Saridan

[Rogue]

Sea of Lost Souls - Secretary of National Defense Ingdon Moulayunda has announced that the Saridanese Air Defense Force will resume and expand air patrols over the Sea of Lost Souls after decades of ending the practice. According to Secretary Moulayunda the continuation of air patrols is a necessary step in maintaining "stability and security in Southern Seleya and specifically one of our most important trade routes through the Sea of Lost Souls." With the situation in Rildanor, combined with growing uncertainty and worries over security, the federal government is seeking to maintain control and protect its interests and the interests of the wider region. 

While no direct threat was named, some within the department of national defense have indicated that the government seeks to prevent the return of piracy in the sea of lost souls, as well as prevent powers from using the sea for their own interests. Secretary Moulayunda did note specifically that the SADF has been instructed to stay within the Saridanese Air Identification Zone, patrolling along its edges and performing a variety of reconnaisance missions. The navy does not yet have the capabilities to commit active patrols but is likely to participate in patrols once the first of the planned frigates enter service. 

Secretary Moulayunda further noted that patrols will be combined with pilot training on certain occasions, making patrols efficient and less costly. Keeping permanent air patrols running in the Sea of Lost Souls is expected to cost the department around 200 million annually, which includes the cost of aircraft maintenance, pilots and fuel. Defense expert Jaco Bronkhorst has noted that while the patrols might enhance the feeling of security, they will likely be of little signifiance in securing the sea. While some benefit, primarily in a potentially quicker respond to security threats, is to be expected, these benefits are minor compared to the costs. "I primarily think this is the government sending a message for the future. It is clear to me that Saridan is getting serious about protecting its own and regional interests, and with this move they show that committment. But in the long term i think only a naval presence in the sea could have a significant impact. So far, the navy does not yet have the capabilities to commit to such a mission."

The SADF will be primarily flying the older Cheetah G multirole fighters for now, with modernized Cheetah G-E fighters to slowly replace the original Cheetah's over the next 4 years.