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 2/3205 : Imperial Earth Navy Interim Review - 3205-3207
3205.100

The Imperial Navy has now concluded its Interim Naval Review (INR). The Review necessarily awaited the outcome of the New Economic Plan (NEP) which provided a new stable financial base for defence planning.

The Navy's construction plans and organisational changes have now been reviewed and costed to second half of 3207. At that time the Navy will have reached the end-state planned since late 3201 (though obviously with some changes as a result of new experiences, and changing circumstances).

The main elements of the 3207 structure are already in place, but the object of INR was to put some flesh on the bones, and to ensure that the final structure was fit for purpose.

In 3207 the Fleet will still be structured around two main formations, the Battle Fleets and the Colonial Fleets, together with several smaller one-of-a-type formations.

There will be eight Battle Fleets. Each Battle Fleet comprises 2 BBI, 4 CVI, 2 CAI and 2 LSSI.

> 10th Battle Fleet will be mothballed to provide a Ready-Reserve.

> 20th and 21st Battle Fleets will be responsible for operations in Quadrant Zero, and provide an Active-Reserve force for the Colonial Quadrants if required.

> 11th and 12th Battle Fleets provide the IEN contribution to the Combined Human Intervention Front (CHIF) in Quadrant Zero to react under the orders of the Supreme Human Commander.

> 13th, 14th and 15th Battle Fleets provide the IEN contribution to the Joint Allied Quadrant Defence Fleets in Quadrants 5, 6 and 7.

There will be eight Colonial Fleets. Each Colonial Fleet comprises several smaller formations.

· A Battle Squadron, comprising 1 BBI, 1 CVI and 2 CAI. These provide the core combat element of the Colonial Fleet, and are also assigned a secondary role of reinforcing the local JAC Commander. For example, in the event of an ESB attack on Q5, 13BF would be reinforced by the 5CF's Battle Squadron.

> A Destroyer Squadron, comprising 6 DDI. These provide the anti-piracy and force-projection capability in the Colonial Quadrants.

> An Assault Squadron, comprising 1 CLI and 2 ALSI. These provide the intervention capability for the Quadrant. Each Colonial Quadrant also has a TPTI held in mothballs in the event that transport for a full Division is required for any internal crisis. In most circumstances the ALSI will be used to lift smaller elements piecemeal.

> A Logistical Support Squadron, comprising 3 LSSI. These provide Logistical support as and when required.

In addition, in Quadrant Zero, there will be a number of Home Squadrons based at Sol.

· Imperial Guard Battle Squadron, comprising 2 BBI.

> Imperial Guard Carrier Squadron, comprising 2 CVI.

> Imperial Guard Cruiser Squadron, comprising 2 CAI.

> 16th Assault Squadron, comprising 1 CLI, 3 ALSI (one of which is assigned to Special Forces command) and 2 TPTI. A further 2 TPTI are maintained in mothballs.

> First Destroyer Squadron comprising 6 DDI to conduct anti-piracy and small-scale force-projection in Quadrant Zero.

> First Support Squadron, comprising 4 LSSI and 2 SDI, providing logistical and mobile maintenance support as and when vessels are required to operate away from normal basing.

The IEN contribution to H-Force (a combined GFAN, UOXN, RWN, IEN) will comprise 2 BBI, 4 CAI and 2 LSSI.

A substantial Imperial Audit Office (IAO) Special Audit Fleet (SAF) exists which is based in Quadrant Zero, but which provides capabilities across the Empire. The SAF has an avowed composition of 4 BBI, 4 CAI, 4 DDI, 4 ALSI and 4 LSSI. The SAF destroyers regularly support the IEN in anti-piracy operations, while the BBI and CAI also have a secondary role of providing a Ready-Reserve for the IEN in the event of a major attack on Quadrant Zero.

In addition, each Homeworld has its own Interplanetary System Defence Force.
Current plans indicate the following strengths will be achieved by mid 3207.

> Sol Defence Force: 2 BB, 2 CV, 2 MPS, 3 DD and 29 PAC Squadrons
(147cf of ships and 290cf of PACS)

> Europ Defence Force: 2 BB, 1 CV, 1 MPS, 3 DD and 6 PACS
(90cf of ships and 60cf of PACS)

> Glenn Defence Force: 2 BB, 1 CV, 1 MPS, 3 DD and 6 PACS
(90cf of ships and 60cf of PACS)

> Lotus Defence Force: 2 BB, 1 CV, 1 MPS, 3 DD and 6 PACS
(90cf of ships and 60cf of PACS)

> Nasa Defence Force: 2 BB, 1 CV, 1 MPS, 3 DD and 6 PACS
(90cf of ships and 60cf of PACS)

> New Luna Defence Force: 2 BB, 1 CV, 1 MPS, 3 DD and 6 PACS
(90cf of ships and 60cf of PACS)

> Mir Defence Force: 2 BB, 1 CV, 1 MPS, 3 DD and 6 PACS
(90cf of ships and 60cf of PACS)