*The Defense Laser damage statistics are meaningless; the Laser can only fire at incoming mass driver bullets, and a hit destroys the target.

The Koshiir Ra defense fighter is the pinnacle of Taidan fire control and tracking technology. Using a rapid-fire, tight beam microwave emitter in a revolutionary solid state mount, the Shield can literally shoot enemy projectiles out of space. While this system leaves this ship without any kind of offensive capabilities, designers have tried to maximize survivability by enhancing maneuverability and armor. The only weakness in this fighter's design is the very light armor around and under the weapon assembly. The microwave emission sphere cannot be covered by any extra armor mass and covering it with any kind of grillwork would inhibit reaction fire by an unacceptable margin.

The Koshiir Ra suffers from the often deadly tactical paradox of being a purely defensive vehicle that is often deployed in the most savage offensive operations. Fleet captains will often englobe heavy capital ships with defense fighters before sending them to punch through enemy picket lines. The defense fighters intercept most of the enemy fire that would otherwise render capital ships incapable of pushing on to complete their missions.

While these tactics optimize a capital ship's survival, they do little to for the projected lifespan of Koshiir Ra pilots, and these squadrons are manned completely by volunteers. Koshiir Ra was an ancient god of protection in the ancient days of the Taidani people and many of defense fighter pilots carry his symbol, a shield crossed by broken swords, on their person when entering combat. Koshiir Ra pilots are known for their sense of mercy and will often hover near crippled fighters, both friendly and enemy, destroying incoming fire until the battle is over.