DDS secure big NDAA export orders

On the day the first of 50 A-12HYE NDAA light attack aircraft for Haylei began flight testing ahead of delivery later in the year the DDS have announced another export order for the type. DTA members Sirikwan and the Voth are to buy 60 each of the type for light attack and patrol purposes.

The Voth A-12VE and Sirikwan A-12SE will be very similar with changes only for anatomical purposes and the atmospheric differences between the two homeworlds. The DDS say the NDAA is a very flexible and reliable platform and they hope for further export success.

Zeppelin unveils land force changes

Zeppelin has announced changes to the Land Division of the DDS Terrestrial Force (in other words the Army). A review was ordered into force structure and role as one of Firefly's first acts when he became commander and the review was reported back to the DDS late last week.

Overall the Land Division will not change much, the review stated that current strength was largely as was needed for base defence and also to launch a large amphibious raid. One of the biggest changes will be the addition of 2 more armoured brigades as it is felt this aspect of the Land Division is weak. The 1st Combat Department will have 2 armoured brigades and the 2nd and Reserve Departments one each. One of these extra armoured brigades will be created by converting the only heavy brigade.

All "Light Brigades" will be renamed Infantry Brigades. The numbering of the brigades will also be tidied up (as there are some gaps). The three Fire Support Battalions will be upgraded to Brigade strength.

Finally the Maritime Support Brigade which guards coastal areas will be moved to the Headquarters Defence Department and form a key part in the defence of the new DDS GHQ on Helnikan Island. Changes to the Land Division will begin immediately with units already being renamed though some changes such as the new armoured brigade will take some time to come to fruition.

• The DDS alert status has been reduced to its lowest level CYAN.

Doombringer to take bigger DTA role?

Earlier in the year ex-HCS and DDS officer Doombringer was hired by the Sirikwanese to advise them on developing their military as part of the DTA. The post was sponsored by the Dinos and Doombringer has already attracted some favourable reviews on the knowledge he has bought to the job.

Consul Zanus has said Doombringer should be given a bigger role in the DTA, and has suggested he be given a guiding role in all none-Dino DTA militaries and how to integrate them into the Dino Army system. Doombringer has said he is keen on the expanded job. The Dino Senate will vote on the matter later this week though the leaders of the other DTA members will also need to agree.

Other Fleet Review (04/09/12)

• The Dinos have produced 3 Dinomark XTs for their DTA allies, one each for Sirikwan, the Voth and Yeng.
• The Bolitic are reported to have completed a Snarl and a Meltinan.
• The Raegris have accepted a new DF-1 frigate and will also perform an upgrade of their fleet of PC-1 patrol ships (Pentekonters). The upgrade will include improved sensors (including a passive mode), info-weapon protection systems and various other minor updates.
• Putri 500 have taken delivery of a Pentekonter-E and a Provider-E.

The Historian : History of the New DDS (1) : Origins

The Historian casts his eyes back over the rich history of the DDS Universe.

The death of AP and the rise of Firefly to become DDS Commander finally bought to an end the New DDS era, the attempt at rebirth and rebranding of the DDS first under the leadership of Rotarios from 2103 and latterly under AP. But what was the New DDS and how did it come about? In this multi-part series i will examine the rise and fall of the New DDS and the personnel involved in this mysterious and often bloody epoch in DDS history.

History of the New DDS (1) : Origins

Although Rotarios was the DDS Commander who bought about the New DDS the architect behind the scenes was Vodaphone. Quite why he set about creating the New DDS Project can never fully be revealed as he did not write anything down on these topics and of course took his secrets to his (nuclear explosion assisted) grave...

However we can find hints here and there and one big "hint" was the state of the DDS at the end of the Clone Wars. The DDS at the start of the 2100s was in turmoil. The disastrous end of the 2nd Clone War and the death of Windscorpion sent the DDS into a tailspin with the HCS running rampant across the galaxy. The return of Windy and the successful ending of the Clone Wars did help restore the DDS to an even keel but the damage was done. Vodaphone began to openly criticise The Shiner's leadership of the DDS. He made no secret of the fact he didn't like how the DDS was being run. Vodaphone in later years also openly displayed his hatred for Windy and his dislike for Windyism.

Therefore we can infer that Vodaphone feared The Shiner's weak leadership of the DDS was crumbling and that Windy would take over, a situation he considered unthinkable. For whatever reason we know for sure that Vodaphone went along the path of regime change and sought a new leader.

But why Rotarios, again this is unclear but Vodaphone recruited the ex-HCS general sometime in early 2103 (or late 2102). Vodaphone may have considered himself to lead the New DDS but as an intelligent man no doubt realised his profile was too low to have a realistic chance against established warriors like Windy and Sea Urchin and perhaps Vodaphone did not want the top job anyway. Rotarios is a man with a proven track record of command, a man of great charisma, a man also possessing great cruelty and megalomania (though obviously Vodaphone didn't think these latter flaws a problem...)

Once Rotarios was secured as the potential new leader Vodaphone then needed an ally, and he found this in AP. AP was a DDS journeyman who was considered a rather grey but competent administrator (he was City Commander at the time) who thirsted for a more active role in the DDS operationally. He was frustrated in his attempts (and often humiliated by the likes of Sea Urchin). Vodaphone found turning AP fairly easy, although AP at first was aghast at the thought of Rotarios in charge of the DDS he was quickly seduced by the thought of the likes of Sea Urchin having to call him sir. AP was a rather venal man, accomplished and intelligent but also very insecure. AP was thus easy to buy off with the concept of power.

With an ally and a leader-in-waiting Vodaphone now needed to destabilise the existing regime in order to bring about the new. To do this they needed an army... they needed the Hoods.

Next : The rise of the Hoods

HCS View : Its a bluff (probably...)

Keith Remadra, former chief advisor to the UNP Security Council on Clone affairs 

The "leak" detailing HCS plans to withdraw 2 legions from an already stretched HCS-E i find suspicious. It just doesn't seem right to me which is why i doubt its true, though the HCS are looking for further cost savings.

So why this "leak"? Its no secret that Oojok and Benito distrust each other though Oojok has said he is happy to rule the empire in partnership (especially as his "half" is more like 70%). I am of the opinion the "leak" was a deliberate attempt to anger Benito by Oojok's camp to see how he would react.

If thats true then why? Is Oojok planning to test Benito in other ways? Is he out to get rid of Benito once and for all? I can't see the latter as the last thing the Clone Star Empire needs right now is a civil war but then again rationality sometimes is the first casualty when it comes to internal power struggles...