Some DDS Fleet officials have voiced concerns that the DDS fleet isn't big enough to maintain the DMZ patrol commitment. Around 40 ships are needed to maintain coverage of the DMZ patrol along the Remedian-Utrek border. The Dinos have pledged 12 ships and the Aritans 2 ships for the DMZ Patrol Pool. An official said that 26 ships did not seem like a lot but you had to remember that ships are also leaving the patrol pool / in refit or are on their way to the patrol / preparing. The official said that up to 7 ships either side of the patrol cycle at any one time will also be unavailable for other duties. Meaning of course up to 40 ships are allocated to the DMZ task.
The current DDS fleet strength is 70 warships including Pentekonter OPVs meaning that if 40 ships are taken up on DMZ duties it means there are not many ships available elsewhere especially if on average 40% of the fleet at any one time will be in refit or resupply. The officials have urged the DDS to try and get more allies to share the burden including asking the Dinos to increase their commitment to 15. Meanwhile plans are being accelerated to develop a tactical pod to allow non-combat ships like Provider transports perform low-risk patrol duties.
