The Altis Armed Forces (short form: AAF) are an INDFOR faction in ArmA 3.
Overview[]
« | In the wake of civil war, the Jerusalem Cease Fire of 2030 mandated the creation of an armed defence force to secure the sovereign territory of The Republic of Altis and Stratis. Although it officially operates under the observation and training of international peacekeepers, the force remains loyal to the new, hard-line Altis government and acts with de facto judicial and executive authority. However, it is debilitated by an inexperienced command structure and is blighted by widespread corruption. Limited in scope, the battalion-sized force, led by Col. Georgious Akhanteros, is weighed-down by on-going counter-insurgency operations on Altis and, recently, has reached-out to the international community for additional support including, among others, both the political and militarized wings of CSAT member states and associated private investment companies. Official ArmA 3 site description
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Background[]
Battalion-sized, the Altis Armed Forces (AAF) represent the main air, land and sea defence force of the Republic of Altis and Stratis.[1]
Fiercely loyal to its leader, Colonel Georgious Akhanteros, the present day AAF is an amalgamation of the various pro-Akhanteros and anti-Loyalist forces that banded together during the civil war.[1][2]
Following Akhanteros' successful 2026 Kavala Coup[3][4] and victory over the Loyalists with the signing of the Jerusalem Cease Fire agreement of 2030[5], the AAF has since continued to maintain an iron fist over the country. Their primary focus has now shifted from conventional warfare to counterinsurgency.[1]
The AAF continues to work alongside their foreign partners from the East[6] to neutralise a growing threat known as the so-called "Freedom and Independence Army" (FIA).[2] The FIA, being a ruthless band of insurgents and terrorists fixated on destabilising the country, remains at the forefront of the armed forces' concerns. Their destruction has remained a top priority for the AAF ever since its formation in the early 2030s.[1]
Structure[]
- Main article: AAF/ORBAT (ArmA 3)
At the height of its strength, two main elements form the bulk of the armed forces:
1st Regiment[]
The 1st Regiment consists of the bulk of front-line combat units, comprising of six companies' worth of heavy armour, mechanised and motorised infantry.[2]
Their units are distributed throughout the country, though much of it is concentrated in the country's central and southern/eastern regions. At least one platoon of elite tankers is known to operate advanced T-140 tanks; courtesy of their CSAT benefactors.[6][7]
The 1st Regiment is personally led by Colonel Georgious Akhanteros himself.
3rd Regiment[]
The 3rd Regiment, better known as the 3rd Support Regiment, consists chiefly of battlefield logistics and field support troops with limited access to fire support assets.[8]
Unlike the 1st Regiment, the majority of the 3rd's units are based in the western region. As of 2035, the 3rd Regiment is commanded by Major Thanos Gavras.
Others[]
At the height of the civil war, pro-AAF paramilitary groups (alternately referred to as "militias"[9]) were known to have supported the military throughout the conflict. Most of these fighters were merely anti-Loyalist citizens who took up arms in the immediate aftermath of the Kavala Coup.[10][11][12][13] Post-civil war, they appear to have been disbanded entirely, though the cause of their disbandment remains unclear.
Since then, the AAF has maintained two other supporting elements alongside the 1st and 3rd Regiment:
- The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Air Wing Squadrons consist entirely of the AAF's aviation units. They operate a myriad of older fixed-wing and rotary-wing helicopters, with the latter used primarily for logistical airlift.
- The AAF also maintains a small fleet of maritime vessels, though their capabilities are limited to coastal patrol duties only.
Prior to July 2035, a small unit of liaisons were also attached to NATO's Task Force Aegis. However, they merely advised the peacekeepers on the limitations of their mandate as TF Aegis acted independently without input from the AAF.[14]
History[]
In May 2026, a high-ranking military officer by the name of Georgious Akhanteros leads a coup d'etat in an attempt to seize power from the civilian government. The coup d'etat is swift, with Akhanteros and his supporters effectively forming a junta that silences any political opposition groups and crushes all dissent.[3][4]
This unilateral act sparked a bloody civil war between Akhanteros' supporters and pre-coup Loyalist forces (predecessors of the present-day FIA) who sought to re-establish civilian control of the country.[4]
The fighting would continue for a total of four more years until the signing of Jerusalem Cease Fire agreement in 2030[3], which brought a halt to the bloodshed. The agreement was largely one-sided in the AAF's favour, having emerged victorious whilst the Loyalists were rendered completely irrelevant by the war's end.[5]
Aside from bringing about a conclusive end to the fighting however, the agreement also gave international recognition to Akhanteros' cabinet as the legitimate government of the Republic of Altis and Stratis.[15]
Events of Beyond Hope (2026)[]
SPOILER ALERT |
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's Tac-Ops Mission Pack DLC scenario 'Beyond Hope'. Nine years prior to the events of The East Wind, Akhanteros quickly seizes power from the civilian government in Kavala with the help of his supporters in the military and anti-government paramilitary groups.[3][4] His coup results in the establishment of an (internationally unrecognised) military junta, and the start of a violent civil war as Loyalist forces rallied together to bring about an end to his junta's rule.[4] Early in the war, a temporary six-day ceasefire is agreed upon in order for IDAP to deliver aid supplies to civilians on both sides.[4] However, the shaky ceasefire is immediately broken by the AAF after they ambush a Loyalist patrol near the village of Orino, leading to yet another outbreak of fighting.[16][17][18] The AAF suffers several defeats early in the war[19], ranging from the loss of much territory and heavy equipment[20][21], but the odds gradually begin to shift in their favour as attrition takes its toll on the Loyalists. Dwindling support for the Loyalists would ultimately lead to the hardline AAF's victory, and the official recognition of Akhanteros' government following the signing of the Jerusalem Cease Fire Agreement in 2030.[3][5] |
Events of the Prologue (2034)[]
SPOILER ALERT |
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's 'Prologue' campaign. Though victorious, his actions had come at a rather severe price as Akhanteros' government was poorly received by most citizens of the country. Many (though not overtly) attempted to either sabotage his government or assisted anti-AAF groups.[22][23] Continued crackdowns on dissenters and rampant corruption throughout the organisation, would also cause many conscripts and volunteers to defect to a fledgling insurgency that called itself the FIA.[24][25] Led by a charismatic leader who sought to bring about an end to his rule, the FIA's influence gradually wore down the AAF's grip over the countryside.[26] As the insurgency grew in size, so too did the fighting between the AAF and the FIA, with an increasing number of clashes between the two sides ultimately forcing the international community to intervene.[27] A joint force of British and U.S. peacekeepers is eventually formed, designated as Task Force Aegis, with their mandate being the supervision of both the FIA and the AAF.[1][14] A CSAT contingent is also separately dispatched to the country under the guise of assisting in peacekeeping operations and providing counterinsurgency support for the AAF.[15] Barely months after the intervention, a sit-down is finally arranged between the FIA and the AAF in the former capital of Kavala in order to bring a halt to the fighting. The negotiations were a ruse however, as both the FIA and AAF had ulterior motives behind agreeing for a sit-down; the FIA planned on staging an uprising in the city, while the AAF sought to eliminate its leaders once and for all at the meeting. Predictably, the uprising is swiftly crushed by the AAF, with the surviving insurgents either tortured or executed.[3] |
Events of Remnants of War (2034)[]
SPOILER ALERT |
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's Laws of War DLC 'Remnants of War' campaign. Eventually, the village of Oreokastro in the north-west of the country becomes a major stronghold and symbol for the growing insurgency after the guerillas and its inhabitants successfully wrest control of it from the AAF.[28] As it represented a significant threat to the stability of the new government; a problem exacerbated no less by the recent failed uprising, the AAF saw fit to make an example of Oreokastro by deciding to launch a major offensive to retake the village through any means necessary.[3] To their surprise (and misfortune) however, the village proves to be more difficult to siege than they had initially expected. Almost half a month later, the guerillas still maintain a foothold over the village in spite of their heavy losses, with Akhanteros and the AAF itself suffering one humiliating defeat after another. With few viable options left on the table and the FIA still holding on strong, a cluster airstrike is eventually called in to raze the village to the ground once and for all.[3] Ironically however, the airstrike did more harm to the image of the AAF and Akhanteros' government than it did to the FIA. The AAF's inhumane decision to destroy the village in such a fashion would become a rallying call for FIA, doing far more to convince citizens to join their cause than they could have ever had hoped to achieve.[23][29] |
Events of The East Wind (2035)[]
SPOILER ALERT | ||||||
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's 'The East Wind' campaign. SurviveOne year after the massacre at Oreokastro, the AAF continues to hold its ground against the FIA with the continued (albeit reluctant) help of the NATO peacekeepers from TF Aegis and support from CSAT counterinsurgency forces.[15][23]
However, tensions are on the rise with NATO forces as the rift continues to widen over the questionable ethics of the AAF's actions; particularly when it comes to dealing with suspected FIA rebels and their supporters. Matters are further complicated as Akhanteros' government seeks to distance itself from its NATO partners and proposes deals with CSAT instead. This eventually culminates in the AAF restricting the operational mandate of TF Aegis to the island of Stratis only, with all NATO forces being forbidden from stepping foot on the mainland itself. CSAT forces on the other hand, assume the post of peacekeepers on the main island and are granted permission to utilise the main airport as a military base. With their deployment coming to a close and no hope of their mandate being extended, the remaining U.S.-led forces of TF Aegis begin to scale down their operations and prepare to leave the country (British forces had already departed many months prior).[3] Whether it was by accident or through a deliberate misunderstanding however, the AAF launches a retaliatory strike against the remaining peacekeepers of TF Aegis on Stratis in response to a supposed attack by NATO forces. Their "counterattack" results in the deaths of almost a hundred peacekeepers and the destruction of vital NATO facilities.[3] Though caught completely off guard and outnumbered, the remnants of TF Aegis eventually rally together and manage to inflict one critical blow after another on the AAF, forcing the latter to retreat and request help from CSAT. With their assistance, the tide turns in their favour as the remnants of TF Aegis are wiped out.[3] AdaptStretched thin and facing pressure from CSAT to deal with the group, the AAF begins to lose control of the northern and western parts of the mainland to the FIA, now emboldened by covert support from CTRG and the efforts of a certain new guerilla commander. Eventually, the FIA launch a major offensive aimed at laying the groundwork in preparation for a NATO invasion.[3] Having suffered heavy losses on all fronts, the AAF retreat to other sections of the island in order to consolidate their remaining forces. AAF command leaves a skeleton force in the western parts of the country in order to delay the advance of FIA guerillas and the soon-to-arrive NATO counterinvasion force. Meanwhile, cities to the east of the island and its capital Pyrgos are hastily fortified.[3] WinNATO commences its full scale invasion of the mainland after Stratis is quickly seized without much resistance from the local AAF garrison.[3] Thanks to support from CSAT, the AAF manage to hold back the initial invasion force aimed at taking the main airport on Altis. At the same time, they mount an armoured counteroffensive to retake the town of Dorida after a small incursion force of U.S. troops and FIA guerillas occupy it, destroying their temporary FOB and driving them back into the sea.[3] These small victories merely delay the inevitable from happening, however, as the bulk of NATO forces from the U.S. Army's 111th Infantry Division (111th ID) overrun the airport after a bout of heavy fighting between U.S. and Iranian-led CSAT troops.[3] To make matters worse, a separate invasion force lands on the eastern coast of Altis and captures several key locations, including the city of Chalkeia. They drive a complete wedge in AAF supply lines, and forces what's left of the AAF to evacuate to the southern and north-eastern sectors of the island.[3] Adding insult to injury, Pyrgos itself falls to the 111th after its defenders are taken out by superior numbers and firepower; made worse by the fact that CSAT forces themselves simply handed over their heavy armour assets and began to evacuate their personnel and scientists. They refused to provide any assistance to the AAF and began withdrawing their forces via the airfield at Selakano.[3]
Abandoned by CSAT and completely surrounded on all sides, the AAF made a defiant last stand against overwhelming numbers. They manage to inflict some losses on NATO forces, but Akhanteros eventually agrees to unconditionally surrender. The remainder of the AAF at Ioannina and Panagia disarm themselves, allowing NATO troops to capture them without resistance.[3] Although the majority of surviving AAF personnel surrendered without causing further trouble, a few isolated groups and officers who feared capture by the FIA continued to resist. Some of these isolated groups had essentially become nothing more than bandits who were attempting loot cultural works of art.[3][30] Most of these rogue troopers would be intercepted[31] and were either arrested or killed by joint NATO-FIA units.[32] |
Post-The East Wind[]
« | Following the defeat of forces loyal to General Akhanteros, the provisional ceasefire has held firm. With a new round of NATO-CSAT talks due imminently, strategic analysts point to encouraging signs of a lasting peace, with a shared peacekeeping deal on the table. AAN news report detailing the aftermath of the Altis Incident during the events of Apex Protocol
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By the conflict's end, more than a third of the AAF's total personnel were either dead or seriously wounded.[33] In the days that followed the official surrender, those that survived were herded off and placed into joint NATO/FIA-run internment camps to await processing.[34]
FIA guerillas identified those that were responsible for committing war crimes[34], while others were simply released and allowed to return to their homes.[35]
Akhanteros himself is shown to be present at the talks being held in Kavala with representatives from NATO, CSAT and the new president-elect of the nation, Nikos Panagopoulos, as all sides discuss the potential agreement on the ratification of a joint peacekeeping deal between NATO and CSAT.[36][37]
One additional condition of the agreement would also see to the complete demilitarisation of the AAF[36], with its leader Col. Akhanteros also possibly facing trial for the ruthless actions he commanded the AAF to commit throughout the fighting.[38]
The motivation behind the AAF attack in the initial stages of the Altis Incident is left in dispute however[39][40], with the exact cause yet to be understood or revealed by those responsible at the time.[41][42]
Equipment[]
Most of the AAF's hardware consists of outdated or long-since decommissioned for service equipment used by NATO forces.
Much of this equipment also dates back to the era of the pre-civil war AAF. Post-war acquisitions have since been obtained from the militaries of other Southern European nations facing total economic collapse, or provided/loaned to them at no cost by CSAT.
Troopers wear a mixture of early 21st century American-made uniforms patterned in a fractal digital green camouflage, while standard-issue combat helmets are old PASGT helmets that have been modified to mount night vision goggles. On the other hand, civil war-era paramilitary fighters wore a myriad of casual outfits mixed in with camouflaged jackets/pants, along with bump helmets and balaclavas.
Plate carrier vests are worn for chest/torso protection, though they are relatively obsolete compared to their NATO counterparts. On the very rare occasion that an operation will involve NBC threats, some specialist AAF troopers may don protective oversuits to shield them against the dangers of chemical/biological agents.
When not deployed on combat and attending military parades or formal mass gatherings, troopers are permitted to wear dedicated parade uniforms/hats in lieu of the regular fatigues.
Arsenal[]
Armoury[]
Motor Pool[]
Vehicle | Role | Notes |
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A-143 Buzzard |
Light Attack Jet | - Has seven (7) weapon pylon hardpoints - Only CAS variant has access to laser designator |
A-149 Gryphon |
Multi-Role Fighter Jet | - Jets DLC-exclusive vehicle - Has six (6) weapon pylon hardpoints |
AFV-4 Gorgon |
Infantry Fighting Vehicle | - Amphibious - Can transport up to 8 passengers |
AL-6 Pelican |
Small UAV | - Laws of War DLC-exclusive vehicle - Autonomous - Can disperse information leaflets |
Assault Boat |
Rubber Inflatable Boat | - Can transport up to 4 passengers |
AWC Nyx |
Light Tank | - Tanks DLC-exclusive vehicle - Highly adaptive combat vehicle that can be retrofitted for different roles - Is Data Link-enabled - Cannot transport any passengers |
CH-49 Mohawk |
Medium-Lift Transport / Utility Helicopter | - Can transport up to 16 passengers - Can utilise Slingloading |
ED-1 Mini UGV |
UGV / UGCV | - Contact DLC-exclusive vehicle - Autonomous - Military variant can destroy landmines/explosives with disruption shotgun |
FV-720 Mora |
Infantry Fighting Vehicle | - Can transport up to 7 passengers |
K40 Ababil-3 |
UAV / UCAV | - Autonomous - Has six (6) weapon pylon hardpoints - Semi-stealthed against radars |
MBT-52 Kuma |
Main Battle Tank | - Cannot transport any passengers |
Quadbike |
All-Terrain Vehicle | - Can transport a single passenger |
SDV |
Diver Propulsion Vehicle | - Can transport up to 2 passengers - Commander can utilise observational periscope - Has a laser designator |
Strider |
LARV / MRAP | - Amphibious - Commander can utilise an observation periscope - Unarmed variant can transport up to 2 passengers - Armed variants can only transport a single passenger |
Speedboat Minigun |
Light Patrol Vessel | - Can transport up to 8 passengers |
Tayran AR-2 |
Small UAV | - Autonomous - Has a laser designator - Uses a visual sensor to detect infantry |
UGV Stomper |
UGV / UGCV | - Autonomous - Can transport a single passenger |
WY-55 Hellcat |
Utility Helicopter | - Can transport up to 6 passengers - Has two (2) weapon pylon hardpoints - Can utilise Slingloading |
Zamak |
Utility Truck | - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has dedicated variants that can repair, rearm, and refuel nearby ground vehicles and heal infantry |
Zamak MRL |
Self-Propelled Rocket Artillery | - Rocket-based artillery system - Can carry a single passenger |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The AAF did not originally exist in the Alpha and was only later added in the Beta (as part of Game Update 0.70).[43]
- Though not explicitly stated, the AAF appears to be loosely inspired by three real-world militaries: the Armed Forces of Malta, the Cypriot National Guard, and the Hellenic Armed Forces.
- The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.
- At some point in ArmA 3's pre-Alpha phase of development, the AAF's distinctive Digital camouflage pattern was intended to be used by Raven Security, a Russian PMC that no longer exists in canon.
- It was featured as a REDFOR sub-faction in the original 2011 version of ArmA 3's storyline.[44]
- A remnant of their uniform (a retexture of the CSAT Fatigues) still exists within the game's files and even features a Russian flag patch.[46]
- Other remnants of the faction utilising the Digital camouflage pattern include a texture for the Cap that has Raven Security's insignia stitched to the front, though it only exists in the Alpha's files.[47]
- Filenames for AAF variants of the Pilot Helmet[48], Pilot Coveralls[49], Wetsuit[50] and Rebreather[51] still reference their Russian origins.
- Pre-release artwork from one of artists also depicts (then-Iranian) soldiers wearing the camouflage.[52]
- The paramilitary groups shown in Tac-Ops' Beyond Hope mini-campaign appear to be a reused concept that dates back to the original setting of the main campaign, prior to ArmA 3's development overhaul in 2012.[44]
- The "uniform" for the original paramilitary units (Model name: o_paramilitary.p3d[53]) still exists within the game files but are not actually used for the mini-campaign.
- Imagery depicting the original paramilitary forces can still be seen briefly in some official screenshots (albeit released during the pre-Alpha).[54]
Notes[]
- ↑ Exact date of establishment not known. However, it cannot be formed any later than prior to the events of Beyond Hope (2026).
- ↑ Ex-head of country and its armed forces. To face trial for war crimes committed during the civil war and FIA uprising following the events of The East Wind (2035).
References[]
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External links[]
See also[]
- Task Force Aegis
- CSAT (REDFOR counterpart)
- NATO (BLUFOR counterpart)
Factions of ArmA 3 | |
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BLUFOR | NATO • CTRG • FIA • Gendarmerie |
REDFOR | CSAT • Gendarmerie • Russian Spetsnaz • Viper |
INDFOR | AAF • LDF • Syndikat |
Apex DLC | Contact DLC |
Factions - INDFOR (ArmA 3) | |
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AAF • LDF • Syndikat | |
Apex DLC | Contact DLC |