Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force

Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force is the military of Southern Meridian Republic, formed by three branches, the Navy, the Army, the Air Force and their respective reserves.

The Supreme Commander of the Defence Force is appointed by the Premier and National Council of Regions. His duties are to coordinate efforts of the military and officers hold their commission from him. Supreme Commander reports directly to the Minister of Defence, who overviews the policies and orders. The Minister of Defence is advised by Defence Council that consists of renowned officers and veterans from all of the branches, led by Chief of Defence.

Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force
Force de Défence de Republique Meridienne du Sud
Flag of the Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force
Motto	Finesse et Bravoure Finesse and Bravery
Founded	January 5th 1936
Service branches	Southern Meridian Republic Army Southern Meridian Republic Navy Southern Meridian Republic Air Force
Headquarters	Alres-sur-Laval
Leadership
Supreme Commander	Alexander Dubois
Minister of Defence	Abdullah Furquois
Chief of Defence	Faruh Dupont
Personnel
Military age	20-45
Conscription	Limited
Available for military service	~12,349,021 males, age 21-56 (2017), ~11,589,290 females, age 21-56 (2017)
Fit for military service	~46,490,390 males, age 21-56 (2017), ~34,849,984 females, age 21-56 (2017)
Reaching military age annually	~244,034 males (2017), ~180,403 females (2017)
Active personnel	~211,000
Reserve personnel	~155,000
Deployed personnel	~50,000
Expenditure
Budget	~$52,850,000
Percent of GDP	3.51%
Industry
Domestic suppliers	List Armscor Atlas Aircraft Corporation BAE Systems Land Systems SMR DCD Group Delta G Scientific Company Denel Denel Dynamics Land Systems OMC Milkor Ltd Protechnik Reutech Radar Systems Rippel Effect Weapon Systems Roodeplaat Research Laboratories Sandock-Austral Truvelo Armoury Alpha E Ballistics Company
Foreign suppliers	Kingdom of New Tyran, Allied Nations of Maracaibo, United Republics of Hallia, Sieuxerr Royalty
Annual imports	Osorio I MBT, Chevalier-class Corvettes, Lynx helicopters, SG550

Role

The Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force was created to protect the citizens, territories and interests of the Republic. After year of 1960s their role was expanded to also act as peacekeeping and intervention forces. This led to drastic changes in tactics and strategies, making military more mobile and reliant on helicopters and fast-moving vehicles. Functions of the Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force are, but not limited to:

• Defence of sovereign territories against armed attacks
• Peacekeeping and counter-insurgency operations on behalf of Entente Cordiale
• Protection of endangered civillian assets, such as trading and fishing ships, when they are away from SMR's coast.

Organisation

The Defence Force is organized under the Supreme Commander, supported by the Chief of Defence. Force is separated into Active Defence Force (ADF) and the Reserves, which can be mobilized when necessary. Both parts are organized into three branches: the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Recruits are first sent to the reserves and then are drafted into the ADF.

Army

As of the begginging of 2017, the Army had roughly 150,000 active personnel, with 100,000 more in reserves. They are separated into three corps (specialized corps not included). In addition to this, every region organizes their own Regional Guards that protect areas of importance.

I Corps is deployed near the capital, holding their Headquarters on a base near Alres-sur-Laval. Their area of responsibility is peacekeeping and providing support to members of Entente Cordiale. Number of active personnel deployed in this corps is approximately 40,000 with the number of troops deployed on off-shore base in Maracaibo being roughly 5,000.

II Corps are responsible for protection of Northern/Eastern regions and hold headquarters in city of Jezioro. Their main goal is to ensure security of SMR-Wüstenfelsen border. Number of active personnel mobilized in this corps is approximately 40,000.

III Corps are responsible for protection of Western and Southern regions, with headquarters located in city of Saint-Michelle. They work in cooperation with the Navy, patrolling the coastline and holding garrisons in areas of high importance. Number of active personnel mobilized in this corps is approximately 40,000.

Specialist Corps include Defence Force Medical Divison, Logistics Divison and Special Operations Division. They operate inseparably from other corps, allowing them to function efficiently. In total, these components have 20,000 active personnel. Special Operations are composed of Army Rangers, Specialist Infantry and Military Advisors.

SMRA possesses a large arsenal of modern equipment supplied by local contractors and foreign companies.

Navy

As of the beggining of 2017, the Navy had 31,000 active personnel, with approximately 25,000 in reserves. Navy is separated into two fleets: bluewater and greenwater. Bluewater fleet is composed of roughly 29 ships stationed in various locations. Around 6 of them are deployed in Maracaibo to provide assistance to local SMRA corps. Greenwater fleet is the rest of the ships, fielding 27 big ships and swarms of small patrol boats that roam near the coast. Southern Meridian Republic Marines are a part of SMRN and perform coastline patrols with III Corps. Navy headquarters are located in Port Imperial. Their responsibilities are, but not limited to:

• Fisheries protection
• Counter piracy
• Counter narcotics
• Military aid to civil power and community
• Humanitarian aid and disaster relief
• Maintenaning security and independence of naval territories.

Marine Corps

Southern Meridian Republic Marine Corps, for short SMRMC, are some of the best trained soldiers country can offer. They're capable of fighting in every environment around Septentrion, from semi-arid brushland and deserts of Meridia to coldest mountains of Vinya and tropical jungles. Their numbers are 10,000 strong with 5,000 of those being in reserves.

Air Force

As of the beggining of 2017, the Air Force had 35,000 active personnel, with 50,000 more in reserves. It's separated into four aerial commands. Three of them are assigned to Army Corps and one to the Navy. It is believed that SMRAF has roughly around 400 planes in active use and number of aircraft kept in reserves remains unknown. Their roles can be summarized as:

• Providing direct support to SMRA
• Providing direct support to SMRN
• Protecting SMR's airspace and maintaing its security
• Military aid to civilian organizations and communities, including governmental structures

Famous divisions and units

1st Airborne Division "Falcons"

Elite paratroopers division, with its number of paratroopers reaching up to 10.000 soldiers. They are the best regular forces that SMRDF can field without approval from Ministry of Defense. Famous for their valor and fidelity.

Defence Ministry

Defence Ministry holds responsibility for civilian agencies that directly and indirectly support the Defence Force. While considered civilian, they are under military discipline and play vital role in SMRDF's lifecycle.

• The Southern Meridian Republic Police Force operates directly under control of Defence Ministry and often deploys their officers to assist in peacekeeping operations. Their main responsibility is to provide counter terrorism, uniformed policing, investigative services and armed security to entire country. Its established strength is around 376,000 police officers throughout SMR.
• The Department of Arms Procurement is a uniformed semi-civilian structure that coordinates the efforts of the defence companies that supply equipment to the military. Their offices are mostly located in industrial cities and near military bases. They handle all the equipment requests filed by Corps and sort out the logistics. DAP has 2,500 white collars with Logistics Division of Specialist Corps answering directly to this department's head.
• The Defence Council is an advisory structure in the Ministry that provides counselling services to the Defence Force. Its established number of advisors is 250 officers from each branch of the military. Their responsibility is to act as counsellors for Chief of Defence and Supreme Commander, as well as for lower-ranked officers that command corps, regiments and lead operations.
• The Counter Intelligence Department operates under control of Defence Ministry. Their direct responsibility is to sabotage and disrupt hostile operations on SMR's territories. Their indirect responsibility is to provide valuable intel to SMRDF.

Recruitment

Southern Meridian Republic Defence Force is a limited conscription organization, that drafts people based on lottery system. Those who graduate military academies are not included in the system. There is however multiple types of volunteer service:

• Regular Service. Minimum of 12 months service in one of the branches of Defence Force with fixed-term of three years in the reserve or active service in the force on contract. That's the type of service that conscripts are assigned to.
• Academic Service. Offered to specialists of advanced degrees like engineering and science. Upon induction they receive 6 months of officer training that gives them a commission in the reserves. After it, they are offered a workplace government-funded institutions and/or Defence Force.
• Civilian Service. 12 months of service in supporting structures of the Defence Force, such as Logistics Division, Defence Force Medical Divison, Engineering Brigades and positions within the Ministry, with an opportunity to continue service on contract for at least next three years. Those who join the engineering brigades are subjected to military training throughout the service.

Limited Conscription Force

The Defence Force only recruits citizens of the Republic, with exception made for Maracaibeans and Sieuxerr citizens. Minimum recruitment age is 18 years, with maximum being 40 for enlisted personnel and 50 for commissioned. Usually, normal length of service is 10-12 years, but minimum service required before resignation is 3 years. Anyone from both active and reserve personnel can be demobilized at Ministry's discretion.

Civilian Service

All the personnel serving in supporting services within the Defence Force and Defence Ministry are subjected to same benefits as active personnel. This policy was proposed and accepted by Ministry to serve as an incentive for citizens to voluntarily enlist to supporting services.

Benefits

• Monthly stipend for essentials. The amount is not stated anywhere, but it is believed to be around 150$ a month.
• Various discounts are offered by businesses on a selection of services and goods.
• Subsidised housing in the area of service/work.
• Free travel on public transport.
• Life insurance
• Flexible system of classes on subjects related to personnel's specialization.
• After-retirement pensions, in amount of ~1300$

Equipment

Throughout the years SMRDF's equipment varied and depended on current situation in the country, however with strong lean towards quick deployments and strikes. In the year 2016 Sieuxerr and SMR signed up multiple agreements to modernise SMRDF's aerial forces, infantry gear, tanks and provide improved training to the special operations corps. Most of infantry rifles that SMRDF owned was replaced with Sieuxerr designs, as well as mortars and hand grenades. Standard caliber for all infantry rifles is 5.7mm EC, widely used by SMR's allies. Their heavier weapons, such as DMRs and GMGs, are chambered in 7mm EC.

Designation	Photo	Origin	Role	Cartridge	Variant	Notes
Pistols
SP-2		Template:Country data Southern Meridian Republic	Sidearm	.40 S&W	SP-2	Sidearm used widely by all branches of SMRDF.
Assault Rifles
FA-MAHS M.17		Sebrenskiya Sieuxerr	Assault rifle	5.7x40mm EC	FA-MAHS M.17 FA-MAHS M.17 Lunette	Assault rifle used by SMRDF's marines. Around 50,000 rifles are currently in SMR's armories.
FA-MAS M.78		Sieuxerr	Assault rifle	5.7x40mm EC	FA-MAS M.78/85 FA-MAS M.78/10 Valorisé FA-MAS M.78/16 VC	Newest assault rifle supplied to SMR from Sieuxerr.Currently undergoing modifications to keep it viable for SMRDF. Approximately 400,000 were delivered or produced for SMR.
Machine guns
AA-MAC M.02		Sieuxerr	Light machine gun	5.7x40mm EC		Uses the 5.7mm cartridge and is the standard issue light machine gun, supplied by Sieuxerr for SMRDF.
Y3 AGL		Template:Country data Southern Meridian Republic	Grenade machine gun	High-velocity 40×53mm grenade	Y3 AGL	Automatic Grenade Launcher used by all SMRDF branches as support weapon. Is mounted on vehicles and moved on foot sometimes. SMRDF owns 20,000 pieces.
Sniper Rifles
FR-MAC M.15		Sieuxerr Sylva Portcullia	Designated Marksman Rifle	6x45mm Unified		DMR supplied by Sieuxerr, standard issue for Army and Navy units.
Truvelo SR		Template:Country data Southern Meridian Republic	Sniper Rifle	9x70mm	SR 9x70 SR 9x70 Silenced	Standard precision rifle in SMRDF's armories. Used by all three branches equally and known for reliability. There are 12.7mm modifications going through testing procedures.
NTW-20		Template:Country data Southern Meridian Republic	Anti-materiel rifle	20x110mm SMR 20x82mm SMR	NTW-20 NTW-110	Standard-issue AMR in SMRDF's armories. Known for usage of excessively powerful 20mm rounds of various types.
Truvelo CMS		Template:Country data Southern Meridian Republic	Anti-materiel rifle	20x42mm SMR	Truvelo CMS Truvelo CMS Silenced	Shorter and overall more streamlined anti-materiel rifle deployed by SMRDF's Special Ops and Airborne.
Grenade launchers
Milkor MGL		Template:Country data Southern Meridian Republic	Grenade launcher	40x46mm grenade		Standard issue grenade launcher for SMRDF Army and Marines.
LG-MAS M.85		Sieuxerr	Grenade launcher	40mm Caseless		Under Barrel Grenade Launcher used by SMRDF, supplied by Sieuxerr.

Diversity

As of year of 1937, the Defence Force is allowed to draft their personnel from both female and male citizens. Since the formation of military no personnel was allowed to be discriminated upon because of their beliefs, gender, race or sexual orientation. SMRDF's policy in regards of this is "Your skills are what we need." Discrimination of personnel based on their looks, race, gender or orientation is considered a violation of military law and offender can be subjected to court-martial.

Women in the Force

As of 1937 women were allowed to serve in the Defence Force on non-combat or close-to-combat positions. Those included serving in logistics, caitering, rear-echelon medical establishments and radio specialists. After year 1965 Defence Force's policy was changed to permit women to take combat positions in the Army and the Navy. According to numbers from Ministry of Defence, 25% of all personnel in the military are women, with around 66% of those being close-to-combat positions.

Religion and Ethnics

The Defence Force since its creation was composed of people of different races and beliefs. This led to military conscripting their personnel with no regard to their race and/or religious background.

Military Diversity

Header text	French	Arab	Polish	Other
Total	35%	52%	11%	2%
Male	80%	87%	95%	56%
Female	20%	13%	5%	44%
Single	27%	11%	42%	70%
Married	73%	89%	58%	30%
Married with children	48%	79%	26%	13%
Married without children	52%	21%	74%	87%