The hard-worked Provider 71A transport fleet, literally the backbone of UNDF, is to receive a much needed upgrade and refurbishment which will keep the ships in service until their planned replacement in the mid 2130s (though as yet no replacement has been designed).
The ships will receive a full refurbishment and replacement of life-expired structural components. The engines will be replaced by the Proton RM-07MEGA e-Core which is a re-working of the original engine with e-Core technology. Navigational systems will also be upgraded and communications will receive fractal encryption support.
The upgrade is known as Provider Multi-Upgrade Life Extension (MULE) 2126 and will be the last major upgrade to the type before it's retirement. A similar upgrade is expected to be made to the Extender fleet at a later stage.
