Military: Bothnia

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Military Overview

The essence of Bothnia’s Defense Policy is to defend the Bothnian State and the achievements of the Bothnian people against all aggressors and threats, whether external or internal. To this end, the purpose of the MOD is to prepare, plan and execute the total defense of Bothnia, in conjunction with all other agencies of the Bothnian State. The policy allows for all methods to be used to ensure the survival of the State and does not preclude preemptive actions or limit actions to the territory of Bothnia.

The distant threat of NATO has now become a geographically immediate one. It sees Donovia as an ally, and indeed it has become a useful counter‐balance to the influence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) as well as the unification of Germany (DEU). The admission of Poland (POL), Latvia (LVA), Lithuania (LTU) and Estonia (EST) into NATO and the EU, has proved disturbing to the Bothnian political establishment.

Military Forces

The Bothnian People’s Army (BPA) consists of Land (BPAL), Naval (BPAN), and Air (BPAA) branches of service, with the supporting Rear Services and Weapons & Technology Directorates.  Additionally, although not part of the BPA as such, the Border Troops and Civil Defense organizations report to the Minister of Defense through the Chief of Defense (CHOD) (4*).  The Ministry of Defense (MOD) also provides the Main staff and Secretariat to the National Defense Council (NDC).

 The BPAL is currently undergoing a modernization program, with the aim of its front-line formations fielding Tier 1 equipment and reserve formations inheriting the previously fielded Tier 2/3 equipment.  It is anticipated that the program will be complete by 2030.

 The military establishment of the regular Bothnian forces is around 120,000, or about 2.2% of the population.  Of these, approximately 50% are conscripts.  It is estimated that expenditure on national defense and security is 5% of GDP. 

 All males aged 18 years of age or over are liable for national military and non‐military service, with an obligation that varies between 8 and 12 months, depending on specialization.  On completion of their service period, conscripts are either inducted into the regular armed forces, or join the reserves.  Females may serve voluntarily, but there is no compulsion.  Service in either the regular forces, or reserves, terminates at age 60.  Bothnia has a theoretical potential manpower pool of some 1,000,000 men and slightly fewer women, with some 33,000 men reaching military age each year.  There are only a small number of opportunities to join the regular forces each year and these are usually oversubscribed.

(For additional information on tier tables, see Section 4: Appendix C and the Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG): Vol I, Chapter 1, OPFOR Tier Tables.)

Military Strategy

National Command Authority

Bothnian NCA

Supreme High Command

The National Defense Council of Bothnia (NDC) was created in 1960 as the supreme body of the BPA in charge of national defense matters, including mobilization planning. The NDC holds the supreme command of the BPA and internal security forces, and the NDC’s chairman is the commander‐in‐chief of the BPA. The NDC is designated as the supreme leadership body of the state in time of war or national emergency and possesses full legislative and executive authority when in session. The NDC consists of a chairman and normally, 12 other members, all of whom are also members of the Central Committee of the SPB. Most, but not all of these will also be members of the Politburo. Some NDC members can also hold leadership roles in the ‘armed elements’ of the state (BPA; Police; Ministry for Constitutional Security).(See TC 7-100.2 Opposing Force Tactics: Chapter 1, Strategic and Operational Framework.)

Strategic Operational Framework

The Central Headquarters of the Bothnian MOD is located in the capital, Brahea.  The Chief of Defense Staff and his staff provide the Minister and the NDC with military advice.  The final decision on all major matters of defense, including approval of changes in the readiness state, the authorization of military operations and any matters of military command that are important in principle, or practice, rests with the Chairman of the NDC.  The headquarters consists of a number of departments and administrations, several of which appear to have overlapping areas of authority.  Within the HQ structure, the Operations Directorate (in conjunction with the Planning Directorate) forms the basis of a General Staff in the event of hostilities being declared. 

There are approximately 3,200 personnel in the central HQ.

Adjacent to the HQ staffs and coequal with the CHOD is the Main Political Administration Office (MPAO) with some 200 staff.  Headed up by a senior political appointee who is given a 4* equivalent rank, this office nominally reports to the Minister and is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the political reliability of the armed forces.  In reality, the Chief reports directly to and receives guidance from the Politburo.  Each arm of the military services has an embedded branch of the Political Administration within it; these branches bypass the normal reporting structure and report directly to the MPAO.

(See FM   7-100.4  Opposing Force Organization Guide: Chapter 3, Task Organizing.)

National Strategic Goals

Although Bothnia’s Defense Plans are classified, the following Defense Priorities are publically promulgated:

•   DP1: Protect the socialist achievements against all external attacks.

•   DP2: Protection of the Homeland (including territorial waters and economic zones).

•   DP3: Defend Bothnia’s interests through the projection of appropriate power.

•   DP4: Provide Aid to the Civil Power in times of Emergency or Crisis.

Collectively they contribute to the overall mission: ‘Defense and preservation of the State against all threats’.

Named after its author, Gen Urho Saarinen (CHOD 1956 ‐1961), the Saarinen Plan envisaged an extremely aggressive forward response to any hostile act from the Donovia.  In essence, the aim was to conduct the maximum amount of combat outside of Bothnian territory.  It was recognized that ultimately Bothnia could not win a war with the Donovia, but by inflicting sufficient damage on the opposition, a favorable end state could be achieved.  Otso was to be turned into a positive buffer and Bothnian troops would advance rapidly as far forward as possible.  Considerable use of infiltration units to strike behind enemy lines was envisaged and mobility combined with firepower was seen as key.  Bothnian air forces were unlikely to be able to match those of the WP, so the focus was on Air Defense (initially AAA, later augmented by multiple SAM systems), with the provision of adequate tactical transportation to position and support deep penetration parties.  Bothnian naval units were charged with control of the Gulf of Finland and interdiction of WP warships in the Baltic Sea; considerable use of mine warfare was envisaged.

Bothnian military doctrine has been largely shaped from the experience of World War II that led to the delineation of the current borders. 

Notwithstanding the official ‘line’ that the separation of the territory that is now Otso represented no real loss, the truncation of the former country was a traumatic experience for many in the military, not least because it drove home the limitations of a small country in the face of overwhelming military power. While the official enemy was clearly the capitalist West, the main perceived existential threat to Bothnia’s independence from the late 1940s to 1990 was Donovia and the Warsaw Pact. The invasion of Hungary in 1956 and of Czechoslovakia in 1968 reinforced this view.  The collapse of the wider Donovian Union in the 90s has permitted the pursuit of wider political aims and has allowed the Defense Staffs to look beyond the immediate requirements of self‐defense and to modify their operational concepts to match changing political requirements.  Bothnian military analysis of recent, worldwide conflicts has influenced changes in the operational concepts that underpin the doctrine. However, the broad tenets of Bothnian military doctrine have remained unchanged since their formulation during the period from 1960 to the mid‐80s. 

Bothnia’s prime strategic capability is its Theater Ballistic Missile (TBM) Brigade, which possesses the ability to strike into the Baltic States.  Although it is part of the normal C2 structure of the Land branch of the BPA, it is viewed as a strategic asset, not a tactical or operational one. The SCUD Brigade incorporates a Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) organization within its structure to deal with accidents or incidents arising from fuel spills during missile preparation.

Implementing National Security Goals

Strategic operations remain a continuous process not limited to wartime or war preparation. Once war begins, strategic operations  continue during regional, transition, and adaptive operations and complement those operations. Each of the latter three types of operations occurs only during war and only under certain conditions. Transition operations can overlap regional and adaptive operations.

In pursuit of its national security strategies, Bothnia is prepared to conduct four basic types of strategic-level courses of action:

• Strategic operations use all instruments of power in peace and war to achieve a country’s national security strategy goals through attacks against the enemy’s strategic centers of gravity.
• Regional operations include conventional, force-on-force military operations against over-matched opponents, such as regional adversaries and internal threats.
• Transition operations bridge the gap between regional and adaptive operations and contain some elements of both. The country continues to pursue its regional goals while dealing with developing outside intervention that has the potential to over-match its military.
• Adaptive operations preserve the country’s power and apply it in adaptive ways against opponents that over-match the country’s military.

National Security Strategy

Since the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, Bothnia has gradually formed and uneasy alliance with Donovia.  Although a member of the Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC), the Bothnian government see the previous alliance with Torrike as unworkable, especially since the dispute over the island of Gotland brought historical tensions to a head.

Donovia has been instrumental in the modernization program which is underway in the BPA.  They have supplied military hardware to Bothnia at below-cost price.  Analysis suggests that Donovia could plan to utilize Bothnia as a proxy in any future conflict with NATO.

Military Forces Overview

Military Strategy

The Bothnian military ethos seeks to build on the preparatory work of the Youth Society of Bothnia (YSB) and the education system in producing well rounded individuals who are grounded in the socialist philosophy of Bothnia. Every unit has its own political officers to assist this project.  However, Bothnia’s military leaders also need to imbue their conscripts with an effective military ethos in a very short time.  The key to this is emphasis on comradeship, practical experience and initiative.  The majority of training concentrates heavily on practical and challenging activities, usually outdoors.  Formal drill is kept to a minimum, and the maximum amount of time possible is spent on realistic military duties.  From the first day in service, troops are taught both to support each other and to rely on each other.  Although discipline is strict when on duty, socially, all ranks mix as co‐equals and considerable effort is expended in creating a strong sense of comradeship.  On duty, officers go out of their way to be seen to be sharing the tribulations of the troops.  This foundation is then nurtured in the reserve forces.  This approach has proved to be highly successful.

Their prime mission is the defense and preservation of the State against all threats.  The following roles and tasks are derived from that mission:

•   Surveillance of national borders, on land, sea and the air

•   Organization of the total defense of the nation

•   Provision of military assistance to national security authorities against internal strife

•   Provision of an ability to project military power beyond the nation’s borders

•   Coordination of defense efforts with other regional powers

•   Provision of military assistance to national or international authorities in response to natural or manmade disasters

Army Overview

The heart of the BPA is the Land Force (BPAL).  The BPA is charged with the defense of territorial integrity of Bothnia and the protection of the socialist achievements of the Bothnian state. In the event of war, the BPAL takes the lead in total defense and the other military and civil arms act in conjunction with and support of its operations.   Traditionally organized on Donovian lines, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the political and military establishment realigned the armed forces, including the C2 structure in recent times.  Administratively the BPAL still utilizes a Corps/Division/Regiment model; typically it task-organizes into a more hybrid and agile brigade tactical group (BTG) under a Strategic High Command (SHC).  The new structure is less manpower and materiel intensive and easier to direct and control.

Army Size and Structure

The structure of the Land force is conventional with a central staff, one operational Command with a number of Corps controlling the regular forces, and two ancillary Commands; The normal non‐crisis establishment is around 70,000 personnel, of whom 40,000 are conscripts. Combat power is organized in a number of ‘balanced’ divisions incorporating tanks, mechanized and motorized infantry with artillery and mobile anti‐aircraft defense (AAA and SAM).  However, the basic operational unit is the BTG and it is expected that commanders will form all arms brigades from the constituent elements of the division, mixing and matching capabilities as the situation requires.  In addition to the divisional structure, there are several stand‐alone brigades (airborne; naval infantry; theater missiles and attack helicopters) and a specialist special purpose forces (SPF) organization.  Administratively, these are controlled by IV Corps, but their employment is dictated by the central staffs.  

With the exception of IV Corps, the corps structure is regionally based and provides peacetime administration and control of the deployable units and command and control of the regions fixed bases.  Each corps is responsible for the planning, organization and execution of the defense of its region and assumes command of the fixed defense structure of the region upon mobilization of the reserve forces.

The Bothnian army designs its maneuver brigades to serve as the basis to form a brigade tactical group (BTG) if necessary. A brigade, separate or as part of a BTG, can fight as part of a division or division tactical group (DTG), a separate unit in an operational-strategic command (OSC), an organization of the AFS (such as army, corps, or military district), or as part of a field group (FG). (For additional information, see TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 2, Command and Control.)

Operations Command (3*)

Operations Command based in Brahea is composed of 4 corps which together provide geographic coverage of the entire region:

• I Corps (3*) Based at Oulu, I Corps is responsible for the Arctic and Northern region of Bothnia.  It incorporates the Arctic Motorized Infantry Division which is equipped and trained to operate within the specialized environment north of the Arctic Circle.
• II Corps (3*) Based at Vaasa, responsible for defense of the west.  The corps controls two operational divisions and two reserve divisions.
• VI Corps (3*) Based at Hameenlinna, responsible for defense of the south.  The corps controls two operational divisions and two reserve divisions.
• IV Corps (3*) IV Corps based in Brahea provides the organizational structure for the independent Brigades – airborne, naval infantry and the attack helicopter brigade, as well as the administrative home of the SPF Battalion and the Theater Missile Brigade.                     

Home-front Command (3*)

Home-front Command based in Tampere is a skeleton structure that assumes command of the regional defense of Bothnia once a total state of emergency is declared. In peacetime, its primary function is the administration of the regional military command structures and management of the nominal allocation of reserves to regions for defense purposes and the integration of regional defense and civil defense planning. 

Land Support Command (3*)

Land Support Command, based in Brahea and co‐located with Land Forces HQ, is responsible for training and materiel support of the Land Forces. It runs the military academies, logistics and manpower administration for the BPA.

Army Doctrine and Tactics

From the mid‐80s, a reappraisal of doctrine moved the emphasis further away from heavy armored formations and more importance was given to mobility.  Analysis of the conduct of the First Gulf War showed the vulnerability of tanks and fixed defenses to agile and flexible formations.  The Bothnian visualization of this, is as ‘fluid’ warfare, rather than maneuver warfare.  The equipment and training programs were amended to support this approach emphasizing mobility, firepower and deep penetration operations.  Current doctrine remains firmly bedded in the key tenets outlined above.  It is considered that defense of the homeland is best achieved by carrying the fight to the aggressor through aggressive forward operations secured on a solid defense organization within Bothnian territories.

Army Training and Readiness

All recruits undertake three months intensive basic military skills training at the end of which they are streamed by ability and aptitude to a specific branch of service. Specialist follow on training lasts between one and three months depending on the subject; this may be in a specialist school or in a unit.  Once every three years, all reserves are called up and a complete force exercise is held, which integrates all units and branches of the service in exercising an outline defense plan.  The most recent exercise of this nature was held in the three years ago. Most units maintain a 70% operational readiness rate.

Army Equipment and Weapons

The BPAL operates a variety of equipment throughout its force structure ranging from tier 1 for selected equipment to tier 3 for other gear. The newest and best equipment is purposely assigned to the Regular Divisions or in units that directly report to the SHC. As new equipment is purchased and received, their equipment is cascaded down to the Reserves that in turn either transfer their equipment to storage for the use of Homefront Command as required; excess equipment is sold as surplus to other countries. (For further information see Section 4: Appendix C or the Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG), Vol. 1, Chapter 1, OPFOR Tier Tables.)

Naval Forces Overview

The Bothnian People’s Army Naval Service (BPAN) is charged with the defense of territorial integrity, the safeguarding of Bothnia’s vital sea lines of communication and maintenance of Bothnia’s freedom of navigation within the Baltic Sea.  To this end, the BPAN has invested heavily in fast attack craft, mine warfare, and fixed and mobile surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) systems. Indications of a change in approach, if not doctrine have been building since the mid‐2000s, with the acquisition of a small submarine force and some larger surface warfare vessels. It also possesses an amphibious assault capability which can project power beyond Bothnia’s territorial waters (TTW).

Navy Size and Structure

The Naval arm has a higher percentage of mobilized strength serving during ‘peace‐time’ than the other arms.  The strength of the service is around 26,000 in peace, increasing to 39,000 when mobilized.  Conscripts within the naval arm serve a full 12 months and have a higher reserve training commitment than the norm for the first five years after completion of service.  Despite this, naval service is popular not least because service in the fast attack craft is exciting.

The Navy is organized along fairly conventional lines, with a Fleet HQ, three operational commands and a support command.

2.1 Command of the Northern Sea

The Command of the Northern Sea consists of an HQ based in Vaasa and 2 fast attack flotillas. Although not a military asset as such, the Command has priority on the services of the local ice‐breaking vessels.

2.2 Command of the Western Sea

The Command of the Western Sea HQ is located at Pansio (Turku) and consists of 4 Flotillas.

2.3 Command of the Gulf of Finland

The Command of the Gulf of Finland HQ is located in Upinniemi (Kirkkonummi). The command consists of four Flotillas.

2.4 Naval Support Command

The NSC is located in Heikkila (Turku) and is responsible for all the support functions of the BPN. This includes the Naval Academy and all training schools, naval depots and all fixed shore facilities for the fleet. It is responsible for logistics support, including medical services, of the fleet.

Navy Doctrine and Tactics

The BPAN’s primary mission is the protection of the State’s integrity through command of the sea approaches and Bothnian littoral.  This mission is regarded as largely defensive in character, but does not preclude offensive, or pre‐emptive action.  Within this mission, the Navy has identified the following tasks:

·        Maritime Surveillance: The use of active patrolling and passive surveillance to maintain control of Bothnian waters.

·        Surface Warfare: The use of both aggressive and reactive missile boat tactics to disrupt and defeat the enemy.

·        Submarine Warfare: The offensive use of submarines to block an enemy’s approach, or isolate any landing force.

·        Mine Warfare: The offensive and defensive use of mines to constrain and defeat an enemy; and the associated mine clearance.

·        Coastal Defense: The use of fixed and mobile missile launchers to repel enemy shipping.

·        Power Projection: The ability to launch and sustain an amphibious force outside of Bothnia’s territory.

·        Assistance: To police and customs on maritime policing duties.

Navy Training and Readiness

Where the Land training cycle is concerned with the integration of large intakes of conscripts into the force and building operational cohesiveness, the lower ratio of conscripts to regulars permits the naval forces to adopt a more measured approach. The majority of conscript training is still done at unit level, but each unit only receives one entry of conscripts per year. The training cycle sequence is maintenance, ship function, individual ship tactics, and unit operations, culminating in a squadron level exercise after which the cycle is completed, conscripts are released to the reserves and the cycle starts again.  Live firing exercises take place during each of the final three phases.  Different squadrons in the force aTo Be Confirmedre at different stages in the cycle, so operational readiness is preserved.  Naval reservists perform continuation training throughout the year.  Naval forces are full participants in the tri‐annual Bothnian Defense Exercise..

Air Force Overview

The Bothnian People’s Army Air Force (BPAA) is charged with the air defense of the country and its territorial integrity in conjunction with the other military arms of the state.  To this end, it possesses a wide range of capabilities and considerable combat power within a comparatively small force.  There is no indigenous aircraft design capability as such, and so, the most appropriate design is sourced from outside and then manufactured under license or assembled from knockdown kits.  During the Cold War, Bothnia procured its aircraft exclusively from Donovia. Since the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, it has attempted to broaden its options.   

Air Force Size and Structure

The Chief of the BPAA (CBPAA) and the Air Force HQ is located in Jyväskylä in the center of the country.  The three Commands report directly to the Air Force HQ.  The Air Force is organized into a single operational Command and two supporting Commands.

The peacetime strength of the BPAA is 26,000 which expands to 42,000 on mobilization.  Only some 38% of the peacetime strength is conscript due to the highly technical nature of the force.  All flying positions and many of the technical officers and SNCOs are professional posts with the incumbents serving on an eight year engagement (after successful completion of professional training).

Air Defense Command (3*)

Air Defense Command (ADC) HQ is located in Jyväskylä and has three air defense regions reporting to it.  ADC is responsible for all aspects of the air defense (AD) of the country utilizing both ground based AD and air based. Each region has the capacity and structure to permit it to control either the region autonomously, or indeed, the entire AD structure.  The Air Defense Regions, (North (2*) at Rovaniemi , West (2*) at Kauhavva and South (2*) at Tampere‐Pirkkala) align with the regional command structure of the BPA.  

Support Command (1*)

Support Command is located at Tampere and is responsible for all aspects of logistic and material support, including maintenance of main and forward operating bases within Bothnia.

Training Command (1*)

Training Command is located at Kauhavva and is responsible for all aspects of air training from the Air Force Academy through all specializations down to Forward Air Controller training.

Air Force Doctrine and Tactics

The BPAA’s primary mission is to contribute effectively to the ‘Total Defense of the Bothnian State and its Socialist Achievements’, in combination with the other branches of service of the BPA. From this mission, it derives the following tasks:

1.   Air defense of the territory of Bothnia including its territorial waters.

2.   Air combat support to the BPAL in times of conflict.

3.   Air support to the BPAN, including maritime surveillance.

4.   The provision of tactical and strategic transport to the BPA.

5.   Surveillance and reconnaissance against prospective opponents.

The Bothnian air force modified its doctrine and tactics based on observing other countries’ conflicts, including the US. It will use force-on-force engagement with a regional competitor. Additionally, the Bothnian air force will likely exhibit a show of force as a warning before actually committing to air combat and use its air force to support ground troops and protect key infrastructure.

Air Force Training and Readiness

Bothia’s Air Force operates mostly well-trained units with a 95% equipment operational readiness rate throughout.

As is the case for the naval forces, the air force’s training cycle is not driven by the needs of the conscript intake. The technical nature of the force means that the ratio of conscripts to regulars is much lower than land forces and for the most part, their functions tend to be at the more menial end of the scale. The BPAA runs the complete gamut of flying training from basic to advanced, as well as the full range of technical training.  Most basic flying training instructors and many of the technical training instructional staff are civilians under contract who also hold reserve commissions.  In the event of mobilization, they would assume their military ranks and contribute to the overall force strength.

 The operational training focus of the air service is to build and maintain the efficiency of the unit in its designated role.  The program is closely linked to that of the land forces seeking to integrate land and air operations to the maximum extent.  Live firing for the AD and GA squadrons takes place at an annual Armament Practice Camp (APC), the second half of which is usually linked to an Army exercise.

Air Force Equipment and Weapons

TBC

The Air Force has a trial program investigating the use of UAVs for reconnaissance missions and would ideally like to obtain some UAVs with an offensive capability. However, the whole issue of the use and ownership of UAVs within the BPA is still under discussion, with all the branches of service pushing their own perspective.

Government Paramilitary Forces

The nature of the Bothnian defense philosophy means that there are a variety of organizations that do not fit neatly into the traditional military mold. 

Reserves

Bothnia is a leading socialist state working in the interests of the People, therefore, all inhabitants are considered available to assist in the defense of socialist achievement.  The reserve forces concept is an exercise in the art of the possible.  The basic defense philosophy is one of total defense and all adults receive an element of defense training, either military (mainly male) or civil defense (mainly female).  After completion of National Service, all men between the ages of 18 and 50 who are not actually serving in one of the branches of the BPA, or associated Organs of the State (i.e. Border Troops, etc.) are liable for reserve service, including periodic refresher training.  On the introduction of new equipment, defense systems and weapons are mothballed and kept in a sufficiently good state of repair as to be able to be brought back into service in emergencies.  So, in theory, Bothnia has a vast number of men (c1,000,000) and weapons (albeit many of them old) that can be brought into service in the defense of the country.

The Constitutional Guards Regiment

The Constitutional Guards Regiment is a specialized armed unit controlled by the Ministry of Constitutional Security (MfCS). 

Law Enforcement

The People’s Police and Transport Police receive basic military training.  Of note, Bothnian Riot Control police have deployed Dibenzoxazepine (CR) gas on a number of occasions.  Although used by a number of other countries for riot control it is notable that the US military classes CR as a ‘combat class chemical weapon’ due to its severe and long‐lasting effects.  It is not clear why CR is used instead of the more common CS gas.  However, it is believed that Bothnia has stockpiled a significant amount of CR gas in several sites around centers of population.

 Working Class Combat Group (WCCG)

The WCCG comprises a pool of semi‐skilled manpower that is intended to ease the mobilization of the country and ensure that essential infrastructure is kept serviceable, that transportation routes are kept clear (or blocked if the situation requires) and that the military and reserve forces can concentrate on essential matters. The WCCG is organized regionally and is largely staffed by the men in the mid to late 40s and older.  The local commanders are drawn from the politically motivated younger element of the populace and command of a WCCG, or series of CGs is seen as a good career move for Party Members.  WCCG members receive a small amount of military training in addition to their normal reservist training.   

Youth Society of Bothnia

The YSB is a major component in the socialist element of military training.  All young men between the ages of 16 and 25 are required to undergo pre‐military training prior to being called up.  The YSB units at secondary schools, vocational schools and other educational institutes provide this.  Although the training is nominally military based, the key element is the political one, with emphasis on discipline, physical fitness and political indoctrination. The semi‐military organization allows the YSB to instill a sense of discipline in their members, while the physical fitness training based on outdoor activities is genuinely popular as well as preparing individuals for the harsh realities of service life. Political reliability is instilled through lectures and self‐criticism workshops as well as ceremonies to celebrate achievement. Specific military training includes preparation for specialized functions within the BPA, including driving, mechanics, diving, parachuting, gliding and flying.  Personnel in full time education who have completed their national service, serve as instructors and are obliged to assist YSB units to bring their fellow students up to speed.  The last published figures for the YSB (2016) showed there were approximately 280,000 YSB members and almost 50,000 instructors. The top level leadership of the YSB consists of retired BPA senior officers.

 Border Troops (BT)

The prime focus of the Border Troops formation is internal and its, unstated, function is to prevent escape from the workers’ paradise of Bothnia and not the official mission of protecting the country from an influx of envious outsiders.  As the name implies, the disposition of forces is largely along the land borders with other nations.  The main border with Otso is over 1,300 km, while those with Torrike and Framland are much shorter at 155 km and 183 km respectively.  However, Bothnia also has an extensive coastline to guard.  Like the more conventional forces, the BT consists of conscripts, short term soldiers and career soldiers.  Because of the nature of their duties, the BT has a higher number of females in its short term and career elements than is normal for the Bothnian forces. 

Structure

The BT structure is regionally based.  The central command is based in Brahea, with control of the country split into three area commands and 14 regional Battalions.  

The Border Troops central HQ is based in Brahea and the Chief of the BT (2*) reports to the CHOD.   

 The three area HQs are:

1.   Border Command North (1*): based in Oulu.  Controls the border battalions in: Länsi‐Lappi; Pohjois‐Pohjanmaa.

2.   Border Command Centre (1*): based in Vaasa.  Controls the border battalions in: Keski‐Pohjanmaa; Pohjanmaa; Etalä‐Pohjanmaa; Keski‐Suomi; Pirkanmaa.

3.   Border Command South (1*): based in Lahti.  Controls the border battalions in: Ahvenanmaa; Satakunta; Varinais‐Suomi; Kanta‐Häme; Uusimaa; ItaUusimaa and Päijät‐Häme.

The Coastal Border Brigade HQ is collocated with the Naval Command of the Western Sea in Pansio (Turku), while the Air Patrol staff element is collocated with the Air Defense Region South HQ at Tampere‐Pirkkala. 

Military Functions

Joint Capabilities

The guiding philosophy of Bothnia’s military is that of ‘Total Defense’.  To this end, all capabilities are regarded as essential elements of a whole and are not considered environment specific in the manner of other nations.  Each element of the structure exercises regularly with other elements as a cohesive whole.  This does not prevent the normal frictions that exist between the differing mentalities of Land, Sea and Air, but the overriding approach is a Joint one that seeks to maximize the efficiency of the full range of capabilities.

Key Joint capabilities include medical, training and logistics.

Medical

The medical structure is entirely Joint with no distinction made between the elements of the Armed Forces.  All medical, dental and veterinary professions are combined within a single BPA Medical Corps. Each branch of service includes medical staff and medical support is integrated into Bothnian military planning processes.    While the military have no dedicated hospitals they do maintain Military Medical Units (MMUs) directly alongside major civilian hospitals which are among the best staffed and equipped in Bothnia    

Training

The BPA HQ establishes the operational training master plan for all elements of the Armed Forces.  This effectively creates the skeleton within which each of the arms of service must plan its internal training.  The master plan culminates in a major live exercise (LIVEX) each year which involves at least one third of all the units, with a LIVEX involving almost the entire forces (including reserves) once every three years.

Logistics

Technically, since the BPA is a single force with specialist branches of service, all logistics are Joint.  The reality is slightly different, but through use of a responsibility matrix, each branch of service runs elements of logistics for all branches of the service. Thus ‘transportation’ is an Army’ responsibility, while all Air Stores are the responsibility of the Air Force. However, the overall logistics policy and structure is guided by the Rear Services Directorate.

The Bothnian armed forces may act independently or jointly, and will engage in regular, irregular, or hybrid warfare. When conducting hybrid warfare, Bothnia’s regular forces will act in concert with irregular forces and/or criminal elements to achieve mutually benefiting effects. In such cases, the national-level strategy, operational designs, and courses of action of the Bothnian military constitute a wide range of capabilities and motives.

Command and Control

The core of Bothnia’s command and control (C2) concept remains the assumption that modern communications are susceptible to attack and/or monitoring. Accordingly, the military operates from the view that centralized planning helps assure both command (establishing the aim) and control (sustaining the aim), leading to strategic and operational directions. Necessarily then, the military relies on the loyalty of its forces and extends far-ranging authority for troops to act while foregoing rigorous control as unproductive in the modern environment. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 2, Command and Control.)

Bothnian military battalions have a headquarters composed of a command section including the commander, deputy commander, and a small staff element, as well as a staff section with the chief of staff and the remainder of the battalion staff. The battalion staff consists of the operations officer, assistant operations officer, intelligence officer, and resources officer. The signal platoon leader also serves as the battalion communications officer, and the reconnaissance platoon leader acts as the chief of reconnaissance, while the materiel support platoon leader serves as the battalion resources officer. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 2, Command and Control.)

C2 at the tactical level of command emphasizes survivability through mobility, redundancy, and security. Command posts and procedures are streamlined at the operational level, relying heavily on common procedures for important recurring tactical tasks.

Maneuver

The Bothnian military has a robust capability to conduct combined arms operations; the basic combined arms unit is the BTG. In the administrative force structure, maneuver regiments are typically constituent to divisions—called divisional regiments/brigades. However, these can be task-organized as separate brigades, designed to have greater ability to accomplish independent missions without further allocation of forces from higher-level tactical headquarters.

Air Defense

The Bothnian Air Defense Command (ADC), whilst ordinarily subordinate to the CHAF, in times of war is subordinate to the Supreme High Command. It provides air defense coverage for Bothnian units. It also supports combined arms combat by the comprehensive integration of a large number and variety of weapons and associated equipment into an effective, redundant air defense system. Employment of this system pursues the basic objectives of air defense by employing certain concepts and principles. This is best accomplished by establishing an integrated air defense system (IADS). Air defense weapons and surveillance systems at all levels of command are part of an IADS. This ability provides a continuous, unbroken (usually overlapping) umbrella of air defense coverage and presents a significant threat to any potential enemy air activity.

Bothnia recognizes that air defense is an all-arms effort. Thus, all ground units possess some type of an organic air defense capability to differing degrees, depending on the type and size of the unit. The ADC continuously looks for new and adaptive ways of employing not only air defense systems but also systems not traditionally associated with air defense. Many weapons not designed as air defense weapons will also damage and/or destroy tactical aircraft when within range.

Throughout maneuver units, there are a number of systems designed for air defense and other systems that can be used in an air defense role. The heavy anti-aircraft machine-guns on tanks are specifically designed for air defense. Machine guns on armored personnel carriers and automatic cannon on infantry fighting vehicles can engage both ground and air targets. Most antitank guided missiles (ATGMs) are extremely effective against low-flying helicopters. Several ATGM manufacturers offer anti-helicopter missiles and compatible fire control, which are especially effective against low-flying rotary-wing aircraft. Field artillery and small arms can also be integral parts of the air defense scheme. All these weapons can be extremely lethal when used in this role.

Bothnia considers every soldier with a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) to be an air defense firing unit. These weapons are readily available at a relatively low cost and are widely proliferated. Therefore, Bothnian ground forces are acquiring as many MANPADS as possible and issuing them in large numbers to a wide variety of units. The military can also disseminate them to selected affiliated forces. The small size and easy portability of these systems provides the opportunity for ambush of enemy air-frames operating in any area near Bothnian units. Ground units also employ them to set ambushes for enemy helicopters, especially those on routine logistics missions. (For more information, see TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics,  Chapter 11, Air Defense.)

INFOWAR

Bothnia defines information warfare (INFOWAR) as specifically planned and integrated actions to achieve an information advantage at critical points and times. The goal is to influence an enemy’s decision-making cycle through collected and available information, information systems, and information-based processes, while retaining the ability to employ friendly information and information-based processes and systems. Bothnia has a robust INFOWAR capability.

RISTA

Reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition (RISTA) is viewed as the single- most important function for the Bothnian military. Thus, Bothnian forces typically commit significant resources to RISTA-related operations, which are usually aggressive with overlapping redundancy in the intelligence disciplines. The table below summarizes the effective ranges for reconnaissance assets that can support Bothnia’s tactical commanders.

Fire Support

Bothnian military doctrine stresses that fire support combines air assets, surface-to-surface missiles, and artillery into an integrated attack against enemy defenses as well as for offense operations. In past conflicts, Bothnia’s military successfully integrated fire support into operations, from close to deep-strike capability. The commanders always seek to increase the effectiveness of air and missile strikes and artillery fire to destroy enemy formations, weapons systems, or key components of an enemy combat system. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 9, Indirect Fire Support.)

Protection

Bothnia will attempt to minimize civilian casualties to a large extent. The military has engineering assets to reinforce civilian and military positions. The C2 and fire support systems are  sophisticated enough to minimize the threat of “friendly fire” or other accidents. However, military and civilian populations are closely integrated, making it difficult for invaders to launch attacks without the risk of civilian casualties that would enrage the population and be used as ammunition for INFOWAR. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 12, Engineer Support and Chapter 7, Information Warfare.)

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear

Bothnia does not possess a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons capability; it does however possess a CBRN unit to deal with potential hazards.  It does not categorize its CR stockpile as a chemical weapon.

It does however have a substantial industrial base that produces large quantities of toxic industrial chemicals (TIC), which are chemical substances possessing acute toxicity. An adjunct to chemical weapons is use of TIC, which can easily be exploited as improvised (or converted into) chemical weapons by military and civilians alike. (For additional information on possible high- and moderate-risk TIC possibly available to Bothnia see the Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG):, Vol. I, Chapter 14, Improvised Military Systems. For additional information on the capabilities, release authority (NCA), and employment of CBRN see TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 13, CBRN and Smoke. For specific technical information, delivery means, agents, and effects of CBRN see the WEG, Vol. I, Chapter 11, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN).)

Research & Development Goals

Bothnia recognized that it lacked the industrial depth to be self‐sufficient in military manufacture and so a policy of ‘best effect’ has slowly been developed since the mid‐70s.  This policy can be categorized as “make what you must, or what is advantageous to make; buy everything else, but ensure full technical details are obtained so that it can be repaired and supported in‐country”.  In addition to defense‐industrial links with Torrike, Bothnia procures equipment from a wide variety of sources.  The basic principles against which equipment is bought are:

• Build what you realistically can
• Build items that make a difference
• Buy what you must
• Buy the best you can afford
• Only buy what you can support

The Weapons & Technology Directorate is responsible for the evaluation of all prospective weapons purchases, maximizing the effectiveness of current weapons systems, the evaluation of the weapons of potential adversaries and development of effective defenses against those systems and research into future technologies that may be exploited for the defense of Bothnia. The Weapons & Technology Directorate is responsible for the evaluation of all prospective weapons purchases, maximizing the effectiveness of current weapons systems, the evaluation of the weapons of potential adversaries and development of effective defenses against those systems and research into future technologies that may be exploited for the defense of Bothnia. The Directorate maintains a presence in several civil research facilities and universities, with particular emphasis on communication, electronics, software, biotechnology and space research.

Summary

The Bothnian People’s Army has been transformed in recent years.  Its equipment was previously antiquated, but the enlargement of NATO and its ongoing conflict with Torrike has spurred a modernization program into action.  Coupled with their alliance with Donovia, this leaves Bothnia as the power broker within the region.