Imperial Navy 43rd Battle Group

The 43rd Battle Group is a battle group in the Imperial Navy's 4th Fleet. Known infamously as the "Death Fleet", the 43rd Battle Group is widely considered to be an elite patrol unit, organised to carry out Kabekage Patrols. While it is a part of the Niigata-based 4th Fleet, the 43rd Battle Group is currently based in an uninhabited system near Nemuro as part of its current border interception tour.

Like most battle groups, the 43rd has three combat divisions and a single support element.

Following the standard Kabekage Patrol doctrine, the 433rd Division consists of Kabekage packs as the hunter and sleeper forces, while the 431st and 432nd rotate between acting as the designated annihilation force and reserve force every month.

History
The 43rd Battle Group was created in 2356 due to the Fusajiro Reforms of the Imperial Navy. With the Niigata Defence Fleet split from the 4th Fleet, the 4th Fleet itself was further split into localised and expeditionary forces, with the 43rd and 44th battle groups grouped as expeditionary forces.

Upon the Kabekage-class destroyer's adoption by the Imperial Navy as its prime stealth patrol and strike ship in 2395, the 43rd Battle Group was the first unit to receive the destroyers, and soon became on of the pioneers in Kabekage deployment and the development of modern Kabekage Patrol doctrine.

The 43rd has since become known as the most elite Kabekage Patrol unit. This has led the 43rd Battle Group to be prized highly by Imperial Navy command as a border protection and anti-crime task unit.

Composition

 * 43rd Battle Group
 * Imperial Navy 431st Division
 * Imperial Navy 432nd Division
 * Imperial Navy 433rd Division
 * Imperial Navy 43rd Battle Group Support Element