KMC Representatives travel to Kazulia and Kundrati to discuss purchases
Military air assets on Agenda; also Proposal for Strait ExercisesKaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 17, 5514Reps from KALMILINCO fly to Kazulia and Kundrati to discuss purchasesRepresentatives from Kalistan's Nationalized Military Industrial Complex, KalMilInCo, were dispatched over the last month to both Kazulia and Kundrati to discuss acquisition of air defensive assets. "KMC is interested in procuring a specific number of aircraft and air defense Missile batteries that can neutralize any threat coming over our border from any of our neighbors who should decide that it might be worth it to try to attack Kalistan," said KalMilInCo spokesperson Greta Andress. "We first flew to Kazulia to discuss acquisition with Asvald Gruppen. We were looking into their willingness to sell Kalistan about 3 dozen Vaab JAS.39C Gripen, along with munitions and trainers to help our Regular Air Force operate them."
The Multirole fighter, developed in Kazulia around 5400, is viewed as the most modern multi-role aircraft in the Kazulian arsenal, and if added to Kalistan's Regular Airforce, would allow Kalistan to adequately counter similar aircraft rumored to exist in other Northern Seleyan Nations. "We'd ultimately like to conclude an ongoing agreement with Asvald," said Andress, "to regularly take reciept of lots of 3 dozen, to replace old fighters as they wear out or end servicability. If secured, the Gripen will be a cornerstone of our Regular Air Force, which sadly, has to date been mostly neglected." Kazulian manufacturers are reportedly researching the terms of the deal.
Following the visit to Kazulia, KMC reps next travelled to Kundrati, where several items were discussed. "Like the offer we made in Kazulia, we also offered to purchase surplusses of the
Kundrati multirole fighter known as The Lasaitasuna. "For centuries, Kalistan has lagged in the acquisition of modern aviation," said Andress. "It seemed like whenever Kalistan attempted to purchase, or design their own multirole fighter, some completely unforseen but not entirely unexpected force would stand in the way of completion of the deal, and Kalistan would specifically be denied the opportunity to acquire the same level of Jet fighter technology that other similarly situated states would be able to dream into existence. But it is clear that not only does Kalistan need these weapons to create a modern air deterrent, but we now seem to have partners who are willing to sell us them. So it is in our interest to attempt to acquire them for the defense of our Empire."
Andress emphasized that KMC would like to acquire both the Lasaitasuna AND the Gripen. "Both have their benefits, and their weaknesses, and in the interest of versatility, Kalistan would seek to deploy these systems to prevent any lunatic regime from considering Kalistan to be a legitimate target for their militarism. Adding modern air assets like the Lasaitasuna and the Gripen to our flight systems will increase our perparedness in case some bizzaro regime decides to test Kalistan." But Andress noted that plans to discuss rocket defense systems with Kundrati were cancelled at the last minute due to the Kundrati offerings being inappropriate for Kalistani needs. "We were looking for moder SAM batteries from Kundrati. They may excell in anti ballistic technology, and long range rocket artillery, but we already have surface to ship batteries, LAFAs and rocket artillery. What we were asking about was more in line of batteries to increase our anti-air response, and specifically better radar with early warning capabilities. We would like to know when enemy planes take off so we can track them. Even planes with stealth capabilities are not invisible: they produce a signature that can be found if you know where to look. KMC was looking for batteries that could shoot those down, rather than anti-missile missiles, as ICBMs do not pose a threat to Kalistan."
Though they were not able to discuss modern anti-air weaponry, they did also discuss Kalistan producing new Indica Class Submarines to sell back to Kundrati. "These are our most modern submarine and possess many modern features that still mark them as among the most modern non-nuclear submarines in Terra. They have been in production in Kalistan for a very long time, and, as Kundrati approached Kalistan to discuss submarines initially, we are prepared to offer submarines, munitions and schematics to Kundrati in exchange for the aircraft we desire. Our hope is that they will reciprocate in full, and we are able to learn how to produce a variant of their multirole fighter in Kalistan to serve our needs."
At either rate, the meeting between KMC and Kundrati Defense Contractors ended very positively, and a deal is now in the works. Meanwhile, KMC representatives also stopped in and offered a letter from Her Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister Naval Captain Guillermo Davis to his counterpart in the Kundrati Government to officially invite the Kundrati Naval forces to Kalistan to hold wargames during the summer and early Fall of 5515. "We delivered Captain Davis' request at the Kundrati Ministry of Defense. Her Imperial Majesty wanted to be very public about the invitation, and let it be known that these drills will be designed to demonstrate Kalistani capacities, and to get our Navy some practice in combat operations."
The 3rd Regular Navy remains on alert on the Southern Limit, though no official word has been heard from Baltusia regarding news of their acquisition of advanced armaments. "Her Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister informed me personally that silence is of little consequence: Kalistan's defensive doctrine dictates this response even with full information. But the door remains open, and meanwhile, Kalistan and Kundrati can and should help one another shake off the rust, so to speak." Andress said to her understanding, drills would insist in combat patrols, anti-sub and anti-surface operations, search and destroy operations, deployment of and countering irregular tactics (with the Militia, who is currently standing up, and the Marines, who can practice seizure of a hostile vessel) and coordinated fires with land based air units, shore based artillery, and Militia Irregulars. "We look forward to both Kazulai and Kundrati's responses to these proposals."