The swords in question are basically machetes, being built for toughness and as a slashing weapon. The army that is using these swords is a professional force of pikemen and crossbowmen, but is relatively small.
Would an army that had standardized shortswords as the side arm for its army fare better against infantry who have a variety of sidearms
Could these swords be useful as camp tools used for cutting brush and other tasks? Would an axe be better as a sidearm?
Would having swords as a sidearm be helpful in a push of pike?
Specs for the sword: 45 centimeter blade, single edged
Note: Yes I know that pikes and crossbows are more early modern than medieval, but there’s not a tag for it and it makes sense in story because this army is part of a smaller but more advanced nation