DoD to boost investment into laser systems research Defence Department to boost investment into national programmes on offensive laser systems.The XW-1 "Sverðsegg" prototype laser weapon systems by Viserby Defence Systems and the Flindar Technical University.22nd March, 4522.The Kazulian Department of Defence is set to boost investment into directed-energy systems used for offensive means over the next decades. This statement from the Defence Advanced Research Agency (DARA) and the Defence Material Organisation (DMO) comes amidst questions pertaining the cost associated with a functioning offensive direct-energy system. According to defence auditors, the Department of Defence's budget, saw little to no room for continued funding of an offensive direct-energy system. Director of the Defence Advanced Research Agency, Rasmus Albrechtsen stated that whilst the DoD's budget provided no room now for intensified investment, several programme are set to be slashed by the DoD to make room for other programmes including the direct-energy systems programme. The acquisition of a direct-energy weapon has been but a dream for the armed forces, with many wanting to see large systems be integrated into the army, navy, amphibious corps and air-force. These sentiments are in complete contradiction to the Defence Material Organisation who stated that if the armed forces were to acquire a hypothetical system of that nature, it will be in small-cost effective units which will be more realistic in terms of acquisition than larger systems.
A report by the Kazulian Defence University concluded that in the coming years, there will be an increased presence of unmanned combat systems. With the Department of Defence set to launch a review into the potential use of drone technology, a correlation between unmanned systems and direct-energy systems have been highlighted by defence analysts. Some argue that drone mounted direct-energy systems could change the way wars in the future are fought, whilst other argue that for Kazulia to jump directly into drone technology with direct-energy systems which haven't even been tested, it will be extremely dangerous to defence policy which prides on Kazulia's acquisition of combat proven systems. Whilst some have also discussed the sentiment of direct-energy systems from the perspective of missile defence, the DMO has once again rebuffed these sentiments citing the fact that for direct-energy systems to be used in missile defence said systems will have to be large, thus being in complete contradiction of the agency's policy of acquiring small-cost effective units.
Comptroller of the Kazulian Department of Defence, Jytte Westergaard wrote:If we are to acquire direct-energy systems, it must be in small-cost effective units. We must understand the fact that large units are always extremely costly and with our current budget we do not see any room for funding of large systems or arrays. We cannot predict the future on the possibility of a major increase in the defence budget, thus investment into large systems is unlikely and in a similar manner whilst investment into smaller systems programmes is likely, the Department of Defence is expected to conduct an audit into its expenditures and this audit will determine whether we will continue to investment into system programmes or stop investment entirely.
As part of a broad reorganisation of the Department of Defence's acquisition structure, which also resulted in the creation of the Select Committee on Defence Appropriations within the Stortinget, the vast majority of large acquisition programs, previously controlled by the defence material organisation, had day-to-day oversight pushed down to the service level. In speaking with Defence Minister Einar Eilertsen, he hinted the possibility of an 35% increased in the defence budget in the next fiscal budget plan stating that the government had long contemplated on the prospects of increasing the defence budget. With the Department of Defence pushing Kazulia towards modernising in an effort to maintain the technological, tactical and strategic edge it maintains over various nations including Vanuku, an increase in the defence budget would be more than appreciate by the department.
Skalm seeks single market in Western-DovaniKazulia discusses single market in Western-Dovani with Dankuk, Lourenne.The Port of Verdalheim, the largest port in Dovani and centre for much of Dovanian trade.22nd March, 4522.Kazulia wants to established a single market in Western-Dovani comprising of the nation's along the Western Dovanian coast. On the backdrop of Skalm's continued commitments to reshaping the global financial system and the relative prosperity in Dovani at the hands of Skalm's commitments and economic activity, the Kazulian government is now calling upon the nations of the Dovanian "first world" to join in the cause of regional integration through the formation of a single market. According to officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Kazulian Government believes that a provisional agreement between the governments of Dankuk, Lourenne and potentially, Sekowo, Hulstria and Talmoria could pave the way for continued prosperity in the region. Prime Minister Anne-Mette Daugaard called a meeting of the Council of Ministers to discuss the prospects of a single market between the nations of Western Dovani. Officials stated that the Prime Minister had urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to make the necessary arrangements for the leaders of Dankuk, Kazulia, Hulstria, Sekowo, Lourenne and Talmoria to meet and discuss the sentiments of regional integration through trade in Skalm. The Prime Minister insisted that closer cooperation between the aforementioned nations will prove to be beneficial to the members of the market itself.
A single market is an agreement between several nations which attempts to make trading between members as easy as possible. The concept to be pushed by the Kazulian Government is founded on the belief that trade between members would see a removal of taxes, tariffs and quotas placed on trade goods and services. Currently, taxes and tariffs are imposed on Dankukin, Sekowoan, Talmoria and Hulstrian goods by the Kazulian Government mainly due to the fact that an agreement between Kazulia and the aforementioned nations on the removal of these trade constraints has not been reached. As a result, goods originating from these nations are more expensive and less appealing to the Kazulian market, especially those looking to import goods from these nations. An estimate by the Department of Finance and the Economy states that tariffs and quotas back and forward costs the aforementioned nations and Kazulia around $3 Billion LOD annually. According to a fellow at the Trond Henrichsen Institute for International Affairs, the reason nations impose tariffs on imports is because it protects local production. By placing tariffs on foreign products, makes said goods more expensive than those offered locally, thus encouraging people to purchase from the now cheaper local suppliers.
By forming a single market, there will be virtually no limit to the numbers of goods a member state can sell to another within the market itself. Currently, nations are able to bar the amount of goods entering their nations with the expressed purpose of protecting local production. The single market will also allow for the free movement of people, capital and services and also works to prevent non tariff restrictions. Having different rules and requirements as would be promoted by non tariff restrictions would make international trade harder. Through the formation of standardised rules, trade would be easier as it allows for an even playing field. It would mean that all nations within the single market will have to abide by the same regulations and nations will not be able to get ahead by exploiting workers and having low safety standards. With around 25% of Kazulian exports going to Dovanian nations, the prospects of a single market economy in Western Dovani can be conceptualised and potentially put into actions. The Department of Foreign Affairs has invited the Dankukin and Lourennais Governments to discuss the formation of the single market plan in Skalm. Whether the nations will agree to the idea is yet to be seen.
Kazulia becomes world's largest oil and natural gas producerKazulia's oil-based economy propels it to becoming world's largest oil and natural gas producer.The Oceanic Princess Oil Platform in the White Ocean is a key structure in Kazulian oil interests in the Arctic.22nd March, 4522.For the first time in its history as nation, the Kingdom of Kazulia has become the world's largest oil and natural gas producer, according to a report by the Department of Energy and Energy Affairs. The announcement demonstrated the fact that Kazulia's increased involvement in Dovanian development coupled with its continued interests in oil and natural gas prospects across the world had been extremely beneficial in solidifying its place as the world's largest producer of crude oil and natural gas. At the centre of the praise being given to the oil and natural gas industries was Gasstrien, the state-owned oil and natural gas company which according to the Energy Department report had surpassed Trigunia's Neftkomp as the largest oil and natural gas company. Kazulian investment into oil and natural gas has been fierce of the past five (5) decades. Development in Dovani had seen Gasstrien become increasingly involved in exploitation and refinery operations in several Dovanian nations. The major of Gasstrien's oil riches comes from the Arctic shelf, which Kazulia has ensured to expand Gasstrien into where Neftkomp and the Natural Resources Technical Management Corporation had not expanded into.
Kazulian output saw a steady incline in the past decades, reaching nearly 6 million barrels per day. This nudged Kazulia ahead of Trigunia. The achievement underscores the profound impact of technological advances in exploitation. As fracking unlocked vast sums of oil and natural gas that had been trapped underground, drilling costs declined dramatically. This determination was required after Gasstrien had warned of fluctuations in the market within the Northern Hemisphere. Neftkomp, alongside Gasstrien launched an initiative to regain market share lost to the Trigunia and Kazulia and other oil producers in the Northern Hemisphere. Trigunian inaction in the oil and natural gas business knocked several of its companies out of the game, sending some into near bankruptcy. The Department of Energy and Energy Affairs in its report, commended the resilience of Neftkomp, recognising the blows the company took for the betterment of the natural gas markets in the Northern Hemisphere and the wider world, it concluded that through Neftkomp's actions in reducing production, Gasstrien owes its current success to the company.
Whilst, Kazulia may enjoy its place at the top, the report warned of a rising star. The reactivation of the Kafuri Oil and Natural Gas Industry mean't increased competition. It has been estimated that Kafuristan possess more oil than what is estimated for the entire Arctic shelf. Whilst many repeat the fact that Kazulia is also the world's largest natural gas producer, others rebuff the statements saying that Kazulia's economy is oil based not natural gas based and the reactivation of the Kafuri Oil Industry could see Kazulia dethroned in the near or distance future. With Kazulia's prosperity mandating increased energy, it cannot meet its voracious appetite for oil by looking inward only, thus citing the potential for Kazulia to import oil and natural gas from Kafuristan and other nations. Whether the Kazulian oil and natural gas industry is prepared for competition from the Kafuris, other state that competition from Valruzian, Istalian and Hutorian companies are not on the horizon.