The 2nd Shark frigate has entered service with the HCS Space Navy. There have been a number of changes made, mainly to software, following early experience with the 1st Shark. Further improvements are expected with Shark #3 and 4 due next month. Full serial production is due to begin in July of a definitive standard model.
An era ended for the HCS when the last 4 Kalahati Tuul Bs were withdrawn from service (though they have been on the reserve list for the last few months). These were the last survivors of what was once a huge class of ships that formed the backbone of the early HCS Space Navy. 6 Kalahati Tuul 2s have also been withdrawn due to age (the ships were over 10 years old) and concerns over safety. It now looks likely the entire KT2 fleet will be withdrawn before the end of the decade. The Remedian Police, who still use KT2s, have enquired about buying a couple of the withdrawn KT2s for spares. The 36 rebuilt Kalahati Tuul S are expected to survive until around 2114 though withdrawals will begin at the start of the 2110s.
The HCSAF has taken delivery of it's first batch of the latest block of the F-45, the F-45A4, which has a number of improvements to it's radar and ECM pack. This is expected to be the last block before production ends in preparation of the next generation F-45C/K in the next decade.
The HCSAF will withdraw around 200 of it's oldest A-84 bombers though will not order new examples to replace them. The HCSAF are conducting a re-organisation of aerial assets and because of new stand-off weapons and expected UCAVs need less A-84s (though production continues at a slow rate for now at least).
The Gale IRBM improvement has switched to Gale IIB Rev 2 which includes a number of refinements to warhead security and penaids.
