Sarhadi-class cruiser
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Sarhadi-class cruiser |
| Builders: | Leviathan Shipbuilders |
| Operators: |
 Navy of the Syaran Republic |
| In commission: | 1928-1950 |
| Planned: | 12 |
| Completed: | 8 |
| Cancelled: | 4 |
| Lost: | 4 |
| Retired: | 4 |
| Preserved: | 0 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Cruiser |
| Displacement: | 13,334 long tons (13,548 t) (full load) |
| Length: | 196.96 m (646 ft 2 in) |
| Beam: | 20.6 m (67 ft 7 in) |
| Draft: | 6.8 m (22 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion: | 4 turbines |
| Speed: | 35 knots |
| Range: | 7,700 km |
| Complement: | 781 |
| Armament: |
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The Sarhadi-class cruiser was a series of Cruisers built by the Republic of Syara in the late 1920s. Built as part of the Cruiser Race, they were intended to assist the Navy of the Syaran Republic in competing with the Cacertian Royal Navy. A total of 12 were intended, but only 8 were completed by the outbreak of the Siduri War. The eight completed ships were the Seeker of Glory, Conscious Piety, Majestic Visage, Grateful Messenger, Forlorn Hermit, Valued Keeper, Honest Judgement, and Noble Patronage.
The Sarhadi-class were in many ways emblematic of the problems with Syaran cruiser development, made difficult by competing requirements, uncertain strategic employment, and unclear doctrinal roles. The result was a heavily armed and very fast cruiser, but with critically low levels of armor. As a result the Sarhadi-class was a source of confusion regarding its status; foreign observers labeled the class as both "heavy" and "light" cruisers at various points, while the Syaran Navy declared it a "standard cruiser".
The class saw extensive service during the Siduri War, serving as division flagships, raiders, and convoy escorts. Despite concerns over the ships' design, the class performed well, though suffered heavy losses. Conscious Piety was sunk in the Battle of the Sabri Sea, while Grateful Messenger and Valued Keeper were lost in the Nuandan Campaign. Honest Judgement and Noble Patronage were both heavily damaged in the Sundering Sea Campaign and were still in port for repairs when Syara surrendered. Of the four surviving vessels, both Honest Judgement and Noble Patronage were scrapped after the war while Seeker of Glory and Majestic Visage were kept until they were decommissioned during the Occupation of Syara.