Principality of Zeon Forces:
MS-06S Char’s Zaku II
Head height: 17.5m / Overall width: 9.2m (9.7m including spikes)

After distinguishing himself in history's first mobile suit battle at Mare Smythii, Char Aznable is re-commissioned as an officer of the Principality of Zeon forces, and becomes the pilot of this mobile suit.
Based on the MS-06 Zaku II, this machine has been customized at Char's request. Painted in his personal red colors, it has a multi-blade antenna to indicate that it is a commander's machine. Though its basic construction is the same as the standard type, the limiters of its thruster units have been removed to enable higher mobility, on Char's instructions. This increases the risk of mechanical damage due to heat from its generator and engines, but makes it possible to push the thrust performance of the MS-06 Zaku II to the very limit. It also makes this machine very hard to handle, demanding far more piloting skill than the standard type.
Specializing in hit-and-run tactics using its high thrust, which is said to be 30% higher than the standard type, this red machine leaves a vivid impression as it blazes through the battlefield. It will subsequently be known as the "Red Comet."

Principality of Zeon Forces:
MS-06C Zaku II
Head height: 17.5m / Overall width: 9.2m (9.7m including spikes)

Anticipating the imminent outbreak of a war of independence, the Principality of Zeon forces formally adopted the MS-05 Zaku I for mass production, and began deploying it for combat use. However, with the collection of combat results and other functional data on the Zaku I, it became clear that it had a number of problems that could not be overlooked in future conflicts. For example, putting the power pipes that transmitted the energy of its fluid pulse system inside the armor impaired its mobility, and the machine's low volume ratio gave it a short operating time. Even if the MS-05 Zaku I were upgraded to improve its basic performance, it was designed with no wasted space, and so it clearly had little scope for expansion. Thus an improvement plan was adopted, and it was redesigned based on factors such as ease of production and maintenance, and expandability to suit the changing situation after the outbreak of war. The development of a new main mobile suit began.
As in the MS-04 Bugu, the power pipes were mounted externally, and the machine was designed so that the output of the fusion reactor could be increased to allow for greater expandability. The redesigned prototype was completed as the MS-06 Zaku II. An "A" was appended to the model number of this pre-production prototype, which was known as the MS-06A Zaku II. The results of its functional testing demonstrated that its performance was enough to satisfy the leadership of the Principality of Zeon forces, and they decided to adopt the Zaku II immediately. Its mass production began in time for the outbreak of war.
The first production type of the MS-06 Zaku II was a mass-produced mobile suit with some improvements. A "C" was appended to its model number, and it was classified as the C Type. The fixed shield and shoulder armor that had been introduced as defensive equipment in the MS-05S Zaku I were also formally adopted, and this type was produced in large numbers as the main machine of the Principality of Zeon. The MS-06 Zaku II series would ultimately consist of countless minor variations based on this C Type.

Principality of Zeon Forces:
MS-06R-1A Zaku II
High Mobility Type

As the MS-06 Zaku II entered service as the mainstay of the Principality of Zeon forces, its development continued with the goal of providing enough versatility to adapt to any combat situation. This process began with the early production model, or C Type, which was then followed by the F type. When the mass production system of the highly versatile C Type was refined in anticipation of the war of independence, the Principality forces began developing MS-06 Zaku II types adapted for local warfare, which were specialized for particular combat situations. The first of these to be completed was the MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type.
In this machine, versatility was abandoned, and improvements were made to improve its mobility for combat in outer space. Its large backpack was fitted with an extra propellant tank, which could hold a greater supply of quickly consumed propellant. Three large acceleration thrusters were added to each leg to further boost its mobility.
During the Battle of Loum, a large-scale fleet battle at the beginning of the war of independence, this machine is used by the Black Tri-Stars team of Gaia, Ortega, and Mash, who previously served as test pilots during the development of the mobile suit. Since they specialize in a three-in-one anti-warship formation attack, each one has different weapons and characteristics to suit its role. Team leader Gaia's machine has shields on both shoulders, increasing its supply of bazooka ammunition. Mash, who excels at shooting attacks, carries an ASR-78 anti-ship rifle which is capable of medium- and long-range fire. And Ortega, who specializes in melee combat, uses a giant heat hawk to follow up Gaia's and Mash's attacks by finishing off the enemy with a direct blow. These machines will yield excellent results in the Battle of Loum.

Principality of Zeon Forces:
MS-04 Bugu

The prototype MS-04 Bugu, based on the pioneering mobile suit YMS-03 Waff, was created with a greater emphasis on combat capabilities and no regard for ease of production or maintenance. Though this machine could be considered one completed form of the mobile suit, the MS-04 Bugu faded from the limelight with the later mass production of the MS-05 Zaku I, which was based on its data but had a better balance of functionality and production. Only a few machines were produced before the outbreak of the war of independence.
However, since its performance surpasses that of the MS-05 Zaku I, and the total number of mobile suits produced is still small, some pilots still continue using the MS-04 Bugu. Among them is Ramba Ral, who served as a test pilot during the development of the mobile suit. At the start of the war of independence, Ramba participates in the attack on Side 2 (Hatte) as the commander of a mobile suit force, using an MS-04 Bugu equipped with a Type A2 MS bazooka, heat hawk, and shield.

Principality of Zeon Forces:
GG Gas Infusion Vessel

The first large-scale operation in the war of independence launched by the Principality of Zeon forces is Operation British, an attempt to drop a space colony onto the Earth Federation Forces general headquarters at Jaburo. To carry out this operation, they must capture a single colony virtually undamaged. The Principality forces choose Island Iffish, the capital banchi of the pro-Earth Federation Side 2 (or Hatte), as their target, and begin exterminating all its inhabitants using a lethal chemical weapon called GG gas. A specialized spacecraft which can transport and pump GG gas is used in this process.
This spacecraft is made up of an upper unit for piloting the vessel and controlling the gas pumping, and a lower tank unit. The upper unit, which has a distinctive form resembling an insect, can be detached from the tank unit. This vessel was not originally developed for pumping GG gas, but rather for transporting oxygen and other gases and liquids used in colony construction, and then pumping them at their destination. It was later diverted for military use. The crew wear special normal suits to prevent their being harmed by unexpected GG gas leaks.

Island Iffish

The space colony cluster of Side 2 is located at L4, a Lagrange point close to the Moon. This Side is also known as Hatte, and its capital banchi is named Island Iffish. The colony uses an "open-type" design made up of alternating window sections called "rivers" and land sections, with three mirror panels attached to its exterior.
Although the population of Side 2, or Hatte, is made up of Spacenoids, its declared political position puts it on the Earth Federation side. Colony defense and public security is provided by a Hatte Defense Force equipped with weapons supplied by the Earth Federation Forces, or hastily constructed in the colonies themselves. Because the Principality of Zeon sees this Side as a political opponent, it declares war against Hatte at the start of the war of independence, and launches an attack immediately afterwards. Island Iffish then becomes the target of the Principality forces' Operation British, and the lives of all its inhabitants are snuffed out by lethal GG gas.
The colony itself falls into the hands of the Principality forces almost undamaged, and is used in a colony drop aimed at destroying Jaburo, the site of the Earth Federation Forces general headquarters. With heat-resistant coating applied to its outer walls, and propulsion boosters attached, Island Iffish leaves its Lagrange point and begins free-falling towards Earth until it reaches low orbit. As it enters the atmosphere, however, it breaks up into three pieces which fall across Earth's surface. This will become the greatest tragedy in human history.

Earth Federation Forces:
Magellan-Class
Space Battleship

This space battleship, which has the greatest bombardment capabilities of all the vessels in the Earth Federation Space Force fleet, is the foundation of its offense. Its main guns are twin mega particle cannons with long range and high firepower. Combined with its radar-based enemy search and tracking abilities, they put it in the highest class of warships at the outbreak of the One Year War, and make it the core of the fleet. It also has plenty of defensive armament based on electronic control, and compared to the vessels of the Principality of Zeon forces, its firepower and defenses are overwhelming.
As the Principality forces prepare for their war of independence, many of these ships are newly constructed at Jaburo, the Earth Federation Forces general headquarters in South America. Under the command of Admiral Revil, they are then sent into space using boosters capable of reaching escape velocity, in order to reinforce the Federation's space fleet.
Minovsky particles that interfere with radar and other electromagnetic waves are now being used on the battlefield, and this also hinders the kind of precision guided attacks, based on long-range cannon fire linked to radar search, in which the Magellan specializes. Thus, as the engagement with the Principality space fleet begins, Duckbill reconnaissance craft become indispensable for gathering intelligence in the battlefield of space.

Earth Federation Forces:
Salamis-Class Space Cruiser

This space cruiser is deployed in large numbers as the main vessel of the Earth Federation Space Force fleet. With single mega particle cannons in its bow and stern, and a VLS (Vertical Launch System) in its bow, it has high offensive performance. It also has radar-based enemy search capabilities and ample defensive weapons, including anti-air machine guns and missile pods.
Though its firepower and offensive strength are low compared to the Magellan-class space battleship, and its hull size is smaller, its high mobility enables it to easily change and move fleet formations in response to the battle situation. It is deployed mainly in the vanguard of the fleet, alongside Lepanto-class missile frigates, to support the attacks of the Magellan-class battleships that perform most of the bombardment.
As the Principality of Zeon builds up its arms for a war of independence, many Salamis-class ships are constructed at the Earth Federation Forces general headquarters in South America. Together with the Magellan class, they are equipped with boosters and launched into space.

Principality of Zeon Forces:
Gwazine-Class Space Battleship "Great Degwin"

The flagship of the entire Principality of Zeon forces, based on the Gwazine-class space battleship, the Principality's largest type. Though it is a battleship, it was constructed as the personal vessel of Sovereign Degwin Zabi, and so some of its interior is splendidly designed and highly livable, rather than emphasizing combat. At the same time, it has remarkably high offensive performance and defense capabilities in order to protect important dignitaries. With four large twin mega particle cannons on top of its hull, its firepower exceeds that of the Magellan class. It is also equipped with 20 anti-air twin mega particle cannons, indicating that it was designed for higher defensive strength to protect its passengers. The tanks attached to its exterior for long-range travel show how much its design concept differs from that of normal combat-oriented space warships.
Unlike the rest of the Gwazine class, the internal space in the center of the bow forms a large protruding bulge, in which Sovereign Degwin's personal chambers are installed. This bulge section is splendidly decorated and surrounded by a huge golden crest designed to resemble the rank insignia of the Zeon forces, making this instantly recognizable as a flagship.

Side 2 (Hatte):
Hatte Defense Force Fighter Vollhog

A small space fighter used by Side 2's Hatte Defense Force. Its basic structure is shared with that of the lunar attack craft Hog which was deployed in the Battle of Mare Smythii. Since the Vollhog is intended for security and patrol missions around and inside space colonies, this variation has modified main wings and armament. Its vertical main wings are adapted to high-speed flight under atmospheric pressure, and it is armed with a recoilless cannon that can fire large-caliber shells even while flying. But this small machine has limited flight capabilities and low offensive strength, and when it is scrambled to intercept the Principality of Zeon mobile suits that assault Hatte, it is unable to make a dent in the enemy.