Shiro-Benacian naval arms race
The naval arms race between Shireroth and the Benacian Union that occurred during the early decades of the eighteenth century after Norton was a consequence of the complicated relationship between the Imperial Republic and the Vulture States established after Kalirion Fracture. Of these vultures, the Benacian Union, established in the aftermath of the Second Elwynnese Civil War, was ultimately the most inimical to coexistence with Shireroth on account of its ideological character and hegemonic aspirations. Whilst driven by a bilateral relationship that had worsened over several decades, the arms race began with a plan by Steward Louis Thuylemans in 1718 AN to create a fleet in being, with which to assert strategic autonomy within the Raspur Pact.
In addition to this initial aim, the Shirerithian naval build-up would subsequently acquire two additional and critical objectives:
- Control of the Shire Sea, thereby maintaining communication and supply lines connecting to the Eastern Imperium.
- The reassertion of strategic control over the Emirate of Sathrati, whose islands had remained in many respects a renegade province under Benacian Union influence – owing to the Protocols of Erudition – in spite of formally returning to Imperial sovereignty in 1685 AN.
The response of the Benacian Union would come in the 6th session of the Congress of Chryse in 1722 AN. This would see the establishment of the Vijayanagara Fleet Construction Yards, the creation of the Naval Construction Office to coordinate shipbuilding and procurement programmes, and the expansion of the Benacian commitment to the Manco Cápac-class cruiser of Nouvelle Alexandrie expand to an order for one-hundred and twenty hulls.
