The Danger Of The TIE Defender

Star Wars

Oct 16

While the TIE Defender would usually be paired together with the B-Wing by video games, such as with Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, the two have never faced each other in films or TV shows. The one common trait they do have is that both were designed as all-purpose and powerful starfighters for their respective sides. For the Empire, that meant a starfighter to be feared. A starfighter both agile and well protected.

Unlike others of the TIE line, the Defender had three wings. The places they were mounted provided a more triangular look for the rear of the fighter, despite still having the usual ball-shaped command module. The tips of each of those wings had a laser cannon attached, along with two more on the bottom of the command module. The Elite variant of Defender would also have missile launchers attached to the wingtips.

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While all that weaponry, which include ion cannons, make for a formidable opponent to face, the other additions made for a far more dangerous starfighter. Unlike other mass-produced fighters of the TIE line, the Defender had a shield generator. Which was able to take a lot of hits, though the prototype’s shields could easily be bested by an ion cannon. The Defender also had a hyperdrive, meaning it could operate independently from a carrier or cruiser.

The threat of these starfighters being mass produced is one reason they didn’t see much action. Though Legends would see the TIE Defender enter production near the end of the Galactic Civil War – where the starfighter would be present at the Battle of Endor, canon sees the project being a short-lived one in the first years of the war. With the Spectres, with inadvertent help from Lothal’s governor, putting a close on the project. And the Imperial factories that made them.

The design of the TIE Defender came from Morgan Elsbeth, who tried convincing various Imperial officers of its effectiveness. Though they would turn it down, the design attracted the attention of Grand Admiral Thrawn. In working with her, the starfighter soon entered production on Lothal. The rebels, through Agent Kallus operating as Fulcrum, learn of the development of a new weapon. With help from former Lothal governor, Ryder Azadi, the Spectres infiltrate the Imperial factory, stealing the plans for the TIE Defender.

The first prototype would see action during the operation to arrest former Senator Mon Mothma after her speech denouncing the Emperor a monster for the Ghorman Massacre. With the Spectres and Gold Squadron using a nebula as a shortcut to their destination, Thrawn uses one prototype Defender to flush them from it. A plan that almost succeeds. With that first test, improvements could now be made.

With support coming from high-ranking members of the Imperial hierarchy, such as Grand Moff Tarkin, the project continued to see more funds provided for it. Though even with Darth Vader taking a liking to the fighter, even providing recommendations for changes, those funds were at risk of being pulled away should results not be seen. Being put instead toward the Death Star.

With Azadi hearing of the improvements, the Spectres once again are on Lothal to get the specification for the new Defender. Though the attack by the Rebel Alliance fails, the Spectres did not give up. With Thrawn away from Lothal to argue his case for the TIE Defender project to continue, Lothal governor Arihnda Pryce has full command. Her desire to put an end to the Spectres at any cost sees the fuel depot destroyed. Ending the production of everything the factories of Lothal were building, and the TIE Defender project.

Lothal was soon liberated, with Thrawn taken away to a new galaxy by Ezra Bridger of the Spectres. Several TIE Defenders were in use by the Empire throughout the war, though they would not see action in the major battles of it. Many years later, the First Order would revive the project, along with using many of its features as inspiration for their own starfighters. Such as the TIE Silencer that Kylo Ren would use taking down the Resistance after the destruction of Starkiller Base.

Had the TIE Defender project continued, and had Thrawn not being taken away from the galaxy, there’s reason to believe things might have been different. Though this is purely speculative, it’s never revealed if Thrawn managed to gain the funding to continue the project. His reaction to the fuel depot’s destruction makes it seem he had been successful. With the funding, more TIE Defenders would have been in the fight, likely as part of Thrawn’s personal squadrons. And with a tactician like Thrawn still in play, the entire war could have ended sooner with a victory for the Empire.

The TIE Defender is a great looking starfighter, so it is a shame it has yet to be seen in any live action media. With it known there are some still around in the galaxy, could it be possible the upcoming films feature them? While it would be great to see them in The Mandalorian & Grogu, I feel it makes more sense for them to show up in Starfighter. Even if it is further in the timeline than The Rise of Skywalker, it feels like a great film for the live action debut of the TIE Defender.

Sources: Wookieepedia

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