The emergence of foreign naval powers in Polynesia's horizons has been causing great concern for the Polynesian Admiralty. As cartographers and diplomatic corps reach out to the aether. Polynesia acquires a greater insight into what is on the horizon. The discovery is one of intrigue and dread. Perhaps the most concerning revelation is the existence of a thassalocratic state similar to us, but much more economically powerful and technologically advanced than what we could match. The "Shangting Tianguo" or "The Pure Kingdom upon Heaven" if the translators did not mess it up, represents the Polynesian Armada's greatest threat, as should war break out, fear over its technological might defeating Polynesia's strongest line of defense abound in the Admiralty. Whether these fears are well-founded or just a Polynesian iteration of "yellow peril" remains to be seen. Diplomats and the government do not see a point in antagonizing the regime, instead, believing that strengthening APSAP remains the only hope for Polynesia to remain a powerful player on the world stage. Nevertheless, the Pure Kingdom upon Heaven is not the only preeminent naval power. The Republic of Thailand, State of Taiwan, Empire of Japan, and Batak Sumatra are recognized as established naval powers by the Admiralty with the Republic of the Philipines and the ROCN classified as emerging naval powers.

Now that the pond is no longer our oyster to claim alone. We must ensure that our dominance of the Australian Seas and the Eastern Pacific is not contested by any of these powers. Geopolitically this objective has been successful with Polynesian expansionism reaching as far and wide as Micronesia and Rabaul as well as the APSAP securing the Australian front. With this, the Polynesian core islands are protected from any incursion due to sheer distance. Nevertheless, we must ensure the capital ship fleet is up to standards and upgraded to meet any potential foe at sea. Our naval technology has improved rapidly since 1995 with the development of advanced fire control computers, naval radars, sonars, improved munitions, propellants, secondary armament, main battery modernization, and refined armor plating. Material scientists in Polynesia struck a breakthrough in a kind of organically infused steel alloy that takes catalytic processing of Koa wood, a uniquely strong oak bark resource into a reinforced stainless steel alloy 60% stronger than traditional armor.

The new military development program also known as the 1999 Capital Ships Act, a bipartisan bill passed in Parlament in March, will see the construction of more capital ships for the Polynesian Armada. More cruisers and battleships will join the fold, and new gargantuan war machines were being designed:

Māui Class Cruiser Submarine

Also known as the Trickster class named after the famed Maori demigod Maui the trickster. The submarine is an enlarged version of the Aihe class, At nearly 100 meters long and 9 meters wide, the Maui is a formidable submarine. Designed for long-range autonomous engagements powered by large sterling engine generators. The submarine is intended to wreak havoc on convoys and flanking maneuvers and has enough armaments and stockpiles to annihilate even the best-armored warships. With compressed air torpedoes, repair crews, and a highly potent sonar. The submarine is designed to be better than its opposition designed to be an all-rounder for any situation. 2 of these unique ships are scheduled to be built in the year 2000

Io Matua Kore class Dreadnought

Named after the supreme being; personification of light and the world of the living and the forest. The Io Matua Kore is built to be Polynesia's response to mechanical beasts like the now-defunct IJN Yamato and VMS Palawan. Armed with 12 450mm guns in 4x3 gun turrets and 16x120mm, 8x152mm dual-purpose secondary guns and an all or nothing armor scheme of 32 mm of armor and a belt armor of 450mm. The ship is armed to an extraordinary degree. With a top speed of 27 knots and improved fire control and radar mounts alongside an aircraft catapult for reconnaissance in the ship's stern. The ship represents the pinnacle of Polynesian naval engineering which shall be the symbol of Polynesia's naval might. So far, 1 of these ships is scheduled for construction next year in 2000.

In addition to these two new designs, 3 surface cruisers (1 Maru class, 2 Ahuahituroa class) are scheduled for construction next year as well to increase Polynesia's cruiser fleet and capabilities. Funding has already been prepared to be allocated as a general modernization of the nation's battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and corvettes is being implemented as of 1999.

https://preview.redd.it/vg78x6tykjq81.png?width=1736&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd8c00993d8e5a64f7c180705932acc6cc62744c