Natopian Navy Expansion Programme (1730–1740)

In 1730 AN, the Court of the Verdant Garden initiated a major ten-year programme aimed at rebuilding and significantly expanding the capabilities of the Natopian Navy. This effort aimed to address the decline in Natopia's maritime power projection over the previous decade due to an extended period of underinvestment, as resources were prioritized toward the Natopian Army and Spacefleet in the years following the Anders Defense Review of 1716.

Objectives

The key objectives outlined for the 1730-1740 AN Natopian Navy expansion programme were:

1. Modernise the fleet through an ambitious new ship construction program to replace aging vessels
2. Grow the overall force structure and increase numbers of major surface combatants, submarines, and amphibious warfare ships
3. Acquire modern naval weapons, sensors, electronic warfare systems, and other technologies
4. Expand naval shipyards, bases, and training infrastructure to support a larger future fleet
5. Recruit and train thousands of additional sailors and marines
6. Dramatically increase funding for enhanced readiness, operations, and maintenance

Proposed 1740 Force Structure

As part of the expansion programme, an initial target force structure was been proposed for the Natopian Navy to achieve by 1740 AN:

• 6 fleet carriers and air wings
• 30 carrier escort ships
• 20 surface combatants (cruisers, destroyers)
• 12 amphibious warfare ships
• 4 Minotaur-class ballistic missile submarines
• 10 Taurus-class attack submarines
• Over 100 auxiliary support vessels (logistics, mine warfare, etc.)

This future fleet was intended to be organised into several numbered fleets and task forces capable of maritime power projection, sea control, amphibious operations, and securing Natopia's interests across the oceans of Micras. Specific fleet compositions would be confirmed as the expansion programme reached maturity.

Shipbuilding Programme

To work toward the proposed 1740 goals, the Natopian Naval Shipyards and domestic defence and technology manufacturers in other sectors, like Dingo Enterprises, commenced a significant programme of new ship construction from 1731 AN onwards. Classes of ships being designed for the fleet would include:

• Thunderer-class fleet carriers
• Victory-class guided missile cruisers
• Scimitar-class multipurpose destroyers
• Marauder-class amphibious assault ships
• Minotaur-class ballistic missile submarines
• Taurus-class attack submarines

In parallel, production would also commence on over one hundred new auxiliary and support vessels to serve as logistics ships, mine warfare craft, fleet tugs, and other roles in the future fleet.

Industrial Efforts

Substantial increases in funding for the Natopian Navy were allocated from 1730 AN onwards to support the shipbuilding programme, acquisition of new weapons and systems, expansion of infrastructure, and growing personnel requirements over the coming decade. The government partnered closely with leading Natopian defence companies like Neridia Defense Industries to produce many of the sensors, weapon systems, radars, and other technologies destined for the ships of the expanded fleet. Significant foreign procurement, via Benacian, Constancian, and New Alexandrian shipyards were also expected to occur for certain vessels types, as well as as a consequence of the Allied Production Matrix, to support the domestic industrial capabilities of Natopia.

Indeed, Natopia's shipbuilding industrial base would be revitalised and expanded through the training of additional skilled labour, facility modernisation efforts, and investments in improved shipyard infrastructure and heavy equipment. The successful execution of these industrial plans would be critical to meeting the ambitious schedule and goals of the Navy's expansion programme by 1740 AN.