DDS secure UNP funding for third hospital ship

The DDS have secured 70% of the funding from the UNP for a third Nightingale 88A hospital ship, the upgrade of the 2 in service announced yesterday, and will pay the balance from their procurement budget. The third ship will assist the DDS on operations and during humanitarian crisis. The third ship will have a focus on mental health and will be named after the famous (if controversial) 20th century psychologist Dr Vincent.

No delivery date has yet been set though it is likely to be part of next year's ship building plan.

• DDS long range sensors have detected 12 more ships leaving Kantalda and heading back deeper into the vast sprawling Tarbotian Empire. A DDS intelligence source said that the Tarbotians had built up a fleet of about 40 ships at the capital of the new province but now over half have left. The reason for this is unknown but it is speculated the Tarbotians are engaged in some kind of conflict elsewhere on their empire's borders and need to send reinforcements.