CIN prepare for next big Clone armed deal, for artillery

With the order for a standard CIN tank now placed with the Clones (who will provide bodies for the J55ZDM3-C tanks, the Dinos will provide the turrets), attention has now moved on to artillery. The Dino Army currently uses a development of the standard Clone self-propelled gun, the J107G, called the J107GDM. This will form the basis of both a standard CIN gun and an upgraded Dino Army one.

The J107GDM-C will have a number of improvements including a new barrel plus communication equipment upgrades. The CIN is expected to buy 2,000 GDM-Cs for a number of CIN member armies. All Dino Army GDMs will also be upgraded.

The CIN will also buy the J90 rocket artillery system which uses the same body as the J107. The number to be bought has not been yet revealed, the J90C will be largely the same as the Clone Army model but with localised changes to equipment.

Dinos place huge order for "CIN Standard Tank"

In what is of course not a sweetener before the Clone-FES peace talks next week (of course), the Dinos have finalised a huge order for three thousand J55ZDM3-C tanks with the Clones. These tanks will supply the armies of Sirikwan, Yeng, Voth, New Vosun and New Arit as they standardise their armour, the ZDM3-C being a customised version of the ZDM3 tank which is being built for the Dino Army.

The Clones will build the chassis and bodies of the tanks, the Dinos will supply the ZDM3 turrets. Factories on Sirikwan, Voth and New Arit will complete the tanks with localised equipment and customised final fits. The first tanks are set to be delivered before the end of the year.

The tank is officially known as the DTA Standard Tank though as the DTA will change it's name within the next few days, it's name will change to CIN Standard Tank. It is thought Sirikwan and New Arit will have around a thousand each of the tanks, Voth around six hundred, Yeng and New Vosun will have two hundred each and the rest will be kept in a reserve.

Dinos want thousands of Tapirs

The Dino Army has been set a goal to fully mechanise by the end of the decade, the only way this is going to be achieved is by importing second-hand kit. The Dinos have reached out to the Clones to purchase up to 5,000 Tapir armoured fighting vehicles to supplement the near 1000 Tapir TRV-5HDs they already have.

The Clones have tens of thousands of Tapirs in storage though the Dinos say they want recent built examples in good condition. Around 500 new build Tapirs could also be built. The Clones are keen on this sale as the procceds (said to be around three billion) will help them afford buying the surplus amphibious warfare ships from NS.

Clones say coup will not affect big Dino tank deal

The Clones have said that the recent coup will not affect a big arms deal which has been in discussion between the Clones and Dinos since late last year. The Dino Army and SS have standardised on a customised version of the Clone J55Z (T-55Z) as their main tank and currently have just under five thousand in service in the ZDM, ZDM2 and ZDM3 models.

The Dinos want their fleet unified into a new improved standard known as T-55ZDX. Earlier tanks will receive the new turret of the latest T-55Zs, all tanks will receive a new engine management system to improve fuel efficiency and reduce infra red signature. The tanks will receive a new self-defence system. Also improved is the internal arrangement and radio system.

The upgrades will take place at a factory on Dino-Land though equipment and components will be supplied by the Clones. There will also be 650 new build T-55ZDXs. The worth of the deal is estimated at 1.2 billion zarks. The Dino minister of defence Malanson could travel to Cloneworld to finalise the deal later this month.

Clones criticise Sirikwan for lost order

The Sirikwanese have cancelled their outstanding order for Shark frigates due to production delays, and will order the new Dino Swordfish. The Clones have criticised Sirikwan for this, though the Sirikwanese have said they wish to maintain a relationship with the Clones and keep their existing Sharks up to date.

The sad fact for the Clones though is that their space ship building industry is in tatters. Domestic production is at a standstill due to a lack of funds and skilled workers, this has also badly affected their export orders.

Putri 500 orders Clone weapons

Although Putri 500 has spent big on NS built space ships, it has gone for the Clones for the rebuilding of it's land forces. In a massive multi-billion zark deal Putri 500 has ordered 3,000 T-55ZDM3 tanks, 6,000 Tapirs and 300 ATC-107G artillery pieces. Putri is also buying thousands of rounds of ammunition and spare parts.

A second part of the purchase which includes small arms, logistics and rocket artillery is still under discussion though is also expected to be finalised soon.

Sirikwan order new ships

Thought to be part of the upcoming DTA-CSE economic deal, Sirikwan has placed an order for Clone built ships. Sirikwan has chosen the Shark destroyer to replace it's six Helwins which are due to leave service in 2128. Eight Shark SKH-E2s have been ordered. This model has a number of upgrades over Sirikwan's existing fleet of Sharks which will also be upgraded as part of the deal. The details of the upgrades has not been reported.

Sirikwan's fleet of ex-Clone Nerval transports will be replaced by five Loader (Type C)s from next year. The total value of the contract has not been disclosed.

Clone spacebuilding industry "on verge of collapse"

Clone spacebuilding has been at a minimal for years due to budget constraints with very few new ships being built and even rebuilds few and far between. Senior CDF officers are now warning that the Clones may soon no longer be able to build new ships even if budget was available.

The lack of work has meant there has been a brain drain from spacebuilding to other industries, this is now making it difficult for some yards to continue operating. The age of the ships in the fleet also continues to rise with major fleets like the Kalahati Tuul S fast approaching the end of their fatigue lives but with no replacements in sight.

However, with the Clone Star Empire currently in deep recession and military budgets tightly squeezed it is unknown when relief will come. A large export order is said to be urgently sought to help restore yards to life and bring in funding for new Clone Space Navy ships, unfortunately getting this order is proving difficult.

Dinos begin production of DIMs, nuclear armed?

After using Clone built CSMs to become operational the 1st Space Artillery Brigade of the Dino Army has just taken delivery of the first Dino produced version of CSM, known as Dino Interstellar Missile or DIM. The DIM is said to be an exact copy of current CSM though the Dinos plan to develop the missile for their own needs.

Unlike the CSMs currently deployed, the DIM might be nuclear armed though the Dinos have not commented on it. Specialists from the SS unit which specialises in nuclear weapon integration have been seen at the base of the missile brigade.

DTA and Clones sign huge arms deal

The Dino Empire, on behalf of the Dino Trade Association, has signed a huge deal with the Clones for land weapons as part of a homogenisation of the largest land armies in the DTA with the Dino Army. All existing tanks of the Sirikwanese, Aritan and Voth armies will be replaced by T-55ZDM3s of the same specification as the current main Dino Army tank (with relevant localisations).

The deal is for no less than 6000 tanks, as well as self-propelled artillery, training materials and spares. The DTA also want a standard infantry fighting vehicle though this future deal is still under discussion. The tank and artillery deal is said to be worth over 5 billion zarks. Tanks will be delivered from 2124 until early in the next decade.

Sirikwan order replacement Shark

Sirikwan has placed an order with the Clones for a replacement Shark SKH-E to replace the ship destroyed in the DTA-Terrasaur War. The new ship will have an improved minesweeping suite similar to the Clone Space Navy's current system. The existing 13 Sirikwanese Sharks will also receive this upgrade. 

Despite this Sirikwan is still going ahead with purchasing 10 Pentekonter-M minesweepers from NS from 2123. These ships will act as a DTA pooled mine warfare fleet while the Sharks concentrate on Sirikwanese space, and also other patrol duties.

Dinos receive first CSMs

The Dinos have received five mobile launchers and sixteen CSMs from the Clones. These are to be used for training and development purposes ahead of the delivery of Dino built launchers and missiles from 2123. The Dinos aim to field three brigades of mobile launchers, to be known as Space Artillery Brigades plus a fourth reserve/training unit.

A Dino Army source said that the Dinos would only deploy land mobile launchers and not field CSM (to be known as DIM, Dino Interstellar Missile) in ground silos or from submarines. It is expected to have around 100 DIMs in service by the end of the decade. The Dinos have not said what the warheads will be though a new nuclear weapon factory is said to be under construction.

Starbot still wants to buy Sharks

When Starbot left New Sparta it looked elsewhere for ships for it's fleet and placed an order with the Clones for ten Shark SKS frigates. However, Starbot returned to NS soon afterwards and the order for Sharks fell into limbo.

The head of the Starbotian military K-1 has said that Starbot still wants the Sharks and has begun negotiations with the Clones for delivery dates. The Clones have welcomed the news, though some CDF senior officers have raised some concerns about NS operating a key Clone Space Navy type. However Admiral Anderson has said that NS already operates the Intruder so he could not see Starbot operating Sharks as a problem.

Starbot also ordered Loader and Omiten transports, these will also be mentioned in the negotiations.

Rectoids want to buy CSM2

The Rectoids have put in a request to buy the new Clone Space Missile Mark 2. This interstellar missile has a range of up to twenty light years which puts most of the Free Eritran States in range. Naturally the FES have already said that the Clones must not sell CSM2 to the Rectoids.

Molab have said the FES will strike against the Rectoids if they purchase CSM2. The FES has a powerful fleet so would likely be able to strike against the still re-building Rectoids. However, there is the real threat the Clones could be drawn into the fight.

Clones looking to expand aviation exports

The Clone state aircraft company Clone Aircraft Corporation (CAC) has outlined plans to greatly expand it's exports of Clone built warplanes. CAC has had some success selling the likes the K85 and K44. Even New Sparta has been a regular customer.

CAC are looking into producing dedicated types for export. One type being mooted is an updated version of the F-43 light fighter which was developed during the Clone Wars. The F-43 was withdrawn due to the downsizing of the Clone armed forces after the end of the wars. An updated F-43 could be an attractive cheap fighter for smaller nations.

Sirikwan complete Shark procurement

Sirikwan have received the final two Shark SKH-E patrol ships completing their fleet of fourteen. Their version of the Clone built frigate is used for secondary patrol and minesweeping duties.

The Sirikwanese are now looking at replacing their six Bolitic Helwin cruisers which received an update in 2114 which should keep them going until the mid-2120s. The Sirikwanese are considering either more Sharks or Pentekonter Protectors.

Dinos launch first DSM Dino Space Missile

The Dinos have joined the interstellar missile club with the first test launch of the Dino Space Missile (DSM) from a silo on Jeloka. The missile hit a target in the Pulsin system four light years away, though the warhead was inert.

DSM is the Dino's version of the Clone Space Missile which they bought in a huge deal a couple of years ago. The Clones are building the Dinos two hundred missiles after which the Dinos will build their own. They have also bought no less than a hundred mobile launchers indicating the Dinos plan to mass deploy DSM across the DTA. The warhead to be used on DSM is a Dino design.

The Dinos have not yet said when they plan to deploy DSM operationally.

Dinos commission first Dinomark JE but SR delayed

The first of five Dinomark JEs has been accepted into service by the Dino Army. This is a localised and licence-built version of the NS Olympus-E design. The basic structure and some key components like the engine and power system are built by the NS before being shipped over to the Dinos for completion. The JE will act as a UCV carrier in Dino service, it is expected the Dinos will soon series build a new version of the Ferret (which they jointly developed with the NS and Starbot some years ago).

Another imported design, the Dinomark SR, has been delayed until 2121. This is based on the Clone Intruder design and was supposed to also enter service this year but production delays and design issues have pushed that back.

DTA wants mine warfare capability

The Dino Trade Association is seeking a pan-DTA mine warfare capability. A fleet of minesweepers, perhaps as many as twenty five, is to be procured and operated as a joint-DTA pool. Mine sweeper direction systems would be fitted to a number of ships in the Dino, Sirikwan and Aritan fleets.

The Dinos have approached both NS and the Clones. NS have offered a fleet of Pentekonter-M minesweepers plus Pave Orange systems for the direction role. The Clones have yet to reply but it is likely the Shark would be the offered ship. Both Pentekonters and Sharks are operated by DTA members (Sirikwanese Sharks already perform basic mine hunting) already.

Triple Megan step in to take Starbotian Sharks

When Starbot rejoined the UNP it's order for Shark frigates from the Clones was cancelled much to the Clone's anger and dismay. Triple Megan, who have completely rebuilt their military over the last eight years with space ships, aircraft and armoured vehicles from the Clones have stepped in and said they will accept six of the ten Starbotian Sharks.

Three are in advanced stages of construction already therefore delivery to Triple Megan is expected to begin next year. The value of the order is estimated at four billion zarks over the next three years.