Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of ProximaSpeaking with a colleague at the University of Proxima (who specialises in astralpolitics) we agreed that the mighty fleet the DDS have assembled for Ground Shock 2114 is stronger than most Tier 2 fleets in the known galaxy. "Tiers" are a system of space fleet classification UNP academics and military figures have devised in recent times. I thought it would be an interesting topic for a blog.
The space fleets and capabilities of the various nations in known space have been analysed and fitted into a tier classification scheme. The DDS, Dinos, Clones and Bolitic are what we term Tier 1 Space Powers. They have large multi-spectrum fleets numbering hundreds of ships that can maintain territory as well as mount large expeditionary operations outside of their territory. The larger 7 Sa Sao fleets probably also fit into this Tier though we do not know enough about their capabilities to be sure yet.
You might well as, what about the Tarbotians and Utrek? When we were devising the classifications we initially made them Tier 1 too but it was clear they are several magnitudes beyond the likes of the DDS. We thus have termed them Tier 0, vast fleets of thousands of ships that can control large parts of the galaxy.
Below Tier 1 (and 0) we have the Tier 2 powers, the likes of Sirikwan, Molab, the Raegris and a couple more. These are strong fleets with a number of capabilities (though maybe not fully multi-spectrum like a Tier 1 fleet) but they have a local or regional focus. Fleets like the Raegris fleet can protect Raegris territory but they could not mount a sizeable operation outside of their territory, at least at the same time.
The Tier 3 powers, the likes of New Arit and Telvin 802, have useful fleets but are completely focused on local defence and have little capability in areas other than patrol and supply. A Tier 3 power would not have minesweepers or dedicated attack ships for example.
Below them we have the Tier 4 powers, minor fleets which do not have any offensive military capabilities. They might just have transports or coast guard ships. They may have defensive weapons in static positions (and self-defence weapons on their ships) but they lack any ability to engage an enemy in combat. Many small nations are in this position, and fleets that include obsolete second hand frigates from the likes of the Tarbotians tend to be put in Tier 4 as old ships like Vortis or Yeoman frigates have little combat capability these days - though can still do a patrol and communications job.
Tier 5 is the bottom of the pile. Nations without a military fleet at all. They may have orbital facilities and a merchant marine but no government ships in a military focussed role.
These are general classifications, not all fleets in a Tier will be equal. As i said at the top the Ground Shock fleet is superior to most Tier 2 fleets though i suspect the Raegris could hold their own though maybe not Molab or Sirikwan.
