Republic Navy

The Republic Navy, also referred to as the Republic fleet, Republic starfleet or the Galactic Republic fleet, was the military naval force of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. The Navy served to transport the clone army across the galaxy while also engaging in ship-to-ship combat with the Separatist navy. Following the end of the war and the formation of the Galactic Empire, the Republic Navy transitioned into the Imperial Navy.

Background
The Republic Navy was the naval branch of the military forces of the Galactic Republic and held a proud naval tradition that dated back thousands of years to the foundation of the Galactic Republic. The Republic Navy fought in the Clone Wars against the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and with a fleet of warships at its disposal, the Navy supported the Republic war effort by ferrying clone troopers across the galaxy as well as engaging in ship-to-ship combat with the Separatist navy. The formation of the Republic Navy also led to the introduction of a line of wedge-shaped capital ships known as Star Destroyers, beginning with the Venator-class Star Destroyer.

The Clone Wars begin
The Republic Navy participated in the Battle of Geonosis, the first battle of the Clone Wars, twenty-two years before the Battle of Yavin. Acclamator-class warships and Low Altitude Assault Transports were used to carry troops and vehicles on the planet, in an effort to help Jedi forces repel the Separatist Droid Army. Following the Republic victory on Geonosis, the Grand Army and its naval counterpart were presented on Coruscant to Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine and several members of the Galactic Senate, who witnessed clone forces boarding Acclamators in preparation for deployment.

Some time after the Battle of Geonosis, in the Battle of Christophsis Venator-class Star Destroyers were deployed instead of Acclamator-class ships, engaging Separatist battleships that were blockading the planet. A stealth ship prototype was tested in the battle and managed to destroy Admiral Trench's flagship, the Invincible. In the next battle on the planet of Teth squadrons of V-19 Torrent starfighters operated together with Jedi starfighters.

Subsequent campaigns
"As the bulk of our fleets are engaged on the frontlines we’ll be on our own."

- Admiral Yularen

During the Mission to Rugosa, Jedi General Yoda traveled aboard a Republic frigate. The Separatist superweapon known as the Malevolence destroyed a group of Pelta-class frigates, used as medical transports by the Republic. Afterwards, Jedi General Anakin Skywalker led a squadron of BTL-B Y-wings with the purpose of destroying the Malevolence, but he initially failed, succeeding only in boarding the ship. Nu-class transports were employed in several battles in this period, such as on Christophsis, Ryloth, the Rishi moon, Vassek's third moon and Florrum. General Skywalker often used a G9 Rigger-class light freighter named Twilight since the Battle of Teth, in which he stole the ship.

In the Battle of Malastare the Republic used many starfighters to bomb Separatist ground forces marching against them, consisting of Y-wings and ARC-170 starfighters. In the Second Battle of Geonosis, the Republic deployed a great amount of naval forces, again using the Low Altitude Assault Transport carriers deployed in the rescue of the Jedi team in the first battle. Additionally, Pelta-class frigates were deployed to help the injured troopers. In the Battle of Saleucami, after the capture of Eeth Koth, Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi's fleet included for the first time an Arquitrens-class light cruiser. The battle also used a Eta-class shuttle for the first time. Large naval forces were employed in the Defense of Kamino, when General Grievous struck the clones' home, including ARC-170 and Y-wing starfighters and Venator-class, Acclamator-class and Arquitens-class ships. These kinds of ships were also used in the Battle of Sullust. Later, modified LAAT/i's were deployed in the Battle of Lola Sayu to evacuate a Jedi rescue team run to save Jedi General Even Piell.

The Clone Wars end
Since the Battle of Umbara, Republic had used Clone Z-95 Headhunters as its main starfighter forces. A large group of naval forces surrounded the space station Valor during the Republic strategy conference. Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano piloted Eta-2 Actis-class interceptors in the Defense of Cato Neimoidia; this kind of starfighter was used by Jedi often in the last part of the Clone Wars. A large formation of Republic capital ships attacked the space station surrounding the world of Ringo Vinda, including ARC-170, Y-wing and Clone Z-95 starfighters, a Jedi ambassador shuttle, a Nu-class shuttle, Republic frigates, Arquitens-class, Acclamator-class and Venator-class capital ships. The gunship Havoc Marauder was used by Clone Force 99 in the Battle for Anaxes and the Mission to Skako Minor in the final years of the war.

Organization
The Republic Navy was the naval branch of the Republic Military. During the early phase of the Clone Wars, the Acclamator-class transgalactic military assault ship served as a troop carrier. Likewise, the Venator-class Star Destroyer served as a transport for clone troopers, but was also designed for ship-to-ship combat. Additionally, the Venator-class contained a large flight deck capable of holding numerous Republic starfighters.

The Navy supported it the Grand Army of the Republic with gunships and starfighters. A force of clone navigation officers assisted in crewing the Navy's arsenal of warships. As part of a wartime bargain between the Office of the Chancellor and the Jedi Order, a cadre of non-clone veteran officers were assigned to work alongside the newly-appointed Jedi Generals.

Capital ships
During its active history, the Republic Navy made use of several types of capital ships. Such starships included Acclamator-class transgalactic military assault ships, and Star Destroyers such as Venator-class Star Destroyers and Victory-class Star Destroyers.

Smaller craft
The Republic Navy utilized several classes of light cruisers and corvettes. At least two examples of light cruisers were Arquitens-class light cruisers, Consular-class space cruisers, and Charger c70 retrofitted Consular-class cruisers. Corvettes included the CR90 corvette, the Paladin-class corvette and the stealth ship. Frigates were also used, primarily Pelta-class frigates. The Republic Navy also used escape pods, including salon pods and Republic escape pods. A G9 Rigger-class light freighter was also part of the naval forces of the Republic.

Gunships and shuttles
The Republic Navy utilized several types of gunships, including LAAT/is, space gunships, and Low Altitude Assault Transport carriers. The Havoc Marauder was a type of gunship used by Republic forces. The Republic Navy had an assortment of shuttles in its inventory, including Eta-class shuttles, Nu-class transports, Republic medical shuttles, T-6 shuttles, and Theta-class T-2c shuttles.

Space stations
Space stations also saw commission by the naval forces of the Galactic Republic. Such stations included Haven-class medical stations, Regalia Station and Space Station Valor.

Starfighters
The Republic navy deployed a variety of starfighters including interceptors such as the Delta-7, Delta-7B Aethersprite-class light interceptors and the Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptors. Starfigher-bombers such as the BTL-B variant of the BTL Y-wing starfighter, and other starfighters such as the Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing, ARC-170, V-19 and the Clone version of the Z-95 Headhunters.

Non-canon appearances

 * Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes