Army of Burgundie Combat Capability Realignment of 2026
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The Army of Burgundie Combat Capability Realignment of 2026 was a comprehensive initiative aimed at modernizing and restructuring Army of Burgundie to meet the challenges of 21st-century warfare. Developed by Pelaxian and Burgoignesc junior officers, the Realignment touched upon every facet of the Army, from personnel recruitment and training to the integration of cutting-edge technologies and the development of new operational doctrines. The Realignment addressed recruitment challenges by elevating support units and replacing some infantry with direct-fire drone units, reflecting Burgundie's high academic attainment. It also bolstered Military Intelligence with larger Intelligence and Electronic Warfare units for mobile EW/anti-drone capabilities. Combat support battalion-level assets shifted to brigades, enabling easier task force organization and allowing larger battalions to focus solely on combat. It prioritized integrating UAVs and UGVs into existing formations at all levels, embedding them within infantry, armor, and artillery units. Specialized units were also established for drone swarms or complex UGV operations. To maximize their effectiveness, the Realignment emphasized integrating these unmanned assets into daily operations. Soldiers undergo regular training, and UAVs are routinely used for reconnaissance and surveillance, enhancing situational awareness. UGVs are employed for logistical tasks and force protection. Both are seamlessly integrated into combined arms operations. The Realignment mandated full integration of the HERMES Collaborative Combat Network and the Hypaspistai Projectile Defense Network. HERMES provides real-time situational awareness, facilitates a common operating picture, and streamlines logistics. Hypaspistai provides a layered defense against incoming projectiles, utilizing sensors, interceptors, and electronic warfare. Training and simulation capabilities were expanded with virtual and augmented reality, specialized programs, and comprehensive evaluation systems, mostly through the expanded use of HERMES. Talent management programs were implemented, along with incentives for highly skilled personnel and streamlined promotion processes. Medical support and casualty evacuation were enhanced with mobile facilities, advanced evacuation platforms, and telemedicine. Cyber and electronic warfare capabilities were bolstered through investment in advanced technologies and the deployment of specialized units. The use of information operations and psychological warfare was expanded, with dedicated units and integration into all levels of planning. The Realignment also prioritized sustainability initiatives, comprehensive soldier wellness programs, expanded use of AI, strengthened cybersecurity measures, increased international collaboration, and the development of doctrine for emerging technologies. Investment in space-based capabilities and streamlining of bureaucratic processes were also emphasized. Finally, the Realignment re-prioritized enhanced CBRN capabilities, dedicated urban warfare training centers, specialized schools for mountain and arctic warfare, research and development of non-lethal weapons, advanced materials research, human-machine teaming, predictive maintenance programs, and investment in energy-efficient technologies.
Development
The Realignment of 2026 stemmed from a growing recognition within the Burgoignesc military leadership that the Army needed comprehensive modernization and restructuring to address the evolving challenges of 21st-century warfare. This recognition was fueled by several factors, including lessons learned from recent conflicts like the Akanatoa War, rapid technological advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics, changes in Burgundie's demographics, and a desire to maintain a proactive approach to military innovation. A team of Pelaxian and Burgoignesc Junior Officers was assembled, as part of the annual Inter-arm/Allied Strategic Review Program at the Burgoignesc War College, to conduct a comprehensive review of the Army's capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and develop recommendations for reform. This team analyzed lessons learned from recent conflicts, conducted wargaming and simulations, consulted with experts, and field-tested new technologies and concepts. This process resulted in a set of recommendations that formed the foundation of the Army of Burgundie Combat Capability Realignment of 2026 and the 2026 Pelaxian Defence White Paper.
Contents
Unit structure
The Realignment introduced significant changes to the Army's unit structure, especially in infantry units. To enhance the agility and responsiveness of infantry battalions, the realignment shifted combat support elements, such as artillery, engineers, and support/supply units, from the battalion level to the brigade level. This allowed brigades to tailor combat support assets to specific mission needs, creating task forces with the optimal mix of infantry, armor, artillery, and engineer support. It also enabled infantry battalions to focus solely on their primary combat role, while improving responsiveness by centralizing combat support at the brigade level. This shift prioritized the needs of frontline infantry units, providing them with the necessary firepower and support to achieve their objectives. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) were integrated into existing formations at all levels, providing a layered approach to enhance capabilities, while specialized units were also created for specific tasks, such as drone swarms or complex UGV operations. It also emphasized the seamless integration of unmanned systems into daily operations to develop and maintain trust with its new human-machine teaming (HMT) approach. Soldiers undergo regular training on operating and maintaining unmanned systems. UAVs were routinely used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, enhancing situational awareness for commanders. UGVs were employed for logistical tasks and deployed alongside infantry units for force protection and reconnaissance. These unmanned systems were integrated into combined arms operations. This allows for the Army to have a more agile, technologically advanced, and adaptable, at a lower cost. To meet this demand, the Realignment calls for two reconnaissance UAVs per infantry platoon and three per artillery battalion (HQ units received five), loitering munitions at the battalion and brigade levels, utilizing platoons of three CTC Pelican Drone Terra-carriers each, and an increased use of armored cars with integrated UAV squads.
The realignment restructured Military Intelligence units into larger Intelligence and Electronic Warfare (IEW) units. These IEW units would now have the capabilities to conduct signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), cyber warfare, and counter-drone warfare all under commanders who better understand the capacity, limitations, and technicalities of these units. These units could then be tasked into formations at all levels, providing a layered and mobile EW/anti-drone capability across the battlespace.
Recruitment and retention
The Realignment recognized the need for a fundamental shift in recruitment and retention strategies. Burgundie's increasing levels of education and technological literacy required a move away from traditional recruitment models that focused primarily on filling "blue-collar" infantry roles. The Army implemented targeted recruitment campaigns aimed at attracting individuals with higher education levels and technical skills. This included partnering with universities and technical schools, offering scholarships and internships, and highlighting the intellectually stimulating, and technologically advanced aspects of military service. Recruitment efforts emphasized specialized roles within the Army, including cyber warfare, electronic warfare, unmanned systems operation, intelligence analysis, and engineering. It also revamped its marketing and branding efforts to project a more modern and technologically sophisticated image, utilizing social media platforms, online advertising, and more engaging content.
Recognizing the value of experienced personnel, the Realignment placed a strong emphasis on retention. This included competitive compensation and benefits packages, with performance-based bonuses, educational benefits, and comprehensive healthcare coverage. The Army expanded career development opportunities, providing clear pathways for advancement and professional growth, including specialized training programs, leadership development courses, and opportunities for overseas assignments and advanced education. It also prioritized improving the quality of life for soldiers and their families. This included investing in better housing, childcare facilities, and recreational opportunities on military bases through a massive civil planning review of its bases and rebuilding key elements. It also involved streamlining bureaucratic processes to reduce administrative burdens on soldiers and their families. Comprehensive soldier wellness programs addressing physical and mental health were also implemented, including stress management, nutrition, and resilience training became more commonplace. This aimed to improve the overall well-being of soldiers, enhancing their combat effectiveness, and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Logistics and supply chain modernization
The realignment mandated the implementation of advanced logistics tracking systems through the HERMES Collaborative Combat Network, leveraging real-time data and automation to optimize the flow of supplies, equipment, and personnel. It emphasized the establishment of additional forward logistics bases and prepositioned stockpiles in strategically important locations. This was to ensure that critical supplies and equipment were readily available to support rapid deployments and sustained operations in remote or contested areas. These forward bases would serve as hubs for maintenance, repair, and resupply operations, reducing the logistical burden on frontline units. The Realignment invested in the development and deployment of autonomous logistics vehicles and drones to enhance supply delivery capabilities in challenging environments. These unmanned systems could operate in hazardous or inaccessible areas, delivering critical supplies to frontline units without risking human lives. In opposition to common thought at the time, the Realignment recognized the resurgence in the importance of artillery in modern warfare, and it called for the Burgoignesc Department of Defense-Wide Joint Activities (DoDwJA) to stockpile and procure large contracts for artillery ammunition. This would ensure that the Army would have sufficient reserves to sustain prolonged engagements. Additionally, the Realignment directed the DoDwJA to work with the Burgoignesc military-industrial complex to prepare for rapid increases in artillery shell production in the event of a protracted conflict. This involved investing in production capacity, securing raw materials, and maintaining a pool of skilled labor ready to be mobilized for increased production.
Other initiatives
It also called for the total integration of HERMES Collaborative Combat Network in training, doctrine, and the Burgoignesc way of war, and for the development and deployment of Hypaspistai Projectile Defense Network field assets.
Reception and implementation
The Army of Burgundie Combat Capability Realignment of 2026 initially faced resistance from Army High Command, who were hesitant to embrace all of the proposed changes. However, the inclusion of many of the Realignment's key recommendations in Crown Princess Amelia's 21st Century Burgoignesc Power Projection Stratagem (SPERB XXI) a year later forced the High Command to reconsider. To mitigate concerns about budgetary constraints and institutional upheaval, a phased implementation plan spanning ten years was adopted. The Royal household pledged to support the Army's budget requests during this period, ensuring that the necessary resources were allocated to implement the Realignment's tenets. This combination of Royal backing and gradual implementation paved the way for the successful adoption of the Realignment. Over the next 10 years, the Army of Burgundie underwent a profound transformation, but it emerged as a more agile, technologically advanced, and lethal force.