Axis Naval Doctrine
By 1971, the new Duce, Admiral Masaari, had begun putting the Axis naval doctrine in order.
The fleet he had inherited was powerful, but it had grown over decades of expansion, technological advances and encounters with hostile forces (mostly Raiders and Sentinelle). Some classes had become obsolete, others had been created to answer very specific threats, while captured alien technology from ruins had found its way into a handful of exceptional designs (Corvette P-Beam and Renegade).
Masaari wanted a clearer picture of the Navy then he ordered a complete review of the ships available to the Axis Navy, together with a catalogue of its fighters, missiles and support assets. At the same time, construction of additional Saetta-class corvettes was ordered, while the remaining old Hangarina commercial escort carriers were finally being dismantled.
Raider incursions had become less frequent, but Masaari had no intention of allowing the Empire to become complacent. The Axis had not forgotten its martial origins, nor the lessons learned from previous encounters with unknown and hostile forces.
The Main Fleet (52 ships. 646.350 tons)
The basic principle emerging from the review was specialization. Axis warships are generally designed around specific roles rather than all-round capabilities. Beam and missile offensive systems are normally kept separate: a missile ship is built to fight with missiles, while a beam ship is expected to close the distance and engage directly.
The main exception is point defence. Some vessels carry short-range railguns specifically to protect themselves and nearby ships against incoming missiles.
This philosophy has produced a heterogeneous fleet, ranging from the small and fast Saetta corvettes to the heavy Brema and Brutix battlecruisers. The alien-technology Renegade, a masterpiece of Axis naval engineering, remains a unique element within the battle line.
Armor and shields follow the same principle: protection is tailored to the role of each class. A Saetta, for instance, is not designed to absorb heavy fire. Its defence is speed: it must reach its target quickly, outrun Raiders when necessary, and maintain the desired engagement distance while firing. The P-Beam Corvette follows a similar philosophy.
Balbo cruisers and the heavier Brutix and Brema battlecruisers, on the other hand, are built to withstand considerably more punishment. This is particularly true of the Brema, a heavily protected beam battlecruiser designed to close the distance, survive enemy fire and engage at short range.
Fighters (150 fighters. 60.000 tons of fighters)
[AXIS FLEET – FIGHTERS OVERVIEW]
Fighters form another specialized component of Axis naval power.
The small R-Wing II and the Arado provide beam combat capability, while M-Bombing fighters deliver missile attacks and the F-Torpedo carries much heavier anti-ship weapons. Other designs have no direct combat role. Pathfinders provide reconnaissance, fighter tankers extend operational range, and the new Search & Rescue craft are intended to recover personnel after combat.
Missiles and Torpedoes
The review also produced a complete catalogue of the Empire’s missile arsenal.
Weapons range from small point-defence missiles to increasingly heavy anti-ship torpedoes. More advanced designs incorporate features such as decoys, electronic countermeasures and retargeting, culminating in the massive Capital Torpedo 24, intended for engagements against major targets.
The same technology is also used for non-combat purposes. Sensor probes can be deployed for reconnaissance, while Geo Survey probes allow remote geological investigation of planets and their mineral resources.
Beyond the Core Systems
There was one final problem Masaari wanted the study to address: distance.
As the Empire expands, its fleets increasingly operate far from established naval bases. Warships alone cannot sustain such deployments. The Axis Navy therefore relies on tankers for fuel and Santarosa-class supply ships for maintenance supplies and ammunition. For particularly long operations, mobile support infrastructure can also be moved forward.
Maintenance Stations can support and repair deployed vessels, while Recreational Hub Stations allow crews to remain operational during extended deployments. The new Arsenal Starbase concept adds a forward fighter hangar and basic fleet support capability.
These stations are still relatively small, and their usefulness in prolonged operations remains to be tested. The Navy intends to build a logistical network capable of supporting specialized combat fleets far from the heart of the Empire.
Before deciding what the Axis Navy of the next decade should become, the new Duce first wanted to know exactly what weapons he already had at his disposal. This review laid the foundations for a more organized and coherent Navy, and for the naval doctrine that would guide the Axis into the 1970s.