Armed Forces of the Republic of Phanes

Énoples Dynámeis tis Dimokratías
Founded	Stratós Tou Republíca - 172 AE Republíca Naf̱tikoú - 172 AE
Service branches	Stratós Tou Republíca Republíca Naf̱tikoú
Leadership
Chief of the War Staff
Personnel
Military age	18
Conscription	No
Industry
Domestic suppliers	Tiějiang Foundries Wei-Xia Global Defence Katsoros Shipping Incorporated Stavridis-Hwang Cartel
Foreign suppliers	Corleigh Armaments & Development Corporation (Raumreich)
Annual imports	$6.20 billion (2010–2021)
Annual exports	$12.9 billion (2010–2021)

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Phanes, more commonly known as the Énoples Dynámeis tis Dimokratías, are the military forces responsible for the defence of the territories of the Republic, in addition to promoting the wider interests of the Republic through conventional military means as well as assisting with policing the wider frontiers of the star-nation's borders. In keeping with many other star-faring polities, the Republic's military consists of two armed services; the Stratós Tou Republíca, charged with planetary warfare and limited near-orbital defences, and the Republíca Naf̱tikoú which has responsibility for all space-based military efforts as well as assisting the Republic's Gendarmerie in customs and smuggling enforcement operations.

History

Although a land-based military has existed in some form since the Achilean Betrayal of 37 AE on Sagittar, the seeds of the modern Republic military can be traced back to the Trade War (159 AE-199 AE) which saw the creation of both current branches of the military. During the war, both services evolved considerably, with the earliest vessels of the Naf̱tikoú being hastily converted merchant vessels, often fitted with rudimentary ballistic turrets and bolted-on missile packs, and ending the war as a force fielding purpose-built warships nearly a kilometre in length with mixed armaments of heavy weapons able to destroy settlements from orbit and endo/exo-orbital attack fighters. In turn, the Stratós, having started the war as a disjointed shadow of itself with elements often as hired muscle for various trading houses on Sagittar and anticipating a swift end to the campaign, instead ended it as a battle-hardened force capable of conducting orbital assaults, newly-developed purpose-built equipment such as the Kentaurus IFV and Asterion MBT, and extensive anti-guerilla experience during the pacification of Guangdo (182 AE-187 AE).

The Armed Forces

Stratós Tou Republíca

The Stratós is, strictly speaking, the elder of the two services, with origins that can be traced back as far as the Achilean Betrayal and the army constructed by Jason Constanzakis. Within fifty years, it had evolved into an all-volunteer force that was regarded as a relic, supplementing the myriad law enforcement stations on Sagittar and the two moons orbiting it. The decade preceding the Trade War saw elements of the force go independent, if not in name, then at least in manner, acting as unofficial adjuncts of the various trading houses. The start of the Trade War saw the unprepared and disparate forces of the Stratia land on Guangdo in what was anticipated as a swift occupation before the surrender of the Xhanese. The reality was a bitter siege, with Stratós units abandoned on the surface attempting to hold off the Xhanese reinforcements as the battered fleet of Sagittar fled. Those units which operated on their own authority were largely picked off by the enemy far from friendly lines, forcing the other stranded to adopt a fierce discipline and reassert a legitimate chain of command. The legacy of the Guangdo Stand has left its mark on the organisation, contributing to the lean and efficient nature of the force as it is today, a highly mechanised, well-supported elite branch.

Republíca Naf̱tikoú

Despite being the younger service, the Naf̱tikoú is the larger service. The bulk freighters and tramp shuttles that are the economic lifesblood of the Republic are far in excess of what most other nations would require for such a size, and the Naf̱tikoú is left constantly trying to update and expand itself. In keeping with the doctrine of the Republic, the organisation bases itself on the principle of small, rapid-response vessels to play the role of convoy escorts, patrols, or hunting corsairs, with larger ships providing support against any foe too heavy for the lighter ships.

In addition to operating the main warships of the Republic, the Naf̱tikoú also oversees two other services; the Synoriofýlakes, and the Epibates. The Synoriofýlakes control and operate the scores of Ranger-class patrol ships, drone satellites and sensor bases that protect and monitor the boundaries of what the Republic regards as its own. The latter is a marine unit, trained in zero-gravity and zero-atmosphere combat, and they see use aboard ships, stations and key ground facilities as guards, as well as escorting salvage and SAR teams. The Naf̱tikoú adopted a classification scheme for their ships based on historical descriptions of their ancestor's own naval vessels, with each classification being judged by how many reactors it possesses. This includes both main and reserve variants, the latter being used only in emergencies or when the power output of a main reactor would be too high.