Miliaris type drones attack targets on Cloneworld!

In a massive humiliation for the Clone Defence Forces and Admiral Anderson especially, four Miliaris type drones launched an attack on the Olana class destroyer CNS Artilo which was moored in Black Bay on the northern coast of the main continent on Cloneworld. The destroyer had not been at alert and was caught completely cold by the attack. Serious damage was caused to the destroyer's radar mast and helipad. A number of sailors were killed or injured in the attack. The destroyer has now limped to the nearest port for repairs.

Clone Navy aircraft and troops are now patrolling the nearby coast line looking for the launch site of the drones. Terrorist attacks on Cloneworld itself are not unknown though tend to be fairly low level, terrorists getting their hands on Miliaris drones is a big problem for the Clones at the centre of the empire.

Later the same day two more drones are reported to have been flown towards an army base in the nearby Retinga province though these did not hit their target and exploded harmlessly in farmland.

UNDF Terrestrial Forces to be reduced to one active brigade

Following a review of the strength and formation of the Terrestrial Forces, Zeppelin has announced that there will be cuts to the Land Division. All Remedian and Porquatian regiments will leave Terrestrial Forces and be transferred back to their respective national armies. Some other regiments will also be disbanded, with many troops transferred to strengthen other regiments. The Land Division will consist of a single active brigade plus a headquarters brigade and two reserve brigades.

The changes are to be rolled out as soon as possible. Zeppelin said that the overall front line strength will be greatly reduced though the forces available will be more focussed with less troops at full readiness. Zeppelin said this would save Terrestrial Forces around 9% of it's costs, most of this money would be used to improve equipment.

Anderson blames foreign agents for Petric attacks

Admiral Anderson has said that foreign agents must be behind the attacks against the CDF on Petric, a planet with an almost entirely Clone population. Six more Milaris type drones attacked a bridge near the main air base on the planet, the bridge was damaged, cutting the base off from it's main fuel depot. The depot was also attacked though these drones were shot down and no damage was caused.

A Clone military analyst based on Dino-Land said that the attacks may be by rebel Clones who have accessed drone technology from Freedom Miliaris. He said that Anderson was in denial about opposition to his regime from Clones themselves. "The military government is very unpopular and nothing Anderson is doing is going to change that for the better any time soon."

Petric latest planet in Clone Star Empire to see unrest

Petric is an obscure planet in the Clone Star Empire. It is notable only for being considered the central point in the empire and the half-way point between the western and eastern halves of the empire (not that such directions make much sense in space!) However, yesterday a Clone Army base was attacked by a dozen Miliaris type drones.

The base was caught completely off guard, around twenty soldiers are reported to have been killed and various buildings were wrecked. The big question the Clones are asking are why Petric? When the planet joined the empire it was uninhabited by any intelligent native race. Over 99% of the small population is Clone. The Clones are investigating who could have launched such an attack and why.

UNDF Space Marines will receive all-aspect combat vehicles

A specialised version of the SMA Vector infantry fighting vehicle has been developed for zero-atmospheric operations. The Vector-NX will be used by the UNDF Space Marines to support their operations. The Vector-NX is fully protected against atmospheric loss and has enhanced radioactive shielding. The tracks will also be modified to handle terrain such as regolith.

The Vector-NX will have a small airlock though on normal operations in zero or hostile atmospheric conditions the Space Marine crew will be fully suited. The number ordered has not been disclosed.

Clone nightmare as unrest spreads

The Clones' greatest fear was that the success of Freedom Miliaris would inspire other separatist movements to also try their luck. That fear has been realised, and not just on Teriatri 7. On the CSE-E world of Laalande 21649, the ethnic Eritran militants have resumed their campaign. Around fifty drones, some of the new upgraded Miliaris model, attacked key infrastructure near the capital. The main power station was knocked out of action causing the collapse of the power grid for the capital.

Rendrial 4 has also seen a resumption in hostilities. A large car bomb was detonated near an army barracks causing devastation. The next day Miliaris type drones struck an air base, no aircraft were reported damage but the air base control tower was struck along with a fuel depot.

The Clones were already struggling to contain the unrest on Miliaris and Teriatri 7. Military chiefs in the CSE-E have called on Admiral Anderson to send large numbers of reinforcements. Unfortunately, there may not be any available.

Malgar order two Pentekonters

Malgar 419 has ordered two new Pentekonter Protector 257Ms to join the three they currently have, and which are receiving an upgrade. The two new ships, which are expected to be delivered in 2127 will also have e-Core engines and tactical updates like the three upgraded ships. The ships will be known as the Pentekonter Protector 257Me.

This is the first export order UNDF have received for some time and is very welcome news. DF are considering some changes to their product line up in an effort to generate new sales. An export version of the Advanced Rome is being considered.

Leaked report says Clones considering giving up on Miliaris

A report, claimed to be leaked from a senior CDF committee, says that the Clone Star Empire may demiliarise and withdraw from Miliaris due to the high cost of the ongoing conflict and the pressure it is putting on the Clone military. This would be a shock move by the Clones and may give encouragement to other separatist movements across the empire.

The CDF have said the report is inaccurate and false. However, an unnamed source in the CDF has confirmed the report was drawn up to discuss options for ending the Miliaris conflict.

Corkscrew Update 2125A

The Corkscrew 51A destroyer fleet is to receive a small update over the next few months. Corkscrew Update 2125A will include a new communications databus and system support for the latest fractal encrypted communications being rolled out across the DF fleet. Some ships will also be re-engined with Proton RM-01MZ e-Cores. This engine is used in the follow-on Repulse 51B fleet. Only ships whose engines are reaching their natural end of lives will receive the new ones.

The first two ships are currently receiving their upgrades, the whole fleet will be rolled out over the next six months.

Porquat 640 receive first Pentekonter-Ms

Porquat 640 have received the first of five Pentekonter-ME minesweepers it has on order. Two ships, officially known as Pentekonter 633M in Porquat 640 service are now being localised and will begin working up before an expected entry into service late next year.

DF are keen to get their export orders flowing again after the chaos of the MBO regime, delays have put some customers off. The first ships from the huge order of 25 Pentekonter minesweepers for the CIN are also under final build and could be delivered by the end of the year.

CDF chief admits Clones are struggling with insurgencies

Despite the huge size of the Clone Defence Forces it is struggling to contain just one uprising (on Miliaris) and is in real trouble as Teriatri 7 has also caught alight. Indeed, a few months ago a squadron of combat helicopters was redeployed to Miliaris from... Teriatri 7!

An unnamed senior CDF officer has told colleagues that the Clones' land and air forces are too geared to facing peer opponents and not fighting rebels armed with drones, rifles and rockets. He said, "We have thousands of front line fighters and tanks but we are lacking in counter-insurgency."

Admiral Anderson is understood to have ordered production of K58 and K85 COIN aircraft to be increased. A new version of the Tapir infantry fighting vehicle optimised for internal security (J5HSX) is being rushed into production.

DF increase size of Violet order

Two Violet 57B light patrol ships have joined the fleet, these are 57-218 Veratrum and 57-219 Vanda. DF have added another five ships onto the order. These will be built from 2126 onwards.

Under DF's original plans for the Pentekonter Protector, the Violet was to be a twenty strong second production batch. A third batch of twenty ships would then be built afterwards. DF have cancelled this third batch and instead have ordered extra Violets and Mariners.

Mass drone / rocket attack devastates main airbase on Miliaris

Freedom Miliaris have launched a large attack using drones and rockets on the main Clone Air Force base near the Miliaris capital. Despite greatly improved anti-aircraft defences, the attack was able to overwhelm the Clones and caused a lot of damage to the airbase. Several aircraft including two K58 Raptors were destroyed. The main control building was also badly hit as was the fuel depot which was set on fire.

In response, two Cosmos cruisers in orbit bombarded six positions from orbit though it is unknown if Freedom Miliaris suffered any losses from these attacks.

Dinos receive first T-62YMD tanks

Last year the Dino Army ordered 250 T-62YMA tanks from SMA, the UNDF owned weapons manufacturer. The Dinos bought the tanks to help diversify their fleet of tanks which otherwise will soon consist only of Clone and licence built T-55ZDA tanks once older types are withdrawn. The first ten tanks have been delivered and localised by Krok Industries.

The tanks will now been working up with the Dino Army Systems & Integration Directive before an entry into service expected in 2127.

Malgar to upgrade their Pentekonters

Malgar 419 have signed a contract with UNDF Engineering to upgrade their trio of Pentekonter Protector 257Ms. The three ships will be re-engined with an e-Core engine (Proton RM-01). The ships will also receive a tactical upgrade with an improved cannon and enhanced sensors. The ships will also receive a full overhaul.

Malgar are also looking into increasing the size of their fleet. This will be very welcome to UNDF who no longer have a backlog of orders for the Protector.

Clones forced to withdraw their accusations against DF

The Clones have withdrawn their accusation that DF was behind the explosions at a depot on Geulis, and supplying Teriatri rebels with weapons. A spokesclone for Admiral Anderson said that evidence that a human was nearby to the depot was found but the Clones apologised for jumping to conclusions.

However, it is thought the Clones still suspect DF is involved, but they lack enough evidence. The UNDF have strongly denied they are involved.

DF to upgrade Friendship fleet

DF are to upgrade their Friendship 75A light transport fleet from next year. The ships will receive a full overhaul and be re-engined with Proton RM-01C e-Core engines. The ships will be fitted with an eight cell TPM-VLS and improved tactical systems with support for fractal communications and datalinks.

The ships will also have modified cargo handling systems and a re-organised cargo bay.