Royal Sanktish Defence Forces

Royal Sanktish Air Force

Royal Sanktish Home Guard

The Royal Sanktish Defence Forces (Sanktish: Siły Obrönos Sankten Kröwlowskej, Polish: Królewskie Sanktie Siły Zbrojne, Lithuanian: Karališkosios Sanktejos gynybos pajėgos, German: Königliche Sanktische Verteidigungskräfte), also known as the RSDF, is the official military forces of the Kingdom of Sankten. It is tasked to protect Sankten from internal and foreign threats.

Since 1946, all branches of the RSDF are commanded by the Central Command of the Defence Forces, which is led by the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces.

The RSDF is divided into 3 branches - Ground Force, Navy and Air Force.

## History

### Independence of Sankten

The Royal Armed Forces of Sankten was founded alongside the creation of the state of Sankten.

During the mass migration of Poles and the escaping of the Polish army, the RAFS was a strong military force in Europe. It protected merchant ships from the harassment of Sweden and Russia and Prussia.

### Napoleonic Wars

The Sanktish army helped the French Empire in establishing their interests in Europe. The RAFS was integrated into the Army of the Duchy of Warsaw after its unification with Warsaw.

After Napoleon's defeat, the RAFS wasn't revived. Sankten became independent as the last Polish king escaped to Sankten and was crowned. The kingdom had no armed forces until 1867, when the North German Confederation was founded.

### World Wars

The Royal Sanktish Defence Forces was founded in 1867, consisting of the Royal Sanktish Coastal Defense Force and the Royal Sanktish Ground Army. It was a measure made after the aggression of the North German Confederation.

The RSDF went through huge reforms and mobilization between the 1870s and 1900s, its size grew from a mere regiment to an army of 50k men, a navy of 2 armoured cruisers and 5 destroyers.

In 1912, Sankten joined the Triple Entete, and declared war on the Triple Alliance. The RSDF, with assistance of the Imperial Russian Navy invaded Eastern Prussia and Lithuania.

In 1925, the Royal Sanktish Air Force was founded. It consisted of 28 Armstrong Whitworth Siskin fighter aircraft. The Air Force would be subjected to mobilization 10 years later. By 1939 when Germany declared war on Poland and Sankten, the RSKAF consisted of 166 fighter aircraft, most which are locally produced variants of the Fokker D.XXI, and 75 Avro Anson bombers.

In 1940, the Third Reich began its assault on Sanktish soil. Fallschirmjägers attempted a landing on the Northern part of Sankten. Due to poor coordination and strong Sanktish resistance, the Germans failed and had huge casualties. Throughout WW2, Sankten resisted against German harassments. The Royal Sanktish Coastal Defense Force established a secret trade route by using Swedish merchant flags on convoys. This prevented Sankten from starvation.

### Cold War

After the war, Sankten immediately was threatened by the USSR. The USSR, due to its major losses, couldn't invade Sankten, therefore they gave up on puppeting Sankten. The RSDF was kept at its highest strength throughout its neutrality during the cold war. It was until 1991, after the USSR was dissolved, conscription was removed.

### Modern Day

The RSDF went through mass downsizing after the cold war ended. Its role was reduced to garrisons, and the divisions were reduced to small brigades.

### Erkes Independence Uprising & Fascist Uprising

During the 5th Term, the Erkes Independence Front staged an uprising in Jurmala and Stonks. The RSDF and the National Security Front (Home Guard of the nation) were deployed to suppress the EIF. The poorly equipped EIF was no match against the more professional RSDF, but due to poor training and equipment, the RSDF suffered more losses than expected. It went through major reform and restructuring. The progress was halted when the fascists staged an uprising. This time, the RSDF suffered even more losses during the uprising. This triggered a full restructuring and remodeling of the RSDF. The RSCDF was reformed into a full fledged Navy, and the RSGF was restructured into Brigade Combat Teams and a marine elite force was established. Currently, the RSDF is undergoing a 12 year expansion path.

## Organization

The Supreme Commander is the highest position in all of RSDF. However, it is usually the General Chief-of-Staff who does the work and reports. The General CoS has to undergo governmental approval before any purchases of equipment and deployments. This responsibility is usually handed over to the Minister of Defence.

### Department of the Defence Force

The DoDF is the highest body of the RSDF, responsible for all affairs within the RSDF. All irregular militarial activities are also conducted through the Department of the Defence Force, such as intelligence, cyber-warfare and civilian security.

### Department of the Home Guard

The DoHG is a separate body of the RSDF, responsible for all affairs of the Home Guard & local militias. All registered professional militias must and are being commanded by this department. Refer here for the information of the Home Guard.

## Deployments

### Nordic Battlegroup

Sankten, even though not an EU nation, participates in the Nordic Battlegroup. Currently, Sankten has sent 300 troops to participate in this cooperative formation.