Gaul Is Now an Atomic Power
Par Hercule GertraudParitte -
President Émile de Charles reaffirmed the Republic of Gaul’s commitment to our allies, the signatories of the Astyrian Treaty Organization, as well as the Kingdom of Haguenau, our ally in the Gaulic League in a historic speech from the Auditorium of the University of Paritte earlier this morning, during a guest turn at a student leadership conference. Such was to be expected as tension continues to heat up between the ATO and its rival, the EATA. Notably tension has risen in the Gaulic colonies of Kamalbia and Cote de Cuivre, where recent uprisings are being blamed by the Government on Exponential and EATA agents stirring up local resistance. Specifically, officials in Paritte in recent weeks have claimed to have strong evidence that these suspected agents are arming and training Marxists and other banned opposition parties to the colonial governments. President De Charles not only outlined Gaulic fears about this issue, but also the looming danger of mass amounts of Exponential troops being armed, trained and equipped for a future invasion of Teudallum. The piece de resistance of the speech, though, was when the President confirmed what has long been suspected: Gaul now will use the power of the split atom, both for energy needs and in the realm of defensive deterrence.In conjunction and with the aid of our greatest ally, the GHawkins Republic, we continue to be vigilant in order that we are prepared to meet force with force and deter the growing threat of the Exponential Empire and its allies in the EATA. In order to fully match force, we have neared completion on a nuclear arms program and expect to conduct testing within the next year. We will deploy this force wherever and whenever necessary in order to bolster our allies and meet our obligations to the ATO, as well as provide the ultimate deterrent to attack on Gaul and its territories...
It has been confirmed through several anonymous sources that GHawkins experts have been in residence in Gaul, working with our own technicians in order to speedily develop a sustainable nuclear program. It is without a doubt that, without GHawkins help, Gaul would not have been able to achieve such rapid success in the nuclear field this soon after the first atomic test done by GHawkins in 1944. More than likely it would have taken at least another decade, most experts agree, were Gaul to unilaterally pursue their own nuclear program. It is not totally certain where all the materials came from, but at least for uranium, our Republic has a plentiful supply from Kamalbia and it has been heavily mined and shipped to Gaul over the last few years. Other materials have undoubtedly come from Prudene and Cote d’ Cuivre over the last half decade, or from within the Republic.
This reporter was able to talk with think tank experts, notably Dr. Hastings, at the Strategic Astyrian Studies Institute in GHawkins City in research of the geopolitical ramifications of the new nuclear dynamic in the region.
Dr. Hastings was of the firm belief that testing will take place in uninhabited stretches of the Greater Dachine Ocean Territory, to the far northwest of the island chain, as well as some evacuated stretches of Western Kamalbia. Such testing would more than likely include both underground and above ground.
Possible deployments of nuclear ordnance, says Dr. Hastings, would likely be with the submarine fleets, in strategic silos throughout the Gaul Republic, and on board Vulcan bomber squadrons in the colonies. Were permanent launch areas, or silo bases, as they’re known, to be established in the overseas Astyrian colonies, it could possibly cause friction with neighboring nations to those colonies, whether they are EATA aligned or not.
A GAF Vulcan bomber comes in for a landing at
Allendault Aerodrome, Marqueville Territory
The 25th bomber squadron, based at the Allendault Aerodrome in Marqueville, is more than likely to be on the frontline and they are within distance of reaching Western Hesperidesia with air refueling. It is uncertain whether there would be an attempt by the GAF to arm the Cuivran based Vulcan bomber squadron, the 27th, with future nuclear bombs. Such an action, said Hastings, would be sure to provoke a response by the Exponential regime, possibly touching off The Third Great Astyrian War, and be likely to be strongly advised against by GHawkins Republic and the other ATO powers who are not prepared for an immediate full confrontation with the Exponent Empire and EATA.
While questions continue to build about possible deployments of the super weapons, it is certain that they are being developed and stockpiled, should the need arise. Hastings was unable to comment on the number of bombs or missiles that Gaul may already possess, or the rapidity of how many could be developed within a year’s time, but did affirm that Gaul has the means and the technology, as well as military allies willing to enable such rapid progress.
The added benefit of nuclear power, as outlined towards the end of the speech by President De Charles, is that our nation will be able to have an alternate energy source and phase out reliance on coal burning and oil powered generator stations. It has been a goal for some time now to get away from coal and heavy oil which recent studies are showing may not good for the local atmosphere.
Opposition politicians have stated in the past that Gaul seeking to possess such weapons is contributing to brinkmanship and moving us quickly closer to nuclear annihilation and apocalyptic scenarios which would spell the end of Gaul and all those under Gaul rule, as well as our allies and enemies alike.
~ HG ~
** Released from the National Archives. Original version saw limited printing of the evening edition, before Gaul government censors suppressed further editions of the article in its entirety.