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This article contains significant spoilers from the main campaigns.


The Eastwind device is a CSAT weapon of mass destruction (WMD) that is capable of causing earthquakes.

Background[]

ArmA3-CSAT-Tempest-device deployed

Eastwind disassembled, assembled and also loaded onto the rear flatbed of a Tempest truck.

Its exact date of origin is not known, though due to the brief tremors experienced during the events of the Prologue[1], it is possible that it was already halfway or close to completion more than one year prior to The East Wind.[2][3][4]

Its existence is a closely guarded secret[1][5], and the CSAT alliance will go to extreme lengths to prevent the device(s) from falling into enemy hands.[6] Their resolve to do so is demonstrated in the non-canon ending of The East Wind, when both the device and research facility falls into the hands of CTRG Group 14 Captain Scott Miller.[7] The loss of Eastwind forces CSAT into launching a massive counterattack to retake the device.[8][9] The resulting invasion leads to the destruction of an entire brigade of U.S.-led NATO forces, initiating the start of World War III.[10]

In Apex Protocol, Capt. Miller reveals that he believes the device was used to cause the subsea earthquake which initiated a tsunami, wreaking havoc across the Tanoa Province of the Horizon Islands.[11] Throughout the campaign, NATO intelligence suggests that the device produces a series of foreshocks as part of its arming sequence.[12]

By the end of Apex Protocol, Miller secures Eastwind and arranges to have it airlifted to an undisclosed location.[13] CSAT attempts to reclaim the device by deploying black ops teams but are unsuccessful.[14] Following its capture, the fate of the device continues to remain unclear.[15]

Capabilities[]

How the device exactly operates is not elaborated on in any of the campaigns.[16] However, it is clear that the process has a significant startup delay since the device must be manually activated with the use of two arming keys.[17] It also must be physically deployed on-site to have any effect and can't be used to trigger earthquakes remotely.[11] But once armed, brief tectonic shockwaves are always a prelude to the actual earthquake.[12]

« We don't know - MEDCOM's got no idea what's causing it - according to seismic monitoring, this is abnormal activity.
»

One notable fact about Eastwind is that it is capable of causing earthquakes in regions of the Earth which do not naturally experience any seismic activity on a regular basis.[2][18] Examples include both Altis[7] and Tanoa, with the latter also triggering a tsunami in the aftermath of the initial quake.[11]

Uses[]

Though its existence is never publicly revealed[15], Eastwind's military and geopolitical uses are shown to great effect throughout both campaigns in ArmA 3.

It forms the cornerstone of CSAT's so-called 'Apex Protocol' plans that seek to destabilise countries that have favourable relations to the West. By triggering Eastwind in a specific country, the natural disasters caused by it are used as a pretext for CSAT to provide humanitarian aid and relief (on top of chaos caused by Viper operatives covertly operating in the country).[19] This then leads to the establishment of CSAT military bases in that country in exchange for continued support.[20][21]

Because Eastwind's effects are practically impossible to trace back to their source[22], it can be used without fear of retaliation as opposed to the likes of nuclear WMDs.

Trivia[]

The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.
  • Eastwind's origins as an earthquake generating WMD dates all the way back to the original storyline of ArmA 3 when it was first revealed in 2011.[23][24][25]
    • In its initial concept, the device was explicitly stated to be an Iranian-made WMD. Its development was overseen by two main antagonists of the original plot: Colonel Vahid Namdar (whose backstory has since been changed) and the CEO of Red Pegasus Engineering, General Ostad Javeed Attar (a character who no longer exists in canon).[23]
    • Although the majority of the 2011 storyline has since been refactored completely, the plotline with Capt. Miller searching for the device was mostly retained in the canonical version of The East Wind.[24]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Common Denominator, "MARTINEZ: Okay... For the record, I'm blaming CSAT. ADAMS: Keep driving. I'll check with MacKinnon. Broadway, Alpha 1-1 Actual. Was that what I think it was? Over. MACKINNON: Confirmed, 1-1. Just a small tremor. No cause for concern. Over. ADAMS: Copy, Broadw- AKHANTEROS: Phalanx to all units, we just experienced a light earthquake. Do not be alarmed. Return to your posts and resume your duties. Out. MACKINNON: What he said, 1-1. ADAMS: Yeah, we got it, Colonel. 1-1 out. MARTINEZ: Guess some Greenbacks must have shit themselves."
  2. 2.0 2.1 ARMA 3: Tanks 2018 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Altis Requiem, Lost Horizons, "GEKAS: You feel that? KALOGEROS: Yup, earthquake. Haven't had one of those in - what? Five, six years, maybe."
  3. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Guerrilla, "BISHOP: Those earthquakes you mentioned. Weren't there some fairly bad ones, not so long ago? MACDADE: Mm. Nothing too major. The worst came during NATO's invasion, actually - solid fours and fives on the Richter scale. The soil out here's pretty loose, though. Folk were worried about gas lines getting damaged. Turns out, they were right to be."
  4. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Guerrilla, "MACDADE: Hey, just a thought, d'you remember the earthquakes back then? BISHOP: Yes, they were quite frequent. Were IDAP at all concerned about that? MACDADE: Oh, yeah. Any kinda 'disaster relief' on top of what we were dealing with... it would have just about finished us off completely."
  5. ARMA 3: Tanks 2018 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Altis Requiem, Salient Force, "KALOGEROS: The fuck... They getting worse, or is it me...? [...] APOLLO: Pantheon, this is Apollo. Those earthquakes. They anything we oughta worry about? Over. PANTHEON: Negative. It's just our island: she's getting a little pissed off. Out."
  6. ARMA 3: Tanks 2018 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Altis Requiem, Terminal Defiance, "Colonel Akhanteros is about to announce our surrender. But first we must oversee a successful rearguard action. CSAT are evacuating scientists and sensitive material via the airfield near Selakano. It's our job to ensure they leave our island safely. Exactly what it's all about, I cannot say. But the orders are clear and come from the very top. This mission is important."
  7. 7.0 7.1 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Paradise Found, "KERRY: This is what it's all been about, isn't it? Stratis, Mike-26, the airport, everything. You sabotaged the invasion. MILLER: We needed more time. KERRY: For what? To find this? What is it? MILLER: That's classified. KERRY: Fuck you it is! MILLER: Kerry, I swear, once more and I'll drop you where you stand. Think about it. When was the last time this region experienced tremors like these? There's been at least a dozen in the last few days alone."
  8. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Paradise Found, "I'll tell you what. I like you, Kerry. I'll be back in an hour. If you're still here, I'll give you a way out. Things are about to get ugly. I'd suggest you keep your head down."
  9. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Paradise Found, "All units, we've got multiple unknown contacts approaching the northern coast. Standby. We might have a problem here. [...] All units! Multiple hostile aircraft inbound! [...] All units! All units! Tactical withdrawal! I say again, get your guys out-"
  10. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Game Over, "All hell's broken loose. CSAT has made a massive counter-attack and the whole island is in flames. It feels like it's the beginning of a global war. We thought that the whole conflict would be over in the next few hours - that the AAF would simply surrender - but, instead, it's escalated beyond control. I don't know exactly what that 'thing' I handed to Miller was, but CSAT certainly seems to value it highly. I've got to get out of here."
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, Extraction, "MILLER: As we understand it, they aim to destabilise the region by proxy. In fact, it's my opinion that they're responsible for the Pacific disaster itself. BROADALE: Hold on now, that makes no sense. It was a goddamn Tsunami, Captain. MILLER: Caused by an sub-sea earthquake."
  12. 12.0 12.1 ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, "Roger your last. Int says foreshocks are part of its arming sequence. Time is vital. We must secure Eastwind now."
  13. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, "MILLER: Alright. Payload secure. Falcon, continue on task. Watchtower, this is Keystone. We're figures few to ENDEX. DUTTON: Roger, Keystone. All callsigns, move to exfil! "
  14. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, "RIKER: Watchtower, SITREP, most Viper callsigns engaged and destroyed. 1 or 2 are running, can we pursue? DUTTON: Negative Raider 1. All callsigns, brilliant work. Eastwind Device secure. ENDEX."
  15. 15.0 15.1 ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, "Oh, that. Yes. No, we saw no reason to complicate matters further. It's in safe hands now."
  16. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Game Over, "What's all this seismic shit about? Just what the hell are you planning on doing with it, Miller?"
  17. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, "All callsigns, important message, SITREP, new int received. We may have a problem. [...] From what we understand, Warlock's given a secondary disarm key to one of his lieutenants. [...] To clarify: we need both keys to deactivate Eastwind."
  18. 18.0 18.1 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Preventive Diplomacy, "ARMSTRONG: Crossroads to Nomad, status report. Over. KERRY: I'm fine. Any more surprises? ARMSTRONG: We don't know - MEDCOM's got no idea what's causing it - according to seismic monitoring, this is abnormal activity. KERRY: This was the strongest one yet. If it carries on like this, we'll have no island to fight for. Out."
  19. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, Apex Protocol (mission), "Captain Miller has revealed to us the existence of CSAT's clandestine operatives, codename 'Viper', and has confirmed their base of operations to be on Sosovu Island, a former Japanese stronghold last occupied during the Second World War. Worryingly still, we have reason to believe that Viper are housing an Eastwind Device on the island capable of triggering a natural disaster. Your mission is to locate the Device, secure it and any other intel you find, and assist with its extraction."
  20. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, \a3\missions_f_exp\video\exp_m07_vin.ogv, 00:05, "INTREP FROM: INT GROUP TO: CTRG COMMAND [DELTA-2] INFO: Apex Protocol Analysis PRECEDENCE: Flash", CTRG Central
  21. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, "DUTTON: We've been analysing the int recovered. It points to what we suspected. Using embedded operatives, CSAT destabilise small, strategically valuable nation states. This strategy - the so-called 'Apex Protocol' - it's a pretext for CSAT diplomats, special advisors - even peacekeeping forces - to deploy. BROADALE: Resolving their very own chaos... DUTTON: Correct. Grooming a network of pro-CSAT governments."
  22. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, Extraction, "The fact is, we have scant intel. The little we have is classified. CTRG has been tracking a clandestine network of CSAT operatives. We know them as 'Viper'. Group 14 got close in the Med, but the opportunity slipped away. Bottom line: we believe Viper possess the means - a device - to trigger a natural disaster. It's clear they're using Tanoan dissidents as cover."
  23. 23.0 23.1 Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2011, Personnel, Arma 3, viewed 13 December 2023, <https://web.archive.org/web/20110925084040/http://www.arma3.com/arma-3-overview/personnel/>. (archived link)
  24. 24.0 24.1 Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2011, Overview, Arma 3, viewed 13 December 2023, <https://web.archive.org/web/20110924200806/http://www.arma3.com/arma-3-overview/>. (archived link)
  25. Mořický, K et al. 2011, Armaverse Timeline, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 13 December 2023, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki?title=Armaverse_Timeline&oldid=64216>. (archived link)

See also[]

Armaverse Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Atrox strain (A3)Eastwind device (A3)Nuclear weapon (CWA/A2)
(Parenthesis) denote the game in which the WMD appears in and/or serves as a major plot element.