Military of Lindenholt

Royal Lindian Armed Forces
Koninklijke Lindiaanse Krijgsmacht
Founded	1793 (1793)
Current form	1945 (1945)
Service branches	Royal Ground Forces Royal Sea Forces Royal Air Forces Royal Realm Guard
Headquarters	Artwingen
Leadership
Prime Minister	Jasper Tulpen
Minister of Defence	Martin Draaf
Chief of Staff	Gerard van Uilenbergen
Personnel
Military age	17
Available for military service	33,185,495, age 17-49
Fit for military service	27,156,932, age 17-49
Reaching military age annually	712,407
Active personnel	206,914 military and civilian (2019)
Expenditure
Budget	$63.8 billion (2018)
Percent of GDP	1.81% (2018)
Industry
Domestic suppliers	Aerobus Bouwer Dekkers Pittacus
Foreign suppliers	Allentyr Aznazia Capsland Umbrellya

The Military of Lindenholt, officially known as the Royal Lindian Armed Forces (Dutch: Koninklijke Lindiaanse Krijgsmacht), is the military of Lindenholt. It encompasses four service branches, those being the Royal Lindian Ground Forces, Royal Lindian Sea Forces, Royal Lindian Air Forces and the Royal Lindian Realm Guard. The armed forces are tasked with maintaining the territorial integrity of Lindenholt as well as promoting Lindenholt's interests overseas, maintaining the international rule of law and providing disaster relief. In addition, the Realm Guard is tasked with national policing, border patrol, customs and coastguard roles.

To perform their duties, the armed forces are equipped with modern and technologically sophisticated weapons systems and materiel. While a significant amount of its equipment is designed and produced by domestic weapons manufacturers such as Aerobus, Bouwer, Dekkers and Pittacus, a considerable amount of its equipment is sourced from foreign arms manufacturers such as the Allentyrian Industrial Syndicate from Allentyr, Aviary from Umbrellya and several military contractors from Aznazia.

The Royal Lindian Armed Forces employs a total of 206,914 personnel; of which 150,214 are part of uniformed services. The remaining 56,700 are civilians who perform duties that range from administration to cyber warfare to maintenance. With a budget of around 2.0% of its GDP, the military was allocated a budget of around $77,6 billion in 2017.

Lindenholt is a member of the Ventismar Union and LUCA. Both organisations have common defence clauses, which means that Lindenholt shall act in the defence of its allies. Lindenholt has close ties to the MDAA, being a partner state of the alliance. Sunrisian military personnel are stationed in Lindenholt and conduct exercises with Lindian forces regularly.

History

17th and 18th century

The Lindian military traces its history back to shortly after the country was founded. A standing Lindian military came in to existence in 1604 when the Lindian Republic's parliament passed a bill establishing the State's Navy (Staatse Marine) in an effort to better protect Lindian shipping. The State's Navy would come to control all ocean going war vessels of the Lindian provinces represented in the states general, and would be financed by all the provinces.

Despite the ships being under the ownership of the state, the provinces' own sailors manned the ships. This caused a conflict of interest, and in 1607 all sailors on board these ships were made directly in service of the parliament in Artwingen. Seeing their rights being taken away by the central government, the provinces protested by refusing to provide regular infantry soldiers to guard the ships against raiding pirates on the open seas. Left with no other choice, the states general founded Lindenholt's first standing army unit in 1608; the 1st Marine Infantry Regiment consisted mainly of enlisted sons of Lindian fishermen. They were tasked with guarding Lindian warships, and in 1610 were also assigned to protect Lindian commercial shipping against enemy fleets.

Sailing the open seas had become cheaper and safer for merchants and colonial charters alike due to the guaranteed protection against pirates and hostile fleets due the State's marine infantry and navy. This led to an increase in expeditions to the orient and new world. The expansion in colonial areas lead to the founding of the first colonial infantry regiments; active all across the world. These infantry regiments were in service of the Republic; unlike the Lindian armies in Ventismar - which were loyal to their respective province.

Over the course of the 17th century more and more of the province's defence tasks were taken over by the Republic, until 1726 when the State's Army (Staatse Leger) was founded. Despite this the provinces kept their own militaries, most of which had diminished to small (often ceremonial forces) by that time until the Republic was abolished. The State's Army would be Lindenholt's first fully standing national army.

Ground Forces

File:1e Pantsermarinier Bataljon.png

ORBAT-graphic of the 1st Mechanised Marine Infantry Battalion...

File:12e Pantser Bataljon ORBAT.png

...the 12th Armoured Battalion...

File:16e Pantserinfantrie Regiment ORBAT.png

...the 16th Mechanised Infantry Regiment...

File:4e Rijksreserve Regiment.png

...the 4th National Reserve Regiment...

File:5e Luchtmobiel Bataljon.png

...and finally, the 5th Airmobile Battalion.

The Ground Force's command structure is the most complicated of all service branches of the Lindian Armed Forces. It features four full-sized divisions, each consisting out of three brigades, and a smaller two brigade sized division with extensive amphibious capabilities. Many combat support roles such as vehicle maintenance, artillery, air defence, logistics and medical services are either provided on a brigade-wide basis or at divisional level. This is a way of organisation specific to the Lindian military. Lindenholt's AirLand battle doctrine features a highly centralised command structure which makes effective coordination of combat support units like this possible.

Amphibious infantry

The marine division, officially the 25th Division, is a world wide deployable force. Its three main combat units are the mechanised marine infantry battalions, the airmobile marine infantry battalions and the regular marine infantry battalions. A mechanised marine infantry battalion consists out of three combat companies and a single support and reconnaissance company. One of the three companies has an anti-tank platoon, equipped with THOR anti-tank guided missiles. An other company has a dedicated mortar section, providing fire support. A single mechanised marine infantry battalion has around a total of 400 combat and support staff in total.

Armour

The first and fourth divisions are highly mechanised divisions meant for forward defence. Two out of their combined six brigades are stationed outside of Lindenholt. They feature mechanised infantry regiments and armoured battalions. Armoured battalions, unlike in most other militaries, have their own independent unit structure; only supported by guided missile units and reconnaissance units. In practice however, an armoured battalion is always accompanied by some sort of infantry; most likely a mechanised infantry regiment. In almost all circumstances an armoured battalion will have 12 tank platoons, each consisting of five tanks. These five tanks operate as a single unit, and stay together in most combat situations. Per company, of which there are four in a battalion, there is a platoon of infantry equipped with ATGM launchers -- often these are SACLOS guided THOR launchers. In some units one of the four anti-tank companies can be switched out for MANPADS equipped soldiers. Finally, there are multiple reconnaissance oriented companies, equipped with fast all-terrain vehicles.

Mechanised infantry

Accompanying an armoured battalion in almost all circumstances is a mechanised infantry regiment. Such a regiment has anywhere from 2,500-3,500 combat and support staff, depending on the role they fulfil and what equipment they possess. The 16th Mechanised Infantry Regiment's order of battle, pictured on the right, is the most widespread in the army. The mechanised infantry brigades are meant to be an all-purpose force that can deal with any resistance they encounter. Armoured or airmobile elements of the army may support them in achieving this goal.

A single mechanised infantry regiment is divided in to four battalions, each of which divided in to three mechanised infantry companies. A single company consists out of six mechanised infantry platoons of around forty infantry soldiers, making for a total of around 240 service members. These troops are transported with armoured personnel carriers, equipped with machine guns and through the use of armoured fighting vehicles that trade in some crew capacity for an auto-cannon, providing extra firepower. Extra firepower is also provided by the anti-tank, anti-air and field artillery units attached to most mechanised infantry regiments.

Reservists

The sixth division, next to professional armoured and mechanised units, also has an entire brigade staffed by reservist soldiers. The 3rd National Reserves Brigade has an organisational structure that includes four infantry regiments, a field artillery and engineering battalion and a medical company. The entire brigade is called for duty three times a year. Twice a year, during summer and winter, it performs full-scale exercises that each last seven days. Once a year, members of the brigade are called to perform their service during Liberation Day, where they perform security duties during the festivities.

Equipment of the national reserves is mothballed throughout the year, receiving maintenance every three months if needed. Reservists perform daytime civilian jobs, however, can be called for service with a 24 hour notice. Most reservists perform tasks that resemble their civilian lines of work. For instance, a reservist doctor would be assigned to a medical company, whilst someone working in construction is likely to be involved with an engineering unit. Of the around 200,000 registered reserves only around 11,000 actually perform combat roles within the military, the rest being allocated as support staff. Current military doctrine instructs that reservist units should be fully operational for combat within 48 hours of calling upon units to mobilise. In 2017, combat reserve units were called 3 times to test their response and combat readiness. Out of the in total 29 combat elements called that year, 21 were fully operational within the 48 hour time frame with the other eight all suffering from technical breakdowns. Mostly due to the age of the used equipment.

The main combat unit of the 3rd National Reserves Brigade are the infantry regiments. These units boast a diversified arsenal, however do live up to their name as the bulk of it is simply infantry on foot. Two out of four battalions feature a very limited amount of mechanised units. Often these mechanised units use outdated Lindberg armoured personnel carriers. One out of four battalions also has an armoured company with twelve tanks. Fire-support is provided by two field artillery battalions and a single anti-tank platoon.

Reservist (mechanised) infantry companies are put together on a geographic basis. A single company will consist out of reservists that live in each other's area; this is in direct contradiction with the rest of the armed force's principle of mixed combat units. Despite this, due to their nature of being mobilisable troops it was deemed to be most efficient if barracks and soldiers were as close to each other as possible.

Airmobile and airbourne infantry

Airmobile and airbourne elements of the armed forces provide Lindenholt with a quick reaction force and additional worldwide capabilities for the deployment of its troops. In total, Lindenholt has two airmobile air assault brigades and a single brigade dedicated to airbourne parachutist infantry. All three brigades are part of the 12th Division. The transport for parachutists is the responsibility of cargo aircraft that are under the command of the 12th Division, whereas transport helicopters for any airmobile infantry is delegated to the battalions themselves.

A single airmobile battalion consists out three of three combat companies. In total there are nine infantry platoons and several mortar and anti air sections. A fourth company is committed to battlefield reconnaissance; it is supported by one or more anti-tank platoons. Airmobile elements of the army's equipment and numbers are organised in such a way that everything necessary for 24 hours of operations can be carried by a single airlift by the available helicopters. In total 400 to 500 soldiers and support staff make up an airmobile battalion.

Combat support units

Combat support elements of the Lindian army are very centralised. Self propelled artillery and rocket artillery forces are provided by whole divisions, whilst medical, engineering and maintenance services are most often provided on a brigade basis. <imgur w="1600">RjFQXOC.png</imgur>
Lindenholt's full ORBAT diagram, displaying the gendarme, land, sea and air forces. Click the image to enlarge.

Air Forces

Aerobus' ÆF94 "Accipiter" is currently the most advanced aircraft in the air forces' arsenal.

Royal Lindian Sea Forces' Dorningen-class frigate HRMLS Van Stokfort.

The Royal Lindian Air Forces are tasked with the defence of Lindenholt's airspace and to provide air and logistical support to both the land and sea forces. To carry out these tasks the air force has a modern arsenal of jet fighters, transport aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The arsenal also features modified jetliners that provide electronic warfare and AEW&C services. Unarmed aircraft, such as jetliners, are also in service, to provide VIP transportation. Additionally, the air forces are equipped with surface to air missiles and they are in control of radar installations across the country.

Under the direct control of the central command of the air force's there are several units that perform tasks such as medical assistance, logistics, engineering, VIP transport, AEW&C and electronic warfare capabilities. In addition, there is an entire brigade sized force that deals with air defence from the ground, manning and maintaining surface to air missile and radar installations across the country.

The command of actual air power is delegated to three airwings equipped with jet fighter aircraft that perform anti air and ground strike operations. In total there are seven multirole jet fighter squadrons equipped with Aerobus' ÆF94 "Accipiter" or ÆF88 "Elanus" jet fighters. Four squadrons, equipped with ÆF75 "Aquila" strike fighters, are designated as air support squadrons; despite their multirole capabilities.

An additional air wing is dedicated to ground support and reconnaissance, it features three squadrons of attack helicopters a several and large unmanned aerial vehicles. The 3rd Air Transport Squadron fulfils logistical and support duties, and is therefore equipped with transport aircraft, transport helicopters and several aerial refuelling aircraft.

Sea Forces

The Royal Lindian Sea Forces consist out of four surface ship fleets, ranging from 13 to 22 combat ships and a single fleet dedicated to submarine warfare consisting out of eleven diesel powered Forel-class submarines and six Zalm-class nuclear submarines. Support units include a total of 18 oceangoing resupply vessels, a harbour infrastructure specialised engineer's regiment and a logistics regiment.

The Sea Forces have a total of 27 Dorningen-class frigates, with a water displacement of 6,050 tonnes; 18 Reurink-class guided missile destroyers with a displacement of 8,700 tonnes; two Ark van Noah-class landing platform decks that allow for [a] helicopters to operate from it's deck. Additionally the Maximilian Island fleet has a total of four Maxburg-class corvettes in service already, two are to be completed by 2020 for a total fleet of six.

With minimal effort all fleets can be made oceangoing, however thus far Lindenholt's limited involvement with overseas conflicts since the second world war has not yet warranted such measures to be taken. Nevertheless the 1st Fleet based out of Klaarkerk aan Zee and the 4th Fleet based out of Veurink both have world wide capabilities built in to their command structures. Nuclear submarines of the Zalm-class are also rated for worldwide deployments.

What remains of the Sea Force's surface fleet is active in the defence of Lindenholt's waters and in the defence of the VU's frontiers. Since late 2017 the 2nd Fleet has been deployed in Umbrellya.

Realm Guard

The Royal Lindian Genderarme (Koninklijke Rijkswacht) is the smallest branch of the Royal Lindian Armed Forces. It is a military police force, tasked with military and civil police duties along with coast guard, search and rescue operations. The Rijkswacht is also fully responsible for border patrol and customs. Despite being a branch of the military and performing military police duties, the Rijkswacht largely falls under the command of the interior ministry during peacetime.

The Rijkswacht's organisation is based on location, with there being five distinct regions. One for each direction of the compass (north, south, east, west) and an additional fifth one for the Maximilian Islands. Each region has dedicated units for policing duties in the air, on water and on the ground, along with an additional unit dedicated to patrolling Lindenholt's frontiers. The Maximilian Island Rijkswacht lacks a dedicated border patrol unit, with those duties carried out by a large coast guard.

Equipment

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Details
Infantry equipment and small arms
Bouwer AG81		Lindenholt	Assault rifle	5.56×45 mm	Modern, standard issue, service rifle since 1981. It replaced the outdated AG58 rifle. Latest version is the AG81 uitvoering 1999 that has been in use since 1999 in all service branches.
Bouwer LM81		Lindenholt	Light machine gun	5.56×45 mm	Standard issue all-purpose light machine gun. It replaced the Bouwer M58 from 1981 onward.
Bouwer AG98		Lindenholt	Designated marksman rifle	7.62x51 mm	Standard designated marksman rifle. Modified and modernised single fire version of the AG58.
Bouwer AG58		Lindenholt	Battle rifle	7.62x51 mm	Old service rifle, in use with reserve forces and stockpiled. Used from 1958-2000 by regular troops.
Bouwer ADAM		Lindenholt	Anti-tank rocket launcher	110 mm	Standard issue anti-tank rocket propelled grenade launcher.
Bouwer THOR		Lindenholt	Anti-tank guided missile	115 mm	Wire-guided anti tank guided missile.
Bouwer LIAM		Lindenholt	Man portable anti defence system	90 mm	Shoulder launched heat-seeking surface to air missile.
Armoured vehicles
Pskv 141 "Rasmussen"	<imgur w="150">1y1qiuX.png</imgur>	Allentyr	Main battle tank	140 mm	Main modern battle tank.
Pskv 122 "Rasmussen"	<imgur w="150">ifYHzDb.png</imgur>	Allentyr	Main battle tank	122 mm	Smaller calibre variant of the Pskv 141 modern battle tank.
"Husky" PMV APC, IFV, MEV	<imgur w="150">cswmvGS.png</imgur>	Allentyr	Wheeled armoured personnel carrier infantry fighting vehicle	12.7 mm or 30 mm	Modular armoured fighting vehicle. Can be equipped with a 12.7 machine gun, 30 mm autocannon or as a medical evacuation vehicle.
CV-2040 "Olesen"	<imgur w="150">GfCF4pk.png</imgur>	Allentyr	Infantry fighting vehicle	40 mm	Olesen family infantry fighting vehicle.
CV-2000B "Olesen"	<imgur w="150">y4pxYOU.png</imgur>	Allentyr	Armoured personnel carrier	15.5 mm	Olesen family armoured personnel carrier.
Skf 21 "Tomasson"	<imgur w="150">o7S6KCG.png</imgur>	Allentyr	SPAAW	40mm	Tracked self-propelled anti-air weapon equipped with a 40 mm autocannon and several surface to air missiles.
CV-2000E "Olesen"	<imgur w="150">H1v6YL6.png</imgur>	Allentyr	Armoured recovery vehicle		Armoured recovery vehicle used by combat engineering units.
M-24 ATAPV	<imgur w="150">fsqEaVT.png</imgur>	Aznazia	All terrain vehicle	7.62x51	All terrain, all purpose vehicle in use with all branches of the military. Can be equipped with an ATGM or MANPADS.
M-9A1 "Irwin"	<imgur w="150">zWeE4jF.png</imgur>	Aznazia	Self-propelled artillery	155 mm	Self-propelled artillery in use with the Ground Forces.
Non-armoured vehicles
Various trucks		Various	Logistic trucks		Various trucks originating from various countries used for engineering and logistics.
Aircraft and helicopters
Aerobus ÆF94 "Accipiter"		Template:Country data Ventismar Union	Dual engine multirole jet fighter	1x 27 mm revolver cannon 13x 9000 kg payload hardpoints	Main multirole jet fighter in use with the Air Forces.
Aerobus ÆF88 "Elanus"		Template:Country data Ventismar Union	Single engine multirole jet fighter	1x 27 mm revolver cannon 5x 9000 kg payload hardpoints	Light multirole jet fighter, in use with the Air Forces.
Aerobus ÆF75 "Aquila"		Template:Country data Ventismar Union	Twin engine strike fighter	1x 27 mm revolver cannon 7x 9000 kg payload hardpoints 4x 6000 kg payload hardpoints	Multirole strike fighter, used by the Air Forces in ground support roles.
Aerobus ÆH91 "Sagittarius"		Template:Country data Ventismar Union	Attack helicopter	1x 30 mm revolver cannon ~24 unguided rockets, 4x THOR ATGM	Attack helicopter used by the Air and Sea Forces.
ÆHxxx "not!EC725"		Template:Country data Ventismar Union	Transport helicopter	Various mounting points for machine guns and ATGMs	Standard transport helicopter of the military.
ÆC9 "not!A400M"		Template:Country data Ventismar Union	Transport aircraft		Turboprop strategic/tactical air lift cargo plane.
Naval craft
Dorningen-class frigate		Lindenholt	Frigate	Bouwer's 113 mm
Reurink-class destroyer		Lindenholt	Guided missile destroyer	Bouwer's 127 mm
Ark van Noah-class landing platform deck		Lindenholt	Landing platform deck
Maximiliaan-class corvette		Lindenholt	Corvette	Bouwer's 57 mm
Other equipment
Bouwer's 105 mm field artillery		Lindenholt	Towed field gun	105 mm

Doctrine

Despite being a force with considerable global capabilities, Lindenholt's general neutrality in international conflicts have meant that there has not been much focus on deployments outside of the Ventismarien continent. Highly mobile units such as paratroopers and amphibious troops can be deployed and supplied world-wide without significant effort. The same cannot be said for the rest of the Ground Forces, with mechanised, air mobile and armoured units taking considerable effort to move by sea. Therefore, Lindenholt's doctrine has not strayed far from the Ventismarien mainland's defence.

In Ventismar the Lindian Armed Forces employs a doctrine of forward defence. There are about [a] troops currently active on any of the VU’s frontiers. In addition, Lindenholt has a considerable force of air mobile units, serving as a quick reaction force; deployable within 24 hours anywhere in Ventismar.

Finding itself outnumbered on all fronts, the bulk of the Lindian military follows an attrition doctrine called “Commando”, which involves thinning out any oncoming hostile forces through the use of what in essence are guerrilla hit and run tactics supported by air to ground strikes until reinforcements, reservists and conscripts arrive to provide further support through more conventional tactics.

It is estimated that in a range of 8 and 14 months Lindenholt could field a million additional conscripts that are in at least a sense combat ready. Lessons from the second world war still have a profound effect on Lindenholt’s strategic doctrine. Equipment shortages for conscripts lead to Lindenholt’s eventual defeat. Post-war doctrine therefore includes the use of large stockpiles meant for conscripts and reservists.

Nowadays, outdated equipment such as the Lindberg APC are stored in various underground facilities. This equipment only sees daylight twice a year for winter and summer exercises by the national reserves. Whether or not this surplus equipment can still be listed as operational is debatable, the ministry of defence’s official stance towards “reserve equipment” is that it is kept in operable condition and disposed of when no longer operable. Exact data as to what and how much equipment is available is unknown to the public.

Official estimates by the ministry of defence state that a million conscripts can be ready for combat roles within twelve months of an invasion of one of Lindenholt's Ventismarien allies. Albeit with outdated equipment and sub-par training compared to professional soldiers. The combat effectiveness of these conscripts is debatable at best.

Training

File:Lindian Olesen in forest training.png

Mechanised troops during a training exercise.

File:Lindian mortarmen training.png

Airmobile soldiers firing a mortar during an exercise.

Conscription

Conscription in Lindenholt has been in effect in some form since the early 19th century. Men from the lower classes had to serve anywhere from 12 to 16 months after reaching the age of 18. Throughout the 19th and most of the 20th century the vast majority of soldiers in the Lindian Armed Forces were conscripts.

In modern times however, Lindenholt employs an almost fully professionalised army. However, despite popular belief, conscription in Lindenholt was never abolished. Male citizens ages 17 through 27 are expected to perform 12 months of service, after which they are added to the national reserves until they reach the age of 37. The armed forces can call upon reserves when extra manpower is needed; such as during disasters or times of war. Until 2001 it was a criminal offence for healthy male citizens residing in Lindenholt to object to their service. However, with the end of the Cold War seeing that there was no real necessity for this extra manpower the government decriminalised objection. Effectively making it voluntary. Only those voluntarily doing their military service are added to the reserves.

According to polling done in 2013 by Linfo, around 9% of those called in for service that year voluntarily reported to perform twelve months of training, and subsequent addition to the reserves.

Conscripts perform twelve months of service, which mostly consists out of basic military training and a small amount of specialisation. According to their education, physical performance and skills, conscripts receive different levels of training. Those with higher forms of education or with particular leadership skills receive specialised reservist NCO training. Conscripts whose regular line of work is in construction, engineering or healthcare receive specialised training in those fields, to apply their skills in the military.

Reserves

There are four so-called "training moments" scheduled each year for reservists, each lasting a week. The military provides reservists with full pay of reservists' main jobs with an additional bonus for being on a training exercise. By law, reservists have job security, in the sense that they may not be fired from their main line of work due to their status of reservist.

The exercises take place four times a year, two of them being full-scale field exercises during summer and winter lasting a week each. Additionally, there is a two-day exercise aimed at disaster relief and one taking place during one of Lindenholt's national holidays. It involves reservists performing security duties. Exercises are planned to take place during times when the majority of the personnel do not have to attend work.