Kalistan

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Ignoring Deltarian Ultimatum, Coltrane's fleet sets sail with added security
"Deltaria should not oppose trade" said Merchant Fleet Captain
Sulari, Suldanor,
October 18, 5090


Captain Coltrane surveys his assembled Fleet

Ignoring the ultimatum from the Government of Deltaria issued in August calling Kalistani merchants "smugglers" and threatening intervention, Captain James Coltrane, of the 2nd Kalistani Merchant Expedition to Majatra, set sail from Port Elga three weeks ago. He was in command of a trading flotilla consisting of more than 30 ships, carrying more than 150 million Rubles of cargo from the port at Sulari, and bound for the Majatran Sea.

"We will not be intimidated by Deltaria," said Coltrane. "As we will be operating in international waters, Deltaria would do well to not stop trade."

But just in case they should try, Coltrane added, "We've included a little insurance policy. We have outfitted several patrol craft with surface launch torpedo's and are packing 50 inflatable MS-15 LAFA craft. We have also employed the services of crew who were previously associated with the SP Militia Navy to provide security for the outfit. We do not expect to need them, but it is always better to have what you don't need than to need what you don't have."

Coltrane also noted that the fleet would be armed. "We are selling weapons, after all," he said with a laugh. "Many of these mariners are quite competent to handle them at need." Coltrane then wryly added, "They don't call Kalistan 'The Pirate Republic' for nothing..."

Coltrane's fleet is currently passing through the Aldegar Canal enroute to the Majatran Sea, and expects to arrive within the next two weeks.

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Coltrane seizes Deltarian Freighter on the High Seas as Privateer encounters Deltarian hostility
Returns the ship under "Prize Vessel" laws following issuance of Letter of Marque
Majatran Sea, Majatra
October 17, 5091


Kalistani Privateers seize Deltarian Freighter Grandsflot following capture of a Kalistani Cargo Ship

Following successful commerce with traders representing half a dozen Majatran nations, as well as smugglers from three other regional state, the trading expedition of Captain James Coltrane, which has been away from Kalistan for a full year, was deemed a success. Coltrane traded with merchants from Potensi, Barmenistan, Vanuku, Kafuristan, and Badara, as well as unlicensed merchants from "other nations" at Coltrane's floating market in the Majatran Sea. Coltrane was elusive on which other nations these could possibly be, but it is surmised that merchants from some countries who have expressed objection to the Kalistani trade mission in the region could likely be counted among the merchants who purchased from Coltrane's market. "We wisely avoided Quanzar," said Coltrane, "by which I mean, we didn't sail anywhere near Quanzar. And if we sold to their merchants, they did not inform us that their destination was Quanzar or any of its ports. But it is not our job to keep track of that sort of paperwork."

"Over all, as with Creighton, the ODEN and KALMILINCO goods sold most readily," said Coltrane. "Those were always the most in-demand goods from traders of all countries we sold to." Drugs and weaponry were in particularly high demand, specifically because of local prohibitions toward importing those items. "But we also sold a lot of above board goods to traders, who were themselves just legitimate merchants looking to get a good deal which we could offer because of our non-compliance with local import customs and tax laws." In all, most of Coltrane's fleet has returned to Kalistan via the Mad Dog Ocean, with empty holds.

However, late in the expedition, a major incident occurred which still has repercussions. As lots and containers were sold and transferred, primarily at neutral ports possessing freight handling facilities but no functioning law or customs enforcement, remaining cargos were consolidated on fewer and fewer ships. One of the last remaining ships in the fleet, which contained more than K2 million in ODEN product, more than 20 high end Kalistani MOCOs valued at K1.36 million, and several hundreds of thousands of dollars in machine parts and scrap metal, was seized as Kalistani sailors departed from a neutral Vanukean port by the Republic of Deltaria.

"We had just finished transferring the last cargo from three other vessels, which had put to sea earlier that morning before sunrise," said Coltrane. "As the Silver Star set sail and entered international water, she was interdicted by a small force of heavily armed Deltarian patrol craft who ordered her to stop. She called to the Kalistani escorts, who would not make it to the site before nightfall, and was advised to surrender. The Silver Star surrendered and was boarded, her crew were placed under arrest for smuggling and piracy, and the ship fell under the control of Deltarian military officers, who promptly sailed the ship to Deltairan waters."

Meanwhile, Coltrane dispatched four armed trawlers and 15 LAFA craft to attempt to intercept the captured freighter before it made it to Deltarian National waters. As the freighter continued on, the interdiction force remained behind and met the Kalistani fleet at approximately 840 pm. A firefight ensued, and two Deltarian patrol craft were sunk by the more agile Kalistani fleet before contact was broken off. The Freighter arrived in Deltarian waters in the middle of the night and was impounded. Several LAFAs were damaged, and 7 men were wounded in the gun battle, but no Kalistanis were killed, and 3 Deltarians were captured at sea.

The Kalistani Government at this point, responding to the crisis, ordered Coltrane to cease trading his remaining goods, return the unarmed ships to Kalistan, and explore the possibility of recovering the lost freighter with his armed vessels. The Foreign Minister of Kalistan issued Coltrane a Letter of Marque which covered any nation that shows hostility toward the remainder of Coltrane's fleet, now transformed into a Privateer navy consisting of 45 LAFA craft, 7 supply and fuel ships, 3 militia Corvettes, and 8 Patrol Craft. Three of Coltrane's main financial backers have begun to raise money for the dispatch of a relief fleet to the region to resupply Coltrane if needed, until the ship is either recovered, or Coltrane has decided that it is impossible to recover the lost ship.

Then, yesterday, Coltrane reported that Kalistani Privateers had seized a small Deltarian freighter crossing the Majatran, The "Grandsflot" with a manifest that showed it was bound for Seleyan ports. Kalistani privateers boarded the ship after warning it to surrender or it would be torpedoed and sunk. The Ship struck its colors, and a small force of 8 men captured the ship, loaded the crew of 16 onto a LAFA under guard and returned them to Coltrane's base of operations. The ship then resumed its course out of the Majatran Sea, enroute to Kalistan. It will stop in neutral ports in Valruzia and Telamon for refueling and disposal of the Cargo, and is expected in Kalistan by early December, where it will be sold under Kalistan's Privateering Law as a Prize vessel. The Cargo is valued by Coltrane at more than K850,000.

Coltrane's Letter of Marque is set to expire in a year, but may be renewed if the Republic believes there is sufficient justification for the action.

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Socialist Party 2500 Anniversary is scantily attended
"It's like Air being 2500 Years Old," says one Citizen
Kaliburg, Ananto
November 8, 5091


Premier Bjorksdattir provides an historical outline of the History of the Party before 150 people at Polytechnic

The Socialist Party of Kalistan celebrated its 2500th Birthday this fall with a series of events that were poorly attended by the population. The Premier of the Republic capped off the "festivities" such as they were with an historical lecture discussing the accomplishments and the setbacks for Socialism in Kalistan.

Following the 2 and a half hour event which included two intermissions, a graphic arts presentation, and the Premier losing her voice three quarters of the way through the event, several attendees were interviewed.

"I thought the Premier is a pretty good premier all around. She has the right ideas, and is steering Kalistan on a decent course. Its pretty much what is to be expected of Socialist Government," said Ed Gallegos, of Lhassa, who was in town for sightseeing and found out about the lecture. "I've never met the Premier, but after, she shook our hands, signed something for the kids and took a picture with my wife. Nice lady. 12 hundred years is a long time..."

"Yet another claptrap propaganda montage at state expense," said Liberal Jonas van Kleeve. "Leave it to the Socialists to turn the National Budget into their little birthday party." When informed that the Socialist Party did not receive any funds from the National Government to throw this weeklong celebration, van Kleeve was incredulous. "That's what they'd like you to think."

The celebration started a week ago with a concert on Revolution Square by Moonshine, the alternative band from Sulari. "These guys are so old," said Henry B,, 14 of Kaliburg. "I was 6 years old when these guys started. Can you believe that... they should at least get some new bands in here." Most fans enjoyed the show, held in the outdoor Bandshell, as they sat and socialized with their neighbors, ate hotdogs, and tossed various toys around. "Moonshine is pretty fun to play football to," said Gerald X, of Bozo River, who was in town on a field trip. "And that it was a free concert, score!"

Other cultural events included a play, written by socialist playwright Alice Maldonado, about the struggle of workers to take control of their industries. "I liked the play," said Diedre Williams, of Kaliburg, "but I couldn't tell if it was set now or in like 2500. Because it seems that everything that happened in the play, we have already, so I was a little confused." It also included outdoor meetings by the Kaliburg Yearly Meeting of Brethren, two more concerts, and a week long art installation. "Taste of Kaliburg," a new festival started last year, was a big success, but few knew it was being held in conjunction with the 2500 anniversary. The event closed with the keynote by the Premier though that was one of the least attended events of all. "I'm here to party," said one guy. "Not to be lectured at about some principle."

"It seemed kind of slapdash, thrown together at the last minute," said Socialist Deputy from Eshar Nate Francis. "None of these things had anything to do with one another, and few of them had anything immediately apparent to do with the Socialist Party. We started seeing signs and street banners for the events like three days ago."

Though many of the Party stalwarts were disappointed that most of the country didn't turn out to mark the Party's 2500th anniversary, one attendee summed it up succinctly. "I mean, who cares?" asked Kaliburg native Jill Hayden-Hume, rhetorically. "The SP has been around so long, that it is synonymous with the country. Saying that SPoK is 2500 years old is like saying this rock is really 2500 years old. Who really cares? It's like saying dirt, or the air, is 2500 years old. They are just as ubiquitous as anything else. Good for them. They lasted this long. The country itself isn't that much older than the Socialist Party, and they were already a millennium and a half old when Kalistan became a Republic. They survived this long. So what?"

Given the SP's longevity, it is amazing that they have maintained such consistency over time, but few in the country seem to really give much thought to politicians or their Parties anymore. While the SP focuses on skirmishes in Majatra, which is on the other side of the globe, and no serious challenges for any office, The Socialist Party is once more ascendant again, and one Party rule is now a fact.

With that, here's to another 2500 years!

[Doc]

Coltrane's Letter of Marque extended for another Year
Regular resupply now provided at neutral port facilities
Ur Bahra, Kafrestan, Barmenia
July 4, 5092


Coltrane's Flagship, The KMS Marcus 1, at dock in Barmenistan in April

Captain James Coltrane's mission has been extended another year, according to the Foreign Minister's office. "Kalistan's cargo vessel is still detained in Deltaria, and Coltrane continues to take prizes in the Majatran," said MFA spokeswoman Julia Powers. "We are not satisfied that our grievances in the Sea have been adequately addressed, and so Coltrane will remain at sea until such time that he is either no longer needed or able to do so."

Coltrane's fleet has left a string of disasters and captures throughout the Majatran Sea since being authorized to take prizes nine months ago. While leaving neutral shipping to travel unmolested on the seas, ships going to or from Deltaria have been stopped and boarded by those under Coltrane's command with a respectable frequency. Most are allowed to carry on after a short delay, but a few have been turned back to Deltaria, with no loss of life.

"We have had a handful of incidents," said Coltrane, who was interviewed in Barmenistan in April. "Since November, we have had to engage more than three dozen ships who have ignored our signals at sea, or who have fired on our crew. We've seized 5 ships, for a total of 210,000 tonnes which have been sailed back to Kalistan. We've also seized a handful of private vessels flying Deltarian colors, which we have either incorporated into our fleet, or sold off at local neutral ports. In the process, we have lost 3 dhows, 4 LAFAs, and 16 sailors overall." Coltrane then added with a smile, "We have also gained a small tanker and a tramp freighter, both of whose Deltarian crews surrendered their ships to us specifically to join us."

Coltrane noted that he claimed the tanker himself, and made it his flagship. "We renamed her the Marcus 1, after good old Marcus Creighton," said Coltrane. "Having a tanker available to us is a great boon: The Fleet now can stay at sea longer without having to return to port to refuel as often. And the addition of the Tramp Freighter increases our supply storage capacity."

Coltrane's fleet has received resupply twice from Kalistan, and the venture's backers, most of whom stayed with the venture after the fleet was converted from a trade mission to an interdiction mission because of the promise of ongoing residual income from prize taking, have sent significant quantities of food, clothing, armaments and ammo, and several replacement LAFAs for the ones that were sunk. Both times, resupply happened in neutral ports. "Our favorite Liberty Port is Ur Bahra, Barmenistan. Barmenia is a fantastic state for privateers: They haven't had a functioning government for more than 20 years. Plus they are not signatories to the Law of the Seas, and so therefore do not feel compelled to worry themselves too much about what we do. We pay a small docking fee to local officials, who throw the doors of the city open for us. We pay taxes on the prizes and the cargo we sell in port, and buy from local merchants. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. We have even taken on some sailors from Barmenistan, who have served honorably to the man and woman."

The news that Deltaria has decided to include helicopters in its efforts to prevent Coltrane's efforts to pressure Deltaria to return stolen Kalistani property, and the decision of the Deltarian government to step up its defensive capability at sea is seen as a problem for the future by Coltrane. "They may want to, but they haven't yet. In the meanwhile, all Deltarian ships are fair game, and if Deltaria wants to increase their defense, they better get on it. Because we will continue to take Deltarian ships until they return the Silver Star and all its confiscated cargo."

Coltrane will have plenty of opportunity as the term of his Letter of Marque has been extended until November 5093, at least.

[Rogue]

Confrontation between Coltrane and Deltaria

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Majatran Privateers ordered back to Kalistan following fierce battle with Deltaria
Captain Coltrane lost, and presumed dead at sea
Ur Bahra, Kafrestan, Barmenistan
October 18, 5092


Coltrane's Flagship, the Marcus 1 burns following destructive attack by Deltarian Naval forces

On the morning of August 31, a pitched battle between Kalistani privateers under the command of Privateer Captain James Coltrane and elements of the refitted Deltarian Navy led to disaster for the Kalistanis. As has been reported in the Deltarian Press, a hasty task force consisting several corvettes refitted for the purpose of hunting Coltrane's crew was dispatched from Deltaria in the third week of August. Because this fleet represented a significant threat to Coltrane's mission, Coltrane moved his fleet to intercept the Deltarians. According to reports from members of the officer corps, the Kalistani's possessed almost no intelligence with regard to the size or composition of the Deltarian task force, but did know that it had departed thanks to information obtained from the crew of a private yacht that the Privateers seized in mid August.

The two groups met one another early in the morning on August 31st. Arrayed against the Kalistanis were three refitted corvettes and a number of smaller craft. On Coltrane's side was the whole of the Kalistani Majatran Expeditionary Fleet which consisted of several converted freighters, 20 LAFA craft, two remaining militia corvettes and Coltrane's Flagship, the Marcus 1, as well as most of the fleet's supply train, most of which had been seized in the year long conflict.

Coltrane was at anchor over a small bank when the Deltarians opened the engagement. Several well placed shots announced their presence, and much of the fleet scurried to get under weigh while the militia corvettes attempted to maneuver into firing position. 8 LAFAs were deployed, but the remainder were either disabled or destroyed on the decks of the Marcus 1: A direct hit from the Deltarian Main guns hit the ammo cache aboard the Marcus 1, causing massive explosions and igniting fuel stores. The battle began in earnest while the crew of the Marcus 1 began attempting to fight the massive fire, in vain, it turns out.

Following the first salvo, the Kalistani corvettes returned fire, but the bombardment was ineffective as Deltarian vessels remained out of range, and any attempt to maneuver was met with heavy gun and rocket fire by the better armed Deltarian corvettes. The LAFA who were engaged did have more success however: as soon as the light armored craft deployed they got four torpedoes into the water using hasty firing solutions. One of the four found its target, striking the aft port engine compartment and crippling the ship. The resulting explosion rocked the Deltarian ship and forced it to disengage and attempt to make for home. The LAFAs initially attempted to pursue the wounded ship, using their mounted .50calibers to machinegun Deltarian crewmembers on deck attempting to fight the fire, but the craft were forced to return to the Kalistani fleet under heavy fire from the other Deltarian vessels.

For their part, the Deltarians managed to cripple both of the militia corvettes before sinking one outright. The second suffered severe damage when Deltarian shells, complimented by rocket fire destroyed the superstructure, and forced the ship to be scuttled. Crew losses on the corvettes alone were counted as more than 50. Deltarian fire also damaged several of the freighters, but they were ordered to retreat at the beginning of the engagement, and most of the supply vessels were saved. By noon, the Marcus 1 had lost all communications, listed dangerously to her starboard, and was dead in the water, with all hands aboard presumed dead, either by fire or by drowning. At this point, the Deltarians disengaged, and the Kalistanis were left to search for survivors. The Marcus 1 finally broke apart in the early evening and sunk completely after sundown.

As it got dark, the Kalistanis limped northward to the neutral port of Ur Bahra, which had served them as a base of operations, which they arrived at six days later, and radioed Kalistan to inform them of the disaster. Following an emergency executive session, the Foreign Minister ordered the remnants of the fleet to remain in port and cease operations until a more permanent decision was made. The fleet remained in port for another four weeks, until the last of the prize ships sent by Coltrane back to the Republic could be sold off, and then Coltrane's Letter of Marque was officially rescinded. The Acting Captain of the fleet, Commander Melanie Quasny, was informed of the decision and was ordered to return to Kalistan. She was also informed that any further actions against Deltaria would be deemed piracy, as they now lacked the sanction of the Privateer Act. Coltrane's prize vessels had more than offset the loss of the Container ship and its cargo, Quasny was informed, and the Republic had been made whole.

This naval disaster likely represents the end of Kalistani adventures in the Majatran Sea: It is one thing to take advantage of lack of order and security, but quite another to engaged uniformed naval forces of a resurgent power. Investors in Coltrane's expedition have certainly made many times their investment in return, but future expeditions will likely head to quieter, less lucrative waters. At least until such time that the Majatran Sea becomes lawless and open once more.

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Quasny Returns to Kalistan, is Commissioned
"Her Combat Experience is Invaluable as we rebuild the Regular Navy", says Premier
Kaliburg, Ananto
November 20, 5092


MIdshipman 1st Class Melanie Quasny, last Commander of Majatran Privateer Fleet one of 7 privateer Officers to receive Commission

Melanie Quasny, the Commander of the Majatran Expeditionary Fleet returned safely to Kalistan last week. She spent the week being thoroughly debriefed about the more than 2 year mission to the Majatran Sea, including offering a full accounting of the final battle with the Deltarian Fleet. In reward for her service, Quasny and 7 of her officers are to receive commissions in the Kalistani Regular Navy in the first quarter of 5093.

The Commissions were given by the Premier of the Republic, Agnethe Bjorksdattir, who, along with Minister of Defense Jeff Broward commended Quasny's courage under fire. "We need officers who not only can keep their heads under fire and take command even when everything seems lost, but who have valuable combat experience," said the Premier. "Quasny is an asset to the Republic, and her officers will serve this Republic well. Her Combat Experience is Invaluable as we rebuild the Regular Navy."

Rumors floating in some circles suggest that at least part of the reason that these commissions were offered was to allow the members of the Expeditionary Fleet to evade any official sanction for the expedition. "Strictly speaking, privateers are private actors, and do not represent the Government of Kalistan," said Dr. Edward Bowie, who teaches International Political Economy for Kalistan Republican University in Kaliburg. "The Government did issue Coltrane a Letter of Marque, but the loss of the fleet has created a real mess for the Republic diplomatically, and those close to the Premier have publicly commented on her displeasure with the outcome of that expedition. Coltrane's Letter of Marque was almost forced from the Government after the loss of the Silver Star, and the Premier did not authorize it enthusiastically. At least some believe that Quasny and the other officers joined the Navy to avoid going before a court and answering charges of piracy."

Officially, Quasny, age 21, has been appointed to the rank of Midshipman 1st Class, and will be formally commissioned at the rank of Lieutenant O3 in February. Other privateer officers will be evaluated for service and will likely end up joining the ranks as Warrant Officers, though a handful will be made Midshipmen in January and will proceed into Officer Candidacy. Midshipman Quasny, for her part, was very excited for a career in the Regular Navy. "They are going to send me to Naval Artillery School," said Midshipman Quasny. "From there, it is possibly that I could be appointed a fire control officer on a Frigate. That would be very exciting!"

[Doc]

Bozo River Fusion Facility nears Completion
First Commercial Reactor being built by KALNAPECO to offer clean Power to Ananto
Bozo River Fusion Center, Ananto
October 8, 5093


Heavy Water Plant located adjacent to Fusion Center to create D2O and lithium from pumped Sea Water

The Bozo River Fusion Facility is nearing completion, and will begin generating energy in early December, KALNAPECO says.

"We have completed the main reactor," said BRFF spokesman Erik Hanson, "which is capable of creating a net of up to 2.85 Gigawatts, or enough power to light nearly one million households. The clean, pollution free power generated at this one facility will light the entire North Coast of Ananto, from here in Bozo River to Dulnerstaad." Hanson said another reactor will be built near Kaliburg to supply power to the Capital, and a third will be built in Dahriel, to supply the remainder of the Island. "We are at an efficiency of 2.7, and as long as deuterium and lithium is supplied, the reactor is self powering."

Hanson noted that these are the first, and likely most inefficient reactors to be built in the Republic. "As we expand the operations to the mainland, we will continue to research in more power pinches, and methods of reducing power input to draw more power from the system. Surpassing R=3.0 is possible within the next five years, and R=4 is even possible, at which point, one reactor will power nearly an entire District. We are finding that the main challenge to even higher efficiency is pulse calibration, to ensure shear stabilized containment of even larger plasma cylinders than we are achieving now." Research Continues at the experimental reactor, but a new experimental reactor will eventually need to be built, because the small size of the current reactor acts as a limiting factor in the amount of plasma which can be contained


The Main Plasma Injector at the Bozo River Fusion Facility creates a jet of superheated gas that is electrified and fuses atoms of Deuterium and Tritium into Helium

The funding for the project has been shifted entirely to KALNAPECO, for the time being. "I think the Government imagined a holding company for investment," said Hanson, "but private sector investors remained skittish about buying in to the National Fusion Project, given the full nationalization of the energy industry in Kalistan's Law. So last year, the decision was made to shift the entire project back to KALNAPECO, and slowly move KALNAPECO's energy generation assets toward fusion." Hanson noted that as Ananto Fusion plants come online within the next three years, oil and LNG plants will eventually be shuttered and dismantled. "The dismantling project, which will begin five years after Ananto moves to 100 percent fusion power, will be overseen by the NSP, and all plant employees will be retrained for other jobs in the company."

KALNAPECO says they hope to have the fusion infrastructure, including heavy water plants in Vrassa, Odufaray and Suldanor, completed across the Republic within 15 years, at which point, all of Kalistan's electric will be provided by clean fusion. "After that point, KALNAPECO will operate primarily for export, and our charter will need to be significantly revised, though there will remain a significantly reduced market for petroleum products in Kalistan, primarily in plastics, tars, and asphalts. But we will see our domestic utilization reduced from 23% of capacity to something around 6-7% of capacity."

Whatever happens to the Kalistani National Petroleum Company in the future, the present is filled with three tiny, artificial stars to begin producing unlimited, safe, and virtually pristine energy for the people of Ananto, and then for the rest of the Republic.

[Doc]

Socialist Defense Ministry Launches Major Naval Construction Project
Aims to accomplish Full Naval Strength within 5 years
Kaliburg National Shipyards, Ananto
October 31, 5093


Major refitting of the Fleet begins in Kaliburg, Bozo River and Sulari Shipyards

The Republican Government has abandoned efforts to procure weapons from other nations. "This administration has been plagued for decades by other nations promising to sell us weapons and then nothing coming through," said Defense Minister Broward, as he announced the Government's new initiative to refit the Kalistani Regular Navy. "It is time that the Republic stop relying on the supposed good will of people claiming to want to sell us weaponry. It is clear that nobody is at all interested. So we'll build it ourselves."

Working off of classic designs, the Naval Acquisition Program, as it was titled in executive Order, shall allocate more than K150 Billion to the effort to refit those ships which can be brought up to date, and rebuild those which are beyond saving. "Our engineers have updated our destroyer designs to allow for more powerful main guns, as well as surface to surface rocket artillery, and anti submarine measures. We have also fitted our cruisers with additional capacities, based on the joint cruiser program we had with Hutori years ago.. Our Submarine designs are still top notch in the non-fission reactor classes, and we have substantially updated the design and armaments of our corvettes to include GPS targeting, advanced radar, anti-air and anti electronic warfare measures. Patrol Boats are patrol boats, and of course, we can mass produce ship launched LAFA's, given the new insights we gained from the Majatran conflict. We have also added ship based helicopter capacity to the Cruisers, and will be converting our existing helicopter designs to allow for forward observation, and interception, taking inspiration from the Deltarians."

In addition to more modern armament for the classic ships of the line, the Kalistani navy will benefit from advances made in lightweight construction and power generation. "Where our non-submarine vessels have used hydrogen fuel cells for centuries to get closer to the capacities of the nuclear submarines, our surface vessels will now be outfitted with fuel cell driven electric engines as well, rather than the diesel engines we have thus far run on."

The Defense Minister has placed a top priority on sea defense, and acquisition will be "first, last, and complete" agenda of the KALMILINCO until the fleet is completely rebuilt. The Defense Minister expects the full compliment to be in service within 5 years. "A relatively unlimited Budget, lack of external security concerns, and a narrow and laser focus doing something we not only know how to do, but also have the capability to do, will ensure success, and Kalistan will once more be able to push back any incursions in our National Waters."

The acquisition is already under way at the three major ship yards in the Republic.

[Doc]

Premier Bjorksdattir to leave office before next election
“35 years is long enough,” says long serving Socialist leader
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 31, 5094


Bjorksdattir will be stepping down to focus on her personal life

The long serving Premier of the Republic, Agnethe Bjorksdattir, has announced that she will step down as Party Leader and Premier of the Republic ahead of the next election. She has been taking a reduced role in developments of the Republic over the last four years and has decided that three and a half decades at the helm are long enough.

“I am getting close to my mid 50s,” said the perennially youthful Premier, “and the Republic does have a mandatory retirement age. Being the Premier has been the most rewarding and most challenging job I can ever imagine, but now it is time to move out of the way to let someone else take the helm.”

The Premier has recently begun making noise about retiring from office, and the pace of her comments picked up after the second Majatran expedition. Close associates have noted her frustration with the glacial pace of naval and aircraft procurement, the continuing conflict in Lourenne, and associated refugee crisis which has seen more than 2 million refugees resettled in Kalistan, and a number of other issues that have been left unaddressed by the Assembly as its attention is turned to things going on in other nations.

“She also would like to get married and settle down,” said government watcher Chris Jolli. “It is very difficult to have a personal life when you can be called in to work at any hour of the day to deal with some ridiculous crisis that isn’t if your making but that others decide to make your problem because they want to act like children.” The Premier would also like to focus more on her faith, which she has noted is difficult when you have to focus on rebuilding a military.

It is unknown who will replace the Premier, but that decision is still a few years in the future. Meanwhile, Comrade Bjorksdattir is focused on getting the various fusion power centers built across the Republic and sharing that technology abroad.