Reliant on Yuktobania for defense throughout most of its history, Sercia has never harbored a strong offensive military even during the civil crackdowns of the early 20th Century. One of the first acts of the MacPherson administration was to expand the Ministry of Defence's budget for procurement of modernized hardware and an increase in enlistment. Since then a greater emphasis has been placed on improving Sercia's officer corps with the commissioning of more college graduates. As an all-volunteer military with a mostly Western arsenal it is considered a well-trained and competent force in the region and often takes part in multinational peacekeeping operations overseas.
Sercian Air Force
An SAF Su-27
The Garo regime attempted to keep the Air Force relatively modernized during their reign, under the impression that a strong Air Force could hold off invaders long enough for the Yuktobanian Army to arrive. The post-Garo Air Force retains MiG-29s and Su-27s purchased in the early 1980s as their offensive arsenal, supplemented by a single A-50 AWACS. In 2005 the government ordered four squadrons of F-16C Block 52s to replace their Fulcrums in addition to funding modernization of their Su-27s into variants comparable to the Su-35BM in terms of avionics. In addition to offensive fighter assets, airlift and rotary wing assets also fall under the SAF's jurisdiction. The majority of Sercian transports are aging Eastern craft, primarily An-24s and An-26s; both are gradually being phased out in favor of C-17As and C-130Js as of the 2000s. Fixed-wing training is performed by L-39 Albatrosses. The SAF's rotary wing assets include Mi-8 Hips for tactical transport and Mi-24 Hind gunships.
Sercian Land Force
A Sercian Leopard MBT
The Sercian Land Force is the least antiquated of Sercia's military branches in terms of equipment due to the relatively low costs of infantry gear and vehicles compared with fighter jets and warships. In the 1990s Sercian infantrymen were issued M4 carbines compliant with all UTO STANAGs as well as M14 EBR battle rifles, M249 SAWs, and a number of other Western firearms to replace their AK-74s and other Eastern weapons; they wear an indigenously-developed camouflage pattern with climactic variations with Interceptor body armor. While a number of BRDM, BTR-60, and T-72 armored vehicles remain in storage, they have been replaced by Osean HMMWVs and M2 infantry fighting vehicles and Belkan Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks. All SLF units are outfitted with UTO-standard networked systems.
Sercian Naval Force
The SKL Sargus (F05)
Although it is a coastal nation, Sercia has never strongly emphasized naval power. As of 2010 its fleet is centered around two Krivak III class vessels, the SKL Sargus (F05) and SKL Budrus (F06) supplemented by a fleet of both Western and Eastern patrol boats. There are no plans for an expansion of the SNF in the coming years.
The SNF's strategy is based on Yuktobania's naval bastions; the Sargus and Budrus are to stay near the shore and fire anti-ship missiles at approaching threats rather than conducting offensive operations and risking their best naval assets. Patrol boats serve in a more dangerous role harassing hostile naval assets to keep them away from the frigates.