Military: Otso

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Military Overview

The military is held in high regard in Otso, as the guarantor of the nation’s independence; there is a real sense of the threat that outsiders can pose and the Armed Forces are regarded as the shield against that threat. Additionally, their involvement in United Nations (UN) missions is seen as a positive contribution both to stability in the wider world, and as a good advertisement for Otsonian values.

Political Context

Otso NCA

As a functioning democracy, the direction of the armed forces is vested in the Head of Government. However, members of the armed forces swear an oath of loyalty to the Head of State. This means that regardless of the political situation within the country, the loyalty of the armed forces to the State is never in question.

The Minister of Defense sits on the Council of Ministers and is a senior member of the government. As such, the position carries significant weight within the government and is a keenly sought after career post for ambitious politicians. Additionally, the tradition of deploying troops on UN and other international missions is seen as a useful extension of Otsonian diplomacy and a major contributor to a positive world view of Otso.

The professional Head of the Armed Forces (CHOD) is appointed by the Prime Minister (on the advice of the Minister of Defense), while the heads of service and all the major Command appointments are approved personally by the Minister of Defense. The CHOD is responsible for providing professional advice to Ministers, and for the professional development of the armed forces to meet the nation’s goals, but the final decision is always political and the policy is laid down by politicians, not the military.

National Command Authority

Under the constitution, the Duke of Otso is the nominal commander in chief of the armed forces. In reality, operational authority is vested in the Prime Minister and is exercised through the Minister of Defense. Coordination of Defense activities with other spheres of government takes place within the Council of Ministers or specific sub committees that may be formed for particular events or crises.

Ministry of Defense (MOD)

The Otsonian MOD is located in the capital Otavia, and consists of the Chief of Defense (CHOD three-star) and his specialist supporting staff (LEGAD, POLAD, PIO, etc.), as well as the Inspector General of the Armed Forces. However, functional control of the Armed Forces rests in the National Defense Headquarters (NDHQ) located in Kuopio.

Strategic Perception

Although active memories of the WWII are fading now, the war and its outcome were traumatic for the Otsonian people. The majority of physical combat took place on what is now Otsonian territory and Otso suffered the most dramatic impacts of the peace process. All the territorial losses to Donovia were from Otso and the loss of Viipuri and its facilities was particularly keenly felt. At a stroke, Otso lost its major port and best port facilities, as well as having to accommodate an influx of over 100,000 refugees from the Viipuri region who did not wish to become Donovian citizens. The final settlement was largely negotiated by politicians from Brahea (then the Otsobothnian capital), leaving the feeling that the ‘easterners’ had taken all the pain, while the ‘westerners’ had taken all the decisions.

The Donovian proposal to create two states out of Otsobothnia fed into a rising separatist tendency in the east and met a very willing audience. While the drive to neutrality was heavily inspired by Donovia, it was fed by a growing feeling of war weariness within the territory.

From 1991 onward, Otso has demonstrated a much greater freedom of action and has developed a policy of neutrality that is much closer to the normal perception of that term. In particular, Otso has made major contributions to the UN’s various missions throughout the world. From an Otsonian point of view, the strategic picture is potentially threatening. Otsonian relations with Donovia have been good and while it is less predictable, Donovia is seen as a considerable improvement on its political predecessor. However, notwithstanding this, there is a keen awareness of Donovian military power and it’s potential. At the same time, Bothnia has proved to be increasingly assertive although it has been careful not to present any hint of a threat to either Otso or Donovia. The (comparatively) rapid arrival of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) on its doorstep through the Baltic States has added an additional complication to Otsonian strategic calculations. Publication of Bothnian private memoirs in the 90s with ‘details’ of the Saarinen plan which envisaged Bothnian countering any Donovian aggression inside Otso’s territory added to Otso’s strategic angst. The subsequent diplomatic strife was short lived, but it has left Otso’s planners very aware of the geographical vulnerability of Otso.

The worst case projection would be a three-way conflict involving NATO, Bothnia and Donovia, with Otso caught in the middle. Otsonian diplomacy is carefully constructed to alleviate any regional tensions that might lead towards such a conflict, while the Otsonian military is designed to protect the nation against the potential impact of this unlikely event. The national policy of active neutrality is seen as a major method of keeping Otso free from any such entanglements. Reinforcing this view, is the assessment that it is in the interests of all the surrounding parties that Otso remains neutral. As such it provides both a buffer function and a potential interlocutor at times of tension.

Defense Policy and Priorities

Otsonian defense planners recognize that the certainties of the Cold War have been replaced by a complex mix of threats and risks that derive from a variety of sources including political, economic, social, ecological, cultural, religious and information technology factors. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the increase in terrorism, either government or ideologically inspired, are seen as major problems for the world community and not merely Otso. Otso is very aware of the fact that “…geographical separation from areas of conflict is no longer sufficient in itself to guarantee protection.” In addressing these threats, Otsonian policy with regards to the function and use of the armed forces is built on two fundamental principles:

The maintenance of Otsonian neutrality
Contributing to the common good through support for UN missions

From a political perspective, participation in humanitarian assistance (HA) and peace support operations (PSO) builds Otso’s credibility with the international community and shows the Otsonian commitment to international order. From a military point of view, these operations provide a challenging environment in which Otsonian troops and officers learn to shoulder demanding responsibilities and build up their experience and initiative. Positions on deployments are open to all troops, including conscripts who deploy under specialist terms, and are highly sought after. After over 50 years of such deployments, the Otsonian Armed Forces have built up a hard core of personnel who have justifiable confidence in their own abilities and who are capable of exercising a commendable degree of initiative. Given that the Otsonian forces aspire to the ‘Mission Command’ model of operations, this is a valuable asset. Otso’s expenditure on defense is normally around 1% of GDP, but operations in support of UN missions are paid for out of a special fund that is managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and so the real expenditure on the forces is slightly larger than would appear to be the case.

Since their first deployment to support the UN in 1962, over 40,000 Otsonian troops have served in overseas deployments.

Military Doctrine

Otsonian military doctrine is firmly grounded on its experience in WWII, amplified and modified by the accumulated experience of over 50 years of international deployments and careful analysis of developments in military operations throughout the world. Doctrine development has taken two main strands; firstly defense doctrine which is designed to permit the effective defense of the country against external aggression and secondly peace doctrine which delineates the activities of Otsonian forces deployed on international duties.

Defense doctrine. Otsonian doctrine is fairly conventional and seeks to counter the vulnerability of its position and to exploit the advantages of its terrain. In essence, it is a maneuverers approach aiming to attack any aggressor’s will and cohesion rather than his forces per se. Undermining the enemy’s will is seen largely as a diplomatic and information operations domain supported by aggressive military action; the enemy’s cohesion will be attacked through a combination of info ops, firepower, maneuver, tempo and surprise. The doctrine calls for a mix of fixed and mobile defense, exploiting to the maximum the numerous potential obstacles (lakes, rivers, inland waterways, forests, etc.) that lie on the approach lines of any aggressor. The doctrine is based on a total defense approach, involving the whole population and the Armed Forces are structured accordingly. Officially at any rate, defense of Otso is only envisaged to take place on Otsonian territory. The key principles of the doctrine are:

Simplicity: designate the main effort; keep plans simple; issue as few orders as necessary
Speed: act faster than the aggressor
Agility: avoid the aggressor’s strength wherever possible; maneuver to attack weaknesses
Unpredictability: surprise the aggressor at every opportunity
Exploitation: use aggressive reconnaissance to identify opportunities; exploit immediately
Integration: Support movement by firepower and other maneuver elsewhere
Focus: focus on the enemy, not the ground
Command: command as far forward as possible; or where the main effort can best be directed

Peace doctrine. In considering international operations, it is recognized that the circumstances and requirements of such missions are radically different from normal warfighting. Otso has, therefore, developed its own specialist doctrine to prepare and guide troops deployed on these operations. The main point is that for the most part, the military will not have primacy in the mission; the prime aim of the military element will be to create (or maintain) the necessary secure conditions to enable civilian agencies to address the underlying causes of the crisis. The environment of international operations is such that any commander needs to understand the nature of the civilian agencies with which he works and be able to work with them to achieve consensus. This requires rigorous preparation and training to inculcate the correct mind‐set. Any operation, including humanitarian assistance operations, will require the support of the local population, the local authorities and international organizations (IO) and non-governmental organizations (NGO). In a PSO, the cooperation of the belligerent parties with the international security operation will also be required. The key principles of the doctrine are:

Preparation: Carefully structured training and preparation; careful tailoring of the force package to match the requirement
Knowledge: Language and cultural training and detailed understanding of the origins of the conflict (if PSO)
Impartiality: The force must be and be seen to be impartial and even handed
Consent: Every effort must be made to achieve the consent of interested parties to the operation.
Communication: The ability to communicate intent and to keep all parties informed is seen as paramount
Restraint: Restraint in the use of force must always be exercised; the resolve to use force must be clear and the approved rules of engagement (ROE) must take into account the limitations of the mandate, international law, Otsonian law and, where appropriate, Host Nation law

Defense Forces Overview

The structure of the Defense Forces is that of a single service, the Defense Force, with three branches of service (Land, Air and Naval), of which the Army is by far the largest and the Navy the smallest. In keeping with the small size of the regular forces, the MOD also directs the National Defense Headquarters (NDHQ), which controls all Otsonian military operations. To the greatest extent possible, the NDHQ performs all joint planning and preparation for the Otsonian forces and functions as a General Staff in the event of war. The CHOD is thus, dual hatted as both administrative and operational commander of the armed forces. Within its structure, the NDHQ has a specialist center that commands international operations and is responsible for preparing and commanding Otsonian elements deployed on UN or related missions.

Otso has a small population and the Armed Forces are correspondingly small; in total the Otsonian forces number around 25,000. The basic structure is a single service (defense force) broken into specialist branches (Land, Air, Naval). As in the Canadian model, rank badges are uniform throughout the service and ranks in the air and land arms are identical, whereas the Naval and Coast Guard elements use traditional naval terms. The forces are largely conscript, with a professional core; the ratio of regular to conscript varies depending on the complexity of the assigned task. On completion of service, conscripts have a reserve liability until their 50th birthday.

National Defense Headquarters (NDHQ)

Otso Forces Structure

The NDHQ (commanded by a two-star) provides centralized planning and administrative control of the Otsonian forces. The commander is charged with the preparation and planning of the defense of the territorial integrity of Otso and the discharge of its international responsibilities. The Commander NDHQ also holds the post of Deputy CHOD and can be of any arm of the service, although he is usually army. The NDHQ is a fully joint HQ with representation from all branches of service throughout its structure; it is however, dominated by the army. It is divided into three branches: Operations, Logistics & Armament and Personnel, each headed by a Deputy Chief of Staff. The NDHQ has three subordinate commands: one operational and two support:

Home Defense Command
Mission Support Command
Joint Support Command

Otso HDC Laydown

Home Defense Command (HDC)

HDC is the major operational command of the Otsonian forces and is charged with executing the defense plans for the country. It is structured into three divisions, reflecting the specialist environments, but this is for administrative reasons only. In the event of an invasion, the National Defense Plan is a Joint plan and the forces will operate on a combined‐arms basis. On mobilization, the High Readiness Reserves are available to the commander, but administrative control of the reserve forces is not vested in the HDC in peacetime.

Otso Land Division Structure

Land Division

In peacetime, the Land Division officially consists of two mechanized brigades, two motorized infantry brigades, a special operations forces (SOF) unit and a specialist brigade (–) that is responsible for security and ceremonial duties in the capital. In reality each brigade is an all-arms battalion (+) with combat support and combat service support elements.

Otso Air Division

Air Division

The Air Division is small and designed to cover the roles seen as most essential for the defense of the country. It consists of an air defense wing with fighters, radar systems and surface-to-air-missiles (SAM), a ground attack wing, a transport wing with medium and light tactical transports, a battlefield helicopter wing, a training wing and a government communications squadron. The training wing undertakes all flying training for government purposes (Coast Guard, Police etc.), but basic flying training is conducted under contract by civilian flying schools.

The Otso Naval Division

Naval Division

The Naval Division is the smallest of the service branches, with a Corvette squadron and a patrol squadron, mustering only some seven vessels between them. The Coast Guard also forms an element of the Naval Division, with life boats and fishery protection vessels as well as the Otsonian search and rescue (SAR) helicopter squadron. The Naval Division also operates a sail training squadron with one ‘Tall Ship’ training vessel and a number of training yachts.

The Otso Mission Support Command

Mission Support Command (MSC)

MSC is responsible for the organization, preparation and command of all Otsonian international deployments. Additionally, it provides administrative control of the Reserve Military Districts and organizes continuation training for the High and Low Readiness reserves and is charged with ensuring that these forces are capable of immediate use. It also commands the major operational support organizations (logistics, medical, armaments and basics [clothing and catering]), ensuring that the forces are adequately supported.

Joint Support Command (JSC)

JSC covers a number of disparate functions. It is responsible for the training of the regular forces (but not reserves), commands the specialist engineering functions in defense support to civil authorities (DSCA) missions and provides the center of expertise on information technology (IT) and communications for the Otsonian forces. Additionally, it is responsible for all elements of administration of the reserves and for the management of mobilization. Finally, it is also the home of the Institute for Military Geography.

Roles and Missions

The primary mission of the Otsonian Defense Force is the maintenance of the neutrality of Otso. Secondary missions include the military contribution to Otso’s efforts to building peace and stability in the Baltic region and the wider community. This is translated into the following major roles:

The surveillance of Otso’s borders
The maintenance of Otso’s territorial integrity, including land, sea and airspace
The preparation (and potential execution) of the National Defense Plan
The coordination with neighboring states, of traffic control and SAR within the Baltic region
The provision of troops and expertise to UN sanctioned military missions
The provision of manpower and expertise to international Humanitarian Assistance operations

Leadership and Intent

The senior leadership of the Otsonian Defense Force is compact and homogeneous. As is fitting for a small force, the rank levels for most posts are suitably reduced, with career prospects for all but the most exceptional officers peaking at Lieutenant Colonel level. Prospective future leaders of the force are identified early in their careers and are carefully groomed for the top positions. This process produces a clearly identified cadre of officers who progress through the ranks as a peer group, being both colleagues and rivals for the top jobs. The end result is a coherent group that know each extremely well including their respective strengths and weaknesses and who are used to working together. In many respects, the leadership style is more collegial than hierarchical. The current stated intent of the leadership is to maintain the most modern and effective fighting force than can be constructed within the available resources.

Strategic Capabilities

Otso possesses no strategic military capabilities.

Military Intelligence

Otso’s military intelligence branch is the Defense Intelligence Center (DIC) that is subordinated to ACOS Intelligence in the NDHQ. The majority of Otso’s intelligence activities lie outside the remit of the DIC and are controlled by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB). Relations between the two establishments are close and there is a degree of common training and cross posting of staff. Following the reorganization of the national intelligence system, DIC has developed an effective system to fuse the information, provided by the National Intelligence Bureau and Police Security Agency, and acquired through open sources and tactical units and sensors. It is believed that although there are few Otsonian Defense Attachés, Otsan embassies around the world provide a constant flow of valuable defense intelligence. Those elements deployed on UN operations have won the professional respect of their UN colleagues for the efficiency and effectiveness of their human intelligence (HUMINT) operations in often difficult circumstances.

Military counter‐intelligence is the responsibility of the Counterintelligence department of the Police Security Agency. It includes exploitation of the police intelligence derived from multiple sources and agencies, security of military installations and materiel, personnel vetting and information security (INFOSEC).

Medical

All Health‐related professions are combined into a single overall Joint Medical Service. In peacetime, the Otsonian military medical establishment is light, providing basic Primary Healthcare services to military establishments while embedding Secondary Healthcare within the civilian structure. It has two main responsibilities, namely, the training and preparation of military medical personnel and units for deployment in support of UN operations and secondly to provide the basis for military medical support to operations in the event of a conflict.

Otso’s forces hold all the necessary equipment and facilities to man two Field Hospitals in the event of a conflict at up to 200 beds with full supporting imagery, Operating Theater (OT), Intensive Care (IC), High Dependency (HD) and Lab capabilities. On mobilization, the manning for these units will primarily be sourced from the civilian secondary healthcare system which will be seriously compromised if the Field Hospitals are configured to their maximum capacity. In peacetime, the units are run on a care and maintenance basis only although personnel liable to be mobilized are provided with regular training to enable them to work within a military environment.

The Otsonian Medical Forces retain a highly trained team available for rapid deployment in the event of a humanitarian crisis or natural disaster. This is modeled along the lines of a small Role 2LM with one Operating Theater and limited holding capacity but with Environmental and Public Health expertise included.

Training

The majority of Otso’s training effort is expended in preparing conscripts and keeping reservists current on their mobilization functions. Otso only has a small manpower pool and therefore seeks to maximize its efficient utilization. Conscripts are inducted into the military twice per year, with four months on basic training followed by six months in their designated specialization. The majority of conscripts are streamed into the Land branch and the Army’s training cycle is built round the integration of this twice yearly influx. The proportion of conscripts in the Air and Naval branches is lower, but their integration is still a concern.

Unit and formation training is the responsibility of the appropriate commander with an emphasis on joint training to the greatest extent possible. The NDHQ provides the overall skeleton within which this training takes place, leading to a major joint live exercise once every five years.

Professional training within the Air and Naval branches is outsourced to the greatest extent possible, with only essential operational training taking place in‐house.

Personnel

Including conscripts under training, the forces muster some 25,000 personnel on active service. The high readiness reserve forces can add a further 24,000 personnel to the forces at very short notice and sufficient equipment is held for their use to make this a credible force. The balance of reservists can expand the armed forces to a theoretical 200,000 personnel; however, most of these would only be equipped with small arms. At any one time, approximately two thirds of the personnel on active service in the Land force are conscripts. The proportion of conscripts within the Air and Naval Divisions is lower and these tend to be in the less operational roles. However, it is an opportunity for the force to evaluate likely prospects and all full time servicemen are recruited from the ranks of the conscripts; those who wish to become pilots or professional sailors must volunteer to serve their conscript period in the appropriate service.

Equipment

Otso is a small country with a small population and a moderately successful economy. The importance of the military is acknowledged and it holds a high place in the country’s priority list, however, the budget overall is small and the Otsonian forces have to trim their aspirations accordingly. The majority of major equipment is old, but serviceable and major equipment purchases are few and far between. In keeping with its policy of neutrality, Otso sources its equipment from a wide variety of countries and has British, French, Donovian, Italian, Norwegian and German weapon systems in service. In the last 10 years, the major system purchases have been two small corvettes from the UK to replace 1950s era vessels and a replacement of a Donovian SAM system with the Norwegian NASAM. Replacement of the aging air defense (AD) fleet is a major priority, although the small main battle tank (MBT) fleet is also obsolete. Otso has expressed interest in purchasing some, or all, of Austria’s surplus Leopard 2s, although it is not clear that the funds are available for this.

In pursuit of improving situational awareness and border surveillance, Otso has invested heavily in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). These have been sourced from a variety of commercial sources and are now widely distributed throughout the forces. There is as yet, no clear doctrine on how best to make use of this resource and how to tie it into existing systems. However, the defense establishment is greatly taken with the potential of these systems and is working on how to maximize that potential.

Logistics

Logistics is regarded as a specialization within the Defense Force and as a function, is it run on a joint basis to the greatest extent possible. The NDHQ acts as a central coordinator through DCOS Logistics and Armament, aligning engineering, logistic and ordnance policies and activities to achieve the greatest possible degree of synergy. Beneath NDHQ, all logistics activities are directed by the MSC which is responsible for the regional logistics depots and the regular and Reserve Logistics battalions, as well as the Force’s ammunition depots. The peculiarities of naval and air logistics are resolved at MSC level.

Joint Capabilities

In many respects, the Otsonian forces are inherently Joint, since there is only a single service. There are the usual tensions between the various branches of service, but these are stated to be less than is the case with other more traditionally structured forces. The joint nature of the various HQs emphasizes this approach and the National Defense Plan envisages the various force elements operating in a joint fashion. The main effort is seen as being that of the Land force, with the Air in support.

Special Forces

Otso has a small specialist unit that is designated as Special Forces. It is roughly company sized and consists of three reconnaissance platoons and a hostage release unit that can assist local police in the event of a siege. In addition, the Otavia Brigade includes the Government Security Company, which although not designated as Special Forces as such, employs a number of SOF tactics and techniques. Its exact size varies, but it is roughly a reinforced company and its main function is the provision of Close Protection for government Ministers and other designated VIPs.

Other Forces

Reserve Forces

Otso runs a full conscription system under which all adults between the ages of 18 and 30 are liable for National Service. Until 2001, this applied only to males, but since the Homeland Defense Act of 2000 came into force on 1 Apr 2001, all females have also been subject to conscription. Conscripts can serve in a number of capacities, including Civil Defense, Emergency Services, and Social Services as well as the military. All conscripts serve for 10 months; four months of basic military training, then six months honing their military skills in the designated area of service. The period of service can be deferred if the individual is in an essential occupation, or full time education, but National Service must be completed by their 30th birthday. Conscripts who volunteer for service in an International Operation must have served at least 8 months of their national service and have an acceptable performance record. Once selected for international operations, they are transferred to the regular establishment (with radically improved pay and conditions of service) for the duration of their training, deployment and post deployment recovery period. This can be up to two years, depending on the operation.

On completion of National Service, Otsans are required to undertake a number of day's refresher training every year; the commitment varies with specialization and role. Members of the High Readiness Reserve perform the equivalent of 56 days training per year, while those in other formations are liable for only 22 days per year.

The High Readiness Forces constitute an additional eight infantry battalions, a reserve medical role 1 (equivalent) troop, a logistics battalion and a special reconnaissance company. Each of the eight Regions constitutes a Military Command with its own Reserve infantry battalion. These battalions are responsible for the defense of their local area, releasing the regular forces to conduct a more flexible defense against any aggressor. In peacetime, the Regional Command and Reserve Forces are commanded by the MSC.

Paramilitary Forces

The Border Police are the sole formal paramilitary organization within Otso. Details of their structure and functions is given in the ‘Political’ variable.

Border Troops

During national emergency or war, the protection of Otso’s borders is undertaken by the Border Police in the first instance, with the regular forces providing the appropriate level of force to underpin their activities.

Civil Defense

The Otsonian Civil Defense network is regionally based and is largely manned by volunteers and conscripts, with a small core of professional managers and controllers. Although not part of the military, or controlled by the military, the regional HQs are collocated with the Regional Military Command centers. This eases both communication and coordination and also saves money on resources and infrastructure. It also provides the Civil Defense organization with access to secure communications. Each Ministry has its own emergency planning staffs, but the Ministry of Interior has primary responsibility for Civil Defense. In the early 1960s, Otso tried to copy the Bothnian system of emergency shelters, but the program proved too expensive and was abandoned after the shelters in Otavia had been completed.

Coast Guard

The Otsonian Coast Guard is a small, but effective unit that is to all intents and purposes a sub unit of the Navy. Administrative and operational C2 is provided by the Naval Division, however, the Coast Guard has a separate funding line from the Ministry of Interior and its own career and rank structure. Its main functions are SAR, fisheries protection and the run of the mill maritime policing and inspection duties associated with the safety of Otsonian waters. The Coast Guard operates the Otsonian SAR fleet of eight helicopters as well as the life boat service. It also has five small boats used for fishery protection, traffic inspections and general patrol and policing work.

Military Industrial Complex

Otso has no military industrial complex as such. The few elements of Industry that support the military do so as part of their normal and broader business.

Research and Development (R&D)

Otso performs no military R&D.

National Arms Production

Otso produces no arms and has only a limited repair and overhaul capacity for military equipment.

Foreign Arms Trade

Otso exports almost no arms. In keeping with its policy of maximizing the efficient use of its weaponry, equipment tends to be kept to the end of its usable life. Where equipment might still possess utility after Otsonian service, potential customers are limited by the strict application of Otso’s neutrality policy and the desire to increase stability. The result is that sales have been almost non‐existent although some donations of military equipment have been made to Bosnia and Herzogovina, Iraq (post‐Gulf War 2) and the nascent East Timor government.

Maintenance

Otso’s industry has a limited servicing and overhaul capability for military equipment. Most of this is dual use – such as avionics facilities at Otavia that service both Air Force avionics and civil aviation equipment. Military specific maintenance facilities are limited mainly to first line servicing, with an element of second line for some essential equipment.

Procurement

Pragmatism is the underlying principle of Otsonian procurement. Otsonian policy is to buy good equipment at a reasonable price and maintain it in service as long as is practicable. In keeping with its neutral stance, Otso will buy equipment from any supplier as long as they are seen as legitimate and the price is right. As a result, Otso uses equipment from a wide variety of sources. The most pressing requirement in the current equipment program is the replacement of the AD fighter force and Torrike is pursuing a prospective sale of Gripens vigorously. However, it is not clear that either this, or any of the alternatives, is actually affordable and there is a school of thought that says the role should be abandoned altogether. An immediate decision either way is unlikely. The most immediate potential purchase is the acquisition of some surplus Leopard 2 MBTs from Austria.

Arctic Military Strategy

The Otsonian Arctic Military Strategy is founded on the strengthening of Nordic cooperation on security and defense. They believe emphasis should be placed on effective cross-border collaboration based on international law and agreements. Otso wishes to maintain a position of neutrality while also modernizing it’s relatively small Arctic force. The Otsonian government recognizes the potential for new global threats in the changing Arctic region. These include, but are not limited to, traditional conflict, climate change, natural disasters, food safety and security, health safety issues, and epidemics. As the region warms and develops the threats to the indigenous Arctic Otsonian people will not be limited to conventional military threats. The Otsonian Arctic Strategy is grounded in three simple efforts.

Stand Ready Through Cooperation and Modernization. The Otsonian military will thoroughly monitor security developments in cooperation with the other Nordic nations and international partners. Otso will continue to modernize and specialize in Arctic equipment and military training.
Recognize and Understand Emerging Threats. Otso desires to encourage the promotion of increased cyber security and stresses that this policy must take into account other global threats such as terrorism, organised crime, and threats to financial and economic security. Otso wishes to cooperate with partner nations to secure interconnected systems from vulnerabilities that could be exposed by both state-directed and non-state cyber attacks
Protect our Indigenous Arctic People and the Environment. Through specialization in equipment and training the Arctic forces must be ready to respond to civil threats like climate change, natural disasters, food safety and security, health safety issues, and epidemics in the Arctic region.