Bundeswehr Neu Westfalen

The Neu Westfalen Federal Defence Forces (German: Bundeswehr Neu Westfalen) are organized into Heer (Army), Luftwaffe (Airforce) and Marine (Navy) branches. It operates a technologically sophisticated defence force with an emphasis on Air and Naval assets. The Heer (including Special Forces) operates the largest share with 13,500 personnel, followed by the Marine with 8,350 personnel and the Luftwaffe with 8,250 personnel. The Bundeswehr also maintains another 7,000 Reserve personnel (37,100 total), making it the 4th largest military in Oceania; behind Australia, Calaré and New Duveland.

Neu Westfalen's area of strategic interest is primarily in the Pacific & Indian ocean regions. Practical defence of its overseas territory, the Spira Islands, relies heavily upon its close defence-relations with Australia, which allows Bundeswehr aircraft and warships free passage and the right to refuel (and vice versa). Today Neu Westfalen conducts annual training exercises with its defence partners Australia, New Duveland, Cattala and New Zealand. The Marine also participates in the annual AIN-RIMPAC naval exercises.

Cold War
During the Cold War the Bundeswehr was primarily equipped with American and European military hardware, such as the American F-14 Tomcat Fighter-Interceptor and the British Harrier II V/STOL Strike Fighter (which are still in service today). However since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Neu Westfalen has become increasingly critical of America's interventionist foreign-policies and relations soured somewhat. As a result Neu Westfalen strengthened its relations with many European nations and greatly developed relations with the Russian Federation.

Modern Era
The Bundeswehr was deployed to East Timor as part of operation Operation Astute between 2006 to 2013, which some claim was a continuation of their long-standing dispute with Indonesia. However the Bundeswehr maintained its primary motivation was to maintain peace in the Pacific.

Heer
Given Neu Westfalen's geographic isolation, it has generally only required a small ground army (Heer); especially since the end of the cold war. It is primarily a mechanized-infantry force and specializes in amphibious operations, peacekeeping missions and disaster relief. In recent years it's capabilities have expanded to include a small missile-defense force, in the form of twelve 12 Pantsir-S2 and eight S-400 Triumf SAM batteries; most of which are positioned on the Spira Islands. The standard service rifle of the Heer is the Belgian FN F2000 Assault Rifle, which was introduced in 2006.

The special forces unit of the Heer is the Spezielle Aufklärungseinheit (Special Reconnaissance Unit) or SAE, and is composed of approximately 200 members.

Luftwaffe
The Neu Westfalen Luftwaffe operates a variety of modern combat, transport and logistical aircraft. These aircraft are based at four primary airforce bases, each responsible for their own stragetic and civil defence area; Mt Lantea Airbase (North Westphalia), Evehalden Airbase (Central Westphalia), Lake Zollikon Airbase (South Westphalia) & Spira Military Base (Spira Overseas Territory).

In 2011 the Luftwaffe upgraded it's F-14 Tomcat fleet with the latest aviation sensors, radar and digital flight controls to ensure the aging aircraft maintain their longevity until the year 2020. Although their eventual replacement has not yet been confirmed, the Luftwaffe initially shortlisted a number of replacement candidates including the Dassault Rafale, Mikoyan MiG-35, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the F-35 Lightning II. In March 2015 the federal government then reduced this shortlist to two by eliminating the Rafale and F-35, citing their high procurement and operational costs; leaving only the F/A-18E/F and MiG-35 remaining. However in February 2016 the Luftwaffe announced it had also eliminated the remaining two candidates, stating that neither of the multi-role jets would sufficiently meet their future air-superiority requirements; in particular against future threats from Indonesia to the Spira Islands. Instead the Neu Westfalen government is currently in talks with Russia's Sukhoi corporation, with plans to procure approximately 18 of the more advanced 5th generation PAK FA fighter-jets.

The Luftwaffe's fleet of logistical transport aircraft are often deployed to aid in disaster relief efforts around the world. These aircraft are also vital to Neu Westfalen's military transport capabilities, providing crucial logistical support for the defence forces at home and abroad. In total it currently operates 82 aircraft.

Marine
The Neu Westfalen Marine is considered a Green-water navy with the ability to provide coastal defence as well as sustaining operations in the open ocean. As an island nation, Neu Westfalen places a relatively high degree of importance on its maritime capabilities; in terms of both combat and non-combat roles.

In 2008 the Marine introduced the Valhalla-class Light/Helicopter Carrier, based-off the French Mistral-class and built under license at the Port Lantea Naval Shipyard. To accommodate STOVL jets the deck of the Valhalla was strengthened with heat-resistant panels to protect it from hot jet exhaust blasts. Furthermore unlike the Mistral, the Valhalla is nuclear powered allowing it to operate without regular refueling. This would replace it's aging ex-British Invincible-class carrier - the Asgard.

Since 1986 it has operated a small number of British-built Harrier Jets. Observing how effective these were for the British during the Falklands War, Neu Westfalen ordered 12 Harrier II's to operate from it's sole carrier; with the aim of protecting the contested Spira Islands from invasion. However after budget revisions in 2011, they have been primarily kept on air-force bases; only rarely operating at sea. Instead the Valhalla primarily operates as a Helicopter Carrier and Amphibious Sealift Transport.