Clone Defence Force gets budget boost

After 7 years of stagnation the Clone defence budget has finally seen an increase after the Clone Star Empire finally returned to growth (and good growth too). The Clone Defence Force budget has been increased by 8% this year and will be increased by 6% for the following 3 years. This has allowed the CDF to invest in new weapons and restart production in a number of programmes. The army, which has suffered the most from the lean times, will benefit the most though all 4 services will get something.

Clone Army

• J89FSU2 follow-on upgrade for 1000 more Eradicator tanks
• J55ZDM2 production rate increased
• Over 2000 J5 Tapirs to receive a mid-life upgrade and refurbishment
• Order for 350 J107GDM self-propelled guns
• AR-100 assault rifle to be replaced by AR-105 by 2120
• Two new Red Lizard special forces units to be established

Clone Air Force

• K58 Raptor set to enter service by 2118
• 300 more K85NTs to be upgraded to NIK standard (inflight-refuelling capability)
• Initial design work on a replacement for the Z36 heavy lift helicopter

Clone Navy

• A second West Clone Republic class helicopter carrier has been ordered
• A 5th Ailier II class frigate has been ordered
• Two more K44K tanker aircraft ordered

Clone Space Navy

• Soulaki SLM upgrade and unification to begin properly with the aim to have upgraded all 30 ships by 2118
• Production of new build Molentic Tuul MTM2 to begin in 2117
• Order for Shark SKB increased by 10 plus funding to upgrade all older SK to SKB standard
• Production of Horizon HZ unmanned transport has begun