This was actually the most important part of the alliance's military procurement plan.
President Nishita and his current administration were counting on the construction of the final two Sovereign-class ships to regain the ability to build dreadnoughts domestically. Of course, they could also use the opportunity to shift their armed forces from a hodgepodge of Imperial and Alliance equipment, with some homegrown designs thrown in, to a purely Alliance lineup.
But the problem was, it wasn't that simple.
Luo Zeshi, an arms expert, had discussed the matter several times with his all-capable superior. Their conclusion was that the Mars Shipyard might get some equipment upgrades and perhaps train ten thousand or so technicians with relevant experience, but in the end, all they would be able to build was a hull.
The most important components of a large warship—from its engines and power systems to its main guns and radar, even its specially designed armor plating—would still have to be imported from the Alliance.
Of course, even that would be a first step from nothing to something. These days, wasn't everyone starting out with a shipyard?
They could begin with the hull, then methodically reverse-engineer and develop the other components. As long as they found a way to keep the dignitaries from swooping in to claim the credit, they could restore this branch of the tech tree over the course of a few decades.
But it was obvious that Marshal Feilagu only wanted to make the fond memories of his youth a reality again as soon as possible. That had nothing to do with the objective course of events. Still, who could blame an old man lost in his memories?
An old man's memories and a child's imagination were equally beautiful parts of the mind. They shouldn't be casually shattered.
After