Republic Navy

"The Republic never had its own navy until the Clone Wars. It always depended on the home fleets to supply what was necessary."

―Jan Dodonna^[6]

The Republic Navy or Republic fleet, once known as the Navy of the Republic,^[7] was the military fleet used to defend the Galactic Republic throughout many millennia.

History[]

"I'm just a soldier; I go where the fleet Admirals tell me to. I follow my orders and I do my duty."

―Carth Onasi^[8]

The First Navy and Re-Establishment[]

When the Galactic Republic was founded in 25,053 BBY, it was founded without a standing navy. It was not until 24,000 BBY, when the Tionese War against the Honorable Union of Desevro & Tion began, that a centralized navy was created; the Republic's member worlds had relied on their own militaries and were expected to contribute resources and troops to a centralized force if a threat presented itself. According to navy tradition, the Republic Navy was headquartered on Foerost, the site of the Republic's largest shipyard, but it was disbanded at the war's end around 23,900 BBY.^[1] During the Tionese War, the cruiser-sized Gilagimar was active, and it was one of the most famous vessels from the Navy during the Expansionist Era.^[9]

During the early Alsakan Conflicts, a series of seventeen wars between the Republic and the allies of the planet Alsakan, the Galactic Senate resisted calls for the Navy's reinstatement. In the early conflicts, both Alsakan and the Coruscant-controlled Republic attempted to use massive battle fleets to secure victories, but neither side had the military resources to split their forces between attack and defense. During the Duinuogwuin Contention of 15,500 BBY, when the Duinuogwuin species attacked the Republic capital of Coruscant, further calls for the Navy's return were blocked by internal feuding in the Senate. Around 15,000 BBY, however, the Senate finally heeded the pleas of the outlying systems and re-established the Navy^[1] with its headquarters on Coruscant.^[2]

The Pius Dea[]

In the subsequent Alsakan Conflicts, both the Navy and Alsakan began to use their larger battleships to guard their planets in the Core while smaller and faster cruisers raided and protected colonies in the Expansion Region. The Conflicts grew less and less brutal over the centuries, as all of them ended in ceasefires and most consisted only of raiding of colonies.^[1] During the first few centuries of the Navy's existence, they fought battles at planets such as Esaga, Caulbon, and the Sundered Veil nebula, and the Navy's ships defended the Republic's colonies and fought back against the slavers who plagued the Outer Rim Territories.^[1]

In 11,987 BBY, the Human Contispex I became Supreme Chancellor, beginning the period known as the Pius Dea Era. Contispex was a high-ranking member of the Pius Dea religion, and his ascension to the head of the Republic soon brought Pius Dea adherents into most of the government's positions of power. In 11,965 BBY, Contispex launched the First Pius Dea Crusade, a military crusade against the Hutt species, and the Republic Navy's forces launched along the Ootmian Pabol route and from the planets Ord Yndar and Ord Wylan against the western edge of Hutt Space. Under Contispex's descendants and successors in the Contispex dynasty of Chancellors, the Republic would launch a total of thirty-four crusades against alien species, and the Navy became a stronghold of Pius Dea influence during their reign.^[1]

The Republic Military converted at blasterpoint thousands of people in the Mid Rim and the Outer Rim, and though defeated populations could retain autonomy if they converted, only those who joined the Republic Navy could move freely between planets. By the 11,500s BBY, Pius Dea cathedral ships made up a large part of the Navy, crewed by descendants of the original naval crews and commanded by missionaries. Under the Pius Dea, the Navy also established a large number of Ordnance/Regional Depots along the frontier of the Republic, planets that served as home bases from which the Pius Dea and the Navy could push forward into the "alien chaos" of the Outer Rim. The Navy plundered many of the worlds that they discovered on their crusades, descending upon those worlds found to be impure and deploying millions of troops to purge the inhabitants and claim their riches. The bi-wing snub fighter saw use in the Republic Navy during this time, as did the man-of-war.^[1]

The Sith Wars[]

Republicfleetkotor2 — The Republic Navy during the time of the Jedi Civil War.

For 4,000 years, the Republic Navy also worked almost side by side with the Jedi Order in repelling attacks from the Sith Order and other aggressors.^[10] The mandate of the Republic Navy allowed them to move into designated star systems in order to deal with any unrest that had formed with the knowledge that the majority of the governments of the Galactic Republic supported these actions. Any planetary government could call upon the Navy's help, although it would need Senate approval if the action was to last longer than seven standard days.^[11] Individual senators also often commandeered Navy groups for their own benefit.

During the Mandalorian Wars, the technological ancestors of the Star Destroyer would be manufactured, such as the Interdictor-class cruiser and the Centurion-class battlecruiser. Later, during the Jedi Civil War, the Republic had to rely on smaller ships such as the Hammerhead-class cruiser.^[2] Centuries following this event, the Republic fleet suffered heavy casualties from the onslaught of the newly reborn Sith Empire. Despite losing many worlds in the initial stages of the Great Galactic War, the navy was responsible for the Republic's first major victory at the First Battle of Bothawui where fleet warships destroyed a Sith squadron of warships that intended to invade Bothawui. After the New Sith Wars, the Republic scaled down the Navy as part of the Ruusan Reformation, and placed it under the control of the Judicial Department. Its priorities were shifted from full-scale conflict to sector-scale and system-scale patrol, anti-pirate operations, and exploration of the galaxy.^[4]

Spacebattle — Open Circle Fleet at the Battle of Coruscant, in the Clone Wars.

During the final years of the Republic, a Militarist faction attempted to reform the Republic Navy and Army, but progress was slow. The Katana fleet was the first attempt by the Republic to make a functioning armada for the Navy, but it was soon lost.^[10] In 44 BBY, during the Stark Hyperspace War, Ranulph Tarkin tried to portray the space forces of his fleet as the legitimate Republic Navy, even referring to it as such.^[12]

Decades later, the Republic Navy operated alongside the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars, and absorbed the local member world defense fleets into the consolidated Navy following the Battle of Rendili.^[13] Until the passage of the Security Act amendment shortly before the war's end, the Navy was under the joint command of the Galactic Senate and Jedi Council; afterwards, the Supreme Chancellor served as its sole commanding authority.^[14] When the Galactic Empire was formed, the Republic Navy became the Imperial Navy.^[13]

Pre–Great Hyperspace War (10,966 BBY–5000 BBY)[]

The Cal-class was equipped with a hull-running mass-driver cannon.

Capital ship classes[]

Battleships[]

Great Sith War (4000–3996 BBY)[]

Capital ship classes[]

Starfighters[]

Support ships[]

Logistics vessels[]

Kedriss One
Kestrel Nova

Dropships and landing craft[]

Shuttles[]

Scouts[]

Vaya-class scout

Mandalorian Wars (3976–3960 BBY)[]

Capital ship classes[]

Old Republic military symbol — Symbol worn by Carth Onasi and other military personnel defending Serroco during the Mandalorian Wars.

Battleships[]

Inexpugnable-class tactical command ship

Battlecruisers[]

Centurion-class battlecruiser

Cruisers[]

Frigates[]

Starfighters[]

Support ships[]

Logistics vessels[]

Dropships and landing craft[]

Shuttles[]

Jedi Civil War & Dark Wars (3959–3951 BBY)[]

Republicblockaderunner — The *Foray*-class was a Republic workhorse through several great conflicts.

Capital ship classes[]

Cruisers[]

Hammerhead-class cruiser

Frigates[]

Foray-class blockade runner

Starfighters[]

Support Ships[]

Logistics vessels[]

Heraklon-class transport

Dropships and landing craft[]

KT-400 military droid carrier

Shuttles[]

Great Galactic War, Cold War, Galactic War, and third Galactic War (3681 BBY–3629 BBY)[]

Capital ship classes[]

Battleships[]

Superdreadnaught Star of Coruscant

Cruisers[]

Carriers[]

Starfighter Carrier Conraddas Vindicator

Corvettes[]

Support ships[]

Starfighters[]

Pre–New Sith Wars & Alsakan Conflicts (3600–2000 BBY)[]

Cruisers[]

Invincible-class Dreadnaught Heavy Cruiser

Corvettes[]

Axis sublight missile corvette

New Sith Wars (2000–1000 BBY)[]

HammerheadKnightErrant — An upgraded *Hammerhead*-class cruiser during the New Sith Wars.

Capital ship classes[]

Cruisers[]

Starfighters[]

Support Ships[]

Logistics vessels[]

Shuttles[]

Pre–Clone Wars (~1000–22 BBY)[]

Battle of Uhanayih2 — A Republic Judicial Forces attack group during the Battle of Uhanayih.

(Note: Prior to Clone Wars, some of these ships were used by individual home fleets and not the centralized Navy.^[13])

Capital ship classes[]

Battlecruisers[]

Procurator-class Star Battlecruiser

Destroyers and cruisers[]

Frigates and escorts[]

Republic Navy — Tarkin's fleet prepares to jump to Troiken during the Stark Hyperspace War.

Corvettes[]

Starfighters[]

Gunboats[]

Support Ships[]

Logistics vessels[]

Dropships and landing craft[]

Shuttles[]

Scouts[]

Clone Wars (22–19 BBY)[]

Capital ship classes[]

Space stations[]

Kaliida shoals medical center — The Kaliida Shoals Medical Center

Cardan I-class space station (Later models were Imperial developments)
Galactic Republic space station
Haven-class medical station
Juma 9
Space station Valor

Battleships[]

Battlecruisers[]

Destroyers and cruisers[]

AcclamatorII — The *Acclamator*-class assault ship, a return to aggressive power projection in the galaxy

Assault ships and carriers[]

Frigates and escorts[]

Republic Dreadnaught-class cruisers land on Coruscant.

Corvettes[]

Starfighters[]

Arc170Starfighter-KSWwp — The ARC-170 starfighter was a long-range Republic fightercraft and scout.

Gunboats and Pinnaces[]

Support Ships[]

Republic medical frigate — A *Pelta*-class medical frigate

Logistics vessels[]

Dropships and landing craft[]

AttackonGeonosis — Two Delta-7s escorting LAAT/is deployed from an assault ship.

Shuttles[]

System Defense[]

Planetary Naval Forces[]

Rendilihomefleet — Five ships of the Rendili Home Defense Fleet.

The Galactic Republic Navy, while having a standing military force throughout the galaxy, did include many volunteer and planetary forces. The rich and heavily industrialized Core Worlds like Corellia, Humbarine, and Kuat built fleets centered around powerful multi-kilometer long warships.^[16]^[17] However, due to their limited hyperdrives these large warships were designed to only defend their respective local sectors. The robust planetary and sector fleets of the Core Worlds not only assisted in defending their own planets against pirate raids and crime lords, but were also relied upon to provide sufficient firepower to defend the Core from invasion.^[3] This was evident during the Great Sith War when a Corellian fleet launched a major counteroffensive along the Corellian Run against Sith forces.^[3] Fleets from planets and sectors such as Kuat, Humbarine, and Rendili would also take part in the fighting during the Clone Wars. These planetary and sector navies were headed up by the Admirals of the Coreworlds, whose authority was recognized only within in their respective sectors. Meanwhile, Outer Rim sectors usually operated a large amount of smaller and less powerful vessels.^[16] Some of these planetary forces include:

Organization[]

"The galaxy will run out of stars to visit before the Navy runs out of Lieutenants."

―Aphmorism over Lieutenants during the Restoration period^[2]

Oversight over the Republic Navy was handled by the Senate Naval Subcommittee whilst appropriations were dealt with by its Procurement Panel of the Senate Naval Subcommittee.

Mandalorian Wars/Jedi Civil War[]

Overall command of the Republic Navy was given to the Admiral of the Fleet, a political position chosen by the Defense Ministry from among the ranks of full Admirals. Charged with command of the millions of beings and trillions of tons of deadly force, it was a prestigious position for which many high-ranking officers jockeyed to attain.^[2]

Below the Admiral of the Fleet were the Core Worlds navies, each commanded by an Admiral of the Coreworlds. While technically in command of any ships within their sector of operation, this authority was rarely exercised except in cases of meddling in local politics. Such a position rarely saw action, and was usually the providence of elderly Admirals with no interest in commanding on the battlefront or positioning themselves to become the next Admiral of the Fleet.^[2]

Below them were the various Fleets commanded by Admirals, Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals. There was no set size for each fleet, with each admiral given command of a number of sectors along the battlefront with the authority to make broad strategic decisions. Captains were given command of individual capital ships, although smaller vessels were sometimes captained by Commanders.^[2]

Clone Wars[]

"The Senate has agreed that all home defense fleets must now become part of the Republic Navy. That's what we must do—centralize our forces."

―Palpatine, to Anakin Skywalker^[18]

RepublicInvasionForce-LaPR — Part of the Open Circle Fleet

During the Clone Wars, the Republic Navy was divided into multiple fleets, each fleet representing the sum total of naval forces in a given sector. Each fleet varied in composition, in relation to the needs of their assigned battlespace, and could be combined to form provisional task forces as needed. Most officers, especially high-ranking officers, were not clones. They came either from the navies of various Sector Forces or from the ranks of the Judicial Fleet.^[19] The command structure of the Republic Navy was further broken down as follows:

Republic Navy: Consisting of hundreds of fleets, the Navy was under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Supreme Chancellor Palpatine after the passage of the Security Act amendment.^[19]

Armada: An Armada was an administrative formation representing all forces allocated to a specific theater of war, generally numbering between 1,000 to 5,000 warships plus support units. It was commanded by a High Jedi General, such as a member of the Jedi High Council.^[19]

Fleet: A Fleet was commanded by a Fleet Admiral. It was generally composed of 3 to 6 Battle Groups numbering between 100 to 300 warships plus support units.^[19]

Battle Group: A Battle Group was commanded by an Admiral or Jedi General and consisted of 2 to 4 Squadrons. Numbering between 48 to 72 warships plus support units, a Battle Group was considered to have enough force to take all but the most heavily fortified enemy strongholds.^[19]

Squadron: A Squadron was commanded by a Commodore or Jedi General and consisted of 3 to 4 Sections, or roughly 12 to 36 warships, plus support units. Each Section was meant to compliment each other, such as a group of escorts providing a defensive screen for larger warships.^[19]

Section: A Section was usually commanded by the most senior Captain, unless there was a Jedi Commander present. The exact role of a Section determined how many ships it contained. Large warships, such as battleships and cruisers, operated in "lines" of 3 to 4 vessels. Smaller craft, such as corvettes, operated in "flotillas" of 6 to 12 vessels.^[19]

Element: The technical name given to a single ship, each ship was normally commanded by a Captain. Rarely was a Jedi Commander given command of a ship.^[19]

Notable Fleets[]

Naval Starfighter Corps[]

Though there was a separate starfighter corps, the navy also maintained its own squadrons of starfighters onboard each warship. These fighters were meant for ship-to-ship combat as well as space fights. Although not named, Clone Pilots operated under this same concept.

Marines[]

Main article: Clone marine

Marines were the ship-to-ship assault and defense soldiers of the navy. Originally birth-born recruits and officers, during the Clone Wars they used specially trained clone troopers as marines to counter the droid marines of the Confederate Navy. They were most likely the basis for the Imperial Marines.