A series of occasional papers on interstellar defence and fleet issues, from Jim's Fighting Fleets study group, the Defence Estimation - Longterm Planning, Homeworlds & Interstellar group.

Paper 1/3207 : A Reorganisation of the Martian Navy
3207.050

Introduction
Following the Exterminator War, Phase One, the Martian Space Navy (MSN) was in a state of disarray, its ships were scattered across the Quadrants with no plan in place for the replacement of those lost or the reforming of the proud naval formations. The MAFC economy had also been affected in the Quadrants which had borne the brunt of the fighting and were unable to support any significant military forces. With the new administration coming into office this is being rectified and a new vitality has entered the bloodstream of the MSN. There is now a plan in place for reorganisation and, ultimately, for expansion under SSALT of the MSN.
This reorganisation will be implemented during 3207 and subsequently the MSN Forces will undergo a significant expansion.

Proposed New Structure for the Offensive Fleets
These fleets (which will be the backbone of both the MSN commitment to ToOL, for the collective defence of Humanity, and the mobile defence of the Home systems) will be formed initially from the existing capital ships available to the MSN.

The forces in these Fleets will be formed into Combat Teams (CT), each comprising 1 BBI + 1 CAI + 1 CVI + 1 LSSI. When a CT is operating independently it will require dedicated logistical support only, but when formed into a full Fleet of three CT's there will also be a requirement for 2 ALSI, with an embarked GFD, to provide the Fleet with ground assault capability.

Thus a CT comprises 1 BBI + 1 CAI + 1 CVI + 1 LSSI = 37cf, and three CT's grouped as an Offensive Fleet will comprise 3 BBI + 3 CAI + 3 CVI + 2 ALSI + 3 LSSI = 111cf (capital ships only) + 1 GFD.
Based on current forces available there will be twelve CT's. Nine CT's will form three Offensive Fleets, one for Home Defence and two deployed in Quadrant 0 as part of the CHIF. The remaining three CT's will be deployed one to each of Quadrants 5, 6 & 7 as part of the MSN contribution to the defence of Humanity.

Proposed New Structure for the Martian Task Forces
The "Venerian" model was already being adopted for capital ship component of the Quadrant Martian Task Forces (MTF) and under the reorganisation this will be maintained as the core of each MTF. However, it was only being adopted in Quadrants 1, 2, 3, 4 & 8, and this reorganisation will see it adopted in ALL Quadrants and therefore it will be extended to include Quadrants 0, 5, 6 & 7 as well.

The capital ships in each MTF will therefore comprise 2 CAI + 2 CVI = 50cf, as allowed under the terms of ToOL. These will be directly supported by 1 DDI + 2 ALSI + 1 LSSI + 1 C5A, with 1 GFD embarked on the ALSI's.

This force totalling 2 CAI + 2 CVI + 1 DDI + 2 ALSI + 1 LSSI + 1 C5A, with 1 GFD embarked on the ALSI's, will comprise the MTF Combat Team.

Additionally there will be an MTF Support Team comprising 1 CLI + 1 DDI + 1 SCI + 1 SSI + 1 C5A capable of independent action within the Quadrant to provide a range of services to the Quadrant Admiral. The tasks this Support Team can carry out will range from surveying and scouting through to space policing.
Proposed New Structure for the Scout Teams
Currently the MSN is deploying mixed groups of DDI & SCI with no logs support in Quadrants 5, 6 & 7 as the MSN scouting commitment to ToOL. This needs to be rationalised with the destroyers redeployed to their primary task of fleet support and replaced by proper scout ships, also the issue of logs support needs to be addressed.

Therefore Scout Teams will be changed to comprise the following vessels - 3 SCI + 1 C5A.

Conclusion
(I) The aim is to immediately provide 9 MTF, each comprising 2 CAI. 2 CVI, 2 ALSI, 1 CLI, 2 DDI, 1 SCI, 1 SSI, 1 LSSI & 2 C5A, with 1 GFD embarked on the ALSI, one in each Quadrant. These Quadrant naval forces will be referred to as Martian Task Forces, coded MTF, followed by the Quadrant number, e.g. MTF 0 for Quadrant 0.
(II) There will eventually be 6 Offensive Fleets each comprising 3 BBI, 3 CAI, 3 CVI, 2 ALSI & 3 LSSI, with 1 GFD embarked on the ALSI. These 6 fleets being Home Fleet MSN and 1st., 2nd., 3rd., 4th. & 5th. Strategic Fleets.
Under the reorganisation, there will be three Strategic Fleets (Home Fleet MSN and 1st. & 2nd. Strategic Fleets) deployed in Quadrant 0 and separate Combat Teams in each of the threatened Quadrants (Quadrants 5, 6 & 7). During the expansion programme these Combat Teams will be increased to Fleet size.
(III) There will be 3 Scout Teams, which will be allocated to Quadrants as required, each comprising 3 SCI + 1 C5A. These will be allocated to Quadrants 5, 6 and 7 until requested by the Supreme Human Commander to be allocated to another theatre of operations.
(IV) The forces required to complete the reorganisation have already been scheduled into The Association's Naval Build Plan and this will be complete by the end of 3207.

Commitment to the Supreme Human Commander
The MSN will maintain its overall commitment to the common cause under the Supreme Human Commander, but this may necessitate a balancing of forces such that there is a greater emphasis, following the initial reorganisation, on the forces in Quadrant 0.
Economic considerations preclude any major combat force commitment to the threatened Quadrants in the short term without assistance from other polities. It is hoped that treaties can be concluded with other polities to address this issue.

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