Biotopia Defence

The Department of Defence is responsible for overseeing the military preparedness of the army, navy and aeroforce and is headed by the General Secretary of Defence. Historically and strategically the navy has been the most important branch of the armed forces since Biotopia is surrounded by a significant area of ocean. The aeroforce is also important as a means of engaging a potential enemy away from the coastline and attacking exposed naval vessels. Although the threat of attack is considered low Biotopia maintains a comparatively high level of expenditure and recruitment to ensure military defence capability.

Total Defence

Biotopian military strategy is based on the concept of total defence. The aim of which is to “require the greatest ratio of expenditure in effort to achievement by the enemy.” An important part of this is maintaining a sizeable navy since any attacking force would have to traverse the open sea exposing themselves to off-shore interception and disruption of supply lines. It also means Biotopia is vulnerable to a prolonged siege disrupting international communication and trade but this alone would not be enough to force the capitulation of the central government since Biotopia is sufficient in all basic commodities.

The army is trained to perform those civilian operations that may be attacked or destroyed by an air or naval assault as well as defending key strategic points along the coastline, major waterways and the transport network. Although Biotopia has not suffered an attempted full-scale invasion there have been moments of international and regional tension in the territorial waters and airspace around Biotopia. Aside from the general policy of total defence the armed forces are also responsible for the following during wartime:

• Securing access to strategic sea-lanes
• Protecting maritime traffic
• Protecting strategic buildings, industries and members of the government
• Maintaining the communications and transport network
• Countering military sabotage and reconnaissance efforts

Citizen Security Force

The Citizen Security Force is constitutionally bound to act as a self-defence force limited to military action within the territorial boundaries of Biotopia and prohibited from attacking foreign states. The CSF has lent peacetime assistance and training to several friendly forces as well as hosting members of foreign armed forces. Although not able to perform military functions outside of Biotopia clause 2.2 of the Constitution allows for participation in international humanitarian relief. This has occurred several times in the recent past including de-mining, emergency housing and refugee transportation missions.

Every five years the armed forces of Biotopia and Knootoss participate in war games aimed at developing professional co-operation and respect as well as challenging the military capability of each side. Although this primarily focuses on naval capacity the aeroforce and army is also included. Biotopia has also contributed to war game exercises in Aperin with the Celdonian and Svea Rigan navies. The Citizen Security Force is a volunteer force with around 50,000 active (non-support) members and a further 350,000 members in reserve (excluding non-combat staff).

Aeroforce

Active Members 4,123

2024 Funding V 5,921,583,492

Per Capita V 129

The aeroforce is the smallest branch of the armed forces in terms of total numbers and military expenditure representing only 15% of total force numbers. As the CSF is restricted to defence matters the Republican Aeroforce of Biotopia (R.A.F.B.) is a ‘lightweight’ force as it does not require expenditure on bombers and other long-range craft. The R.A.F.B. is centred on providing active air-defence and surveillance. It is also responsible for operating and designing the nations’ military satellites. The R.A.F.B. was founded in 1921 after being initiated as the Army Flying Corps in 1915. The aeroforce continues to undergo modification to take on a more expanded role in the integrated defence of Biotopia and participating in information gathering exercises.

Army

Active Members 24,475

2024 Funding V 16,864,649,815

Per Capita V 250

The Republican Army of Biotopia (R.A.B.) is the largest branch of the armed forces representing 50% of all enlistments. The Republican Army was established in 1811 and has functioned as the landed military force since then. The role of the army is to defend strategic points along the coastline, protect key buildings and infrastructure and man the transport and communications network during wartime. The army also includes special intelligence, electronic and communications branches to provide for both the defence of the military information network and to attack the electronic and information systems used by any potential enemy force. The army is also the largest recipient of budgetary funding.

Navy

Active Members 12,545

2024 Funding V 11,486,721,325

Per Capita V 368

The importance of shipping to the economy of Biotopia and its strategic relevance to national defence has always required a sizeable naval force. Although the navy cannot participate in a military function outside the territorial waters the navy has provided assistance to humanitarian missions abroad as well as visiting several foreign ports. The role of the navy is centred on frontline defence in order to withhold any attempted enemy landings. The navy is an ancient military establishment and Biotopia supports one of the largest merchant marine navies in the region. This is significant since in any war the navy can commander the fleet. The Republican Navy of Biotopia (R.N.B.) was founded in 1811 with the academy headquartered in Saint Kordaam. Naval forces are categorised into submarine, deep-water and light-water defence brigades.

National Coast Guard

The N.C.G. is a civilian organisation extended through the Federal Police Department and is responsible for upholding maritime law, seamarks, border control as well as the wartime auxiliary activities of harbour defence, port security, naval escorting and coastal patrols. The National Coast Guard operates several patrol vessels and aircraft for use in their ordinary tasks as well as search and rescue, police pursuit, ice-breaking, channel patrol and surveillance. The N.C.G. was created in 1975 following the amalgamation of several provincial divisions in order to provide national coverage and co-ordination freeing the navy from participating in civilian maritime operations.

Biotopian Intelligence Organisation

The B.I.O. is a civilian intelligence agency responsible for domestic and international intelligence gathering. The B.I.O. is also charged with monitoring the activities of foreign intelligence groups operating domestically and in counter-intelligence operations. The Biotopian Intelligence Organisation is prohibited from interfering with the domestic politics of foreign countries and is primarily an information service rather than an extension of Biotopian foreign policy objectives. The B.I.O. also operates several intelligence facilities ranging from training compounds to electronic monitoring stations which cover regional and international communication traffic.