Livonian Air Force¶
The Livonian Air Force is the air arm of the LDF — a tactical air force oriented on air defence of Livonian territory, tactical support of the Army and Navy, and air mobility for the broader LDF mission. The Air Force is modest in size but professionally proficient, with substantial modernisation funding directed against the principal CSAT air-threat axes.
Mission¶
The Air Force's mission, in priority order:
- Provide air defence over Livonian territory and territorial waters, with primary emphasis on the Northern Highlands and the southern coast
- Tactical air support of Army and Navy operations
- Air mobility and transport for LDF and federal-state needs
- Reconnaissance and surveillance over Livonian territory and approaches
- Strategic air mobility for the LDF International Detachment for IPF deployments
Strength¶
| Component | Strength |
|---|---|
| Active personnel | ~12,000 |
| Reserve personnel | ~4,500 |
| Combat aircraft | ~52 |
| Transport and support aircraft | ~32 |
| Helicopters | ~72 |
Organisation¶
The Air Force is organised into three operational wings and a training establishment:
Northern Wing¶
Headquartered at the Korven Air Base, in the Northern Highlands. The principal CSAT-frontier air formation.
- 1st Fighter Squadron — the Air Force's principal air-defence formation; equipped with modernised multi-role fighters
- 2nd Fighter Squadron — second-line air-defence formation
- Northern Tactical Squadron — ground-attack aircraft supporting Army Northern Command
- Northern Air Defence Battery Group — ground-based SAM systems forming the Northern Highlands SAM belt
Central Wing¶
Headquartered at the Valdris Air Base. The Central Force.
- 3rd Fighter Squadron — central air-defence and rapid-reaction
- Reconnaissance Squadron — manned and unmanned reconnaissance platforms
- Central Tactical Helicopter Squadron — attack helicopters and armed reconnaissance helicopters
- Central Air Defence Battery Group — SAM systems covering Valdris and the federal core
Southern Wing¶
Headquartered at the Akmaron Air Base. Maritime cooperation and southern-coast defence.
- 4th Fighter Squadron — southern air-defence
- Maritime Patrol Squadron — long-range maritime patrol; integrated with Navy Western Force operations
- Transport Squadron — medium-lift transport aircraft
- Search and Rescue Squadron — long-range SAR helicopters
- Presidential Flight — the secure-transport flight for the President and senior officials
- Utility Helicopter Squadron — medium and light utility helicopters
Training Establishment¶
- Korven Air Academy — officer commissioning
- Air Force Flight Training School at Valdris — pilot training (fighter, multi-engine, helicopter)
- Air Force Technical School at Akmaron — maintenance and ground-trade training
Combat aircraft¶
The Air Force's combat aircraft inventory is mid-modernised:
| Type | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Modern multi-role fighter | ~20 | The Air Force's principal modern combat aircraft; Aegiran-sourced |
| Legacy multi-role fighter | ~20 | Late-Continental-Wars-era platforms; planned for replacement through 2032 |
| Ground-attack aircraft | ~12 | Mature platforms in the tactical-support role |
The Air Force does not operate: strategic bombers, in-flight refuelling aircraft, AWACS aircraft, or substantial-load strategic transport. Major air operations are conducted in MTF or SNAM cooperation.
Helicopters¶
The Air Force helicopter fleet is substantial relative to country size:
| Type | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Attack helicopters | ~14 | Modern; Northern and Central Wings |
| Armed reconnaissance helicopters | ~12 | Mixed wings |
| Medium utility helicopters | ~22 | Across all wings |
| Light utility helicopters | ~14 | Utility Squadron and Halenveld support |
| Search and rescue helicopters | ~10 | Long-range SAR, all three bases |
The Halenveld provinces have a particular dependence on Air Force helicopter coverage — the dispersed forest population, the limited road infrastructure, and the LTDF support requirements all draw on the Air Force's rotary-wing capability. The Halenveld Provincial Council is a permanent consumer of Air Force SAR and utility services.
Air defence¶
The Air Force's ground-based air defence is concentrated in:
- A modernised medium-range SAM belt along the Northern Highlands frontier — the country's principal air-defence asset; integrated with Army Northern Command and (via the Chartanian Defence Understanding) with Chartanian air-defence sensors
- Point defence SAM systems around Valdris, Sarmen, and the Korven mining infrastructure
- Coastal SAM batteries at Akmaron and Sarmen, integrated with Navy coastal-defence assets
- A modern radar network covering Livonian territory and the southern coast approaches
The integrated air-defence network is one of the most heavily-invested elements of the LDF modernisation programme. The Continuation War supplemental budget has further accelerated SAM and radar procurement.
Operations¶
Air policing¶
Air Force aircraft maintain continuous Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) at Korven and at Valdris. CSAT-frontier intercepts of unidentified or unresponsive aircraft are a routine occurrence and have escalated in tempo since 2025.
MTF cooperation¶
Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and SAR helicopters participate in MTF operations on a rotating basis. The Continuation War has substantially expanded these contributions.
Halenveld support¶
Air Force helicopter assets provide the principal federal-government transport, SAR, and medical-evacuation capability across the dispersed Halenveld provinces. This is a substantial standing commitment and is one of the principal civil-military integration points of the federal state.
IPF transport¶
The Air Force Transport Squadron handles the strategic airlift requirement for the LDF International Detachment's IPF deployments. For deployments beyond the Transport Squadron's range, the Air Force contracts with Aegiran, Arcadian, or Volnian carriers.
Civil-emergency operations¶
The Air Force's SAR and utility helicopters are continuously committed to civil-emergency operations across the country, including Halenveld wildfire response, coastal storm rescue, mountain rescue in the Northern Highlands, and disaster response in MTF partner countries.
Doctrine¶
Air Force doctrine emphasises:
- Layered air-defence posture — modern fighters, ground-based SAM, and an integrated sensor network providing redundant coverage of Livonian territory
- Tactical support of Army and Navy operations — close air support, reconnaissance, and air mobility
- Joint air-defence cooperation with Chartania through the Defence Understanding
- Halenveld rotary-wing commitment as a principal civil-military integration mission
- Air mobility for the International Detachment as the principal expeditionary commitment
The Air Force does not train for or doctrine offensive air operations against CSAT territory. The republic's defensive-war commitment is part of the doctrine.
Equipment¶
See the Equipment page for the standard inventory. Major procurement programmes:
- Multi-role fighter modernisation, replacing the legacy fleet with Aegiran-sourced modern aircraft (planned through 2032; accelerated by the Continuation War supplemental)
- Air-defence network modernisation (medium-range SAM and radar)
- Attack helicopter modernisation, expanding the modern fleet
- Transport-aircraft replacement, planned for the early 2030s
Rank structure¶
The Air Force uses an air-service rank structure (Airman through Air Marshal) following modernised European-republican convention. Pilot training takes flight cadets through the Korven Air Academy and the Air Force Flight Training School over approximately three years.