Armed Forces of Adwa

The Adwan Armed Forces or AAF (also known as the Royal Adwan Armed Forces) are the military forces of Adwa. It consists of the Royal Adwan Army, the Royal Adwan Navy, the Royal Adwan Air Force, and the Royal Guard. The Adwan monarch is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and forms military policy with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of the Interior. The four Armed Forces are among six military forces of Adwa, with the others being the Adwan People’s Army and the Adwan Imperial Guard Regiment. In addition, there is also the National Intelligence Agency, which is the nation’s main intelligence service.

The funding of Adwa’s Armed Forces is among the most disparate between internal groups seen in the world; its “Royal” branches are well-funded and equipped, capable of quick deployment across the region, while its large People’s Army is more budget conscious.

The World Concordat Institute for Martial Studies estimated in 1610 listed a total of 125,000 (70,000 Royal Army, 5,000 Royal Navy, 30,000 Royal Air Force, 20,000 Royal Guard and others) active personnel and 850,000 in reserve within Adwa’s Armed Forces. The Adwan People’s Army, with 330,000 personnel, is largely tribal in many areas and only available on callup. It functions as the military reserve for the Royal Army, as well as serving the role of maintaining the integrity of Adwa's borders.

History
The Adwan military’s origins and military traditions date back to the earliest history of Adwa. Due to Adwa’s location between Dihara, Ibora, Tarsis, and more distantly, Azora, it has long been central to regional conflicts and politics, and has been subject to foreign invasion and aggression. After its unification under Amlak the Great in 5 AC, much of what is today Adwa was divided into regions called spears, to be governed by his supporters. These divisions later solidified and were reformed throughout the centuries, eventually becoming most of Adwa’s current devolutions. Despite a failed invasion of The Vatuvu in the 6th century that eventually resulted in the Adwan Holy Wars, the nation’s sense of military pride and tradition persisted, and was eventually revived after the Amlak Restoration in 782. Beginning in the 8th century, attacks from Azadi pirates from across the Sea of Azad in Abayad necessitated organization of local groups in order to respond quickly and in force when a coastal area was attacked by the raiders.

In 1086, an attempt by Salia to expand from a coastal base in southeastern Adwa at Fulu was defeated. The Army of the Adwan Empire in the battle was led by Emperor Abera at this time, assisted by Ichorian advisers. One of the advisers later wrote, “[the] Adwans suffer from a sense of superiority that is only partly deserved; they have numbers and spirit, but modern hardware and techniques they lack.” At the Battle of Fulu, the Adwan Imperial Army was able to execute the strategic plan of Abera’s headquarters, despite a largely feudal system of organization and adverse circumstances. The majority of the military was peasant militia, leading the Ichorian advisors to suggest trying to achieve full battle collision with the Salians, to neutralize their superior firepower and nullify their own problems with arms, training, and organization, rather than engaging in a campaign of harassment.

Ichorian rule
As Ichoria increased in its influence over Dihara from its base in Oya’in, the infamous 1346 Coup backed by Ichorian merchants and settlers overthrew the Abera Dynasty and placed the Salihs upon the throne. Involved in the conspiracy were advisors who had worked with the Adwan army, who urged for a sudden, decisive push to prevent the full mobilization of Adwa’s military. Once such advisor wrote:

“I have heard many call the Adwan army undisciplined. They think that it is not in any condition to withstand a serious, prolonged conflict with organized Azoran forces armed with modern weaponry, claiming that Fulu in 1086 meant nothing. I will not begin to dictate the future, but will say this: over the course of several months, I watched this army closely. It is unique in this world. I can tell you all today that it is not quite so chaotic or disorganized as you may first believe. On the contrary, it is profoundly disciplined, through its own unique way. For every Adwan, both war and death is normal business, and military skills and rules of army life in the field enter their very bones, just as do the main principles of tactics. In the field, every soldier knows how to arrange necessary comforts for himself and to conserve is strength. On the other hand, when necessary, he shows such endurance and is capable of action in conditions that are difficult to imagine.

One sees remarkable expediency in all the actions and skills of this army; each soldier has a surprisingly intelligent attitude toward managing the mission of battle. Despite such qualities, because of its impetuousness, it is more difficult to control this assembly than a well-drilled army of Azorans, and I can only marvel at and admire the skill of its Emperors and nobility, of which there is no shortage.”

After the success of the 1346 Coup, the military was largely neglected for the early Salih era, as the Ichorian merchant and settler class were themselves armed and thus able to enforce many of the pro-Ichorian laws enacted after the regime began. This regime, commonly referred to as the Associated State of Adwa, lasted until 1415, when it was replaced by the Adwan Free State due to growing concerns in Azora over the treatment of the Adwan people. In obedience to the agreement between Ichoria and the new free state, Adwan officers began to be trained at Ichorian cadet schools. Modernization to an extent occurred at this time, with the military rebuilt, to be used as a pool of manpower by the Ichorian empire in its worldwide conflicts. Adwan military aviation efforts were initiated in 1519, when two Ichorian pilots were hired and four biplanes were purchased and sent to be incorporated into local forces.

Independence
The country regained its independence after the Adwan Revolution in the 1530s, with the help of forces from Achysia, Yinguo, and Katamur. After the last Salih monarch was driven from the country, the Emperor Zara led monarchist forces in the country’s Civil War. During and shortly after the conflict, the Emperor Zara set about restructuring the nation’s Armed Forces into the form they’d eventually take in the modern day. Once he’d asserted control over the nation at the Civil War’s close, a Yinguoese mission to Adwa under Major-General He Zhigong was established to aid in the military’s reorganization. The Adwan-Yinguoese Agreement allowed for a proper reorganization as well as for Adwan forces to be armed with hardware provided by the Yinguoese. Adwa bought twenty tankettes from Yinguo in the 1550s, arriving in Bedin and carried by rail to Kedala, were they were displayed in a vast military parade. Emperor Zara set about creating both the Royal Guard (serving as Adwa’s special forces, in effect), and reorganization of the Imperial Guard into a proper modern fighting force.

Military services
The Armed Forces are mainly the responsibility of the Ministry of War, which also formerly oversaw the construction of civilian airports as well as military bases, and meteorology departments in the decades following Adwa’s independence.

Emperor Merhanu Zara was Adwa’s Minister of War under much of his father’s reign, and his Vice-Minister, Armah Getahun, was a scion of a key house of nobility as well. In the modern day, Adwa’s military has remained closely entwined with its nobility, although the influence of bot over political matters has waned. Prior to 1578, members of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Guard specifically were recruited from certain tribal groups considered friendly to the government, while the Royal Army was forced to recruit from urban areas in the southeast.

Defense spending
Spending on defense and security has decreased in the decades since the height of Adwa’s foreign involvement during the Bleeding Sands crisis. However, it remains one of the higher spenders in relation to its GDP, representing 2.6% of its GDP in 1609. This translates to a budget of $26.1 billion, with around $26,800 spent on equipping and training an individual soldier on average. Spending is not distributed this evenly, however, meaning that parts of the military (notably the portions in active service) enjoy fairly modern, state of the art weaponry and equipment. Its modern arsenal makes Adwa among the world’s most densely armed states, with its military being supplied primarily by domestic industries whenever possible. Major imports typically constitute goods not produced reliably within Adwa’s borders, notably long-term annual orders for combat helicopters, aircraft, and armored vehicles.

Royal Army
The Adwan Royal Army is composed of two combined arms brigades, five mechanized brigades, one airborne brigade, eight artillery battalions, and two light infantry brigades.

The army’s main equipment consists of a combination of Adwan and Yinguoese made armored vehicles and weapons including 1,000 main battle tanks, 300 reconnaissance vehicles, 1,000 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 3,000+ armored personnel carriers, 200+ towed artillery pieces, 110 self-propelled artillery pieces, 400 mortars, 2,000 anti-tank guided weapons, 200 rocket launchers, 450 recoilless launchers, 12 attack helicopters, 50 transport helicopters, and nearly 1,000 surface to air missiles.

By 1566, Adwa had military cities in its southeast, the Emperor Zara Military City in the northeast, and two in its center-north. There was a 1597 report that construction of a military city in Adwa’s southwest had begun with War Minister Shawel Makura pouring the first concrete in the summer of that year. The World Concordat Country Study for Adwa, issued in 1602, noted that, “the military and army in particular remain a major but lessened element of Adwan society and economy. Despite its active force enjoying good logistics, its reserve force is marked by shortages in many areas as well as a more relaxed policy in recent years that permits absenteeism in certain sectors. In some areas, there remains a serious issue of retaining experienced technicians and non-commissioned officers.”

Royal Navy
The Adwan Royal Navy is divided into two fleets: the Northern Fleet has bases along northeastern and eastern Adwa; the larger Eastern fleet has bases along Adwa’s southeast. The nation’s Royal Marines are organized into one infantry regiment with two battalions. In total, it has 5,000 active members, and 45,000 in reserve. The navy includes 11 principal surface combatants (cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and corvettes), 55 patrol and coastal combatants, 7 mine warfare vessels, 8 amphibious craft, and 7 support and miscellaneous craft. Naval aviation forces have 19 armed helicopters serving in naval support.

Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is organized into seven fighter/ground-attack squadrons, six fighter squadrons, and four training squadrons. There are 30,000 Adwans in active service in the Royal Air Force, and 45,000 in reserve. Adwa has at least 10 military airfields. As of 1601, Adwa had around 300 combat aircraft, most of which were newly-acquired from Yinguo.

Royal Guard
The Royal Guard are the elite troops of the Adwan Armed Forces, representing a better trained, disciplined, equipped, and paid force than the Royal Army. After their being founded by the Emperor Zara, many of its highly ranked early members received large bonuses, new cars, and subsidized housing in addition. Originally formed by Emperor Zara as a personal guard, it was expanded by his son Emperor Merhanu Zara into a larger military force. There are currently 20,000 active duty members of the Royal Guard.

People’s Army
The Adwan National People’s Army, often simply shortened to the People’s Army, is independent of the Ministry of War and is organized into seven infantry brigades, one mechanized infantry brigade, and one ceremonial cavalry squadron.

The People’s Army functions both as a reserve and an operational front-line force, originating out of military forces organized at the tribal level during the nation’s revolution and civil war. Its modern existence, however, is attributable to it being effectively the private army of both Emperor Zara and Emperor Merhanu for much of his reign. Although its role in Adwan politics and goings on was reduced greatly in the later years of Merhanu’s reign, it remains a key element in Adwa’s national strategy. While functioning as a reserve for the Royal Army, it is also utilized in securing Adwa’s borders and providing local aid in case of invasion or natural disaster.

Imperial Guard
The Adwan Imperial Guard is one of the more visible units. Originally an independent military force, the Imperial Guard was incorporated as a semi-independent arm of the Army in 1554. However, the Imperial Guard still retained their unique mission of protecting the Adwan Royal Family.

Units of the Imperial Guard protect the monarch of Adwa and their family at all times. The Imperial Guard reports directly to the monarch, and for security reasons maintain a separate communications network from the Army. Members of the Imperial Guard often wear the shamla, a long, woven white cotton robe and matching white headwear. Imperial Guardsmen wear bright red berets when in conventional uniform.

Officer ranks
Enlisted officer ranks include:
 * Private
 * Private first class
 * Corporal
 * Vice sergeant
 * Sergeant
 * Sergeant first class
 * Master sergeant

Military industry
The vast majority of Adwan military equipment is either produced domestically or imported from supplies in Southern Tarsis. As Adwa’s economy continues to modernize, more and more is produced at home when possible. The Belayneh infantry fighting vehicle and the Naoed armored personnel carrier are manufactured by Hadgu Heavy Industry Company, based in Bedin. Zelalem and Yaseen armored vehicles and the Tell Makro MRAP has achieved very high projection, also products of Adwan industry. Ashibi 1 and 2 are Adwan-made armored vehicles used by the Royal Army and Royal Guard as well.

Adwan Military Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Yiguo Defense Exports, Ind. for the local production of anti-tank guided missile systems, multiple rocket launders, automatic grenade launchers, and certain rifles.

1565 Kedala Hostage Crisis
In 1565, Social Republican Besaki separatists from the northern part of the country took control of the Kathic embassy in Kedala. The extremists wished to draw international attention to Adwa’s treatment of the Besaki people, but mostly only drew condemnation from the international community With the help of Kathic military police advisors, the Adwan military captured or killed the terrorists occupying the embassy with minimal casualties.

Bleeding Sands
During the Bleeding Sands crisis during the 1570s in Estradia, Adwa immediately responded by sending troops to aid forces friendly to Adwan and Diharan Nationalist interests. They subsequently took part in several engagements, many of which involved proxy forces of other nations.