Trade Federation military

During the Republic Era and fall of the Republic, the Trade Federation maintained a military. In addition to a fleet of starships, a major branch of the Federation military was its army of battle droids, which let the Federation easily target planets that did not have a military force, was used to back the economic might of the Federation, and gave them the ability to influence local politics. The Federation also hid the true power of the Droid Army from the Galactic Senate. During the Invasion of Naboo, the Federation blockaded the planet of Naboo with their Lucrehulk-class Battleships and deployed the army of droids for the first time.

The Federation military was defeated at Naboo. After the losing thousands of B1 battle droid, Federation leaders researched concepts for an improved combat model, ultimately resulting in the B2 super battle droid. The Federation also began to build up its military. Prior to the Separatist Crisis, the Federation and other organizations secretly allied with Dooku, the Count of Serenno and a Sith Lord. Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray pledged battle droids to Dooku's cause, the Confederacy of Independent Systems. However, after Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi learned that Dooku was building a Droid Army with the Federation and other commerce guilds, the Galactic Republic deployed its new Grand Army of clone troopers to combat the CIS.

During the ensuing Clone Wars, Senator Lott Dod claimed the Federation was neutral, but the Federation continued to do business with the Separatists and secretly aided Dooku. During the war, the Federation fleet blockaded Pantora to push the planet towards the Separatists.

Appearances

 * Darth Maul 1
 * Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Journeys: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy – A Graphic Novel
 * Star Wars Journeys: Beginnings