URP Navy
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The Populiean Navy (URPN) is often referred to as the senior service, and is in many ways the most important and versatile branch of The URPDoD. The URP's dependence on Maritime industries and its Maritime history has made The Navy not only an essential fighting force but a symbol of The Populiean pride and maritime power. The government of Populieus invests heavily in The Navy, making it one of the most advanced, and revered in the world, capable of deploying ships worldwide on any mission at a moments notice.
Mission Statement: "The role of the Populiean Navy (URPN) is to protect Populiean interests at home and abroad, executing the foreign and defence policies of The Populiean Government through the exercise of military effect, diplomatic activities and other activities in support of these objectives. The URPN is also a key element of the URP contribution to NATO, with a number of assets allocated to NATO tasks at any time."
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Personnel
The Naval High Command
The Navy is led by its Commander In Chief, The President of The URP Jose Barabas, this position has been held by the head of state since the creation of the modern Populiean navy.
Senior Figures
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Populiean Navy and the whole Naval Service (Marines and Fleet Air Service). He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff and is known by the abbreviation CNS or 1SL. The current First Sea Lord is Admiral Sir Aldo Linhares (appointed 10 February 2007).
Commander-in-Chief Fleet (CINCFLEET) is the admiral responsible for the operation, resourcing and training of the ships, submarines and aircraft, and personnel, of the Populiean Navy. CINC is subordinate to the First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Naval Service.
Full command of all deployable Fleet units, including the Marines and the Fleet Auxiliary Service, is delegated to Commander-in-Chief Fleet, currently Admiral Santiago Garcia, with his Command Headquarters at PNS West Point in New Metropolis and his Operational Headquarters at the Defence Command Centre (DCC), co-located with the Joint Headquarters and a NATO Regional Command.
- CINCFLEET is supported by:
- Second Sea Lord, based in PNS West Point, Principal Personnel Officer for the Naval Service. Also Rear Admiral Fleet Air Service.
- Deputy CINCFLEET, based in PNS West Point, who commands the HQ
- Commander Operations, based at DCC, responsible for operational command of URPN assets. Also Rear Admiral Submarines and Commander Submarine Allied Forces North (NATO)
- Commander URP Maritime Forces, the deployable Force Commander responsible for the Maritime Battle Staffs; URP Task Group, URP Amphibious Task Group, URP Maritime Component Command. (COMURPMARFOR)
- Commander URP Amphibious Force/ Commandant General Marines (COMURPAMPIBFOR)
Ranks
Branches and Departments
The URPN is divided up into several branches, each of which take a vital role in keeping the Navy an active and effective fighting force.
The Fleet Air Service - In many ways this is not a branch, more a sub-service like the Marines. FAS is responsible for flying and maintaining the aircraft of the URPN as well as training engineers, pilots, observers and air crew. The Naval Police Service - The URPNPS, formerly known as the Navy Regulating Branch, is the military police branch of the Populiean Navy. Its members are known as Regulators and enforce law, order and discipline both aboard ship and in shore establishments. Unlike the Military Police and Air Force Police, the Regulating Branch only recruits from personnel who are already in the Navy and have a minimum of four years' service in another trade. Its members hold a minimum rate of Leading Regulator (Leading Seaman) and can be promoted to Regulating Petty Officer (Petty Officer), Master-at-Arms (Chief Petty Officer) and Warrant Officer Class 1 Master-at-Arms. The Combat Operations Branch is responsible for the operation of all on board weaponry, in effect they fight the ship. The Communications Branch is responsible for the operation of communications and scanning equipment on board ship. The Seamanship Branch is responsible for all practical aspects of life at sea, operating the ships rigid inflatables and navigation are among the various tasks undertaken by this branch. The Engineering Branch is responsible for the maintenance of all mechanical systems on board every URPN ship and the training of it's branch personnel. The Medical Branch is responsible for the operations and training of all naval medical personnel, operating the navy's hospital ship PNS Alexandria, as well as the on board facilities in all ships and the specialist naval hospitals on shore. Other branches such as Logistics and Services carry out vital roles including, but not limited to the feeding personnel and keeping track of stores.
Flotillas
The operational ships of the Populiean Navy are split into three flotillas, this organisational strategy was put in place in January 1990 to streamline the command and execution structure of the navy. Each flotilla takes care of different aspects of the Navy's responsibilities. Each Flotilla has a constantly changing portfolio of ships, to avoid monotony and prevent crews becoming bored.
Home Flotilla
The Home Flotilla is comprised of 15 ships, tasked with the protection and patrol of Populiean waters. Ships undertake regular patrols of Populiean Waters, The Populiean Channel and Gibraltar Straight. These ships keep the sea lanes open around Populieus, and thier work is vital to not just the Populiean Economy but that of the whole world. Day to Day operations include:
- Anti-Smuggling operations
- Cargo searches
- Anti-Terrorist operations
- Immigration control
- Enforcing shipping lanes
Atlantic Flotilla
The largest flotilla of the URPN is tasked with patrol and defence of the Atlantic, Populieus' biggest asset. This flotilla is available for any number of roles at a moments notice, with a versatile range of abilities. Ships from the Atlantic flotilla take place in the patrol of shipping lanes, anti-piracy operations on the west coast of Africa and have been involved in humanitarian work in the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of hurricanes.
This flotilla is comprised of:
- 2 Aircraft Carriers
- ## Submarines (The URPN does not disclose information on covert maritime operations)
- 9 Destroyers
- 9 Frigates
- 10 Patrol Ships
- 5 Minesweeper/Mine disposal ships
Global Flotilla
The global flotilla is arguably the most diverse of the 3 flotillas of the URPN, it is responsible for protecting the worldwide assets of Populieus, and fulfilling our commitments to former territories of the Populiean Empire.
Ships
Aircraft Carriers
The URP currently operates 4 large aircraft carriers, designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow The URPN to project air power great distances without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations. They have evolved from wooden vessels used to deploy observation balloons in the early stages of the URPN, into nuclear powered warships that carry dozens of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
List of current URPN Aircraft Carriers:
- PNS Populieus (Flagship of the Fleet)
- PNS Courageous
- PNS Valiant
- PNS Defiant
- PNS Defensive
RORO and Large Transportation Ships
The URPN's roll on roll off (RORO) and Large Transportation Ships (LTS) have been commissioned as a result of the changing role of the URPN. It is now essential in the current global climate to have the capability to deploy large numbers of troops and vehicles quickly and efficiently. These new ships provide that capability, making the URP's Amphibious troops the most mobile in the world.
Amphibious Assault Ships
The Populiean Marine Force (URPMF) often embark onboard Amphibious Assault Ships (also referred to as an amphibious assault carrier or commando carrier) a class of ship designed as a helicopter carrier employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault. While often resembling aircraft carriers, the role of an amphibious assault ship is fundamentally different: its aviation facilities have the primary role of hosting helicopters to support forces ashore rather than to support strike aircraft. However, they are capable of serving in the sea-control role, embarking aircraft like Harrier fighters and ASW helicopters. Most of these ships can also carry or support landing craft such as air-cushioned landing craft or LCUs.
The URPN operates 8 Amphibious Assault Ships:
Cidade Class
- PNS Cidade
- PNS Condor
- PNS Caesar
- PNS Cavalier
Hulk Class
- PNS Hulk
- PNS Hydra
- PNS Heron
- PNS Hercules
Destroyers
The URPN has 20 destroyer class vessels in service, providing the brute force weaponry, essential for any naval force. Destroyers are fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warships intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range but powerful attackers (submarines and aircraft). Before World War II, URP destroyers were light vessels without the endurance for unattended ocean operations; typically a number of destroyers and a single destroyer tender operated together. During and after the war, larger and more powerful destroyers capable of independent operation were built, particularly as cruisers ceased to be used in the URPN between 1950 and 1960.
Destroyers are now the heaviest surface combatant ships in use with the URP, with only four nations (the United States, Russia, France and Peru) operating cruiser class vessels. Modern destroyers, also known as guided missile destroyers, are equivalent in tonnage but vastly superior in firepower to the cruisers of the World War II era, capable of carrying long range missiles capable of causing extensive damage.
The URP operates 20 destroyer type Ships:
Knight Class:
- PNS Wave Knight
- PNS Wave Ruler
- PNS Wave King
- PNS Wave Queen
Upholder Class:
- PNS Upholder
- PNS Ultimatum
- PNS Unbeaten
- PNS Unbending
- PNS Unicorn
- PNS Unbroken
- PNS Undaunted
- PNS Unrivalled
- PNS Unshaken
- PNS Unswerving
- PNS Untamed
- PNS Untiring
Invincible Class:
- PNS Invincible
- PNS Indestructible
- PNS Impregnable
- PNS Indomitable
Frigates
Powerful and versatile with the capability to operate anywhere in the world, the frigates of the URPN are the mainstay of the modern surface fleet. Frigates form 65% of the total frigate/destroyer force in the Populiean Navy. Originally designed for the principal task of anti-submarine warfare, they have evolved into powerful and versatile multi purpose ships with the capability to operate anywhere in the world. The effectiveness of these ships is enhanced by their stealth design, which reduces their radar signature significantly. In addition to the war fighting roles described above, the ship is trained to conduct a wide range of other tasks. These include embargo operations using boarding teams inserted from the ship's boats or helicopter, disaster relief work and surveillance operations.
The URPN operates 34 destroyer type vessels:
List
Patrol Vessels
Patrol ships are the modern equivalent of the oldest front line group of ships in the URPN, forming the basis of the home flotilla.
Small Vessels
The Populiean Navy also operates a number of smaller ships, for Mine-sweeping Operations, training purpose and hydrographic surveys, these are based at the Fleet HQ in PNS West Point.
Auxiliary Support Ships
Reflecting this task as their core role, the Auxiliary Support Service's current flotilla of 20 ships made up twelve tankers and eight stores ships. The newest additions to the flotilla are PNS Safe Haven and PNS Intervenor, which are Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) or LSD(A)'s. These ships use the latest diesel-electric propulsion and dynamic positioning systems.
Submarines
The "Ultimate" Class SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear) provides the Populiean strategic nuclear deterrent. The first Ultimate class submarine was launched in 1994 carrying Trident II D5 missiles and is now the cornerstone of our Defence policy and significantly contributes to the country's deterrent forces.
The SSN (Ship Submersible Nuclear), or Fleet Submarines contribute to peace and security by providing a conventional deterrence to anyone or nation that may pose a threat to world stability. They combine qualities of stealth, endurance and flexibility. These characteristics afford the SSN an unparalleled freedom to operate world-wide, SSNs can act independently or in support of a surface ship task group and or land operations. The SSNs of the Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class are extremely sophisticated, deep diving, high-speed submarines, capable of fulfilling a range of maritime military tasks undreamed of by the strategists of previous generations.
Establishments
Shore Establishments
- PNS West Point is the operational headquarters of the URPN, with department offices for most branches of the navy, as well as the Naval courts. PNS West Point is home to the Atlantic Fleet, with berths for Frigates, Destroyers, Submarines and Aircraft Carriers.
- PNS Garon is the operational base of the Home Flotilla, working with Gibraltar Boat Station.
- PNS De'pato is the home base of the global fleet, and home to the naval reconnaissance unit.
Inshore Establishments
- The Naval Academy is responsible for training all officer entry recruits, with basic skills essential for the day to day command of the force.
- The School for Naval Recruits is the establishment responsible for the basic training of all new recruits entering the non-commissioned rates.
War Zone Establishments
- Camp Snake-tail is home to the Populiean presence in Iraq, housing our contribution to the coalition force. The base acts as a Logistics command centre, coordinating convoys all over the nation, as well as serving as an active airbase, flying sorties everyday, ranging from search and rescue, to emergency air support for troops on the ground. The base also houses extensive medical facilities and is a reception centre for critically wounded soldiers.
- Camp Zodiac is the Populiean Marines base in Afghanistan, located in the north of the country, the base is currently in handover to the Afgan Army.
Foreign Locations
The URPDoD has several establishments worldwide that are used for training purposes, personnel housing and equipment stores.
- Gibraltar Boat Station: This boat station is a small operating centre for the Populiean presence in the Gibraltar Straight and northern Populiean Straight. The small patrol ships based here work in cooperation with the Royal Navy policing the shipping lanes, and taking action against smuggling, illegal immigration and terrorism. In recent years the force has been responsible for uncovering huge quantities of drugs being transported into mainland Europe.
Special Forces/Amphibious Troops
As well as operating a fleet of high-tech ships the Populiean Navy also operates amphibious troop units, these soldiers are highly trained in both land and sea operations and are a vital tool in the Navy's work.
The Marines
The Populiean Marines (PM) are the amphibious infantry of the Populiean Armed Forces, they are also experts in mountain and arctic warfare, as well as being a core component of the countries rapid response force. The Marines contain commando trained forces that are among the most highly trained in the world, as well as artillery companies and and logistics specialists.
The Marines are a maritime-focused, amphibious, light infantry force capable of deploying at short notice in support of the United Republic Of Populieus Government's military and diplomatic objectives overseas and are optimized for highly manoeuvreable operational situations.
Special Diving Squadron (SDS)
The SDS is the officially defined Special Forces of the Populiean Navy, however the Populiean Marines are mostly considered a Special Forces Corps. The roles of the Special Diving Squadron are predominantly focused on, but not restricted to riverine and waterborne domains, including:
- Coastal reconnaissance
- Covert beach reconnaissance (Hydrographic survey) in advance of amphibious assault
- Covert assault route preparation in advance of amphibious assault
- Recovery or protection of ships and oil installations subject to hostile state or non-state (terrorist) action.
- Maritime Counter-Terrorism
- Support to Police and customs
- Reconnaissance and target indication in the deep battlespace
- Assault on verified targets
- Personal protection of VIPs
The Populiean Government does not comment on The Special Forces, their operations or organization, so it is hard to be sure exactly how the units work, SDS teams are highly qualified in many fields including:
- Diving both closed and open circuit - candidates swim underwater for miles in poor visibility completing complex navigational tasks and employment exercises
- Parachuting and static line air to ground transfers
- Demolition
- Infiltration of ships, in harbour and whilst under way, and oil platforms
- Canoeing - Use of the specialist divers canoe during selection is extensive
- Further survival training in the wilds of Scotland
- Beach reconnaissance including photography
- The use of small inflatable or ridged landing craft
- Maritime Counter-Terrorism activities
 Marines on Exercise |
 Imaging equipment demonstration |
 On patrol at Fleet Week |
 Marine on guard duty |
 Marines under testing |
 Special forces divers |
 Special forces rigid raider |
Fleet Protection Squad (FPS)
The Fleet Protection Squad is the force responsible for the protection of the Navy's assets, whether it be personnel, establishments, Ships or Equipment. The FPS guards the Nuclear Weapons of the United Kingdom, as well as performing other security duties at base gates and waterborne patrols outside of bases. Members of the FPS are often former Marines who have become too old for marine service, but are still capable of protection duties.
The FPS also has a voluntary section where any former member of the Navy can volunteer for basic protection duty, this could be minor crowd control at a parade or gate duty at a low security base.
Fleet Air Wing
The Fleet Air Wing is a branch of the Navy, which is responsible for the flying, operating, controlling and maintenance of The Navy's Aircraft. The FAW operates aircraft such as the Apache Helicopter, Westland Lynx, Merlin, Sea Harrier, The Chinook, The Eurofighter Typhoon and The F-35 Lightening, as well as large cargo and passenger planes such as the Hercules. The FAW employs over 15% of the Navy's personnel and is growing in size with the introduction of 3 new Populiean Class Aircraft Carriers.
History
The Fleet Air Wing (FLW) was established in January 1915 under the Air Department of the Admiralty . By the outbreak of the First World War in August, it had more aircraft under its control than the Army's Flying Corps (AFC). The main roles of the FAW were fleet reconnaissance, patrolling coasts for enemy ships and submarines, attacking enemy coastal territory and defending Populieus from enemy air-raids, along with deployment along the Western Front. In April 1918 the FAW, which at this time had 67,000 officers and men, 2,949 aircraft, 103 airships and 126 coastal stations, was merged with the Air Reconnaissance Corps to form the Populiean Air Force.
On 16 April 1924, the Fleet Air Wing of the Populiean Air Force was formed, encompassing those RAF units that normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships. On 16 May 1937 the Fleet Air Wing was returned to Admiralty control. At the onset of the Second World War, the Fleet Air Wing consisted of 20 squadrons with only 232 aircraft. By the end of the war the worldwide strength of the Fleet Air Wing was 59 aircraft carriers, 3,700 aircraft, 72,000 officers and men, and 56 air stations. The aircraft carrier had replaced the battleship as the Fleet's capital ship and its aircraft were now strike weapons in their own right.
After the war the FAW needed to fly jet aircraft from their carriers. The jet aircraft of the era were considerably less effective at low speeds than propeller aircraft, but propeller aircraft could not effectively fight jets at the high speeds flown by jet arcraft. The FAW took on its first jet, the Sea Vampire, in the late 1949. The Sea Vampire was the first jet credited with taking off and landing on a carrier.
As jets became larger, more powerful and faster they required more space to take off and land. The US Navy simply built much larger carriers. The Royal Navy had a few large carriers built and completed after the end of the war but another solution was looked for. This was partly overcome by the introduction of an Royal Navy idea to angle the flight deck away from the centre line so that the aircraft landing had a clear run away from the usual forward deck park. Another invention to aid the take off process was the use of a steam powered catapult to cater for the larger and heavier aircraft. The phasing out of the larger, heavier aircraft led to the introduction of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier VTOL aircraft, which could be operated from any size of ship.
Helicopters also became important combat vehicles starting in the 1960s. At first they were employed on the carriers alongside the fixed-wing aircraft, but later they were also deployed on most smaller ships. Today at least one helicopter is found on all ships of frigate size or larger. Wasps and Sea Harriers played an active part in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict alongside those of the Royal Navy, while Lynx helicopters played an attack role against Iraqi patrol boats in the 1991 Gulf War and Commando Sea Kings assisted in suppressing rebel forces in Sierra Leone.
Role
The Role of the Fleet Air Wing is to provide the URPN with a versatile air capability, extending the reach of the navy far beyond the coast.
Current Aircraft
The FAW currently operates numerous fixed wing, and rotary wing aircraft, employed in numerous roles.
Establishments
The Fleet Air Wing operates 4 naval air stations throughout Populieus, home to the squadrons of the FAW.
Future of the FAW
The Fleet Air Wing is seen as one of the more essential areas of the Navy that will need development, in order to provide the navy with an efficient, competent and competitive air force.
Naval Investigative Service
The NIS is a part civilian Department Of Defense organization, The NIS is the government body responsible for the investigation of Maritime incidents such as collisions and also investigates crimes against the Navy or naval personnel.
Future Ships and Plans
The Populiean Department of Defense is currently "revamping" the existing and in places dated Naval Fleet, this project is seeing new classes of ships built as well as the introduction of new aircraft, all on a dramatic scale. This project is seeing 3 new aircraft carriers built, the construction of new submarines and destroyer class vessels. Listed below are some of the upcoming and current projects.
The Illustrious Class of Aircraft Carrier
This class of Aircraft Carrier is being designed and built for the Populiean Navy, they will be completed in 2010 and have a displacement of 75000 tonnes. The Carriers have a much higher capacity than the Navy's now old classes for aircraft carrier. It is unclear what systems will be operating on board but computer generated images have revealed the use of Systech radar towers on the forward island structure.
The navy has commissioned 3 of these carriers to be built, they will host the new f-35 fighter adapted with STOVL (Short TakeOff Vertical Landing) technology pioneered by The URP and UK, The carriers will also be able to hold and operate the Eurofighter Typhoon when the Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) version of the fighter is completed.
The Illustrious Class will be deployed for front line fighter support and will also have a first rate task-group medical centre and operating theater on board, making this ship one of the most vital parts of a task group. The carrier will lack in self protection but will rarely be present without a task group escort or an anti-aircraft equip destroyer.
A Statement form The URPDoD regarding the development of The Illustrious Class: "We are very excited about the development of these advanced ships, their completion will mark a new age in our Naval superiority, making us number one yet again. Our collaboration with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense has further advanced our understanding of each other and lead to a better ship. Perhaps the most exciting prospect is that actual Naval personnel Sailors and Pilots, Engineers and Captains have been consulted on the interior design, making the ship suitable for the needs of the people on board..."
Coastal Patrol Vessels
Perhaps the busiest area of development in the Navy is the Home Defense fleet or the Coastal fleet. The task of these ships is to maintain the Integrity of The Populiean Maritime boarders, by performing patrols, enforcing customs and immigration law, preventing smuggling and illegal waterborne activity.
The current fleet of coastal patrol vessels was lat replaced in 1998, but a need had arrived for more modern, faster and more capable ships. This need prompted the defense Evaluation committee to recommend that a new fleet of 8 large specialist coastal support vessels should be built and that more personnel should be committed to this fleet. in addition 3 more shore establishments to host ships and personnel were recommended.
The Navy has place orders for 8 new large coastal patrol vessels, 5 Puncher Class and 3 Archer class ships, each capable of hold 2 fast response rigid inflatable boats for ship interception. Each new ship will be crewed my a mixture of Marines and Sailors with marines taking many of the enforcement responsibilities.
One of the most exciting new features of the new Archer and Puncher class patrol ships is their capability to host and operate helicopters, a feature that older large patrol boats lacked. The boasts will be large enough to accommodate Apache attack helicopters and Merlin patrol helicopters making the new patrols much more versatile and capable of coping with many more situations than before.
Archer and Puncher class ships are almost identical on the outside but they are designed for different purposes entirely, the interior of the ship reflects this.
Archer Class vessels are designed for more inshore waters, and will be operating in the enclosed areas of Populiean waters. The interior is specialised with
Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Class
To Be Revealed
Navy Statistics
Personnel
- People: 55,000
including 8,000 Marines
- Officers: to be done
Ships
- Aircraft Carriers: 5
- Amphibious Assault Ships: 8
- Destroyers: 20
- Frigates: 34
- Patrol Ships: 38
- Minesweepers: 12
- Auxiliary (not including those in Civilian service): 12
- Other: 13
Total: 142 ships
The URPN does not disclose information of submarine activity.