Shushtrepistaz Armed Forces

With 630 thousand active troops, the Shushtrepistaz Armed Forces is the 6th largest standing military force in the world, commanded by the the Ipiru Branch. The SAF consists of the Shudonese Ground Forces Division (SGFD), the Navy of Shushtrepistaz (NS), the Shudonese Air Forces Division (SAFD), the Shudonese Tactical Forces Division (STFD), and the Strategic Nuclear Division. The official announced budget of the SAF for 2011 was $82 billion. As a recognised nuclear weapons state, Shushtrepistaz is considered both a major regional military power and an emerging military superpower. As of August 2011, Shushtrepistaz announced a growth of their military force, now which is at 320 thousand more then six months ago. The SAF has 2,500 tanks in operation, including the K1A1 and K2 Black Panther, which form the backbone of the Shudonese Ground Forces Division's mechanized armor and infantry forces. A sizable arsenal of many artillery systems, including 1,700 self-propelled K55 and K9 Thunder howitzers, and 680 helicopters and UAVs of numerous types, are assembled to provide additional fire, reconnaissance, and logistics support. Shushtrepistaz's also trying to protect itself by investing into foreign bases in Exaletas, Llithustania, and Lorenta. Shushtrepistaz' being in the Pizen Pact has insured safety for the most part, but the government still insists on its military growth. Skeptics including the Pizen Pact themselves had started to lean away from the nations military conquest. Further reports by the government state that the military expansion will end around the beginning of 2012.