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[[Image:NavyImage3.jpg|thumb|right|Imperial Navy workers load a [[Torpedo]] into its firing tube{{Fn|12}}]]
The Imperial Navy consists of millions of heavily armoured and armed spaceships, both warp-capable and system-bound. While the interstellar vessels are the most famous, the Navy also operates sublight [[System Defence Boat|system defence boats]], [[Orbital Defence Platform|orbital defence stations]], [[Star Fort|star forts]] and even planetary-based [[Defence Laser|defence lasers]] and missile silos.{{Fn|26}} The Imperial Navy deploys a vast diversity of vessel types, from one-man attack fighters to kilometers-long Battleships.
[[Image:Imperial-Navy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Imperial Navy vessels{{Fn|27}}]]
Construction of Imperial Navy warships is complicated, obscenely expensive, and often takes place over decades or even centuries. The vast majority of construction is done in orbital shipyards by the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]], but the Navy itself sends specialist technicians to oversee certain critical elements. Other such specialist are sent by the [[Departmento Munitorum]] and [[Administratum]] to give ritual attention to specialized areas. However the [[Tech-Priest]]s do not take part in the construction of two highly classified of the warship: the [[Astropathic Choir]] (which is built by the [[Adeptus Astra Telepathica]]) and the chamber for the ship's [[Navigator]]s (which is built by the [[Navis Nobilite]]).{{Fn|20b}} While most new Imperial Navy vessels are constructed in the Navy's own shipyards, a number are build by planetary shipyards of [[Hive World|hive]], [[Factory World|factory]] or other worlds as part of the [[Tithe|tithe]].{{Fn|26}}
Another source of new voidships [[voidship]]s are the [[Forge World|forge worlds]] of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. While most of the newly constructed vessels are destined for their [[Basilikon Astra|own fleet]], a number of them are supplied to the Imperial Navy. These Mechanicus-build hulls are marvels of engineering, oftentimes incorporating rare technologies.{{Fn|26}} Though the construction of a single new cruiser may take more than a decade even for a well-supplied shipyard, a forge world can commission multiple new cruisers per years, thanks to economies of scale,{{Fn|24a}} having at any given time a dozen or more hulls in varying stages of construction.{{Fn|24b}}
Sometimes, the Imperial Navy expands its numbers by salvaging old wrecks. This practice uses up less resources than the construction of a new ship, but is considered far more dangerous because these wrecks are often home to predatory [[alien]]s. Even less likely is the discovery of a spaceworthy wreck which is part of a [[Space Hulk]]. Securing such a hulk is considered worth the risk, even if they are very high. Sometimes, these wrecks are of an older pattern or mark the Imperium no longer has the ability to reproduce or feature [[archaeotech]] or other assorted riches.{{Fn|26}}
*{{Endn|25}}: [[The Silent King (Novel)]], Chapter 18
*{{Endn|26}}: [[Kill Team: Into the Dark]] Book , pg. 11
*{{Endn|27}}: [[Rogue Trader: Battlefleet Koronus]], pg. 111
===Uncited===
