A series of occasional papers on interstellar defence and fleet issues, from Jim's Fighting Fleets study group, the Defence Estimation - Long-term Planning, Homeworlds & Interstellar group.

Paper 3/3207 : 'Plan-A' in Martian Naval Doctrine
3207.300

The MSN regularly reviews doctrine in the light of changing circumstances, and its long-established doctrine of maintaining the capability to launch and sustain a planetary assault capability is no exception. This paper re-examines the case for planetary assault capability.

1. A planetary assault capability allows the MAFC to project power planetside whenever and wherever it might be needed. Its flexibility and utility is well proven.

2. A planetary assault capability can be held at a high state of readiness at home or in deep space and has considerable deterrent value. ALSI are not regarded by most nations as capital ships, and their positioning is potentially less sensitive than that of battleships, carriers and heavy cruisers.

3. A planetary assault element is logistically self-sufficient and may poise indefinitely, respond rapidly, or land to give a variety of signals to the enemy, and it can redeploy as required. In the words of a famous Martian strategist, "the freedom to advance without violating frontiers or retire without abandoning ground" provides great flexibility and a valuable means of achieving the fine balance between deterrence and provocation.

4. A planetary assault force places no self-limiting reliance on orbitals, spaceports or other fixed installations. It has the ability to disguise its entry point and to be used for diversionary and deception operations, thereby tying down enemy ground forces in the wrong place. To achieve this potential, specialist ALSI and their assault shuttles - together with an experienced and dedicated GF landing force - are required. Planetary assault is probably the most complex of all warfare areas, encompassing, ground, air, orbital and space elements, and actual operations are no place to learn basic lessons at the cost of vital assets.

5. A planetary assault force is cost effective, provides and ideal basis to react purposefully to the unexpected and gives a genuine conventional 'second strike' capability. For this reason the MAFC will be maintaining its planetary assault capability, to the level of one GF Division, in all major fleets for the foreseeable future. A self contained space-based assault force is the best kind of 'fire extinguisher' because of its flexibility, reliability, logistic simplicity and relative economy.

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