Database and Lore

The I’rala Class Battleship

* Spoilers if you haven't read past Gabatrix: The First Peace arc* “It’s no surprise that the Ikra Class Battleship is overshadowed in fame by early Itrean warships, but its successor would be used even more,” a Yutilian shipbuilder’s comments of the warship. Designed as the replacement and advancement of the famed Ikra class Battleship, the I’rala class would be one that is usually ignored much in their contribution to the new Itrean fleets. However, they only proved to be found just about everywhere, where they proved to be rather adequate in battle. Where there is the Ikra class, the I’rala would become the true workhorse of the entire Itrean clans. Design The I’rala class is heavily based on the Ikra class design. With an improving and recovered set of economies, all the clan species of the T’rintar government placed a new order for better warships. At the same time, there would be numerous ideas to improve the Ikra class design further. One was to resolve the cramped conditions of the Shal’rein. Two centripetal rings were introduced to spread the crew population around and provide more space. One of the other major updates was the introduction of improved CIWS batteries that lined the ventral and dorsal bow of the ship. The new batteries were better at tracking targets, but the high cost still limited the amount that could be built. For each of the clan species, slight improvements were also brought in. Additional heavy torpedo tubes were installed in the bow, or a twin light railgun turret mounted in the chin was installed, depending on the clan species preferences. The I’rala came in right as the Itrean economies were on the upbeat. While there were still limitations on the full potential of a united vessel design, it didn’t stop the massive commencement of orders that proceeded with it. History Construction of the vessels started in late 2319. In reality, the I’rala class was well received right from the beginning. Many of the problems and issues that resided in the Ikra class were resolved. By then, the vessel was beginning to make great headway in the shipyards. Twice as many battleships were on order as the famed Ikra, but there were still significant issues even then. Regardless of the introduction, the upcoming political pressure of the failures of the T’rintar government would even hit the shipyards. Attempts to erode the popularity of the united effort hampered some construction. At the same time, the very concept of a united warship was still not widely accepted in 2320. The I’rala’s fame had taken a severe loss in reputation even though the crews and service life of the vessel was quite good. By 2330, the construction orders were put forth and then halted numerous times. Construction crews in the Yutilian kingdoms were quoted as calling the ships the “Hiccup Class” for their unsteady construction. In the later years, the only genuine criticism of the design was that it was still not fully combat viable. This was mostly due to the economic restraints, but even then, the warship’s armament was moderate but adequate. When compared to the Ikra class, it was simply better, but much more could have been done about it. Politicians that were against the united government often used this as a valid excuse that these and the Ikra classes were nothing but failures. However, proponents would often quickly counter the argument back, saying that the ships were exemplary in their role. As the government was nearing total collapse, the I’rala would see the end in construction, although their legacy would help forward the newer Italq Mark 1, Italx Mark 1, and Qitilix class Battleships used by each of the clan species. It was expected that the I’rala was going to be phased out in the next ten years afterward. However, it didn’t happen as it was intended. By the time the Itrean Civil War would break out in 2339, the I’rala class was still in vibrant numbers. All the Itrean clans had the vessels in their fleet stocks. They were just as abundant numbers as the later battleships in the early years. Instead of outright criticism that past politicians claimed, they were used on almost every front. Even with the advent of Zilik’s Disease, it did nothing in curtailing their total usage for the first five years of the war.  It has only been the last five years, from 2345 to 2350, that the I’rala sees less and less usage. Most of this simply comes down to the fact that newer battleships are being built in more and more numbers. These replacements have placed the I’rala in the upcoming stages of eventual decommissioning. By 2350, the class is mainly considered obsolete by all the clans. Even then, it still hasn’t meant the end of this warship. Their value still remains even with half of the population.