Mordusia

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The Mordusian Herald | Humperdinck Media |

Royal Navy to be expanded greatly

Critics say Federal Government has waited too long

September 5593

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Randworth - At the withdrawal of the Lodamese navy the Chief of the Navy announced together with the Minister of Defence that the Commonwealth of Mordusia must stand on its own two feet and cannot rely too much on others and cannot ask its ‘parent’ and current closest partners and ally Luthori to aid in all matters of defence. As such the Federal Government will increase the navy significantly in the next few years so that it can perform the necessary defence operations in the Schismatic Sea and the Mordusian coasts in that sea.
 
In a detailed report the government stated that it has a few core objectives the navy must be able to perform, the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Gerald Heathrow said that the navy must be a crucial part of the defence strategy of the Commonwealth again and that the increased strength of the armed forces and the airforces cannot carry the defence out alone, even with their new material. In the report the core objectives, which the Vice Admiral underlined in his statement are:
1.[font=Times New Roman]    [/font]Maritime security
2.[font=Times New Roman]    [/font]Coastal defence
3.[font=Times New Roman]    [/font]Disaster relief
4.[font=Times New Roman]    [/font]Force projection
 
With only a few frigates and a couple of patrol vessels the Royal Mordusian Navy cannot hope to perform these tasks independently without another power assisting them. As such the Federal Government will work towards an ideal composition, which should be ready within 10 years. If earlier is possible they will do so, however it is likely this target will only be met in 10 years. The government will invest first in 6 patrol vessels to safe guard the EEZ and aid in anti-piracy activities and search and rescue missions. These will be ordered alongside 12 Fast Attack Craft for coastal defense and quick response interception. These ships are meant to replace the current patrol ships the navy has. Afterwards the Royal Mordusian Navy will focus on procuring 4 multi-role corvettes for anti-submarine warfare and surface combat. This will be followed by 2 light frigates for regional presence and escort missions for merchant ships.
 
After these ships are procured the Royal Navy will move on to procuring 3 submarines from Luthori, these submarines will according to the Navy be vital for reconnaissance and further anti-submarine warfare. The Royal Navy stated that during the purchase of these ships the navy will also procure 2 logistics support ships for replenishment and refueling and 1 Landing Ship-Tank. These ships will not await a specific order but will be procured at the same time the corvettes, submarines and frigates are being procured so that they may go into service along side them. Discussions with the Royal Mordusian Airforce on the combined purchase of new helicopters and aircraft for both branches of the military are underway as well.
 
The Federal Government awarded the contracts for the domestic production of the naval assets for as far as they can be locally manufactured to Westmooring Naval Technologies. What cannot be constructed in time or at all by them will be procured by other partners such as Luthori, Hutori, Lourenne and Lodamun. Other willing partners are being sought out as well. To help to keep up with the development of technology the Federal Government is thinking of joining the Equifund.
 
The upgrade of the navy is widely applauded by the entire political scene, though the opposition and various experts have stated the government could have done so sooner. That Lodamun would leave is not new and that Mordusia is so easily willing to lean on others has been a major source of criticism of the opposition, who state the burden of Mordusian defence must primarly fall to their own military, not outside powers or put all the burden on friendly nations such as Lodamun or Luthori. In defence of its policies the Minister of Defence Jeffrey Heart stated the Mordusian economy and treasury could not bear the expense to upgrade all levels of the military at once and that the primary focus had been domestic defence through the army and the airforce, which have since been upgraded and will keep upgrading.