Rhynovian Military Doctrine
The core of modern Rhynovian defense doctrine since the fall of the Workers Republic and western reforms has evolved from a purely defensive posture to one encompassing a wide variety of expeditionary missions that meet the increasing scope of Rhynovian Foreign Policy. The Royal Armed Forces, since its reorganization from being the People's Army of Rhynovia, has adopted a joint force mentality in which all branches of the Rhynovian Military are given common training, equipment, organizations, and command structure. This both cuts costs and increases efficiencies in operational execution when assets from multiple branches are in use. Branches are not divided into types of warfare, but rather realms of warfare (i.e. no Air Force or Army exist in the Rhynovian structure, instead a Territorial Force exists accomplishing both missions abroad and at home respectively).
The Minister of Defense set fourth in recent requirements that the Royal Armed Forces would organize itself around these five mission sets: Defensive Operations in the Homeland, Reconnaissance, Prompt Strike, Defense of Trade Lanes, Anti-Terror/Police Actions in a Civil Environment, and Disaster Relief.
Defensive Operations in the Homeland
Recognizing that Rhynovia would be commonly classified as a "near-peer" opponent to many other nations on the Belisarian Continent, the doctrine of defense of the homeland comes in a two fold approach to address what could be a up hill battle for the smaller nation. The first line of defense would be a number of mechanized brigades, artillery divisions, and fighter squadrons folded under army group command structure. This would be in large part commanded by the Royal Territorial Army which would coordinate both a deliberate air campaign against enemy threats from land and sea and heavy artillery bombardment of enemy ground forces. On the onset of both the air and artillery campaign the aforementioned heavy-brigades would seek to advance over enemy held territory in such a way to control key choke points in the often mountainous or rugged terrain of Rhynovia, controlling key logistical channels to prevent enemy reinforcement or resupply.
Should a rival military with greater power gain the upper hand in a defensive conflict, the Royal Territorial Army will adopt a more guerrilla stance, operating from mobile and remote tactical assembly areas where both fast-moving light infantry (motorized and airborne) and multi-role strike aircraft supported on dirt airstrips can strike vulnerable enemy positions and make every inch of Rhynovian ground gained by the adversary a costly one until their will to continue such a conflict is eroded. These forces are made up of both specialized units and forces that remain from the more traditional army structures converted over to the guerrilla tactics.
The RTA also maintains the ability to be deployed abroad in the interests of Rhynovia and her defense, giving it the capability to act as an offensive or policing force.
Reconnaissance
A precursor to most of the other missions of the Royal Armed Forces, the reconnaissance capability is a joint force asset which leverages the military's mobility and training to be the chief information gatherers for the nation's defense. A variety of assets ranging from basic ground assets scouting ahead of larger armored columns, aircraft conducting aerial reconnaissance, naval ships performing SIGINT activities, and special forces gathering intelligence from behind enemy lines all give Rhynovia the full picture of the battlefield and allow commanders to make time sensitive decisions using the latest data. In the realms of cyberspace and signals intelligence the Rhynovian military has made great strides forwards to begin to compete on a 21st century level with adversaries whom would disrupt the use of Rhynovian military weapons and equipment before or during the physical battle. These investments also give the same disruption abilities to units who would prevent enemy forces from facing Rhynovian forces with an equal or greater advantage.
Prompt Strike
The ability to reach out to a target ad touch it within a moments notice is huge in an ever changing geo-political landscape. Leaders in Rhynovia wish to have a strike capability that can be consistently called upon to address threats where a full scale conflict or land incursion would be unwarranted. Often this means eliminating targets of interests, whether they be persons-of-interest whom seek to do harm to Rhynovia, key military targets that would reduce a foreign actor's ability to strike Rhynovia, or targets that could send a message to Rhynovia's enemies should they be destroyed.
To accomplish this mission Rhynovia has many assets that can quickly and decisively operate in dynamic environments to project onto a threat. Naval assets from the Royal Navy such as carrier based aircraft or surface-to-surface missiles have range that came be delivered to almost any point in the region, giving commanders the ability to employ a variety of different weapons and different discretion levels. Land based aircraft from both the Royal Territorial Army has an extended but somewhat limited range to engage such targets from Rhynovia proper. The use of special forces for decapitation missions, sabotage, and raids is also a viable option that has been given much more resources in recent years.
Defense of Trade Lanes
Being the gateway between Belisarian and Ocran trade along what some in Rhynovia consider "the silk road of Ajax", the Royal Armed forces must be prepared to defend and secure the vital flow of goods to, from, and through the Rhynovian economy. Imports from Ocran often come via sea through the Ahkad strait and across the Peariclean Sea, thus making the shipping lanes of this region very valuable to Rhynovia. Because of this Rhynovia has invested in many international partnerships to work with other nations to ensure these lanes are kept free of piracy, terrorism, and interference by all myriads of actors. Defending these sea trade lanes is the Royal Navy which employs a constant patrol of surface and sub surface vessels each closely watching and networking with each other to resolve threats. Against larger actors such as rival nation states, the Royal Navy operates in a doctrine of denial using a large amount of subsurface vessels meant to target and destroy enemy surface ships in a wolf-pack hit and run strategy.
On land, the Royal Territorial Army is constantly monitoring border checkpoints and ports to deter smuggling, trafficking, and other illegal activities. This often falls under their role as the nations gendarmerie, enforcing trade, tourism, and immigration/emigration laws. This also encompasses a small portion of the Anti-terrorism mission set.
Anti-Terror/Police Actions in a Civil Environment
Aside from being a defensive force to protect the national integrity of Rhynovia. The Royal Territorial Army is also a gendarmerie, acting as a federal police force which is employed to enforce national laws, maintain peace in wartime and high intensity civil actions during peace time, and protect the homeland from terrorism. While there are specialty units that are assigned to guard ports both sea and air, form task forces to fight terrorism, maintain the peace in riot situations, and protect border crossings, all units within the RTA are trained and prepared to be deployed to respond to all types of integral situations that maintain the peace of Rhynovia. Commanders when given the authority by both Ministry of Defense and Interior Ministry authorities, have the resources to address situations in an appropriate manner, and secure critical junctures from becoming vulnerable situations. Examples of such actions could be enforcing extra border and port security, forming task forces to answer certain criminal or terrorist activities, or aiding local authorities in their day to day activities.
Disaster Relief
As the largest body within the Rhynovian government, the Royal Armed Forces are the most prepared to both maneuver to in an expedited manner, and handle situations in which Rhynovian communities have experienced a disaster. Both through providing specialty services be it medical aide or engineering support, or supporting rescue efforts, all branches of the Royal Armed Forces are prepared when called upon in a national emergency.