Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Amidst years of review and committee hearings surrounding the nature of Lodamun’s presence in Mordusia, the National Congress has approved the “Forces Mordusia Act”, which would refocus the Lodamese Armed Forces’ attention on Mordusia, particularly with respect to its new prescription as a major staging point for potential Lodamese operations in Southern Seleya and Southern Dovani. Dating back to the initial Lodamun-Mordusia Comprehensive Agreement on Security Cooperation, significant questions emerged related to how the Lodamese Armed Forces would utilise the naval station and airbase, it had negotiated for as part of the agreement to advance Lodamese interests in the region. Although it had been contemplated that such an installation would be stood up to support the Lodamese Coast Guard and Lodamese Navy’s operations in Southern Seleya, as the treaty’s signing took place against the backdrop of Lourenne’s initial exit from global geopolitics, significant chatter within the defence community emerged as then Chairman of the Combined Chiefs (now Secretary of Defence) Kristian Harding, envisioned the installations as a major stepping stone for the Lodamese Armed Forces’ eventual pivot into Dovani proper. The bill stands as a unique entity, being the first piece of legislation in modern Lodamese history, to make particular reference to a foreign entity, in this instance Mordusia. Lodamun and Mordusia share a positive relationship, largely facilitated through both the Lodamun-Mordusia Comprehensive Agreement on Security Cooperation and the Lodamese-Mordusia Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. Relations between the two states were fundamentally transformed in the 5550s after it became clear that a major rift had been brewing between Lodamun and Mordusia’s compatriot, Luthori. Military cooperation is the basis of modern Lodamese-Mordusian relations as it was the meeting between former Secretary of Defence Edward Mears and then Mordusian Minister of Defence William Striker which brought the two nations together.

The bill, which has been partitioned into numerous parts and subsections, covering numerous areas of this new security relationship, earmarks some 13 billion LOD, towards the construction of a large naval shipyard alongside a similarly large air base in eastern Mordusia. Naval Station Walbrook as it is being coined, is being positioned as a major shipyard for Lodamese vessels operating in Southern Seleya and Southern Dovani. With the Lodamese Coast Guard set to expand its maritime patrols into Eastern Seleya/Western Dovani, from the boundaries of the White Ocean and the Dankukin Coast to the Silliers Channel in Kanjor, it is evident that such an operation would ultimately require significant infrastructure (i.e. a base) for rearming/refuelling and other auxiliary operations. Although the Department of Defence notes that it continues to pursue a meaningful defence relationship with Bae/Dankuk, which could potentially translate into a permanent military station in the nation, until then, forward operations for the Lodamese Armed Forces’ Dovanian Command (DOVCOM) is expected to be based out of Mordusia. The Naval Facilities Inspectorate has noted that it had been accompanied by officials of the Mordusian Armed Forces in selecting the site for both the naval station and airbase in question as the Mordusian Armed Forces is likely to have unfettered access to the base. “We have long underscored the importance of joint operations with our allies throughout the region and the wider world. The NFI was accompanied by officials from the Mordusian Armed Forces and the MoD as it was felt that their inclusion was important, given that the base although largely financed through Lodamese budgetary appropriations, would be jointly maintained by the Lodamun and Mordusia,” Secretary of Defence Kristian Harding explained.

Armadalla Air Base, similar to Naval Station Walbrook, is likely to host both Lodamese and Mordusian units. Concurrently, Azuron maritime patrol drone flights patrolling the Sea of Lost Souls operate from RMAF Randworth under the exclusive auspices of the Royal Mordusian Air Force. Armadalla Air Base, once constructed, could well be the largest airbase on the Seleyan continent outside of Jackson Air Base in St. Christopher, Lodamun. Commander of Dovanian Command (DOVCOM), General Derreck Holman stated that in lieu of a physical presence on the Dovanian continent, Armadalla is expected to become a major staging point for future operations in Majatra, Southern Seleya and Southern Dovani. It will likely be the home of continued drone patrols in the Sea of Lost Souls and some parts of the Majatran continent for the duration of the Istalian-Kafuristani conflict and will also host numerous aircraft ranging from combat air wings, transportation/strategic airlift, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and aircraft-based maritime patrols. “I think it is reasonable for us to state that the amount of money and attention we are going to pour into Mordusia will elevate the nation’s status as a core military partner,” General Holman noted. Construction of Naval Station Walbrook and Armadalla Air Base are expected to begin simultaneously, with the latter expected to be on a longer construction timeline, owing to considerations for a joint project between the SDA and the Royal Mordusian Air Force on the over-the-horizon radar.