Sirikwan, a DDS customer of ships, has however turned down the offer of joining the DDS Security Partnership as an associate member. Instead they have formed a strategic partnership with the Clones which will see the HCS establish a refuelling/maintenance depot in the Sirikwan system, tie Sirikwan into the HCS Defence Net and also potentially see Clone built warships serve alongside DDS built ships.
Sirikwan will also provide technical assistance to the HCS especially in the form of naval and submarine technology which is where they are galactic leaders. Work will begin on the HCS base later in the year, as per the terms of the agreement up to 8 warships may be stationed there though the HCS said they will only have 4 ships, probably Cosmos, based there to start with.
The HCS are also known to be pursuing alliances with other lesser powers to increase their sphere of influence. Something the DDS have been doing aggressively for the last few years. The Sirikwan alliance is thought to have been brokered by MBH, the Dinos are also forgeing closer links with the Sirikwanese, who are ethnic Dinos. An order for Dinomark XTs is expected. The Sirikwanese say their existing orders for DDS ships remain and they are still allies of the DDS though there may be concerns now of DDS technology falling into HCS hands.
