A major gap in the DDS Fleet's portfolio is in mine warfare. Although the DDS and HCS have never used space mines (thus they were never a feature in the Clone Wars) other powers such as the Utrek are known to make heavy usage of mines. The HCS have loaned the DDS some of their minesweepers but the DDS have decided they need to fill the gap.
They are currently sourcing mine detection and laying equipment and will outfit at least 6 Pentekonter class OPVs for the role. The equipment will be placed in lieu of the missile launcher behind the crew compartment. This will be a stop gap though as mine warfare will be one of the "poddable" missions of the forthcoming Rome class.
The DDS hope to have at least 1 Pentekonter ready for trials with the equipment (which will probably be HCS) by the summer.
