CDF flag
The Chernarussian Defence Forces (shortened to CDF) are a BLUFOR faction in ArmA 2.
Overview
| « | In the name of freedom, equality and brotherhood of nations of the Fatherland, we swear to fight for the freedom and independence of the Republic of Chernarus. CDF Oath of Enlistment
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Background
The CDF are the primary land, sea, and air defence force of Chernarus. For the past few years, the CDF's focus has been counterinsurgency warfare against the so-called "Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star" (ChDKZ), a pro-Russian separatist group in the northern, mountainous region of the South Zagoria province.
In recent years, the CDF has begun collaborating extensively from the NATO alliance, and are supplied with limited military aid to assist in the fighting against the insurgent group. Though they lack the advanced equipment of modern Western armies, they retain a significant stockpile of hardware from their days as a former Soviet territory.
The CDF is commanded by General Begunov, who serves as the acting commander of entire defence force. Other notable members include Lieutenant Tomas Marny, an intelligence officer who has extensive ties with many local guerilla groups, as well as Major R.A. Stavovich, one the senior field commanders who also serves as a liaison to the USMC's 27th Marine Expeditionary Unit (27th MEU).
History
ArmA 2-era CDF emblem.
Chernarus (then-known as the C.S.S.R. or Chernarussian Soviet Socialist Republics) was formerly a territory of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. After the dissolution of the USSR, Chernarus and its armed forces would become an independent entity that gradually shifted away from Russian influence, and turned westward towards NATO.
Though the country was no longer under Soviet/Russian influence, tensions within the country were on the rise as well. A growing number of pro-Russian citizens, dissatisfied with the government's turn westward, sought to reintegrate the country with the Russian Federation.
Under this premise, Gregori Lopotev forms the so-called "Working Man's Defence Alliance". Two years later, a violent protest is arranged by the "alliance" over working and pay conditions, leading to several deaths and arrests by security forces.
Though the WMDA was dissolved soon after, a new organisation would rise from its ashes. Now called the "Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star" (shortened to ChDKZ), Lopotev's group grew in both power and size, gaining enough strength to directly challenge the CDF for control of the country.
A full-scale civil war soon breaks out, but it becomes clear that the CDF was ill-prepared for the prolonged fighting. Relying on outdated Soviet-era equipment, its forces suffered from inadequate training and were simply overwhelmed by the sheer intensity and scale of the ChDKZ's attacks. Within a matter of weeks, the ChDKZ successfully seized the entirety of the South Zagoria province.
Eventually, even the standing prime minister of Chernarus, Alexander Baranov, is executed by Lopotev after Chedaki milita stormed the regional capital of Chernogorsk; all in retaliation for failed negotiations with the Russian government over the re-integration of Chernarus into Russia.
| « | Last night’s flashpoint was the inevitable consequence of NATO indifference to the escalating rebellion in Chernarus. Two years of growing insurrection and our largely ignored requests for military aid have resulted in the deaths of great men. Soon perhaps a great nation will die also. Chernarussian Ambassador to the United Nations
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He declares the nation to be the "Chernarussian Socialistic Republic", while the legitimate civilian government is forced into exile and remnants of the CDF retreat to a small pocket near Zelenogorsk.
The UN Security Council arranges for an emergency meeting to be held in order to discuss the ongoing crisis, while the Chernarussian government-in-exile appeals for Western support.
Events of Operation Harvest Red (2009)
| SPOILER ALERT | ||||||
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 2's 'Operation Harvest Red' campaign.   The Battle for Chernogorsk begins as USMC and CDF remnants drive out the ChDKZ Opening with an amphibious assault on multiple cities in South Zagoria, the USMC's 27th Marine Expeditionary Unit quickly drives back the ChDKZ and regains the initiative for the CDF. Now forced into a full retreat, the joint CDF/USMC force knocks the Chedaki all the way back to their strongholds in the northern mountainous regions. An elite USMC Force Recon team even locates and captures Lopotev and his senior aide-de-camp. However, a Chedaki double agent betrays the team and saves Lopotev from being turned over to CDF custody.   Bardak is captured once again by Razor Team Though both the CDF and USMC continue to fail in their search for Lopotev, his aide-de-camp is eventually recaptured after an extensive hunt throughout the countryside. Even better, several Chedaki camps throughout the northern regions are eradicated, and one of their major supply bases are destroyed. Just as the tides of the war were shifting decisively in favour of the CDF, a bomb is detonated in the heart of Red Square in Moscow, Russia. Believing the perpetrators to be from the extremist anti-Russian National Party (NAPA), the Russian Armed Forces are sent to Chernarus under a new peacekeeping mandate, forcing the Americans to leave the country while the CDF are made to pull back from all of the territories that they had reclaimed.
The CDF are forced to "co-operate" with their new Russian "advisers", and report all of their activities to the peacekeepers. However, the CDF actively work to undermine the Russians with the help of Razor Team, an American Force Recon team that was left behind during the MEU's hasty evacuation. They manage to seize several towns from the Chedaki, and even restore good relations with the NAPA guerillas; though only after their leader is assassinated by Razor Team.   With Stary Sobor and Novy Sobor retaken and Prizrak dead, Marny convinces NAPA to join forces with the CDF.
With their forces now combined as one and working towards the common goal of driving out all the Chedaki, joint CDF/NAPA forces and Razor Team plan one final offensive against the ChDKZ. The Russians continue to stoically maintain watch over the CDF even after they begin their counteroffensive. But the CDF knew full well however, that it was only a matter of time before the Russians would step in to save the Chedaki again. Fortunately, Lopotev is found once more and captured by Razor Team, who proceed to bring him back to CDF lines. CDF command arranges for a secret meeting with the Russians, hoping that handing over Lopotev and presenting them with hard evidence of NAPA's innocence over the bombing would be enough to convince them to leave. During the handover attempt, the meeting is interrupted by a rogue Russian Spetsnaz team led by its fanatical leader "Karelin", who attempts to save Lopotev. Unfortunately for Karelin, his entire team is wiped out in the ambush and the Russians successfully bring Lopotev back to their airbase for interrogation. The CDF and Razor Team later manage to gather enough evidence of Chedaki war crimes; enough to convince the entire UN Security Council to unanimously approve the redeployment of U.S. forces into the country. |
Post-Operation Harvest Red
| « | Immediately following the capture, handover and bungled rescue attempt of Lopotev the Russian forces are thrown into disarray. Later, the Russian Duma commission a special investigation. The final report tries to play down the 'border dispute' that briefly threatened to bring the Federation into total war with its neighbour and its relations with the west to new post-cold-war low. Chastened, the Kremlin are left apologizing for 'renegade commanders' citing 'terrorist conspiracy' as justification for their actions. The crisis in Chernarus is over. There is still a long way to go to before the country can be called a truly peaceful democracy, but all the preconditions are in place. The 27th MEU remain inside Chernarus, helping the CDF mop up and rebuild. Aftermath of Operation Harvest Red
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With the help of the 27th MEU, a fierce battle is fought after allied forces locate the Chedaki main base hidden in Msta.
Peace is finally achieved in Chernarus after the bulk of Chedaki troops are annihilated or captured by the combined forces of the CDF, the USMC, and NAPA guerillas. Although Lopotev wasn't under CDF custody at the time of their defeat, his disappearance (after the secret exchange between Razor Team and the Russians) and the loss of all their leaders marked the beginning of the end of the organisation.
Furthermore, the withdrawal of Russian political and military support, and their remaining cells being hunted down one by one by all sides, eventually results in their complete dissolution.
Celebrations are held on the 27th MEU's lead ship, as Begunov congratulates Razor Team on their total victory.
| « | After all you've done? It was my duty Razor Team. I owe you my country. Thank you Razor. Perhaps you would consider staying? I need good generals... The Takistan border is always a worry... General Begunov personally congratulates the members of Razor Team
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Russian forces are also forced to leave the country after they receive undeniable evidence from the CDF that Karelin's Spetsnaz team and the Chedaki were solely responsible for the Moscow bombings.
Now that the Chedaki were stamped out for good, the CDF begin (with the help of the USMC) their long task of working towards rebuilding the wartorn country.
Events of Operation Crimson Lance (2012)
Following the U.S.-led intervention, the CDF deploy a battalion of troops as part of the UN's peacekeeping force in Takistan; the United Nations Forces Takistan (UNFORT), to oversee the country's reconstruction and stabilisation efforts.
| « | We just spot unknown footmobiles to the west. Once we even saw a group carrying a mortar! Fucking militias, we can't even fight them... Sgt. Zapletal, commander of the UNFORT outpost overlooking Feruz Abad
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However, their involvement is mostly limited to guarding the secure Green Zones and providing humanitarian aid for the locals. Their restrictive rules of engagement prohibit them from assisting New Takistani Army (NTA) security forces in driving out former pro-Aziz Takistani Army remnants.
Equipment
TTsKO camouflage pattern used by CDF troops (ArmA 2)
The average CDF conscript wears a mixture of old Soviet-era body armour vests and modern Kevlar helmets. Their fatigues and certain pieces of gear are commonly concealed with the TTsKO camouflage pattern used by Soviet airborne troops.
Their primary armament usually consists of the AK-74 series of assault rifles and carbines, while specialist troops utilise the PKM machine gun and SVD sniper rifle. CDF militiamen on the other hand carry older and surplus AKS assault rifles.
The CDF's ground vehicular options vary from Soviet-era UAZs, T-72 tanks, as well as BMP-2 IFVs and various trucks. Aviation-wise, they utilise a mixture of Russian-made rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, however their options are generally quite limited and inferior compared to their modernised Russian counterparts.
Post-Operation Harvest Red
During the events of Operation Arrowhead, equipment and vehicles used by the Chernarussian peacekeeping contingent as part of United Nations Forces Takistan (UNFORT), remained largely unchanged to their Harvest Red-era counterparts.
Soldiers wore light blue berets and helmets with the UN symbol emblazoned onto them to denote their protected status as peacekeepers. Some mechanised forces utilised American-made M113 armoured personnel carriers for transportation alongside their BMP-2 IFVs.
Arsenal
Armoury
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Name | Description |
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Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher Diameter: 72 mm | |
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Assault Rifle Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Assault Rifle Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Carbine Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Assault Rifle Calibre: 7.62×39 mm | |
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Handgun Calibre: 9×18 mm | |
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General-Purpose Machine Gun Calibre: 7.62×54 mm | |
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Rocket Launcher Diameter: 40 mm/105 mm | |
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Light Support Weapon Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Sniper Rifle Calibre: 7.62×54 mm |
Motor Pool
| Vehicle | Role | Notes |
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 BM-21 Grad |
Self-Propelled Rocket Artillery | - Rocket-based artillery system - Can transport a single passenger |
 BMP-2 |
Infantry Fighting Vehicle | - Amphibious - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has a dedicated variant that can heal infantry |
 BRDM-2 |
Armoured Patrol Car | - Amphibious - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant |
 Mi-17 |
Utility Helicopter | - Can transport up to 16 passengers - Has a dedicated variant that can heal infantry |
 Mi-24D |
Heavy Attack Helicopter | - Can transport up to 8 passengers |
 Pchela-1T |
UAV | - Autonomous |
 Su-25 |
Ground Attack Craft | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 TT650G |
Motorbike | - Can transport one passenger |
 T-72 |
Main Battle Tank | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 UAZ-469 |
Light Utility Vehicle | - Unarmed variant can transport up to 6 passengers - Armed variants can only transport a single passenger |
 Ural |
Utility Truck | - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has dedicated variants that can repair, rearm, and refuel nearby ground vehicles |
 ZSU-23-4 Shilka |
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | - Cannot transport any passengers |
Gallery
Video
Trivia
- Though it's never outright stated, CSAT's Cyrus marksman rifle in ArmA 3 shows that it is specially manufactured in Chernarus.
- It is possible that Chernarus has become a CSAT member by the mid-2030s in the Armaverse. Or geopolitically, they were forced to turn back eastward due to Russian influence and the ongoing economic depression that continues to affect ArmA 3-era NATO countries.
External links
See also
- United States Marine Corps
- National Party (Independent counterpart)
- Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star (OPFOR counterpart)
| Factions - BLUFOR (ArmA 2) | |
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| USMC • CDF • U.S. Army • KSK • ACR • British Army | |
| Operation Arrowhead | British Armed Forces | |