the army will be reformed but there is a program regarding uniform and armament upgrades within the infantry. There are plans of replacing even the armoured cars we use with several types. Lately there were some plans of adding some 100 AMZ Żubr's but I am not sure how that worked out. "

[Globexanter]

"Well, we would definitely recommend these Main Battle Tanks to any Nation in need of some MBTs. Ours have not witnessed War yet, but testing and training has proved to show that what the company whom sells them said is exactly true." he added.

[Free Tristania]

"The thing is that there are two military doctrines that are competing in our country. Speed and agility vs armament. Fighting head-on or fighting a guerilla-style war. The debate is as old as the Commonwealth and dates back to the First Commonwealth."

[Globexanter]

"Well, the AY1 Serenity brings both to the battle. It's price per unit is high, but it's agility, speed and firepower is at a maximal highest. The company which has brought this to the International Community spent a lot of well spent money on this."

[Free Tristania]

"Then our government will probably opt for them. Although the question remains of whether our lighter brigades will receive various types of armament or whether we would go for one template. The debates now are between buying the AMZ Żubr or the Humvee. I am not sure whether our army needs to be heavy duty in all cases. It's not like we are going to invade other countries."

[Globexanter]

"Why not both? It is better to be safe than sorry. By the way, how long shall you two be staying in Globexanter for?" asked Ryan Gache.

[Free Tristania]

"Since the commission extends for several years I will be in Globexanter for at least 5 years - hence I will bring my family over and the same goes for Verburg here."

[Globexanter]

"Well, I hope your family like your house here. And you?" asked Ryan Gache to the naval officer.

[Free Tristania]

"I'll be staying here for five years. My wife is pregnant and we are expecting our first born. We will have to see whether the child will be born here or at home in Free Tristania. "

[Globexanter]

"Then I offer to you my congratulations. Is there anything else we need to talk of." asked Ryan Gache, shaking his hand again.

[Free Tristania]

" Thank you very much. It's a new experience in my life. Well..I am sure that everything that needed talking about has been discussed. Although Verburg mentioned something earlier. Den Uyl came up with it."

The diplomat nodded. "That's correct. The national airline company, together with the government itself, wants to open up a public garden here in the city as well as a luxury lounge at the airport. I am not sure whether the local authorities here had passed on the message yet ? "

[Globexanter]

"Well, an area for a Park would be easy to find. In the center area of the town would be impossible, why would your National airline company want to aid in this tho? I am myself not sure about the Carcassonne National Airport's opinion on luxury lounges, and no, we have yet to receive any message." answered Ryan Gache.