Het RijkHet Rijk is a Narik newspaper based in Narikaton dedicated to bring the news from accross the union________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________December 22nd 4551LDP proposes the abolishment of the army, announces full focus on "harmony and progress"In a stunning move the LDP government has proposed the abolishment of the army and a full focus on "harmony and progress"________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________While everyone expected a major change in the armed forces following a decrease in defense budget earlier last year no one expected the move made by the LDP government. In a stunning twist the government has announced its intention of abolishing the ground component of the Armed Forces and instead only rely on a small paramilitary force to maintain order and small protection of the country while also maintaining a small airforce and navy for the same purpose. When asked for a response on the stunning decision by the government the minister of defense, Marnix ten Holte, stated the following.
It is this government's intention to close the divide between the Narik and Darnussian people. For to long our people have lived in a divided nation, resented eachother, the former regime played in on this division to maintain power, but the era of division and violence is over. In order for this new union of people's to thrive and succeed it is of the utmost importance that the military, which has played a key role in previous civil conflicts between Narik and Darnussian people's is limited to the absolute minimum in its size and power. This does not only allow us to rebuild the relationship between the islands and mainland. But also allows us to use the budget that we would have used for the military for economic development and social reform instead. It is time for our union to succeed and focus on harmony, progress and prosperity
Prime Minister Leeftink stated that his government will soon release a plan on further economic stimulation and development once a new budget has been drafted as a result of this news. The government also proceeded to set up a national paramilitary group loyal to the government named the National Defense Association (Nationale Defensie Vereniging/Nationale Verteidigungsvereinigung) or NDV/NVV which will swear loyality to the government and shall be funded by the new to be drafted military budget. This paramilitary force will likely be small and only used to maintain order, help during disasters or try to defend the nation in times of war.
The government has stated that it will allow other non government funded paramilitaries to exist but only if they swear loyalty to the government and vow to act in the best interest of the Rijksunie. The government will likely sell most of its heavy ground equipment, including its tanks and heavy artillery while offering most small equipment like infantry weaponry, mortars, medium artillery and other infantry equipment to the new NDV/NVV paramilitary.
The navy and airforce will likely also be reduced in size, a concrete plan on this has yet to be revealed.
Narik soldiers marching with their weapons for probably the last time, later this month the army will officially be disbanded