Defence Strength

Spain to Gibraltar
Argentina to The Falklands
Mauritius to The British Indian Ocean Territory
Guatemala to the southern part of Belize
Argentina and Chile to parts of The British Antarctic Territory (N.B. All claims to Antarctic territories have been suspended under a near fifty year old Treaty).

In light of these threats, and many other claims to our maritime regions, it is essential that we have massive retaliatory power. In the early 1980's, Britain performed admirably in The Falklands, and hence retained its status of world power. Add to that now, the regional power Australia, and the major power Canada, and we have a truly devastating force which any country would be foolish to take on.

Even America would not consider attacking us. This is because we have two land borders with the United States and several maritime borders. Through a chain that extends form Nova Scotia to Bermuda to The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, The Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Belize, we can choke America's eastern seaboard of maritime trade, and block access to the Panama Canal. America also respects that due to our close proximity and bases, we could launch tactical nuclear,biological & chemical (NBC) artillery shells, and launch NBC bombing raids that even the National Missile Defence system would be helpless to stop. Plus, if the NMD is as limited as Americans claim, then some of our ballistic missiles would get through anyway. Our proximity means America would have little or no warning and would be utterly incapable of preventing a first strike. Thus our alliance, unlike any of America's allies or enemies, is guaranteed their respect, as well as the respect of every country.

Nonetheless, we are not looking for war-mongering. None of the Realms close to America currently have NBC weapons. In order for that to happen, the United Kingdom would have to transfer some of its weapons to the other forces. But the point is that we could have this capability on short notice, and America would be mindful.

Our Strength

We in the Realms could potentially be one of the world's foremost powers. This is because we are scattered around the globe, which means that we have forward bases worldwide. We can basically be broken into a number of regions with wide ranging responsibilities. Some of the possible military districts, based partly on those presently in exitence are:

North Atlantic

North Europe

Mediterranean

West Indies

South Atlantic

Indian Ocean

Oceania

North Pacific

Our military forces are the second most mobile force in the world, our capability to move large numbers of men and their equipment being second only to the USA. Below is a summary of our abilities.

ROYAL AIR FORCES

Approximately 100 000 service personnel. Equipment:

391 combat aircraft (+63 reserves)
238 helicopters (+3 reserves)
7 AWACS
3 ELINT
26 EW (+14 reserves)
24 reconnaissance fighters
4 High Altitude reconnaissance aircraft
61 Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (+6 reserves)
168 Long Range Transport Aircraft (+5 reserves)
13 Long Range Tankers

ARMIES

Approximately 160 000 troops.

ROYAL NAVIES

Approximately 75 000 service personnel (incl. 4000 marines). Equipment:

3 aircraft carriers (1 in refit)
15 destroyers
45 frigates
4 SSBNs (Ballistic Missile Nuclear Submarines)
12 SSN (Attack Nuclear Submarines)
10 SS (Attack Diesel Submarines)
1 LPH (Amphibious Assault Helicopter Carrier)
1 Transport Dock with
6 Large Landing Ships
1 Dock Landing Ship
2 LSTs (Tank Landing Ships)
53 patrol boats
26 mine countermeasures vessels
2 minelayers/ patrol vessels

PROJECTION OF POWER

As can be seen, we are an awesome military force. Tobether, we have the second largest Navy in the world, one of the world's finest air forces, and one of the best equiped and most mobile land forces.
In addition to the bases we have in our own territory, we also have forward and training bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Kenya, Germany, and in Brunei.

We also provide de facto defense for non-Realms, such as Nauru, Western Samoa, and Kiribati.

We are currently participating in a number of UN missions, most notably Cyprus, East Timor and Kosovo. Of the 9 500 UN troops which initially entered East Timor, 5 700 were from countries with HM as chief of state.
Of the ~35 000 N.A.T.O. troops which initially went into Kosovo, 13 000 were from the Realms, much larger than Germany's 8 000 or America's 7 000. The N.A.T.O. force going to Macedonia had 1 800 troops from the Realms of a total of 3 500. And 1 000 of those went into Macedonia in the first wave.

We also have troops in Sierra Leone on a training mission for the Sierra Leone Army, not under the auspices of the UN, nonetheless providing vital support to that mission. Initially, some 1 300 shock troops from the Realms went to Sierra Leone. We were the only non-African country that was willing and able to rescue the U.N. force from an embarrassing situation.

Intelligence Sevices*

It is a little known fact, but there is very close cooperation among our intelligence services currently.

For example of the five intelligence services which run the Echelon monitoring program, four are of the Realms. These are:

- The Government Communications Security Bureau (New Zealand)

- The Government Communication Headquarters (U.K.)

- The Communications Security Establishment (Canada)

- The Defence Signals Directorate (Australia)

These organizations act in a capacity roughly equivalent to that of the American National Security Agency, which is the other agency in the program. We are vital to the program, because eight of the ten main listening stations are in our territory.

Another indicator of the close work of our security agencies is the Intellink communicarions system. This serves a purpose similiar to that of the Internet when it was only for the U.S. Army. Three of the Realms are reportedly in the 'Segment C' of the system. These three are Australia, Canada and the U.K.

* Please note that the security agencies are cladestine, and it is difficult to access accurate information. This website bears no liability for inaccurate information. If you note any incorrect information, please alert the Webmaster using the address:
the_editor@thealliance.8m.net

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