Idacuan Armed Forces
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| Armed Forces of the Federal Socialist Republic of Idacua | |
|---|---|
| Fuerzas Armadas de la República Socialista Federal de Idacua | |
 | |
| Founded | 1882 (original) 1986 (current form) |
| Service branches |  Idacuan Revolutionary Army
 Special Operations Command |
| Headquarters | Guacara,  Idacua |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Carlos Medellin |
| Minister of Defence | Diego Cadaval |
| Chief of the General Staff | Rubén Espiga |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18-30 |
| Conscription | 2 Years |
| Active personnel | 510,000 |
| Reserve personnel | 1,000,000 |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $27 billion (2014) |
| Percent of GDP | 3.2% |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers |  Menghe Letnia |
The Armed Forces of the Federal Socialist Republic of Idacua (Sylvan: Fuerzas Armadas de la República Socialista Federal de Idacua), commonly known as the Idacuan Armed Forces (Sylvan: Fuerzas Armadas Idacuanas) are the military forces of Idacua. The Armed Forces were first established as an organisation in 1882, after the Idacuan War of Independence, but exist in their current form since the 1986 Socialist Revolution. The Armed Forces consist of five separate branches: the Idacuan Revolutionary Army, the Idacuan Revolutionary Navy, the Idacuan Revolutionary Air Force, the Idacuan National Guard, and the Special Operations Command. All branches except for specific units of the Army, the Navy's Marine Corps and the Special Operations Command, are mainly composed of conscripts serving a 2-year service. However, since 2010, the Idacuan government has made an effort to professionalise the Armed Forces in the 2010 Military Reforms, and currently 30% of the troops are contract soldiers. The civillian authority of the Armed Forces is the Ministry of Defence, headed by Minister Diego Cadaval, while the Commander-in-Chielf is President Carlos Medellin.
History
Branches
Idacuan Revolutionary Army
The Idacuan Revolutionary Army (Ejército Revolucionario Idacuano) is the main ground warfare branch of the Armed Forces. It is also the largest and most well founded of the branches, with 340,000 active personnel and 35% of the total military funding going to it. The Army is organised into a number of Army Corps, which are further divided into several Brigade and Regiment size units. Usually, each Corps has five maneuver Brigades and a number of support formations. Like all branches of the military, the Army is undergoing modernisation efforts since the 2010 reforms, and, while a traditionally conscript force, several elite Brigades are manned entirely by contract soldiers. Currently, the commander of the Revolutionary Army is General Remigio López.
The Idacuan Revolutionary Navy (Armada Revolcionaria Idacuana) is the naval branch of the military, and alongside the Army, the oldest one as well. The Revolutionary Navy maintains a strong fleet of 9 destroyers, 10 frigates, 12 corvettes and several smaller vessels, including 14 submarines. The Navy is split into two fleets, the Northern and Southern, respectively based at El Vigia and Santa Cruz. The Navy also includes the Idacuan Marine Corps, with four elite, entirely professional Marine Brigades split between two fleets. The Revolutionary Navy currently employs roughly 56,000 personnel. Currently, the Navy is in the process of constructing two more Gavilán-class frigates and three Aguila-class destroyers to reinforce the Southern Fleet. The commander of the Revolutionary Navy is Admiral Alcalde Álvarez.
Idacuan Revolutionary Air Force
The Idacuan Revolutionary Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria Idacuana) is the air warfare branch of the military. At roughly 35,000 personnel, it is the smallest of the three main branches. The IRAF's inventory includes over 400 fighter and strike aircraft, that range from the modern domestic Lacaza La-24 Halcón and Letnian Su-30MKI fighters to older models such as the Dassault Mirage 50. The Air Force is currently in search for a combat UAV model that could prove useful in the Idacuan government's war against drug cartels and the Tariba region. The commander of the IRAF is Major General Alina Ferrant, the first woman to reach the rank in Idacuan history.
Idacuan National Guard
The Idacuan National Guard (Guardia Nacional Idacuana) is the gendarmerie force of Idacua, and also serves a civil defense role alongside the Federal and State Police. The National Guard is a paramilitary force that while under Armed Forces command, pledges allegiance directly to the Revolutionary Socialist Party. National Guard troops generally take part in anti-cartel operations but also have access to military grade equipment, and as such, they can also act as light infantry in times of war. National Guard conscripts are generally the most politically reliable, and service in the organisation is generally easier and more desirable as most GNI bases are located next or in major urban centres. The GNI currently consists of 70,000 personnel. Currently, the commander of the GNI is Major General Salvador Laguna.
Special Operations Command
The Special Operations Command (Comando de Operaciones Especiales) is the special forces branch of the military. The COE is, naturally, the most secretive of Idacua's military branches. The exact number of personnel it controls is highly classified, but it is expected two be at around 10,000. Known units of the Special Operations Command are the 1st and 2nd Special Forces Brigades, the 23rd Jungle Raider Battalion, as well as the infamous Unit 333 (Unidad 333), a tier one special operations unit known for performing hits against cartel leaders. The commander of the COE is Commandant Felix Gaona.
Structure
Ministry of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief
The Armed Forces of Idacua are led by the President as the Commander-in-Chief, who has overall control over the institution. The President appoints the Minister of Defence, as well as the commanding officers of the separate branches. The Federal civilian authority that maintains the Armed Forces is the Ministry of Defence, which since 2017, is headed by Diego Cadaval. The Ministry's task is to coordinate and organise the armed forces to carry out their mission, which, other than the defense of the Federal Socialist Republic, also include counter-narcotics operations and counter-insurgency warfare. In the latter two roles, the Ministry of Defence is seconded to the Ministry of Interior, which has full authority in internal operations. However, the MoD can overrule the MoI after Presidential order, and take command of interior operations.
Strategic Defense Regions
The Strategic Defense Regions (Regiones de Defensa Estratégica, RED) are the Idacuan equivalent of the military district. The Strategic Defence Regions were formed during the 2010 Reforms and replaced the older Military District system. Each RED is responsible with the coordination of the troops under its command to carry out defensive works and exercises. However, a RED's assets may also be deployed in non-military roles, and the leadership of each Region is mandated to aid local authorities in public works such as construction projects and street cleaning. Currently, there are seven Strategic Defense Regions, which are the following:
| Short name | Large name | States | General/Flag Officer Commanding (as of present) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RED Norte | Northern Strategic Defense Region | Comprises of the States of Morterero and Martiya | Major General Eustacio Arnal, Idacuan Revolutionary Army |
| RED Capital | National Capital Strategic Defense Region | Comprises of the States of Guacara and Merida | Major General Sebastián Velázquez, Idacuan Revolutionary Army |
| RED Central | Central Integral Strategic Defense Region | Comprises the States of Antigua, Tacara and Iverna. | Major General Jerónimo Cortés, Idacuan Revolutionary Army |
| RED Occidental | Western Strategic Defense Region | Comprises the States of Urdaneta, Cajigal and Monteverde. | Major General Antonio Moreno, Idacuan Revolutionary Army |
| RED Oriental | Eastern Strategic Defense Region | Comprises the States of Alcaba, Navarro and Gayosa. | Major General Mario Terán, Idacuan Revolutionary Air Force. |
| RED Los Vantes | Vantes Strategic Defense Region | Comprises the States of Palau, Agramonte and Tariba. | Major General Martín Campos, Idacuan Revolutionary Army |
| RED Sur | South Strategic Defense Region | Comprises the States of Encarnación, Arcada and Noboa. | Major General Irene Andino, Idacuan Revolutionary Air Force |
| RED Alaya | Alaya Strategic Defense Region | Comprises the States of La Puerta, Arboleda and Ventia. | Major General Sofia Lain, Idacuan Revolutionary Army |