In an unexpected move, the Clone Space Navy has confirmed that the ageing and obsolete Kalahati Tuul S fleet will be replaced after all. For a number of years there has been uncertainty as to the fate of the KTS due to Clone Star Empire financial problems. It was feared by the CSE-E, where the KTS form the bulk of their allocated space fleet, that the ships would have to receive yet another life extension.
Instead thirty Shark SKBE will be built (replacing 35 KTS though the improved performance, capability and availability of the Sharks should more than compensate for five less hulls) with the first deliveries next year. The KTS is due to be finally withdrawn around 2126. The details of the Shark SKBE specification are unknown but are assumed to be a customised version of the current standard SKB.
