The combined forces of all orbital strike and patrol craft deployed by the Star Trading Conglomerate are administered and directed by this organization. Essential to the protection of STC space, the Trade Defense Force functions as piece keepers and first responders in space, carrying out many missions, from border patrol to policing and rescue operations.
The navy is led by a council of four Admiralty Generals, each bound to the planetary system they represent. Four fleets - stationed over the four most important systems or patrolling between the colonies and installations - make up the bulk of vessels operating for the TDF. A small percentage of ships are also specialized atmospheric transports - mostly emergency aid - and remote deep space reconnaissance vessels.
Going back to the founding of the STC, the Trade Defense Force has been a staple in Conglomerate space ever since, guiding ships through the sometimes misleading nebula and operating as convoy support to anyone requesting it.
Table of Contents
Etymology
The TDF's motto "Dangaus Gynėjas" translatable into "Protecting the Skies" lies in conformity with the motives of other governmental organizations inside the STC, understanding their operations as the foundation of a higher good, for the benefit of their nation.
Every ship commissioned for the TDF's forces uses the prefix H.K. (Himlen Kreiseris loosely translated to engl.: sky cruiser) as identification in its name.
History
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Structure
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Participants
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Operations
As the Star Trading Conglomerates' main military force, the TDF is tasked with any official defense and patrol missions. It regularly performs patrol and escort missions, as well as aiding stranded or damaged ships inside STC territory.
Known Ship Types in Active Service
Dreadnaughts
Cruisers
Destroyers
Frigates
Corvettes
Carriers
Fighters
Support Craft
Funding
As part of the government of the Star Trading Conglomerate, the TDF's budget is covered by taxes and other income sources of the STC government. While historically being pretty low, their budget has risen in recent years to unprecedented heights, as the STC is trying to establish itself as a power in the region that is capable of defending its interests and not being consumed politically by its larger neighbors to the east.
Criticisms
As the TDF provides hired convoy protection services offered by the Interplanetary Trading Ministry, they regularly receive criticisms for "selling out" and therefore not being any better than common mercenaries or pirates.
There are also frequent allegations that the TDF pays and outfits privateers that are then tasked with finding interesting targets outside of Conglomerate space and bringing back any kind of valuable tech or goods.