Neu Westfalen Air Force

The Neu Westfalen Air Force (German: Neu Westfalen Luftwaffe) is the aerial warfare branch of the Neu Westfalen Bundeswehr. With a strength of 8,250 men (2016), it is the forth largest air force in Oceania, after the air forces of Australia, New Duveland and Calaré. Although its budget has been reduced since the end of Indonesia's Suharto regime in 1998, the Neu Westfalen Luftwaffe is still among the most well-equipped small air forces in the world.

Early Years
When Neu Westfalen gained independence in 1925 it set about transforming it's small volunteer corps into a fully-fledged defence force. Along with a newly formed Army and Navy, an Air Force was also created by incorporating leftover military equipment from Germany. Initially few resources were given to the air force, as Neu Westfalen's geographic isolation made it a strategically-impractical target for hostile biplane fighter aircraft. However with the rapid appearance of carrier-borne monoplane fighter aircraft in the 1930's it soon became apparent Neu Westfalen would require more than a token airforce filled with mostly obsolete equipment.

World War II Era
During the late 1930's Neu Westfalen began purchasing modern aircraft from Nazi Germany, such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane and the Heinkel He 111 medium bomber/transport. The Neu Westfalen Luftwaffe began training with their German counterparts in 1932, with 17 pilots serving (unofficially) during the Spanish Civil War. Shortly after the start of World War II Adolf Hitler cancelled any further military shipments to Neu Westfalen, as Germany needed to conserve such resources for it's war effort.

During the war 128 Neu Westphalian pilots would reject their country's neutrality and join the German Luftwaffe to fight the Allies. Fearing the Empire of Japan would eventually invade Neu Westfalen, 45 pilots also broke-ranks by joining the US Navy to fight in the Pacific theater. When it became apparent Germany's defeat was inevitable, tens of thousands of German refugees and high-ranking officials began asking for sanctuary in Neu Westfalen. In early 1945 the government ordered the Luftwaffe to begin evacuating as many German civilians as possible via Spain, Spanish Sahara, Argentina and Uruguay to Neu Westfalen. Some Nazi party officials also managed to sneak on-board these flights, despite attempts to filter them out.

The Neu Westfalen Luftwaffe continued flying out German refugees after the war; primarily those from Soviet-occupied areas. These flights stopped in 1947 when the Soviet Union moved to prevent people escaping the Iron Curtain.

Cold War Era
During the Cold War the Luftwaffe primarily looked to the United States for its aircraft, but also maintained a close relationship with both West & East Germany. 42 American F-4E Phantom IIs were acquired in 1971, and remained in service until their eventual retirement (without replacement) in 2007.

In general the decades following WWII were largely quiet for the Luftwaffe, with few deployments taking place until 1989; during the defense of the Spira Islands.

Modern Era
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Neu Westfalen re approached Russia and established good relations. This would eventually lead to joint-training exercises and technology-sharing between the Luftwaffe and the Russian Air Force. Likewise the Luftwaffe continues to frequently train with Western air-forces such the United States, Australia, New Duveland, Japan, Germany & the United Kingdom.

In addition to it's combat-oriented roles, the Luftwaffe's fleet of logistical transport aircraft are often deployed to aid in disaster relief efforts around the world.

Air-Combat Fleet Modernization
In 2011 the Luftwaffe upgraded its F-14 fleet with the latest aviation sensors, radar and digital flight controls to ensure the ageing aircraft would maintain their longevity until the year 2020. In 2013 the Luftwaffe initially set a requirement for 32 replacement aircraft, shortlisting a number of 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 relatively high procurement and operational costs; leaving only the F/A-18E/F and MiG-35 remaining. In February 2016 the Luftwaffe announced it had also eliminated the two remaining candidates, stating that neither of the multi-role jets would sufficiently meet their future air-superiority requirements; in particular against future threats to the Spira Islands. Instead the Neu Westfalen government began talks with Russia's Sukhoi corporation, with plans to procure approximately 18 of the more advanced 5th generation PAK FA fighter-jets. . However in June 2016 the PAK FA was evaluated as too expensive and difficult to maintain given the Luftwaffe's limited resources, hence a new replacement competition was created with the Dassault Rafale (B/C variants) & Saab Gripen (E/F variants) both shortlisted. Between 18-24 aircraft were specified by the contract, with the final decision to be made by September 2016.

On 7 September 2016 the Luftwaffe confirmed it had selected the Rafale instead of the Gripen, with an order for 24 aircraft (including spare-parts, training & localization) at a cost of US$5.1 billion (€4.53 billion). The first four aircraft (all twin-seater "B" variants) are to be supplied by December 2016, with the remaining 20 to enter service by mid-2018.

Personnel
As of 2016, the Luftwaffe has 8,250 permanent full-time personnel and 1,600 part-time reserve personnel.

Aircraft
In total the Luftwaffe currently operates 76 aircraft of various classes.

Headquarters
The Luftwaffe currently maintains four air bases, three of which are located on the mainland and one on the Spira Islands. Each base is 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).

Future procurement

 * Procurement of a medium-range reconnaissance UAV is being discussed. No candidates have yet been identified.