NationStates Jolt Archive


The Vessels and Organisation of the Imperial Praetonian Navy

Praetonia
06-04-2005, 21:13
The Vessels and Organisation of
The Imperial Praetonian Navy
Written and Compiled with the Gracious Support and Consent of the Imperial Ministry of Defence


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/PraeFlagII.jpg

Pro Rege et Patria


Introduction and History of the Imperial Praetonian Navy

The Democratic Imperium of Praetonia has always been a maritime power in the truest sense of the phrase. Generations of Praetonians have earned their living from the sea - first through fishing and later through drilling for oil and natural gas. When Praetonians feel under threat they look to the sea, and the mighty vessels which watch over the nation's shores, long before they look to the noble men and women of the Imperial Guard. Likewise, the Imperial Governments of Praetonia have, over the years, always looked to the navy and the tools of blockade and bombardment as the first-strike options of the Praetonian armed forces long before land-invasion is even considered. This has not always been so.

As an island nation, the Democratic Imperium has always had to maintain an adequate naval force to defend her waters and fishing zones, but in the centuries of isolation there were few nations with any interest in Praetonia, and very few with the capability to strike so far from their supply bases in the age of sail. For this reason, the Praetonian Navy remained small. Following the civil war and Praetonia's emergence into the world, key figures in Government started to look seriously at the need to expand the navy, but funds were lacking. A small fleet was secured from Isselmere-Neiland but the ships, although individually powerful, were by no means numerous.

In the first few years of Republic the Navy was used to great effect against The Deadly Viper, with Praetonia and her allies securing a victory without one soldier having to set foot on Viperian soil. This led to the purchase, from the now defunct Feles Industries, of several ships built in Praetonia which never fired their guns in anger before being decomissioned some decades later.

Some time later, stark realisations were forced upon the now Imperial Government. With Praetonia's population spiralling rapidly out of control and energy and raw materials uses through the roof, Praetonia's politicians had to accept that Praetonia could no long rely on self-sufficiency to provide for her people. Although import contracts were found fairly easily, this still left Praetonia in a very difficult situation should she go to war. Food supplies were reported to last only 2 months in the event of the sea-lanes being closed, with fuel supplies reported at an even more startling 8 days.

Perhaps luckily, Praetonia's economy had been growing steadily in line with population growth, and suddenly the Imperial Parliament was presented with the two vital factors involved in getting anything as expensive as a massive arms project going - political necessity and adequate funding. Following the depressing sales record of Feles Industries, the company was quickly nationalised and turned into the now unrecognisable Imperial Praetonian Ordinance, of which the then only subsidiary was Imperial Praetonian Shipyards.

The arms company was an instant success, and as well as supplying the Imperial Praetonian Navy with high quality vessels managed to (somewhat amazingly) recoup the several trillion Praefelis of development costs and actually make a small profit on top of that. The corporation would be used as an excellent skills and manufacturing base for years to come, and is still in operation today, supplying some of the finest quality warships in the world to interested nations.

The Imperial Praetonian Navy, standing at some 600 vessels, remained more or less steady in size for some time. Individually, the ships were of excellent quality and all (except, for some unknown reason, the carriers) of the new trimaran hull form. This was expanded sometime later to 1,000 vessels by the addition of smaller subsidiary fleets used for specialist roles or in small-scale wars and brushfires.

These performed admirably fighting wars in the Falklands against Hogsweat and protecting convoys travelling between Praetonia, her colonies and foreign nations during times of war and intense political strain. The main force of fleets was deployed only twice, once in the defence of Camewot and once again during the numerous NATO-RWC conflicts. Praetonian Carrier Battle Groups also fought several largely indecisive battles against Corpsac naval forces, but succeeded in repelling the attackers and so these battles are consider victories by most Praetonians.

The navy remained at a steady 1,000 vessels for some decades, finally expanding massively in the past fifty years to its current levels around 6,000 vessels. The navy also underwent a massive program of rejuvination, with almost every class of vessel replaced by a newly developed class. As Praetonia enters times of great uncertainty with World War on the horizon, Praetonians who look to the seas surrounding their great Imperial nation, who visit the massive and imposing ports of Praefele, or gaze upon captured warships displayed as monuments to victory in past wars in the Bay of Praeton can draw great comfort from their nation's great and glorious sea-faring past, and look forward to an equally distinguished future.


Battlefleets of the Imperial Praetonian Navy

The Imperial Praetonian Navy is currently segmented into different sections. This specific branch is charged with maintaining local naval supremacy and projecting power abroad. It is by far the largest of the branches of the Imperial Praetonian Navy and incorporates some of the most powerful vessels in the world. Here is an example of a typical Main Battlefleet:

5th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Cougars'

[Omega Class Trimaran Heavy Battleship (1x)]
PWS Epsilon
[Haven Class Trimaran Battleship (2x)]
PWS Strait of Haven, PWS Continent

[Titan Class Trimaran Fleet Carrier (1x)]
PWS Behemoth
[Pegasus Class Trimaran Helicopter Assault Carrier (2x)]
PWS Centaur, PWS Prometheus

[Vulture Class Trimaran Arsenal Ship (4x)]
PWS Raven, PWS Shrew, PWS Owl, PWS Finch
[Lion Class Trimaran Cruiser (8x)]
PWS Cougar, PWS Lioness, PWS Jaguar, PWS Leopard, PWS Tiger, PWS Wolf, PWS Cheetah, PWS Serval

[Praefele Class Trimaran General Purpose Destroyer (15x)]
PWS Praextremis, PWS Praecountra, PWS Praetiberius, PWS Praeloquus, PWS Praefloarinus, PWS Praegorius, PWS Praequilius, PWS Praedomus, PWS Praeiutha, PWS Praeveritas, PWS Praevitelus, PWS Praeborialis, PWSPraelactis, PWS Praetibus, PWS Praesilva
[Jupiter Class Trimaran ASW Frigate (30x)]
PWS Saturn, PWS Alpha Centauri, PWS Galaxy, PWS Nebula, PWS Planet, PWS Pulsar, PWS Meteor, PWS Pluto, PWS Starlight, PWS Photon, PWS Electron, PWS Star, PWS Nova, PWS Royal Society, PWS Galileo, PWS Telescope, PWS Hubble, PWS Force, PWS Lunar, PWS Juniper, PWS Newton, PWS Loquis, PWS Solar, PWS Redshift, PWS Universe, PWS Orbital, PWS Satellite, PWS Rocket, PWS Light, PWS Heavenly Body


The Imperial Navy also employs several Rapid Responce Fleets capable of quickly deploying a force of several thousand marines, four battalions, by helicopter to almost anywhere in the world. These fleets are used extensively in small-scale wars or as a first responce to an immediate threat or worrying situation. A pocket battleship accompanies these fleets along with a sizeable Frigate and Destroyer escort. Here is an example of a Rapid Responce Fleet:

12th Imperial Rapid Responce Fleet - 'Tigersharks'

[Peninsular Class Trimaran Pocket Battleship (1x)]
PWS Italy

[Pegasus Class Trimaran Helicopter Assault Carrier (2x)]
PWS Griffin, PWS Chimera

[Lion Class Trimaran Cruiser (2x)]
PWS Whale, PWS Seal

[Praefele Class Trimaran General Purpose Destroyer (5x)]
PWS Praetopicatus, PWS Praeinsular, PWS Praeton, PWS Praegladius, PWS Praehoplite
[Jupiter Class Trimaran ASW Frigate (10x)]
PWS Galaxy, PWS Astronomer, PWS Stargazer, PWS Astrology, PWS Spiral Arm, PWS Mars, PWS Elipse, PWS Radiation, PWS Observatory, PWS Technology


The Imperial Navy employs many so-called 'Fast battleship Squadrons' in patrol and rapid-reaction missions. Such fleets are both fairly powerful on their own, very powerful combined and also able to match a variety of threats without the expense and time taken to mobolise a Battlefleet An example of a 'Fast Battleship Squadron' is shown below:

8th Fast Battleship Squadron - 'Maritime Guard'

[Peninsular Class Trimaran Pocket Battleship (1x)]
PWS Subinsular

[Lion Class Trimaran Cruiser (1x)]
PWS Gazzel

[Praefele Class Trimaran General Purpose Destroyer (2x)]
PWS Praetiberius, PWS Praehavenite

[Jupiter Class Trimaran ASW Frigate (5x)]
PWS Lunar Eclipse, PWS Helius, PWS Corona, PWS Asteriod Belt, PWS Apollo


The Imperial Praetonian Navy employs many Destroyer Squadrons to show the flag almost everywhere around the world. In their own right, these fleets pack a punch, although against a proper home-designed battlefleet of an enemy navy would most likely cause such a formation to beat a hasty retreat. These fleets are generally used alongside Rapid Responce Fleets. This is an example of a Destroyer Squadron:

18th Imperial Destroyer Squadron - 'Lightenings'

[Lion Class Trimaran Cruiser (1x)]
PWS British Empire

[Praefele Class Trimaran General Purpose Destroyer (3x)]
PWS Praetastic, PWS Praeragnarok, PWS Praeocculus
[Jupiter Class Trimaran ASW Frigate (6x)]
PWS Solaris, PWS Space Station, PWS Moon, PWS Space, PWS Atmosphere, PWS Ionosphere

Formation of the Imperial Praetonian Navy

The fleets of the Imperial Praetonian Navy are generally organised in a variety of fleets. These will be listed below, along with the Battlefleets which make them up and the total number of ships included in each formation.

The Grand Home Fleet

PWS Imperator - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught [GRAND FLAG]
PWS Praeton - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught [FLAG]
PWS Sarzonia - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught

1st Imperial Battlefleet - 'Imperator's Own'
2nd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Eagles'
3rd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Parlimentarians'
4th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Dukes'
5th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Cougars'
6th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Lions'
7th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Colonial Tigers'
8th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Felians'
9th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Polarians'
10th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Praetonites'
11th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Flares'
12th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Ravens'
13th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Hiberites'
14th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Imperator's Seconds'
15th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Gulls'
16th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Chimeras'
17th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Royal Grenadiers'
18th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Imperials'
19th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Vultures'
20th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Guards'

Total Ship Numbers: 1260 vessels


The Grand Expeditionary Fleet

PWS Imperial Glory - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught [FLAG]
PWS Isslemere - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught

21st Imperial Battlefleet - 'Aquilas'
22nd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Romans'
23rd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Greeks'
24th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Hoplites'
25th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Legionaries'
26th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Dragoons'
27th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Florians'
28th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Klatchans'
29th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Novans'
30th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Europans'
31st Imperial Battlefleet - 'Feletopians'
32nd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Occulans'
33rd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Philarians'
34th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Pumas'
35th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Cheatars'
36th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Sarians'
37th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Lucians'
38th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Julianans'
39th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Parliament's Own'
40th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Chancellery's Own

Total Ship Numbers: 1260 vessels


The Grand Expeditionary Fleet

PWS Imperum - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught [FLAG]
PWS Freedom - Imperial Class Super Dreadnaught

41st Imperial Battlefleet - 'Apollons'
42nd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Athenians'
43rd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Ionians'
44th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Britons'
45th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Sentinels'
46th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Populites'
47th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Plebians'
48th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Lord Chancellor's Own'
49th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Veterans'
50th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Elites'
51st Imperial Battlefleet - 'Neo-Praetonia's Own'
52nd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Prima Urbanites'
53rd Imperial Battlefleet - 'Imperator's Swords'
54th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Nova Prussians'
55th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Persians'
56th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Arabians'
57th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Optians'
58th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Naval Yeomanry'
59th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Maritime Guards'
60th Imperial Battlefleet - 'Felian Guards'

Total Ship Numbers: 1260 vessels


[OOC: Done for now, although this is not my entire navy. I havent added in anything other than the three "Grand Fleets". There are at least that many ships again in other, smaller fleets and I havent added submarines, the nuclear deterrant, the coastguard or the coastal patrol sections yet.]
Sarzonia
07-04-2005, 00:25
*tag*

I have a similar post over in OMP and in the UWP boards. I'll probably post mine shortly.
Pacitalia
07-04-2005, 00:40
This division of your military is a prime example of how a naval force should be organised and operated, and therefore we commend our friends in the Democratic Imperium for accomplishing such a task in such an outstanding manner.

Timothy Ell
Prime Minister
Roach-Busters
07-04-2005, 00:49
(OOC: This is vintage Praetonia: beautifully written, attention-grabbing, awe-inspiring, utterly magnificent. Keep up the good work!)
Sarzonia
07-04-2005, 01:16
Very impressive. No way I could have ever named as many of my ships as you did! :eek:
Praetonia
07-04-2005, 09:10
[Sarzonia: Thanks. It look me quite a while, but interestingly I found it easier to name the Jupiters and Praefeles, because the Praefeles are just nonesense Latin-esque words with "Prae" at the beginning, and for the Jupiters there is a wealth of astronomy-themed names and words to choose from.

Pacitalia: Thanks =)

Roach-Busters: Wow thanks... you flatter me. I've tried my best to make it more than just a list of stats and I think (hope) it's worked.]
Yafor 2
07-04-2005, 12:41
OOC:Prae' that's exactly what you did. Awsome job!