| Headquarters: | McKee Barricks, Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Secretary of Defence: | Minister for Defence |
| Branches: | Army, Naval Service, Air Force |
| Active personnel: | 28,000 (Army); 10,000 (Navy); 8,000 (Air Force) |
| Reserve personnel: | 4,000 (Army); 500 (Air Force) |
| Annual budget: | Cel 8.56 billion (2020) |
| In % of GDP: | 3.9% |
| Founded in: | 1993 |
| Ages qualified for service: | 18-26 |
| Available for service: | 2,426,502 |
| Fit for service: | 2,015,052 |
| Reaching age / yr: | 58,025 |
| Conscription law: | No |
| Domestic suppliers: | Córas Iompair Éireann, National Arms Factory, Verolme Dockyard |
| Supplying countries: | Alpine Confederation, Argentina, Brazil, Finland, Greece, North Germany, Sweden |
| Annual arms exports: | Cel 680 million (2020) |
| Annual arms imports: | Cel 1.7 billion (2020) |
| Historical articles on wiki: | Military history of Ireland |
| Rank articles on wiki: | Irish Defence Forces rank insignia |
The Celtic Defence Force (CDF) are the armed forces for the members of the Celtic Alliance. It is responsible for internal and external security, supporting peacekeeping efforts, securing the Celtic Economic Exclusion Zone, and participating in Atlantic Defense Community activities.
While having much less influence compared to the pre-Doomsday United Kingdom, the Celtic Alliance is one of the more powerful nations in the North Atlantic and has enlarged and modernized its armed forces to improve performance and capabilities.
Army[]
The Celtic Army are the ground forces of the Defence forces and responsible for ground warfare and security operations. It operates three combined arms battalions, one training centre, and several independent companies.
Infantry[]
The Celtic Army Infantry is divided into six light infantry (five active, one reserve) and three mechanized infantry battalions (two active, one reserve). While both types of infantry battalions are organized in the same manner with the same personal equipment and weapons, light infantry are either on foot or motorized, while mechanized infantry are transported into combat zones in armoured personnel carriers.
Battalions are organized into a headquarters company, a support company, and three rifle companies. The headquarters company includes administrative, intelligence, quartermaster, and signal components. The support company is broken down into an anti-tank platoon (employing the MILAN anti-tank missile), machine gun platoon (employing the FN MAG general purpose machine gun), mortar platoon (employing the L16 infantry mortar), sapper platoon (responsible for combat engineering), and a scouting platoon.
Infantry are armed with the FN FAL battle rifle with each section being issued a FN MAG general purpose machine gun and an L14A1 anti-tank recoilless rifle or AT4 anti-tank launcher. Light infantry companies are organized into ten-man sections with three sections in a company. Section commanders may be issued Browning Hi-Power pistols, and soldiers may also be issued Franchi SPAS-12 shotguns in urban combat situations.
Armoured personnel carriers may be armed with an M2 Browning heavy machine gun or an FN MAG general purpose machine gun.
Personnel not in frontline roles and vehicle operators may be issued Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns.
Armoured Cavalry[]
The Celtic Army Armoured Cavalry is composed of assault guns (Infanterikanonvagn 91), tank destroyers (MOWAG Piranha IB 6×6), and armoured reconnaissance vehicles (FV101 Scorpion). The armoured cavalry units serve as light reconnaissance, in shock roles, and support actions to penetrate enemy lines.
The Infanterikanonvagn 91 is armed with a Bofors KV90S73 90 mm L/54 cannon. Additional weapons include one M2 Browning heavy machine gun in a coaxial mount, one FN MAG general purpose machine gun in a pintle mount, and two Bofors 71 mm Lyra illumination mortars. While not classified as a tank, the Celtic Alliance Armed Forces deploy it in the role of a light tank.
The MOWAG Piranha IB 6x6 is armed with one MILAN anti-tank missile launcher and one M2 Browning heavy machine gun for action as a tank destroyer. It also has been retrofitted with two Bofors 71 mm Lyra illumination mortars.
The FV101 Scorpion armoured reconnaissance vehicle is armed with a L23A1 76 mm gun, capable of firing HE, HESH, canister, and smoke rounds. It is also armed with a coaxial FN MAG general purpose machine gun and two multibarreled smoke grenade dischargers.
The Celtic Army Armoured Cavalry Division are divided into one tank battalion, two armored fighting vehicle battalions, and one reconnaissance battalion.
Artillery[]
The Celtic Army Artillery Corps is composed of four active and three reserve artillery regiment. The Celtic Alliance Army deploys 155 mm Bofors Fälthaubits 77 howitzers, 105 mm L118 and L119 howitzers, and 88 mm QF 25-pounder howitzers for field fire support. Air defence is provided by a mix of the Bofors EL/70, Oerlikon GDF Skyguard with the Aspide SAM, and the Bofors RBS 70 short range missile.
There are two 155 mm regiments in active service, one 105 mm regiment in active service, two 88 mm regiments both in reserve, and two air defence regiments, one active and one reserve.
All artillery operated by the Celtic Alliance Army are towed howitzers. The army does not operate any self propelled guns or multiple rocket launcher systems, however the Saguenay War and Second Sicily War have cause some consideration to acquire these weapons.
Over half the artillery deployed by the Celtic Alliance was procured by the Irish Army from the United Kingdom prior to Doomsday. While refurbishments and repairs domestically and in the Nordic Union have extended the life of the howitzers, age is becoming an increasing concern.
Logistics[]
Logistics are crucial for the Celtic Alliance
Intelligence[]
Military Intelligence
Medical[]
The Celtic Alliance Army
Equipment[]
The Celtic Alliance Defence Force operates a variety of pre-Doomsday equipment from the Irish Defence Forces and British Armed Forces and has been modernizing with imported weapons and equipment from the Alpine Confederation, Nordic Union, and South American Confederation.
Small Arms[]
Grenades[]
Crew Served Weapons[]
Artillery[]
Air Defence[]
Armoured Vehicles[]
Unarmored Vehicles[]
| Model | Quantity | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAC Ireland KC | 37 | Ireland (Celtic Alliance) | Bus |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 318 | Ireland (Celtic Alliance) | Personnel Transport |
| Scania 2-series | 105 | Sweden | Heavy Tactical |
[]
The Celtic Alliance Naval Service is the maritime warfare group of the Defence Forces and may support maritime coast guard duties. The navy also includes a small marine corps and independent air group.
Surface Fleet[]
The surface fleet is divided into several commands, filling surface warfare, maritime patrol, and support duties.
- Surface Warfare Command
- Naval Support Command
- Maritime Security Command
The surface fleet is larger than the pre-Doomsday Irish Naval Service and operates a variety of combat and noncombat vessels. The primary surface combatants are three Celtic-class frigates and five Cathair-class corvettes. Other ships include two Setanta-class landing platform docks, three Eithne-class offshore patrol vessels, seven Eilean-class offshore patrol vessels, and one Cefnogaeth-class replenishment vessel.
Submarine Force[]
The Celtic Alliance Naval Service did not operate submarines for much of its existence. On Doomsday, the Irish Naval Service did not operate any submarines and the majority of the Royal Navy Submarine Service was either destroyed by Soviet naval and air assets or evacuated to the Southern Hemisphere.
After the formation of the Celtic Alliance and the unification of the various member states militaries, the formation of a submarine fleet was hotly debated.
In 2011, the Celtic Alliance Department of Defence released a tender for the procurement of four diesel electric submarines. Bids were received from Brazil for the Type 209 attack submarine, Canada for modernized Oberon-class submarines, and from Sweden for the Västergötland-class submarine.
The Type 209 attack submarine was selected in late 2011 for longer endurance, allowing for limited support of operations off the coast of Africa and North America. One boat was later cancelled, with three being commissioned into the Celtic Naval Service. However, the Celtic Alliance procured a single URF from the Swedish Navy to provide deep sea rescue capabilities in case of an accident.
Marine Corps[]
The Marine Corps are the expeditionary and land warfare group of the Naval Service. The group operates to secure beachheads in hostile territories and support army and naval operations to deploy ground forces in combat zones.
The Marine Corps operates two battalions, each capable of deploying aboard the Setanta-class landing platform docks. Each battalion is composed of 600 soldiers and includes amphibious armored personnel carriers and assault guns to support landings.
[]
Naval aviation is handled by the Air Force, with fixed wing operations by No. 1 Operational Group and rotary wing operations by No. 3 Operational Group.
Equipment[]
The Setanta-class landing platform dock is heavily based off the pre-Doomsday Royal Navy Fearless-class landing platform dock. The new ships include space to deploy a marine battalion abroad with supporting armor and utility vehicles. The ships themselves are lightly armed with a single RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launcher and two M2 Browning heavy machine guns in anti-aircraft mounts.
The Celtic-class frigate is a modernized version of the pre-Doomsday Spanish Santa Maria-class frigate, built at the Cork Dockyards, with major sections sourced from the Nordic Union. Anti-air defense is handled by a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launcher and two Bofors 40mm L/70 autocannons.
The Cathair-class corvette is a modernized version of the pre-Doomsday Spanish Descubierta-class corvette, built at the Cork Dockyards.
The Cefnogaeth-class replenisher was laid down in 2008 by Scott Lithgow in Scotland. The new ship was built on the core design of the pre-Doomsday Fort Rosalie-class fleet replenisher. However, it was modified to carry fewer dry stores and added fuel capabilities to extend the range of the existing fleet.
Surface Fleet[]
Submarines[]
| Role | Class | Quantity | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Electric Attack | Type 209 | 3 |   | |
| Rescue | URF | 1 | Unarmed |
Small Arms[]
Grenades[]
Crew Served Weapons[]
Artillery[]
| Model | Quantity | Origin | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E56 120 mm | 25 | Celtic Alliance/Greece | Heavy Infantry Mortar | |
| L16 | 71 | Celtic Alliance/United Kingdom | Light Mortar |   |
Armoured Vehicles[]
| Model | Quantity | Origin | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infanterikanonvagn 91 | 8 | Sweden | Amphibious Assault Gun |   |
| Sisu Pasi XA-180 | 19 | Finland | Amphibious Armoured Personnel Carrier |   |
Unarmored Vehicles[]
| Model | Quantity | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAC Ireland KC | 32 | Ireland (Celtic Alliance) | Bus |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 71 | Ireland (Celtic Alliance) | Personnel Transport |
| Scania 2-series | 28 | Sweden | Heavy Tactical |
Fleets[]
The Celtic Alliance Naval Service divides the navy into two blue water fleets and one green water fleet, responsible for patrolling the waters around and between the constituent member states of the Celtic Alliance. The fleet replenishing vessel may be assigned to either the First or Second fleets, depending on deployments.
1st Fleet[]
The 1st Fleet is the primary offensive naval fleet of the Celtic Alliance Naval Service. It is frequently deployed to support anti-piracy efforts, enforce blockades, and provide
- Celtic-class (x2)
- Cathair-class (x2)
- Type 209 (x2)
2nd Fleet[]
The 2nd Fleet is the primary amphibious warfare fleet of the Celtic Alliance Naval Service. The Celtic-class frigate and Cathair-class corvette are both multipurpose vessels with anti-surface, anti-aircraft, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
- Setanta-class (x2)
- Celtic-class (x1)
- Cathair-class (x3)
- Type 209 (x1)
National Fleet[]
The National Fleet is responsible for domestic defence, patrolling Celtic Alliance waters, and search and rescue operations. The fleet consists of offshore and inshore patrol vessels.
- Eithne-class (x3)
- Eilean-class (x7)
Air Force[]
The Celtic Alliance Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Defence Force. It provides air defence of alliance airspace, support of ground combat, search and rescue, and maritime patrol.
No. 1 Operations Wing[]
The No. 1 Operations Wing is responsible for operating and supporting fixed wing combat and patrol aircraft operated by the Air Force. Aircraft utilized include the Saab 37 Viggens multirole fighter, SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 attack aircraft, and Hawker Siddeley Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft.
No. 3 Operations Wing[]
The No. 3 Operations Wing is responsible for operating and supporting all rotary wing aircraft operated by the Air Force. Helicopters include the Aérospatiale Alouette III and Helibras AS350 B2 Esquilo in both utility and search and rescue roles, Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma for medium cargo and personnel transportation, and the Helibras AS532 Cougar which operates from vessels in the Naval Service in anti-submarine warfare, utility, and search and rescue duties.
No. 4 Support Wing[]
The No. 4 Support Wing is responsible for performing second line aircraft maintenance, with frontline maintenance performed by each operational air wing’s maintenance crew.
No. 5 Support Wing[]
The No. 5 Support Wing is responsible for logistics and support of the Air Force. It is also responsible for coordinating transport and resupply of ground forces.
No. 7 Operations Wing[]
The No. 7 Operations Wing is responsible for operating and supporting fixed wing aerial refueling, airborne early warning, and both cargo and personnel transport aircraft. Aerial refueling aircraft; airborne early warning is handled by the Saab 340 AEW&C; and transportation duties are supported by a mix of Beechcraft B200 King Air and Hawker Siddeley HS.125 for VIP transportation; Boeing 707 and Saab 340 jets for cargo and personnel transportation, and the Pilatus PC-6 for utility and ISTAR duties.
Air Force College[]
The Air Force College is the successor to the Irish Air Corps College, with a nearly identical composition and curriculum. It also operates basic and advanced trainers for preparing pilots to enter service. Basic trainers include the Pilatus PC-7 and SIAI-Marchetti SF.260; advanced jet training is handled by the Saab SK 37 advanced trainer; and multiengine training is completed on a Beechcraft B200 King Air.
Equipment[]
The Irish Air Corps formed the backbone of the initial Celtic Alliance Air Force when the former acceded control. The early air force lacked much combat capabilities, with many pre-1980’s aircraft being retired due to the lack of maintenance and high flight hours with the collapse of the United Kingdom between 1983 and 1988.
Since 1993, the Celtic Alliance Defence Force has slowly modernized its fleet of aircraft. While drastically smaller than the pre-Doomsday Royal Air Force, it is larger and more capable than the Irish Air Corps.
Fixed Wing[]
Rotary Wing[]
Unarmored Vehicles[]
| Model | Quantity | Origin | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAC Ireland KC | 9 | Ireland (Celtic Alliance) | Bus | |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 94 | Ireland (Celtic Alliance) | Personnel Transport | |
| Scania 2-series | 39 | Sweden | Heavy Tactical |
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