Military: Torrike

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Overview

The Torrikan forces are modern, structurally sound and well equipped. In theory a largely conscript force, in reality, national Service is used to identify suitable candidates for long term service and the reserves. All adults are subject to conscription from the age of 17 and must complete a 16 week induction period, which both provides basic military training and an assessment period in which potential future leaders are identified. The armed forces have always had a highly intellectual approach to warfare, seeking to maximize the effectiveness of their forces through a vigorous analysis of strategy and tactics. The Defense Academy (War Academy until 1990) trains the brightest and best for future command. There is considerable emphasis on professional development throughout the training structure and a great deal of attention is given to encouraging all ranks to use their initiative to the greatest extent possible. Torrike’s declared role model is the Israeli Defense Forces, which are admired for their operational effectiveness. To balance that, the Torrikan armed forces have little actual operational experience and have only exercised with Bothnia, Framland and to a lesser extent, Arnland. Otsonian observers on Torrikan exercises have found them to be somewhat rigid in outlook.

Units are constituted on a cadre basis, where an element of between 10 and 20% of the authorized strength consists of full time professionals, with the balance of the unit being filled by reservists mobilized on an as required basis. The ratio of full time to reservist personnel is driven by the degree of technical expertise required to maintain the unit’s military efficiency. There are few gender restrictions on employment within the forces, however, females are not permitted to serve in submarines or the infantry.

Strategic Perception

Torrike NCA

Torrike has concerns over what they consider the ‘Dash to the North’. As the international debate over access to resources in the Arctic has increased, so the pace of Torrike’s related activity is correspondingly more intense.

Initially, Torrike did not regarded the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a strategic threat since NATO’s perceived focus on Donovia left little scope for interference in Torrikan affairs. During the last 20 years however, Torrike has increasingly come to regard NATO as an aggressive, expansionist, and increasingly interventionist political entity that poses a potential strategic threat to Torrike’s regional ambitions. Bothnia's increasing relationship with Donovia has also left Torrike isolated within the Baltic Sea region.

National Command Authority

Torrike’s military is ultimately led by the Head of State (President). In times of peace the Prime Minister, through the Minister of Defense oversees day-to-day operations; during conflict a Strategic High Command (SHC) is convened, led by the Minister of Defense along with the Chief of Defense, Heads of each Service and the Head of Operations Command. Whilst the Prime Minister is also officially part of the SHC, the overall decision maker is the President, an arrangement which has caused internal friction in the past.

Defense Policy and Priorities

Torrikan defense policy was substantially revised recently with a major strategic defense review. Although the details were classified, the major elements are clearly set out in the Defense Priorities that are listed below. In many respects, the review merely encapsulated a change in policy that had been effectively under way since the replacement of the political old guard in the 1990s. The inwardly focused, home defense mentality has been replaced by a more forward and outward looking posture. Torrike sees itself as the natural leader in the region and its defense policy is structured accordingly, envisaging the possibility of active intervention within other countries in the region as well as the intent of shutting out any external influences. Defense expenditure has remained steady at around 2.8 to 2.9% of GDP for the last five years.

Torrike’s declared Defense Priorities are:

• DP1: Protection of the homeland (including territorial waters and economic zones)
• DP2: Providing security for stability in the Region
• DP3: Defending Torrike’s interests through the projection of appropriate power
• DP4: Providing a defense contribution to Torrikan influence
• DP5: Providing Aid to the civil power in emergency and crisis

Arctic Military Strategy

The central concept for the Torrike military strategy is the strengthening and improvement of its Arctic forces and equipment.  Torrike desires to operate freely in the northern most portion of its country and extensively with its allied neighbors throughout the Nordic region. The military activity in the overall Arctic region has increased in recent years and deteriorating relations can have an international impact in the Arctic region. Torrike wishes to maintain a national planning capability and an intelligence apparatus capable of anticipating and dealing with emerging Arctic threats. Torrike’s current Arctic security policy concerns are:    

• A changing climate that is making the Arctic increasing navigable.
• Donovia’s increased militarization and facilities improvement in the Arctic.
• Non-Arctic States like Olvana that are increasing focused on exploiting polar resources.

Military Doctrine

Torrikan doctrine is currently in a state of flux. Development of doctrine has not kept pace with developments in the strategic outlook and purpose of the armed forces. Formal doctrine is still based heavily on repelling an invader using a mix of fixed and mobile defenses. The doctrine envisaged the extensive mobilization of reserve forces to generate a defensive mass that would inflict significant losses on any attacker. The activities of the three services were only marginally linked and although much of the technology deployed was advanced, the overall doctrine was fairly rigid and limited in its outlook. The Torrikan Military has recognized the need to radically revise its doctrine for a number of years, but up until 10 years ago, efforts to update it were uncoordinated and piecemeal, with each of the three services attempting to drive the process. Finally the MOD established a Doctrine Branch under a 2* officer within the Directorate of Military Academies. The branch is charged with devising and promulgating an effective Joint Operational doctrine for the three services. Work is allegedly well advanced and a substantial number of tactical pamphlets and field manuals have been approved by the branch. The key tenets are clear, but these have yet to coalesce into an authoritative policy:

• The combined firepower of the three armed services has to be fully integrated to achieve battlefield saturation
• Effective command, control, communications, computers and real time intelligence (C4I) is to be used to direct the efforts of the forces
• The maximum possible use of stand‐off and precision guided munitions will minimize the cost of success
• Concealment and dispersion combined with high mobility will be the key to success

Specific doctrine for the use of theater ballistic missiles (TBM) is currently under review, while doctrine for use of cyber and information warfare is under development.

Military Forces Overview

Torrike MOD Central Structure

The Torrikan armed forces employ a conventional structure with separate Army Navy and Air Force. A radical restructuring in 2005/06 eliminated a considerable degree of overlap and responsibilities as well as reducing and rationalizing the command structure. The forces use a mix of regular and conscript personnel. Units are constituted on a cadre basis, where an element of between 10 and 20% of the authorized strength consisting of full time professionals, with the balance of the unit being filled by conscripts undertaking national service and reservists mobilized on an as required basis.

The Torrikan arms industry is well developed and Torrike has always valued the efficient use of technology. As a result, the Torrikan forces are equipped with a wide range of indigenous modern equipment and arms. The training structure is such that the forces are well trained and highly competent in the use of this materiel. A program to leverage the potential benefits of modern technology and in particular communications technology and to integrate the efforts of the three forces, has been running since late 2000. To this end, the MOD was restructured in 2004/5 to take the form of a single General Staff, while the three services operational commands were merged into Operations Command, a single joint HQ 10 years ago.

Operations Command

Operations Command, based in Solna, North of Tyr, serves as the single joint operational command for the Torrikan forces. The manning of the HQ is lean, as the majority of the strategic and long term work is done within the General Staff of each Service. The structure of Operations Command and the General Staff has led to a much more efficient use of Joint resources. Operational and Tactical planning is entirely Joint, with an emphasis on multi-domain conflict. Although individual Service heads retain administrative control of their respective organization, in times of conflict the Head of Operations Command executes any given orders from the SHC. This has, in the past, caused conflict when there have been strong personalities in key individual Service commands.

Roles and Missions

The Torrikan Armed Forces are charged with the defense of the Torrikan state and the preservation of the territorial integrity of the country. The tasks that underpin this include surveillance of the country’s land area, territorial waters and airspace. The forces are also charged with the training and preparation of the regular and reserve forces to be able to discharge this mission. The forces are also required to support the Civil Power in the event of emergencies and for the organization of Civil Defense within Torrike in order to protect civilian life and property in the event of a conflict or other emergency, although primacy on Civil Defense has largely been passed to the National Civil Emergencies Service (NCES). The forces mission has been amended in recent years to include the potential to intervene in regional crises to ensure stability and security within the region. The missions and tasks of the individual forces are derived from these overall tasks

Army Overview

Torrikan Army Structure

Torrike Army Locations

The Torrikan Army has slowly restructured to reflect the change in defense priorities during the last five years. The structure is largely conventional, but unit sizes tend to be larger than the normal European equivalent. This is driven by the total defense concept which relies heavily on reinforcement by reservists. As an example, a motorized infantry battalion has a nominal strength of some 1,222 personnel. Of these, only some 250 are regular troops, including the senior staffs and SNCOs. Of the balance, between 200 and 400 are conscripts undergoing national service and the remaining posts will be filled by reservists. At any time, up to 100 reservists will be in the battalion undertaking refresher training. Under normal conditions, the actual unit strength will vary between 550 and 750 personnel, not all of whom will be fully trained. The unit will, however, hold the full allocation of vehicles, materiel and weapons for the nominal strength. Reserve battalions have the same nominal strength, but only 50–70 staff will be regulars, with all the remainder being subject to mobilization.

The exception to this structure is the Assault Brigade, which is intended to provide Torrike with the capability to project Military power beyond its borders. This is manned on a regular and selected reservist basis, with 75% of personnel being either full time professional, or reservists serving on an extended service contract. The remaining personnel are produced from a special reserve list.

For the most part, the Army is well equipped with modern and sophisticated weapons, mostly of indigenous origin.

The Army also provides the bulk of the resources for the regional Civil Defense Emergency Response units, although administrative control rests in the National Civil Emergencies Service (NCES).

Army Size and Structure

The Torrikan Army is fairly conventional in its construct; largely comprised of a mix of Regular Army and Reserves/Conscripts, in times of conflict manning reaches around 85,000. Administrative control of the Army is held by the Chief of the Army, with control during operations being held by the Head of Operational Command. The main combat elements consist of two Mechanized Infantry Divisions, with two Separate Mechanized Infantry Brigades. These are supplemented by an Airborne Infantry Brigade, which is unique within the Torrikan Army as it is entirely manned by full-time (Regular) personnel.

Most Combat Service Support elements are drawn from the Joint realm within times of conflict.

Army Roles and Missions

The prime function of the Army, is the preservation of the territorial integrity of the nation and the deterrence and destruction of any aggressor’s ground forces in the event of an invasion. It is tasked with providing all aspects of physical security to the other forces and government bodies. Additionally, it is responsible for providing the ability to project limited Military power outside Torrike when so instructed by the government; this has led to an increased state of readiness within the Reserve element of the Army within recent times.

In pursuit of these tasks, the Army is responsible for the preparation, organization and training of the land forces to meet the specified defense goals.

Army Leadership and Intent

The current Army vision is to be a modern agile and flexible force that employs cutting edge technology to be able to defend the territorial integrity of the state and protect its citizens from external aggression. The Army also intends to be a world class catastrophe response organization, developing the equipment and capability to be able to respond to civil emergencies and provide all necessary support to the civil authorities.

Army Personnel, Training and Readiness

Although manned largely by reserves and conscripts with a solid core of professionals, the Torrikan Army is well educated and well trained and generally extremely competent. The training cycle is designed to induct conscripts into the force and having built a level of expertise and competence, to retain and build on that competence after they transfer to the reserves.

Fully mobilized, the Army has a strength of some 83,000 personnel. However, many of these are reservists and the normal peacetime strength is well below this theoretical maximum. Unlike any other Army formation, the elements of the Assault Brigade are all full time professionals.

On top of the numbers shown above, there are some 6,000 additional staff in various HQs, training establishments, specialist units, etc. There are also an additional 900 Army personnel employed in the Civil Defense Emergency Response Battalions; the majority of these are reservists.

Units themselves need to be constantly trained to achieve and maintain the required standards and each formation needs to train the units to be an integral part of the larger operation. Finally, the Army has to train to operate in conjunction with the other forces in a joint manner. Unit and formation level training is run on a two year cycle ending in a major formation level exercise, usually with joint support; while the combined services training cycle is run on a four year basis, culminating in a joint exercise that seeks to test the integration of all the force elements. In the mid period of the next cycle, a major Civil defense exercise is now being scheduled, where a limited version of interoperability can be tested.

The only exception to this timetable, is the Assault Brigade which is currently operating to a shorter, annual, training cycle as they try to achieve full operating capability.

Army Equipment and Weapons

Torrike has a large and successful arms industry which has developed a wide range of modern and cost effective weapons systems. As a result, the Torrikan Army is well equipped and has a sound industrial support base for its weapons. The Torrikan Army believes that mobility and engineering services are key force multipliers and to this end, employs a large number of IFVs and APCs. It is mid-way through a modernization program which will see its two mechanized infantry divisions significantly enhanced.

The Torrikan Army has a very solid Joint logistics base, with regional stores depots throughout the country and a substantial logistics and engineering unit structure. The engineering structure is equally robust and in addition to the indigenous capability within each combat brigade, the Army has a dedicated Engineering Brigade which covers a wide range of specialist functions. Although previously maintained along single‐Service lines, the Torrikan Armed Forces are trending towards Joint capabilities. The Army provides the largest component, but Field Hospitals may be manned by personnel from any Service. Equipment is sophisticated with clinical staffs well educated and trained. While reliant on Reservists providing the bulk of staff, the majority of these are highly trained clinicians.

Naval Forces Overview

Torrike Naval Bases

The structure, philosophy, and equipment of the Torrikan Navy have been heavily influenced by the environment of the Baltic Sea. Technically an ‘extreme littoral’, the Baltic encompasses a large number of islands, shallow water and narrow channels; in the Tyr Archipelago alone, there are some 24,000 islands and islets. The Navy has therefore concentrated on developing appropriate underwater and surface capabilities to conduct efficient combat operations in the Torrikan littoral. On the one hand, this gives the Navy a significant advantage over other forces that may wish to operate in the same region; on the other hand, it limits their employability outside of the area. The Torrikan Navy is not a ‘blue water’ force. The Torrikan Navy is well equipped and sophisticated in its outlook.

Torrike’s Navy traditionally used Fast Patrol Boats (FPB) and mobile anti‐ship missile systems in preference to major surface combatants. However, in the last ten years the trend has been away from minor vessels to larger more capable warships, backed up by a number of very small fast craft. The Navy possesses a dozen corvettes of which seven are extremely modern. In addition, the Navy has some six modern submarines and a significant mine warfare capability (both offensive and defensive). The final element of the mix is a substantial amphibious warfare organization which possesses a small number of major vessels (LCT/LCL) and a very large number of small amphibious assault craft.

As with the other forces, the basic aim is to field the largest number of capable units of the smallest number of designs. Technology is applied in a thoughtful manner where it enhances the firepower or effectiveness of the force, but never merely for the sake of being modern. The corvette fleet is undergoing modernization, with half the fleet now being of a very modern stealthy design and the remainder of the fleet is being replaced at the rate of one unit per year. The helicopters deployed on surface vessels are operated by a specialist Air Force unit. The modernization program has not been without its difficulties, however, and the procurement of a modern Landing Platform Dock (LPD) has been something of a minor scandal.

The Torrikan Navy is unusual in that it has, until recently, had a major operating base is located outside of its home country. Torrike still retains a lease on the naval base at Karlskrona in South East Arnland, which gives it a major ice free port in the Baltic and the ability to dominate the Baltic approaches. Torrike pays Arnland in a mixture of cash and services, including training for Arnland’s Navy. A facility in Uddevalla is being built up to provide an alternative to Karlskrona and to provide direct access to the North Sea. Other bases exist in the Tyr archipelago and along the Baltic coast of Torrike in Norrköping.

The Navy relies on conscripts to a lesser extent than the other services, using the conscript training and integration program to entice personnel onto longer term professional engagements (four to eight years) after which they transfer to the reserves. Incentives include good pay and conditions and a highly supportive education program. Service in the Navy is popular and the training is seen as a good foundation for a maritime career.

Naval Forces Roles and Missions

The Navy is responsible for all aspects of Torrikan maritime operations. As such, its primary role is the protection of Torrike’s territorial integrity. This is translated into the tasks of protecting the countries territorial waters and economic zones in peacetime and defending the country against external maritime threats in war, in concert with the land and air forces. Additionally, as the Torrikan philosophy moves towards a more expeditionary mindset, the Navy has become a key provider of force projection via its amphibious capability. Torrikan naval operations are envisaged in four overlapping layers:

1. Surface Warfare. In peacetime, this layer covers normal patrol operations and surveillance. In war, this zone combines the efforts of the corvette and Fast Patrol Boat fleets with shore based anti‐shipping missile batteries in conjunction with air launched attacks provided by the Air Force to destroy any naval aggressor.
2. Undersea Warfare. Operating submarines in the Baltic Sea offers unique challenges and the Torrikan Navy seeks to exploit its long experience of such operations to disrupt and deter any aggressor. The submarine fleet’s main missions include surveillance of traffic in the Baltic and the western approaches to Torrike, intelligence gathering and patrolling.
   

   Torrikan Naval Base in Karlskrona
3. Mine Warfare. Mine warfare is seen as an essential element of Torrikan naval operations and the use of mines to block approaches or channel potential opponents is a major task of the Navy. In peacetime, clearance diving and the safe disposal of ordnance from WW2 are also significant tasks. All Torrikan vessels are able to lay a limited number of mines, but the specialized Mine Warfare Flotilla represents a significant capability in this sphere.
4. Amphibious Warfare. Torrike’s traditional view of amphibious warfare has been akin to that of a taxi driver. Amphibious ships would be used to deliver small packages of troops or equipment to one (or more) of the many outlying islands in the event of a crisis, natural disaster or other specified emergency. In view of this approach, the navy is equipped with a very large number of small, high speed, assault craft capable of transporting a platoon (‐) to a designated location with ease. The realignment of the government’s outlook has introduced a more traditional role of projecting significant combat power beyond Torrike’s shores. The Navy’s role in this area is to be able to transport and support the Army’s Maritime Battalions and therefore a more significant transportation capability was required. The subsequent procurement program resulted in an oversupply of capacity in this area which is currently the subject of heated debate.

None of the layers is seen as an exclusive are and all are expected to operate in conjunction with each other and with the efforts of the other forces to achieve Torrike’s desired military goals. In support of the achievement of these roles, the Navy has an extensive training and preparation program and the necessary infrastructure to deliver it.

Naval Forces Size and Structure

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) and his immediate staff form part of the General Staff.

Torrike Naval Structure

The structure of the Navy is conventional with three Divisions; the functions of the Logistics and Training Divisions are self‐explanatory, while the Fleet Division is responsible for all operational units; in times of conflict these units are controlled by the Head of Operations Command. A mixture of naval capabilities are co-located in 3 three key ports in Southern Torrike, the Capital Tyr, Uddevalla and Norrköping as well as Karlskrona in Arnland.

Naval Forces Personnel, Training and Readiness

Although the Navy is manned partially by conscripts and reservists, the Naval Staff’s ambition for many years has been to make the force as close to a full time professionally manned navy as possible. Conscripts serve for one year, but get better conditions than those in either of the other two forces. The two fold aim is to build a strong and supportive public perception of the Navy and to encourage the ‘right’ sort of individuals to serve either a four year or eight year engagement before transferring to the reserves. To this end, the naval portion of each intake of conscripts is given a challenging and rewarding experience. Approximately 2,500 conscripts per year pass through the Navy, of whom some 400 on average sign up for longer engagements. The Navy aims to have each post designated for reservists covered by at least 3 trained reservists, thus providing considerable depth in support. The latest official figures (March 2010) put the ratio at between 2.1 per post for generalists and as low as 1.5 for specialist weapons technicians.

Fully mobilized, the Navy has a strength of 28,000, of whom 14,000 are reservists. In peacetime, the Navy has a manned complement of 17,500, of whom 2,500 are conscripts and 3,000 are reservists on temporary duty.

Torrike uses traditional naval ranks and rank badges.

Naval Forces Equipment and Weapons

Torrike’s littoral is an immensely complex and challenging environment for naval operations. The nature of the Baltic Sea further complicates the issue. The various equipment programs for the Navy reflect this environment. As with the other services, considerable attention is given to the effective integration of modern technology to enhance the operational effectiveness of the fleet. The major equipment types are shown below by Torikkan Navy Zone:

• Surface Warfare. The surface warfare fleet consists of corvettes, Missile Patrol Boats, Fast Patrol Boats and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV).
• Undersea Warfare. Torrike is at the forefront of diesel technology using Stirling air independent engines that permit long duration underwater patrols.
• Mine Warfare. The Torrikan Navy gives considerable attention to all aspects of mine warfare and regards it as a major factor in the defense of the country. Equal value is given to offensive and defensive mine operations and the equipment in service reflects this. All Torrikan naval vessels have the capability to lay mines, in addition to the dedicated mine‐warfare vessels. In addition, a number of ferries and trawlers are equipped to be turned into minelayers by the addition of a modular system. The Torrikan inventory includes large numbers of the full spectrum of modern mines.
• Amphibious Warfare. Traditionally, amphibious warfare was the backwater of the Torrikan Navy. Equipment was limited to that required to dispatch troops to any of the myriad islands in the Torrikan littoral. With the advent of a new, more aggressive outlook in the mid-90s, the level and quality of equipment has been radically improved.

Naval Forces Logistics and Medical

Naval elements of Joint logistics are controlled by the Logistics Division of the Naval Staff. It is responsible for all aspects of logistic support to the Navy, including engineering support. The Navy possesses no Replenishment at Sea (RAS) capability, or any of the support vessels required by a ‘blue water’ force.

The Naval Medical staffs form an element of the Logistics Division and are responsible for all naval aspects of medical care, including the maintenance of standards within the force. They are professionally governed by the Armed Forces Medical Directorate with clinical staffs employed in the Military Hospital and Reservists throughout the Torrikan Health Services.

The purpose of the naval medical element is to provide Primary Care services at the Naval Base and to oversee the provision of medical care afloat. Given the small size of most of the Torrikan vessels this is done largely through the training of non‐medical staffs.

Air Force Overview

Torrike Air Structure

In some respects, the Torrikan Air Force (TAF) is unbalanced; its traditional role of defense of the country’s airspace combined with the domination of the Fast Jet fraternity within the force, led it to concentrate on the sophisticated to the detriment of the mundane. Thus the fighter and ground attack roles are well catered for, while less exciting functions such as air transport had been sadly neglected.

At the same time as the implications of the more expeditionary approach adopted by the MOD have slowly sunk in, so a more outward looking generation of commanders has worked its way to the top. More emphasis is now given to the construction of a balanced force, but it will not be until 2021 at the earliest that this can be achieved. TAF’s relationship with the other services was poor throughout the 1990s and early 21st century, because it tended to overlook their needs. This has started to change, but it will take time to be overcome completely and certain decisions, such as the allocation of TBMs to the Air Force continue to cause problems.

Unlike most of the other air forces in the world, the Torrikan Air Force has not invested heavily in Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS). Instead, the TAF has relied on a program of dispersal and concealment. All units have a number of secondary flying bases from which they can operate and the force is structured to operate effectively in small packets. The majority of air defense (AD) radar assets are also mobile.

Overall, the Air Force is a sophisticated and technically competent force that possesses considerable fire power. It is well trained and well‐motivated and will present a significant opponent to any aggressor.

Air Force Size and Structure

The Chief of the Air Force (CAF) and his immediate staff form part of the General Staff and are located with them in Tyr. While command of operations is vested in Operations Command, with an integral Air Operations staff, professional and administrative command of the Air Force is performed by the Air Force HQ. The day to day running of the Air Force is vested in the Deputy Chief.

The Air Force is split into four commands (Flying; Air Defense; Support and Training Commands).

Air Force Roles and Missions

Torrike Air Bases

The primary role of the Torrikan Air Force is the protection of Torrike’s airspace, maintaining air sovereignty, and guaranteeing the country’s territorial integrity against any intrusion through surveillance and air policing. In order to achieve the overall mission of the armed forces, the TAF provides the other services with transport and other air based capabilities. The TAF is also responsible for Torrike’s Theater Ballistic Missile Force. The secondary mission of the TAF is to organize and train its forces appropriately to be able to discharge its responsibilities.

Air Force Leadership and Intent

The current CAF is the first non‐Fast Jet pilot to command the Air Force; his background is in surveillance and maritime patrol.

Lieutenant General Flygar’s stated intent is to make the force more balanced and better able to contribute to the defense of the country on a broad front. The force does possess almost the full spectrum of capabilities of a modern air force, but the some of these are very slight and the ultimate aim is to reinforce those that need it and to improve the integration of all the elements. At the same time, improving support to the other services is seen as a major method of improving relationships.

Since his appointment one year ago, Flygar has concentrated on improving the TAF’s surveillance capabilities; once this is complete, the immediate concern is the expansion of the Battlefield Helicopter (BH) force, followed by the tactical transport force in due course.

Air Force Personnel, Training, Medical, and Readiness

The TAF is composed of a mixture of full time professional servicemen, reservists and conscripts. As with the Navy, the Air Force uses the conscription period to identify talent and as a recruiting tool for regular service. Conscripts are screened for aptitude and steered into an appropriate area, where possible. Those who lack specific technical abilities tend to be steered into the air defense missile or anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) units. Reservists can fill almost any post in the Air Force, except command positions. The ratio of regular staff to conscript/reserves varies from unit to unit, but is around 60:40 for Fast Jet units, falling to 30:70 for BH and transport units. The small ISR force is manned entirely by regulars, but the nascent UAV force is almost entirely reservist.

In peacetime, the TAF has a manned strength of 32,000 of whom 9,000 are conscripts and 9,000 are reservists on active duty. With the exception of a few specialist technical grades, the TAF uses the same rank structure and badges as the Army.

The Air Force Training Command runs a wide range of schools and courses relating to all aspects of air related operations. In addition to the normal flying training and engineering schools, the Command runs the Air Defense school for all three services, on the assumption that the operator of a system understands best its strengths and weaknesses and how best to exploit them.

In addition to the basic training of conscripts (on air related matters), refresher training and refresher flying training is a major element in the Command’s work. Although the majority of technical specialists are regular troops, the TAF has a high percentage of its operational aircrew who are reservists. Many of these fly with the national and regional airlines, somewhat similar to the ANG in the USA. Whereas the normal crew ratio of aircrew to aircraft is 1.9 for regulars, the ratio for reservists is closer to 3.7, thus ensuring a broad base of support for operations. Considerable training effort is expended in keeping the reserve aircrew current. Flygar intends to use a similar system among the large number of civilian helicopter crews to rapidly increase the size of the TAF’s helicopter fleet.

The senior medical advisor for the Air Force is part of the CAF’s staff. Medical support for the forces is essentially joint, but the Air Force is responsible for all aspects of aviation medicine. A specialist school forms part of the Training Command.

Air Force Equipment, Weapons, and Logistics

The TAF’s inventory is a mix of the very modern and the obsolescent. The concentration on the Fast Jet force and the need to support export sales for the indigenous Gripen multi‐purpose aircraft has meant that the majority of available funds have been allocated to this fleet. The imbalance is being tackled and pragmatic programs are in hand to bring the force equipment mix up to an acceptable standard. The current main drive is to build up first the BH fleet, then the tactical transport fleet. The purchase of surplus C 130s and Super Pumas from other users has reduced overall costs, although the aircraft all need to be brought up to a single acceptable standard. There remain areas where the force has no capability; for example, the late model Gripens all have the equipment for in‐flight refueling, but the force has no tanker aircraft.

The Gripen program remains the largest drain on resources. A modernization program to bring early standard ‘A’ models up to the latest multi‐role standard is under way. SAAB has made proposals for a one for one replacement program instead, with the early models being modernized and released for export. The Air Force is keen on this proposal, but it is not clear that the necessary funds can be made available. On a broader front, the General Staff wish Torrike’s RISTA capabilities to be significantly enhanced and this will also impact the Air Force’s procurement programs.

Within the TAF, responsibility for Logistics rests with the AF Support Command. The major challenge for the force is to ensure that adequate logistics support is provided to the operational units when they disperse to their operational locations. As part of the strategy is to move operating location frequently, this presents a challenge to the logistics staffs. This is met through a combination of pre‐stocking low value items at all bases and a highly mobile support organization attached to each operational wing.

Air Force Special Purpose Forces

The Kommando Regiment, the Torrikan Special Purpose Forces (SPF) unit, was originally formed in 1942 in imitation of the British Army Commandos, as the name suggests. While the Commando model remained current until the 1970s, a radical review of the role and organization of SPF resulted in the regiment being remodeled along the lines of the British Special Air Service (SAS).

Other Forces

Reserve Forces

The Torrikan forces rely heavily on reservists both to maintain a viable force level in peacetime (active reserves) and to fill out operational units and provide depth in times of crisis. Reservists can be either personnel who have completed their National Service, or former full time regular personnel. All adults are liable for reserve service once they have completed their conscription period, but in reality, only a limited number of individuals are formally allotted and given refresher training (the ratio of reserves to full time servicemen is covered under the appropriate service heading above). Neither the Air Force, nor the Navy have specific reservist units, however, the Army uses the reserves to constitute an additional two motorized infantry brigades and a support brigade in times of war.

Civil Defense

Torrike has a large and active Civil Defense Organization (CDO) which reports to the Minister of Defense through the General Staff. The organization is run by a military officer and the majority of its personnel are either serving military, conscripts or reservists. Service in the CDO is an acceptable alternative to National Service in the active military arms. The CDO’s HQ is located in Tyr as part of the General Staff. The CDO is structured regionally and consists of a number of emergency response battalions. These are not allocated on the basis of one to each county and some battalions have responsibility for several. Their prime function is to provide immediate infrastructure assistance in the event of a natural disaster or major accident. Each unit has a wide variety of capabilities, but at a minimum, it will include:

• Fire fighting vehicles
• Water tankers
• Emergency generators and lighting systems
• A variety of civil engineering machines and tools including bulldozers and backhoes
• A number of rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIB)

The majority of the personnel are on call reservists, and only the Battalion Commander and his staff are regulars. Conscripts boost the number of personnel employed full time within the unit. The CDO battalions have a high reputation within the country and service within them is regarded as both socially prestigious and rewarding.

However, although the Military possess most of the resources to respond to emergencies, responsibility for civil emergency and increasingly civil defense planning rests with the National Civil Emergencies Service (NCES). There is now considerable overlap of responsibilities between these two elements and at some point, this issue will have to be resolved.

Figure M-7: Torrike Civil Defense Command Structure

Military Intelligence

Torrike considers that the proper and active use of intelligence resources is a force multiplier. While this view is standard in most military organizations around the world, Torrike works hard to put it into practice. By creating a single, Joint, Military Intelligence Service (MISS) reporting to the General Staff and providing them with an abundance of resources to both collect and disseminate useful intelligence to the three services, Torrike has eliminated most of the frictions between competing agencies that many other nations suffer from.

Joint Logistics and Capabilities

Torrike endeavors to make the maximum use of common and joint logistics within the armed forces. All activities that can be centralized are conducted by the Technology and Logistics Directorate of the General Staff. The individual services are responsible for environment specific logistic activities, but are required to coordinate closely with the General Staff. All stores and ammunition depots are controlled by the Directorate, which is also responsible for Estate Management.

Medical

Medical services are organized along single service lines, but coordinated and governed by the tri‐service Medical Directorate within the Technology and Logistics Directorate of the General Staff and there is an increasingly joint approach towards the medical element of operations. The Directorate is also responsible for the single Military Hospital.

The Medical Directorate combines all health‐related professions into a single entity which includes Veterinary and Dental services. There is no distinction between uniformed personnel in any of the professions other than their element of the Armed Forces.

Significantly, emerging medical doctrine increasingly appears to be developing a strong element of Humanitarian Assistance. While this may simply be in support of DP5, medical interventions in the civilian community are becoming increasingly recognized as a sophisticated tool for the influencing of populations

Training

Torrikan military policy is to maximize the amount of training undertaken jointly. On this basis, all basic recruit, senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO) and officer training is performed collaboratively. Mid-career and staff colleges for officers, advanced warfare studies and combined operations training is also organized on a joint basis. The individual services are responsible for specialist and professional training relating to their environment.

Three factors influence the training cycles. These are firstly the need to train and integrate each year’s batch of conscripts; secondly refresher training for reserve forces and their integration into their designated units and finally, the need to train each of the services to operate jointly and collaboratively. The overall annual training cycle progresses from individual and unit training, through formation training to limited joint training. The cycle is completed with a biennial joint force exercise involving all the major combat units of the Torrikan forces.

Joint Capabilities

Theater Ballistic Missiles (TBM)

Torrike possesses a single long distance offensive capability in the TBM Branch operated by the Air Force. The force was constructed in the late 1970s as a standoff weapon that would improve Torrike’s ability to fend off external aggression. However, for most of the first 10 years of its existence, it was the subject of considerable disagreement between the Army and the Air Force on which service should control the force. This argument centered round a major philosophical point, was the system long range artillery, or a weapon with potential strategic effect? The argument was finally resolved in favor of the Army, which operated some 30 SCUD B launchers as battlefield artillery. The President overturned this approach when the systems were replaced in the late 1990s by a reduced number of SCUD D (24 launchers). The argument was that the increased accuracy of the weapon gave it strategic effect (although the range had not increased). The Air Force now operates the force and its focus is very much a strategic one.

Torrike had hoped to replace the SCUDs with more modern weapons by late 2013/early 2014. However, although the original deadline has passed, Torrike is still negotiating with potential suppliers for a modern system. Day‐to‐day control is vested in a specialist cell within the Special Means Division of the General Staff Operations Directorate, but authority to fire is retained by the Minister, who in turn needs Presidential approval.

As part of the TBM strategic plan, Torrike is working to establish bases for missile systems on the island of Gotland. The objective of the program is to create the "Gibraltar of the Baltic Sea." Regional reaction to its attempt to base long-range missile units on Gotland caused Torrike to remove the force but it does continue the construction of supporting infrastructure on the island.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)

Torrike has no known stockpiles of biological weapons and the only known chemical ammunition was phased out in the late 1960s.

Cyber

In early 2004, a National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), a nominally independent body designed to protect national IT infrastructure from outside attacks such as that experienced by the Baltic States, was established. At the same time, the Defense Cyber Security Directorate (DCSD) was established. These agencies operated as a single entity, with collocated headquarters and shared facilities. Torrike possesses all the necessary talent and capability to launch effective cyber-attacks and to protect itself against such attacks.

Electronic Warfare (EW)

Torrike’s extensive electronics industry lends itself to the construction of competent EW capability and this is reflected in the Torrikan force structure.

Information Warfare

Torrike has no formal information warfare doctrine as such; however, the non-Military departments have experience of ‘planting’ stories and manipulating the internal media.

Space

Torrike has no known military space capability.

Combined Arctic Training Exercises

Torrike provides extensive training to the Framish military and also feeds Situational Awareness data to the Framish Operations Center while taking feeds from Framland in return.

Coast Guard

Torrike’s Coast Guard is small, but effective. Responsibility for long range search and rescue (SAR) rests with the Navy and the Air Force and the Coast Guard is only responsible for inshore patrols and rescue. It has two patrol vessels and some 20 RHIBs and similar craft to patrol the coastline of the country. The emergency response coordination center is located within the Operations Cell of the MOD’s Operations Command.

Military Industrial Complex

Torrike has a thriving arms industry that provides its forces with most of their requirements. National purchases alone would not be sufficient to sustain the industry at its present capacity and therefore, considerable effort is expended on gaining export contracts. The industry covers a wide arc of capabilities, but shipbuilding, aircraft manufacture, the full range of electronic systems and missile systems have been particularly successful.

Research & Development

National policy is to concentrate on the high end of the technology spectrum (although there is a thriving truck industry) and R&D is targeted in this area. The current emphasis is on reliability, interoperability and integration of systems and there is a clear imperative to make equipment as straightforward to use as possible. This effort has clearly paid off as Torrikan equipment is renowned for its ease of use and reliability.

National Arms Production

The majority of Torrike’s weapons requirements are sourced in‐house, both for the purposes of self‐sufficiency and because this is seen as an area that can make a significant contribution to the Torrikan economy. Torrike has a number of world class defense companies with an emphasis on the higher end of technology and dual use technologies. Examples include the aircraft industry, missiles and especially advanced underwater remotely piloted systems. In certain areas, such as the application of Stirling cycle engines to submarines, Torrike’s capabilities are unique. The shipbuilding industry has produced a variety of designs incorporating stealth capabilities, while the electronics industry produces products that are on a par with anything in the world. Torrike also has a very successful missile industry that has enjoyed considerable export success over the last 20 years.

Chemical Program

Torrike has no known stockpiles of biological weapons and the only known chemical ammunition was phased out in the late 1960s.

Foreign Arms Trade

Torrikan arms exports have been a major earner of hard currency for over 40 years. Considerable success has been achieved in the area of defense electronics, missile and heavy weapons systems and at the lower end, trucks.

Maintenance

As part of its policy of sustaining a healthy defense industry, all in depth maintenance of Military equipment is performed in industry. The Military are responsible for all 1st and most 2nd level maintenance; beyond that, all servicing and repair is done by the manufacturer, or authorized license holder; the intent is to both support local industry and minimize the number of servicemen.

Procurement

The Torrikan procurement policy is based on control of the source of production wherever possible. High technology, high value equipment should be either home sourced, or manufactured under license. Lower value equipment may be purchased from any reliable source. For the most part, the home industry can meet most of the country’s needs.