To get the Navy the HCS wants by 2118 (and that was revealed at a media briefing last week to include 4 carriers, 2 helicopter cruisers, nuclear submarines et cetera) the HCS is going to have to stump up some 25 billion zarks over the period. As well as that the HCS are thought to soon authorise a 10 year crash programme to develop SLBMs and SSBNs that will cost another 10 billion zarks.
The Clone economy is doing very well, indeed the HCS has seen a large increase in funding lately but the money pit isn't bottomless. Clone observers estimate the government can stump up around 15 billion extra for the Navy on top of inflation equaling defense budget increases over the next 10 years plus the SLBM programme. The other 10 billion is going to have to be clawed back from the other 3 services.
It is thought major programmes like the AH-26X and Shark space frigate will see procurement slowed down and build spread over a longer period, planned future projects like the next Tapir IFV version will be delayed. As these new weapons are replacing old and wearing out types however it does mean the HCS overall will lose some capability. For example the HCS is still going to get a new armoured division but 9 infantry regiments will in turn be disbanded as part of an estimated 4.2 billion zarks the HCS will have to return over the next decade.
