HCS announce military budget for 2106-07

The HCS have announced their military budget and spending plans for the next year. The actual total has been kept secret though the HCS said that the increase was 2.1% higher than the year before, less than the HCS wanted. Among the projects receiving funding :

• Gale IIB - update of the IRBM missile ring around Central Ailier. This mostly addresses the security of the 67 silos which will receive better protection. The remaining 14 silos not served by a rail link will also be added to the HCSRail Network. The warheads themselves will receive enhancements to counter ABMs.
  
• F-40S - update of 149 older F-40s. Changes include improved stealth, new avionics (similiar to F-45) and refurbishment. This is the first part of an eventual programme to update 1000 F-40s.
  
• Three new airbases on Cloneworld and Randalf 74
• TRV-5G4 - 120 new built Tapir-Gs AFVs
• T-55Z8 - 100 rebuilt T-55Zs to the Z8 standard
• ATC-107C6 - 25 new self-propelled guns
• New VLF radio station in Central Ailier (for future submarine communications)
  

DDS Fleet news round-up

The DDS are understood to have an option to purchase the Intruder LPD outright at the end of their 2 year lease. A DDS fleet spokesperson said they would consider this but first of all needed to get the ship into service to evaluate it. The ship will have DDS communication equipment fitted and may have a transphasic missile launcher fitted next year. Of course these would be removed if the ship was returned to the HCS!

Support Command has been renamed Support / Training Command (STCOM), their fleet of training ships have been allocated the 9xxx range in the DDS fleet numbering scheme. The Intrepid class has been named the 9000 class and the Starsystem the 9100 class. STCOM's Starsystems will receive an update next year, this will mostly be replacing their communications hub so it can cope with distributed training communications.

The DDS were planning to sell the remaining 2 Cuba class transports but now they could be transferred to the Remedians. The ships would still be sold but not until the 2 Provider transports intended for the Remedians were built next year.

DDS agree lease for HCS warship

No its not april the 1st but the DDS has agreed a 2 year lease for a HCS warship! In an 80 million zark deal the DDS are to have a brand new built Intruder class assault carrier for 2 years. The ship will be delivered to DDS Solaris Station in may and then will be localised by an expert DDS team. Then specialist staff from DDS Academy, assisted by HCS officers, will devise a training regime for the ship. The DDS expect to have the ship ready for service by the late summer.

The ship will be used to help the DDS develop their own equivalent ships but will also be ready for combat situations should the need arise. The ship will be allocated the fleet number 4901 and the name Intruder.

UV98 : IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING

The latest blistering volume of DDS stories is guaranteed to loosen your bowels and stain your y-fronts. In Special Branch the Triad have moved back in time to try and foil the Rectoid plan to stop the asteroid killing the Dinosaurs. In Fantastic Ceilings the Rectoid plot is foiled but can the DDS find a way to return to their own time?

Playing With Guns is the latest instalment in our monthly look at Dino recruits in training. This month they begin firearms training. In Whats The Use? the conspiracy nut Goodson continues to investigate Ronald's rumoured involvement in a massacre. Finally in Hunt The Megara, the masked superspy survived the Eye's first attempt to kill him but as Benito sends his forces in can Megara find a way out?

The book is available at all seedy brothels on Proxima 5 and inside the panties of Solarisian pikey girls. The next volume UV99 Guns & Sex will be out next month!

DDS negotiate leasing of HCS ship as rebellion costs bite

The DDS is understood to have agreed terms with the HCS for a 24 month leasing of an Intruder class landing ship for 80 million zarks. The DDS say the ship, as yet unnamed, will help the DDS evaluate the need for their own class of landing or amphibious warfare ships. Sources close to the HCS say the money is needed desperately.

Although the Clone economy is still doing fairly well the HCS budget has been squeezed by the costs of the Benito rebellion. Several programmes have been delayed including the HCSAF's upgrade programme for 1000 of it's F-40 fighters into the F-40S standard. Confidence in the Clone economy has been dropping though, especially with outside investors.

The Dinos, who did purchase controlling stakes in the Clone energy company Clone 2, the arms manufacturer CGMC and the telecom Clone Fone when they pumped 31 billion into the Clone economy some years ago (which staved off financial meltdown) have just completed the sale back to private Clone investors of these stakes. Although only 22 billion was received from selling the shares the Dinos think its a good time to sell now. If Benito gets stronger then the Clone economy could collapse.

DDS considering landing ships

A major gap in the DDS fleet is in the area of assault transports or landing ships. Ships that can carry and deploy the New DDS Army to new missions. Currently the DDS only possess conventional transport ships and if they wish to deploy DDS land units then they need to hire passenger transports for carrying troops. Landing these troops on a planet can only be done once the planet has been secured as the DDS have no protected assault transports.

DOO Action Painting has said that the DDS are planning to built assault transports, based on the SUP design. It has been rumoured that the DDS want to purchase an Intruder assault ship off the HCS and use that as their template. Both the DDS and HCS have denied this however Action Painting said the DDS are hoping to lease an Intruder later this year for training and evaluation.