Mass attack on Miliaris HQ causes chaos

Freedom Miliaris have launch an all-out attack by drones and rockets, including their upgraded plastic attack drones, on the headquarters of miliary forces on Miliaris. Following months of similar attacks, the HQ now has a formidable and layered defence network. However, it was overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers.

One estimate is that over 1000 drones converged on the HQ simultaneously from all directions, nearly 100 rockets also landed on the HQ which degraded the response. The HQ is reported to have been wrecked by the assault, one report also states that the head of the Clone Defence Forces on the planet was killed.

Coup fails on Cloneworld, Hijim killed

Elite forces have battled General Hijim's troops at Clone Army GHQ, who attempted to seize the General Staff and Admiral Anderson. The troops were supported by aircraft from the Clone Naval Air Service (it is not known why Clone Air Force planes were not used, GHQ is hundreds of miles from any coast line). It has been reported that the coup forces have been crushed.

General Hijim's base was also hit by CNAS aircraft. Red Lizard special forces also stormed the base. Hijim is reported to have been killed.

Admiral Anderson is reported to be aboard the aircraft carrier CNS Clone Empire and is directing the response to the coup.

Attempted coup on Cloneworld

There are reports coming in of gunfire and explosions at the GHQ of the Clone Army on Cloneworld. It is thought that troops loyal to General Hijim, commander of the 34th Infantry Division, have tried to seize the General Staff and arrest Admiral Anderson who was due to visit.

It is thought Anderson was delayed due to engine issues with his personal transport. This meant he was not at GHQ during the coup attempt.

Anderson is now said to be at a secure and secret location and is directing the response to the coup.

DF will keep Tethys Ocean ships as command ships

Whilst the rest of the amphibious warfare fleet has been gutted, the two Tethys Ocean support carriers have remained with the fleet, though without an apparent role. DF is thought to have considered also converting these two ships into transports as they plan with the Missileers, however they instead will keep the two Tethys Ocean ships in a command role.

It is expected they will lead deployments such as on humanitarian assistance missions and major fleet deployments.

DF facing up to challenges of 2130s

The UNDF has a big problem, not the Tarbotians or Clones or another enemy power, but with an ageing fleet. During the first decade of the 2100s, the DDS (as it then was) fleet expanded greatly. The problem for DF is that the major ship classes built then will reach the ends of their lives in the 2130s.

The money which funded the fleet expansion, at first a war budget from the UNP and then augmented by billions of zarks in land and weapon sales, is no longer there.

The key problem is with the Quasar, Isometric and Provider/Extender fleets. These will reach the ends of their service lives from the early 2130s onwards. DF simply cannot afford (or even has the industrial capacity anymore) to replace all three at the same time.

DF have indicated they will not replace the Quasar fleet, relying instead on the Warrior fleet and LRM force for strategic attack. The Missileers are likely to be rebuilt as transports and oilers, this will help delay the need to build brand new transports.

The big question remains with the Isometric fleet. DF are hoping the forthcoming Advanced Rome is a success, as they plan to use this design as the basis of an Isometric replacement. The alternative will be to completely rebuild the Type 41 though this will be more expensive in the long run.

DF have just begun a full review of their fleet, this will help guide them with some difficult decisions to come.

Starting again (3282)

Tiger begins his new mission in a war zone.