Hyojin Navy

The Hyojin Navy (Hyojin: Hyojin kaigun) is the naval warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Hyokoku. The Hyojin Navy was founded 1712 in Tochikyo, Kagiri Province, at the Naval War College. The Navy's headquarters are located at Mount Tetsusan Citadel, in Yamakyo, and it's commanded by the Chancellor of Hyokoku. It is the second largest branch of the Hyojin military after the Leopard Army, with a total force of 26,640 personnel in 1958. Saint Kazuki, the patron saint of sailors in Hyojin Theodarity, is also the patron of the Navy, and many shrines dedicated to him exist on Hyojin navy bases.

Mission
"'To develop and maintain an ocean-going force ready and able to defend the territory, sovereignty, and interests of the Republic of Hyokoku and it's people at all times and places.'"The Hyojin Navy is a seaborne branch of the Hyojin military. It's primary areas of responsibility are:


 * To maintain a constant state of preparedness for war on the high seas.
 * To prevent an enemy force from approaching the costs of Hyokoku at such a range that they would threaten the Hyojin mainland.
 * To maintain sea and land-based aerial capabilities for both combat and logistical naval operations.
 * To the develop weapons, tactics, warships, and equipment necessary to operate at full capacity at all times.
 * To defend Hyojin vessels, property, and citizens on the high seas and abroad.

Origins
Hyokoku's maritime forces can trace their lineage to the Seiryo Expedition of 1645, when 300 settlers crossed the Dunic Ocean from Sakaro on three ships: the Shokaze, Shonami, and Asaka. The vessels were probably similar to the Artopan galleons of the age, though only the Shokaze is indicated to have carried cannons, which were likely added on as part of a refit of the vessel, which had originally been built as a merchantman like its sister ships in 1640.

From 1658—1712, the Republic of Hyokoku had no formal navy. During the Siege of Sausawaylia in 1675, the Leopard Army built a number of small mortar-equipped artillery ships, which sailed down the Nankai River and bombarded the city. After the end of the battle, several of the ships sunk upon striking rocks or became beached in the river shallows, and the rest were most likely scrapped.

The Hyojin Navy was established in 1712 after the founding of the Naval War College. In it's earliest years, the college hired western navigators and sea captains to form the backbone of the officer corp, and they remained a prominent part of the Navy until the early 1730s. The frigate Kaminari was completed in 1713 and was the navy's first warship. It's sister ship, the Amahi, entered service a year later. The Kaminari functioned as the Navy's flagship until it sank in a storm off Tochikyo in 1753. Budget constraints meant that the Navy did not commission any vessels larger than a frigate until the mid 19th century, and its duties were concentrated around using lighter ships to patrol Hyokoku's rivers and coasts.

Major naval development programs didn't take place until the 1890s, during the diplomatic rapprochement between the Sakaiian and Hyojin governments. As trade between the two states increased, the government of Chancellor Ishihara Tane lobbied the Kokkai to significantly increase the Navy's budget to allow for a major overhaul of the force from a coastal defense fleet to a blue water navy. By 1895, an expansion of the Tochikyo Naval Arsenal enabled the Hyojin Navy to begin developing large, ocean-going ironclad warships.

Organization
The Hyojin Navy is a branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Hyokoku part of the Ministry of National Defense. The highest service rank in the navy bears the title "Force Admiral," and is held concurrently by the Navy Chief of Staff. The highest tactical command body of the Navy is the Naval Staff Office. Within the Navy there are three individual combat corps: the Navy Air Corp, the Marine Corp, and the Submarine Corp. There are also numerous departments and child agencies.

The Naval Staff Office
The Naval Staff Office is the highest tactical command body of the Hyojin Navy below the National Defense Commission. It consists of the ranking officers of the three naval combat corps and the heads of the Navy's administrative departments. The head of the Naval Staff Office is the Navy Chief of Staff. Not only is the office a strategic oversight body, it also acts as the center of high-level and administrative efforts undertaken by the various branches of the force.

The Naval Intelligence Bureau
The Naval Intelligence Bureau is an intelligence-gathering agency under the Navy Staff Office responsible for investigating and maintaining constant awareness of the strength of foreign maritime forces. The Naval Intelligence Bureau is part of Hyokoku's larger intelligence array, and works closely with other agencies like the Army Intelligence Bureau and Strategic Intelligence Agency.